Pre-finishing the apartment in a new building: what is it, what includes
When choosing housing in the primary market, buyers have to analyze the proposed options for a number of parameters. Obviously, the price, size, layout, location, infrastructure and proximity to transport interchanges affect the price of an apartment.
But it so happens that in similar at first glance, the price of square meters is significantly different in the residential complexes listed above. An interested buyer will find out that the reason is related to a different degree of readiness for settlement (with pre-finishing and finishing, or even “turnkey”). To find out whether to save on this, in this article we will analyze:
- pre-finishing the apartment in a new building - what is it;
- what is the difference from other degrees of readiness;
- what housing will look like;
- what will have to finish the owners.
The content of the article
What is the finishing treatment
This is the condition of the apartment, which is in highest demand among buyers. So, most often offered by developers. Therefore, before buying primary housing, it will not hurt to deal with this concept and see photos of the options for finishing the apartment in a new building.
Given that finishing is called applying decorative finishes on the surface (ceiling, walls and floor) and installing the necessary appliances and elements for life, a logical conclusion suggests itself. The pre-finishing is a preparatory stage before redecorating, creating a base. So developers interpret this concept, but in their own variations.
There are two common definitions of pre-finishing. According to the first, it is possible to call in and live in such an apartment while simultaneously performing finishing on your own. According to the second, it is still impossible to live in such a room, but for the final readiness it remains to make a minimum of effort.
Differences in definitions come from the number of stages and components implied by the developer under the final finish. In the next section, we will examine in more detail what the pre-finish finish includes in any case and what additions to count on in the improved version.
What includes the final finishing of the apartment
Let's talk first about how the construction companies agree. First of all, this is floor leveling - the base screed, which is desirable to subsequently cover with a thin layer of self-leveling mixture. Also, priming and puttying (plastering) of walls and whitewashing of ceilings were carried out. The installation of electrical wiring and heating system, including space heating devices (radiators), has been completed. Water outlets and outlets for connecting sanitary equipment have been prepared. And, of course, cleaning - cleaning the premises from construction debris and dust. This is what the pre-finishing of an apartment in a new building in the basic configuration is.
And now we will talk about additional options that you might be lucky to see in the purchased apartment with a clean finish, if the developer sees this concept more broadly. It:
- window sills and other elements of window structures - slopes, ebbs and fittings;
- interior doors;
- fully equipped bathroom (a waterproofing layer is laid on the floor, a bathtub, toilet bowl, connected faucet, sink are installed);
- faucet and sink in the kitchen;
- switches and sockets.
It is important to find out in advance the list of works carried out by the developer during the decoration. If this is not done, some owners will be upset that the apartment with the final finish is equipped with the above components. After all, one will have to abandon one’s own plans for these areas or add to the dismantling stage - and this is extra time, noise and dirt. Others, on the contrary, will appreciate that they received an almost fine finish at a low price. In the next section, we will talk about this “almost”, that is, what is the difference between the finishing and finishing.
Differences between Finishing and Finishing
The main improvements that a pre-finished apartment needs before entering are the installation of finishing flooring and plumbing. It is permissible to finish the rest, having already transported things and settled in. For example, while wallpapering the walls in a room, you can temporarily spend the night in the next room or in the kitchen, if there is only one room. This will cause some discomfort, but will suit those who are expensive to buy an apartment with a fine finish, but you can’t postpone the entry.
An alternative to such a "semi-finished product" - a more expensive finishing - implies the arrival of the owners to inspect new properties immediately with furniture and suitcases. The turnkey degree of readiness from an apartment differs only in the absence of furniture. The developer will include materials for decoration and repair work in the cost of such housing, providing not only a prepared, but already decorated apartment. This means that under your feet there is flooring, the walls are covered with wallpaper or painted and the apartment is waiting to be settled.
The quality of finishing materials and equipment directly depends on the class of housing, but modern residential complexes have a choice of several price categories. The difference between prices is achieved through the use of imported content in one apartment, and elements of Russian production in another. Check with the seller before buying what to count on: linoleum or laminate, paper or vinyl wallpapers are provided by the project, take an interest in the plumbing manufacturer. Owning this information, it is easy to calculate that it will be cheaper and closer to the planned interior - to overpay the developer or bring the apartment to readiness for living independently.
Advantages and disadvantages
The pre-finish finish has a number of advantages both before the previous stage (rough finish) and before the next (final). This option is better than draft, since it is possible to check in immediately after the commissioning of the object (albeit associated with temporary difficulties). Another significant factor - the loudest and most dirty work has been done (you do not have to fill the floor, ditch the walls under the electric network, level and plaster). And for a newly populated new building, this means not only freedom from their own noise and pollution, but also from neighboring ones, since developers often isolate the section of finished apartments. So stopping by in new housing with small children, you will not have to be afraid that in the next few years you will not be able to sleep during the day.
Finishing, too, on several points loses pre-finish. Firstly, because it does not provide scope for the imagination of the owners in the design and decoration, the embodiment of original ideas. As a rule, neutral colors are used there, interiors are typical and without zest. The second reason for the superiority of apartments with pre-finishing is the cost lower than fully renovated to the end by an average of 5-8%.
But every option, in addition to advantages, also has drawbacks.Take at least additional urgent expenses for urgent additions and the time it will take to redecorate (no one is safe from prolonged periods). It is especially inappropriate for real estate investors who plan to rent housing, and not live there.
In addition, if the materials used do not live up to expectations, you will have to spend time and money on remaking. By the way, this will not happen if claims arose regarding the quality of the work performed, this will be discussed in more detail in the following sections.
How much is
In different regions, the mark-up for pre-finishing in comparison with the cost of an apartment for rent in rough finish is significantly different. Compared to clean finished housing, such an apartment will come out at least 5% cheaper. It is widely believed that finishing repairs carried out on their own after buying an apartment will be more expensive, even if you do the same at home as the developer offers, since the construction company purchases materials at wholesale prices and established contacts with contractors that home buyers do not have.
But if you leave aside design techniques and imported materials, and do most of the finishing work with your own hands, this option will be more economical. Repair of an apartment with a preliminary finish by the forces of a hired team varies, starting from 2200 rubles per square meter in the regions to 3500-4000 rubles in Moscow or St. Petersburg.
How to take an apartment with a clean finish
After the question of primary importance for buyers - how to choose housing with a pre-finished finish, the next is the acceptance of such an apartment by the real estate investor. What details should be paid attention to, what standards should be followed, and how to achieve justice if something goes wrong. Write or print a list of the main conditions for receiving an apartment, so that in the wake of positive emotions from a housewarming, do not forget to check one of the points.
First, we examine the walls - how smooth the surface is, whether there are visible defects in the form of cracks, smudges, potholes, bumps and imprints of tools. The next step is to check the density of the screed layer and the equal floor height. For the presence of voids, the floor is tapped, and the height is measured with a laser or level rail at several points. Remember that for laying tiles, a height difference of 6 mm is permissible, and under linoleum - only 2 mm. The third point of inspection is the ceiling, from which nothing is strewed. Otherwise, the ceiling is poorly primed. We are also interested in the joints between all of the listed surfaces, we pay attention to the joints too.
We examine the interior doors, if any, and the windows for the complete set (whether slopes and tides are in place), the density of the insert in the openings, otherwise it will blow from the cracks, and the interference when opening and closing. An attentive owner will be alerted by an extraneous sound (creak or rattle), clinging of the sash when moving and loose closure, problems with fittings.
After we go to check the heating system and heating devices - batteries and radiators. It is important whether there is an equal distance from them to the windowsill and to the floor, whether there are enough brackets for the set number of sections, whether taps are mounted to remove air, and whether temperature regulators are mounted, if provided for by the plan. If there is a heating system in the floor structure, ask the developer for a pipe layout to take this factor into account when carrying out further repairs.
The same applies to the wiring - not knowing where the wires go, you risk damaging the system when finishing. If the project does not provide for the installation of switches and sockets, check the exit points of the wires at these places.In the case when the owners are far from construction and repair and are not sure of the quality of the inspection that they can do on their own, they invite a knowledgeable and experienced person, otherwise, surprises will be found during operation.
To help buyers checking dwellings SanPin and GOST, armed with dissatisfied with the quality of finishers, federal law “On participation in shared construction of apartment buildings and other real estate and on amendments to some legislative acts of the Russian Federation” dated December 30, 2004 N 214-ФЗ.
If you notice defects in coatings, incompleteness of elements stipulated by the contract or other defects, do not accept the apartment. Use the servants of a lawyer and draw up an act on the elimination of deficiencies in relation to the developer. Remember that the work carried out by the construction company for five years is covered by the warranty, and if the item fails earlier, contact for troubleshooting - do not and do not pay on your own. It is more logical to use the provided guarantee until the expiration of the term - it will come out longer, but more economically.
