What does fine finishing mean in a new building: practical advice

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Not only in Russia are new comfortable houses being built for residents. Together with the apartments, citizens acquire a convenient infrastructure, including all the necessary facilities.

Often, construction organizations offer square meters in a new building with “rough finishing” or “fine finishing”. The choice of many owners falls on the final finishing, which means the final stage of readiness at which they can already move into the new building.

All varieties have their own characteristics.

What is the final finishing of an apartment?

Before handing over the keys to the finished apartment, the living space goes through several stages.
These are construction, rough finishing, pre-finishing and finishing. The sequence of apartment renovation is as follows:

1. Dismantling works.
2. Installation of windows, doors.
3. Installation of partitions.
4. Electric installation work.
5. Replacing the heating system.
6. Plastering works.
7. Preparing the surface for finishing.
8. Cladding works, installation of decorative coverings.

Depending on what is being replaced, some steps are eliminated. The stages of renovating an apartment in a new building may also vary depending on whether the rough finishing is completed or whether it is intended to be turnkey.

Before you start planning everything, you need to decide on the type of repair: cosmetic or major. They differ significantly from each other. In the first case, only the replacement of decorative coatings with a complex of surface preparation works occurs. In the second case, more global changes occur, including redevelopment of the apartment.

The final stage is the removal of all remaining waste and debris, cleaning the premises and arranging furniture, electrical appliances and other interior items.

Pre-finish/semi-finish/for self-finishing

A convenient option for those who do not want to carry out labor-intensive finishing work, which would delay moving to a new building indefinitely. Since the developer delivers the premises already prepared for applying the finishing coating, some owners, with certain skills, glue the wallpaper themselves, lay linoleum or laminate. At the same time, the color, quality and price of the materials used in the repair are solely their choice. The interior turns out to be individual; it takes two to three months to prepare the apartment for moving.

With this type of finishing, the surface of the walls in the apartment (with the exception of balconies, loggias and bathrooms) is leveled with putty, the ceiling can be suspended or plastered, and the floors are covered with a cement screed. A heating system is installed in the rooms and radiators are installed. Water meters are installed on cold and hot water pipes. Electrical wiring is installed in the rooms, sockets and switches are installed, and places on the ceiling are prepared for connecting chandeliers. As with rough finishing, windows are installed in the premises, balconies and loggias are glazed. There are metal doors at the entrance to the apartment. As a rule, owners do the plumbing themselves.

Pros and cons of buying an apartment in a new building with fine finishing

Positive aspects of the purchase:

1. It is possible to ask the developer to do the planning and renovations before the construction is completed, so it will be built with a personal touch - this is a big bonus.
2. There is no need to paint the walls or install interior doors yourself. You just need to arrange the furniture.
3. New homes feature the design elements that modern lifestyles demand: an open kitchen with dining area, walk-in closet and large workshop, and more.
4. The big financial benefit of new properties is that the citizen will not have to do much maintenance. With new appliances, plumbing, heating and air, you can be repair-free for at least several years.
5. By using new building materials, newly built homes are typically more energy efficient. This means potentially lower utility bills.
6. New homes and apartments often come with the latest technology built into alarm systems, sound systems, internet wiring and cables, saving a lot of time, money.

What is the procedure for cleaning a new apartment?

High-quality completion of the final renovation of an apartment is possible only if the technology and sequence of each finishing work are followed.

It makes sense to start finishing at the top and finish at the bottom.

Work that involves a lot of dirt is best done at the very beginning. For example, laying ceramic tiles in the bathroom and kitchen. In addition, the plumbing and electrical work must be completely completed.

Then the ceilings in the apartment are completely repaired. It will depend on the type of coating chosen and the technology for its installation.

Following the ceiling, the walls are finished using one of the following methods:

• coloring;
• wallpapering;
• applying decorative plaster;
• laying tiles.

Having completed the work in the upper part, you can begin the floor covering:

• parquet board;
• laminate;
• tile;
• linoleum;
• carpet

And finally, there are the “little things” necessary for comfortable living in an apartment: interior doors, a stove, lamps, household appliances, etc.

Activities that need to be completed when receiving an apartment with a fine finish

According to Russian legal standards, the developer has the right to give the keys to the apartment to a citizen within 7 days after the house is put into operation.
This must be indicated in the title documents. There must also be a technical plan agreed upon by various authorities (fire safety, housing, sanitary inspection and others).

First, you should pay attention to the failed communications. This includes electrical wiring, gas, heating system, water (cold, hot).

Often the meters should already be located in the right places. The water must have good pressure. It is recommended to move the valves, as well as all necessary ceilings.

All walls and floors must be level. If there was agreement with the developer, then the wallpaper, plumbing supply, windows and doors must correspond to the plan. There must be wiring for connecting the chandelier and sockets. The paint layer should be uniform and moderately bright. The tiles must be laid evenly and processed according to technical rules.

There should be no cracks, chips, holes or other visible defects in the walls and floor. All thresholds and joints must be processed and sealed in accordance with the plan.

Windows must be made using modern materials. There should be no condensation, mold or cracks. There should be no rattling noise when closing or opening the door.

Ventilation can be checked using a piece of paper. If the sheet adheres to the walls, covered by the air flow, then the entire perimeter of the outlet is not contaminated.

The final stage of the inspection is the signing of the report. If the company’s client is not satisfied with the work of the builders, then he can indicate all the shortcomings in the report. It is also possible in the text to list complaints that need to be urgently corrected.

Laying tiles during final renovation of an apartment

Work on laying ceramic tiles can also be classified as a final renovation of an apartment, since this is one of the final stages of finishing. This item also includes grouting the joints between the tiles; this touch is no less important when arranging a bathroom. Such work will leave behind a lot of dirt.

It is advisable to go to a ceramic tile store knowing what you would like the finished room to look like. Thus, when you get acquainted with the store’s assortment, it will be much easier for you to understand how this or that tile model will fit into the concept of your bathroom. You should not buy tiles based on approximate ideas about the size of the room. Precision is especially important if you want to use two or more types of tiles or create a decorative panel.

On the websites of many material manufacturers there are special programs that allow you to depict the design of a room and apply measurements to it in order to calculate the required amount of coating. This will greatly simplify your task. However, if there is no such program, you can draw a plan in a graphics editor or on a piece of paper.

Recommended articles on this topic:

• How to accept an apartment from a developer
• Stages of renovation in an apartment
• Turnkey cosmetic repairs

Using a number of recommendations will save tiles and leave a minimum of pieces. The trimmings that appear during the installation process can be used in the corners of the room.

When laying horizontal rows of tiles, start with a whole one in one corner of the room, then the cut will lie in the corner against the opposite wall. Of course, to do this, you should choose a less noticeable area and estimate which fragment will be on it. It is unlikely that a piece of tile that is too narrow can be cut beautifully and squeezed into a corner. And if the wall is directly opposite the door, such installation can ruin the entire look of the bathroom. In this case, it is advisable to start from the middle of the wall so that you can carefully cut even pieces at the edges.

The installation method is determined by the size of the walls and tiles. Depending on these parameters, laying from the edges or from the center may be optimal.

The cut edge of the tile will be hidden by a solid tile laid from the corner of the adjacent wall. The joining of two scraps can be smoothed by sanding one of them. External joints are hidden behind a decorative corner.

The laying of vertical rows should also be thought out in advance. A narrow section under the ceiling will not look very nice, so it is better to start the row with a solid tile and finish it with a strip near the floor.

Often the bottom row of tiles in the bathroom is completely hidden behind plumbing fixtures and various accessories.

A narrow section laid along the floor will be almost invisible, and the cut edge of the tile will also be hidden. By laying the bottom row of tiles last, you can avoid many problems.

The beginning of a horizontal row also depends on other circumstances: the features of the design project (alternating rows of contrasting colors, the use of friezes, etc.), the location of plumbing fixtures and furniture. So, near the bathtub it is better to place the tiles in such a way that the edge hides the horizontal seam. This will protect the seam from excess moisture and maintain the aesthetic appearance of the installation.

The location of horizontal and vertical rows is also affected by the thickness of the seams between the tiles. At first glance, this may seem insignificant, but on a large wall, decorated with medium-sized tiles, the difference will be very noticeable.

When using small tiles, it is necessary to take into account the thickness of the joints, since in this case it is very easy to make a mistake.

For laying tiles on the wall, joints 1.5–2 mm wide are sufficient. After using grout, the gaps will visually appear even wider.

When drawing up a layout diagram, you must also keep in mind the size and location of decorative elements (friezes, borders, etc.). A carefully thought-out plan will help you avoid mistakes and reduce the cost of purchasing excess material.

Tiles with a 3D design look very impressive. In addition to the bathroom, we can recommend laying tiles wherever needed: in the kitchen, in the hallway, on the balcony or loggia.

Tips from the experts

Experts advise:

1. Feel free to inspect every corner of the room before accepting the keys. Signing the transfer and acceptance certificate means the citizen’s consent to the terms.
2. By law, Russians have the right to choose any company to carry out clean repairs in their apartment, which may cost less.
3. If you need to purchase housing abroad, it is better to hire or ask a translator to accompany the transaction from start to finish.
4. All repair details must be clearly stated in the documentation. Any deviation from the rules is illegal.
5. All work must be completed, which is mandatory indicated in the registered documents. If the house has not yet been put into operation, then a person needs to be very careful in such situations.

If you have doubts about purchasing a new apartment, and the money has already been paid in full or in part, then it is best to seek advice from professionals. Otherwise, the end result may not be what was expected.

Based on numerous reviews from Internet users, it is clear that fine finishing is not always beneficial for the home buyer. Its cost depends on many factors. The development area, the class of the building, and the reputation of the developer itself are of great importance here. There are a lot of similar objects on the real estate market. Citizens with any budget can afford to make the right choice.

Video of apartment acceptance with finishing:

See also Phone numbers for consultation Oct 24, 2021 Victoria M. 1387

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Discussion: 2 comments

1. Anatoly says:
   06/17/2020 at 00:20

   Still, it is preferable to buy an apartment with pre-fine finishing and arrange everything there to your liking, and if it’s finished, then negotiate in advance, rather than take what is already ready and it is also advisable to control the finishing work, so that later you don’t have to do everything after some time. redo.

   Answer

2. Polina says:

   10/14/2020 at 00:22

   Are new buildings in central Russia really most often designed for the installation of electric rather than gas stoves? I am considering buying a new apartment in the Moscow region and its neighboring regions.

   Answer

Documentation of the apartment acceptance procedure

A document that reflects the shortcomings of the accepted apartment is called an inspection sheet or a defect sheet - the developer must issue such a paper upon acceptance of the apartment. The more detailed the document is drawn up, the more chances the shareholder will have, in the event of a conflict situation, to defend his rights in court. The defect report should indicate:

• serial number of the record;
• a clause in the contract stipulating requirements for the condition of the apartment at the time of delivery;
• a detailed description of the construction defect;

The act is drawn up in the presence of all participants in the inspection and signed by them. If for any reason one of the parties refuses to sign, this is recorded in the act, after which it is sent to the party by post with notification.

Important. Not signing the apartment acceptance certificate until all detected deficiencies are eliminated is the right of the shareholder. If the developer does not eliminate them within the agreed time frame, he will be obliged to reduce the cost of the apartment by the amount that the upcoming repairs will cost.

So, if the housing does not meet the quality requirements, the equity holder has two options:

1. Do not sign the apartment acceptance certificate until the developer eliminates all deficiencies.
2. Sign the act, additionally drawing up an annex to it, indicating the acceptance of the apartment with defects, which will reflect in detail all the shortcomings made by the developer.

In both cases, the shareholder will have the right to recover moral and material damage from the customer in court.

What do they focus on during acceptance?

Usually the developer provides a guarantee for the finishing work performed. Therefore, before signing the acceptance certificate, it is important to ensure that all identified deficiencies are eliminated. What to focus on:

• If you are installing laminate flooring, check that there is a gap between the wall and the covering. Lateral loads can provoke further deformation of the plane.
• Linoleum in an apartment with a fine finish should be laid evenly, without bubbles or swelling.
• The maximum allowable size of differences in the ceiling is 3 mm.
• A plumb line or level is used to check the vertical and horizontal plane of the walls of a new building.
• When wallpapering, make sure that the joints are even and that there are no air bubbles.
• When tiling, the surface is tapped to identify voids. A ringing sound indicates their presence, which is unacceptable when performing fine finishing.
• High-quality door fastening implies the absence of creaking and a static position without mechanical impact. Doors in the apartment should not open or close on their own. When inspecting the entrance structure, pay attention to the degree of tension of the hinges and the seal.
• Checking the quality of finishing in a new building also applies to windows: frames and glass must be free of defects. The following evaluation criteria are smooth rotation of the handles, absence of drafts and fastening strength.
• The appropriate power of the electrical wiring is controlled by simultaneously turning on several electrical appliances. The required indicator is the absence of interruptions.
• Proper installation of plumbing fixtures during the final finishing of an apartment implies high-quality sealing of sewer tees, stability of the toilet and sink.

Options for finishing the ceiling during the final renovation of an apartment

Whitewashing the ceiling

For many years, this type of finishing ceiling repair, such as whitewashing with lime mortar, has been popular.

This option has several advantages:

• environmental friendliness;
• low price;
• Suitable for any interior design.

Disadvantages of whitewashing:

• lack of uniqueness;
• fragility of the coating;
• high absorbency;
• inability to effectively clean and wash the ceiling;
• labor-intensive preparatory work.

Preparing for whitewashing is the most difficult part of finishing the ceiling with lime. The final result directly depends on the thoroughness and accuracy at this stage. The surface needs to be puttyed, plastered and primed before applying the solution. The ceiling must be absolutely flat, without color differences, only then the coating will fit perfectly.

Painting the ceiling

A more modern method of finishing the ceiling repair is painting. The coating can be glossy or matte. Remember that on a smooth surface all defects and irregularities are better visible. The advantage of painting is the large selection of colors. To change the color of the ceiling, just add the appropriate color to the color mixture.

In addition, the use of hand painting allows you to create your own unique design. And a ceiling painted with waterproof paint can be easily washed if necessary, which makes it very practical. The disadvantages of painting, as in the case of whitewashing, include the fragility of the coating and labor-intensive surface preparation. After about three years, the paint will begin to crack. And to prevent this process from starting earlier, it is important to carefully level and prime the surface to be painted.

Wallpaper for the ceiling

The advantages of this method include low cost. However, this is a very complex process. By combining wallpapers of different textures and patterns, you can create an interesting design. Choosing wallpaper for painting in the future will save you from the need to re-paste it; it will be enough to apply paint of the desired shade over the canvas.

There is a special type of wallpaper suitable for covering the ceiling. But it cannot be used in rooms with high humidity levels that are prone to temperature changes, such as the bathroom and kitchen. At the preparation stage, the surface of the ceiling should be leveled so that the wallpaper does not highlight all the flaws.

Liquid wallpaper for the ceiling

This type of coating will help out if you are short of time, since it does not require lengthy preparation.

Finishing with liquid wallpaper is a profitable and convenient way to repair the ceiling in an apartment.

Advantages of liquid wallpaper:

• easy application that does not require special skills;
• wear resistance and durability of the coating;
• resistance to UV rays;
• a variety of design options by mixing colors, shades and textures, applying patterns or highlighting certain areas.

Disadvantages of finishing with liquid wallpaper:

• high cost of materials;
• impossibility of wet cleaning;
• Damaged areas cannot be replaced discreetly.