The Soviet experiment didn’t leave much room for interior design. Most old apartments have been partitioned and smothered by 70 years of plaster, unfortunate wallpaper choices and cheap paint.
Sound familiar?
If so, you might want to think about a remont for your apartment. Fixing up an apartment in Kyiv is anything but easy. However, with a little forethought and a lot of patience, it can be done fairly painlessly.
Kyiv has a dearth of contractors, so choose carefully. The right contractor is essential if you want everything to work in a timely and professional fashion. Look for a company that offers flexibility. A representative who answers all your questions up front is probably someone who values your time and money. The Kyiv Business Directory lists several contractors, but itХs a good idea to start with recommendations from friends or co-workers.
A month of planning and designing will save money and time in the long run. Most construction companies have a staff architect or can recommend one. The cost of design for a three-room apartment runs anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000.
Move out during construction Р the noise and grime are overwhelming. Also, donХt leave anything more expensive than a pencil sharpener lying around, or you might not see it again.
A full remont can take anywhere from two to six months, depending on the company. But it isnХt unusual for local companies to quote three months, and then take five or six.
Expect to pay about $150 per square meter for a facelift, which basically means new paint or wallpaper. A less-than-complete remont Р adding Western appliances, redesigning interiors Р costs $300 to $400 per square meter. For $700 per square meter, an apartment can be totally remade, and anything above that fits into the specialty market.
Those on a budget beware of the type of improvements that run up the bill, such as doors, kitchen appliances, plumbing, designer tiles and built-in furniture.
Quality contractors are full of tips on how to avoid unnecessary expenses. Mike Perry, of Perry Construction, suggests that, in order to save money, clients should avoid installing tile all the way to the ceiling. To minimize the number of doors, opt for open space. And buy a wardrobe instead of requesting a built-in closet.
With the right contractor Р one who understands your means and your needs Р it is possible to keep the headaches to a minimum and finish a project on time and on budget.
Jake Rudnitsky
