--- title: "Hidden costs of new builds: why renovation prices in 2026 double the housing purchase budget" description: "🏠 Prices for new builds in Ukraine in 2026 are rising not only due to the cost of the \"shell\" but also due to the increase in renovation costs. 📉 Experts warn: the price per square meter is just the beginning. 💰 Basic renovation now costs 9–14 thousand UAH/m², while complex renovation can reach 30 thousand UAH/m². 🔍 For a 50 m² apartment, the renovation budget can equal the price of the property. ✅ Housing with ready-made finishing is becoming more profitable, but requires careful inspection of the package. #realestate #renovation #newbuilds #economy #2026" date: 2026-08-13T07:32:01.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/hidden-costs-of-new-builds-2026-en tags: [real-estate, ukraine-economy, construction, renovation, inflation] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Hidden costs of new builds: why renovation prices in 2026 double the housing purchase budget ![Calculation of hidden renovation costs for new buildings in 2026 using a calculator, house model and coins](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/13/skrytye-raskhody-na-novostroyki-2026/skrytye-raskhody-na-novostroyki-2026-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Housing prices on the primary market rose by 5-10% in the first half of 2026. - Renovation costs vary from 9 to 30 thousand UAH per square meter. - Buyers are forced to consider the total cost of moving in, not just the price of the apartment. - Ready-made finishing reduces risks but requires checking quality and package contents. The Ukrainian real estate market in August 2026 is experiencing a fundamental transformation in how buyers perceive housing costs. Purchasing an apartment on the primary market increasingly requires citizens to calculate the final budget in detail, where the price per square meter becomes merely a starting figure. Experts in the construction industry note that the actual costs of finishing and equipping a home can radically change the financial picture, making many properties inaccessible to those who focused solely on the cost of the "shell". ### New logic of housing selection: accounting for total cost According to Marianna Bigunets, Commercial Director of the construction company Gazda, the logic of housing selection in the run-up to the autumn-winter season of 2026/27 is changing noticeably. The key change has been the focus on the total cost of real estate. Buyers now have to assess not only the price per square meter but also take into account the cost of future renovations, furniture, and household appliances. This is due to the fact that the gap between the price of a "bare" apartment and a move-in ready home has become critical. ### Price increases and inflationary pressure According to data cited by experts and referencing NBU statistics, housing prices on the primary market have risen by 5-10% in the first six months of 2026 alone. The main factors driving this growth were the weakening of the national currency and a sharp increase in construction costs. Consequently, renovation prices are also rising. According to Gazda analysts, by the end of 2026, basic renovation may cost around 9-14 thousand UAH/sq. m, mid-range renovation – 15-19 thousand UAH/sq. m, and complex renovation – from 22 to 30 thousand UAH/sq. m. These figures do not include furniture and appliances, making the final sum even more impressive. ### Real figures: how much moving costs To illustrate, experts provide calculations based on an average apartment of 50 m². While buyers could previously count on relatively modest renovation investments, the final budget for moving into apartments with similar area and price can differ significantly now. The basic cost per square meter requires accounting for additional expenses for equipping the home. This means that for a full move, the buyer needs to have a reserve of funds comparable to the initial cost of the property itself. ### Ready-made finishing as a risk reduction tool In conditions of instability, experts recommend considering housing with finished renovation. According to Bigunets, such housing reduces the time to move-in and allows for a more accurate budget forecast. However, it is important to check in advance exactly what is included in the package. Before buying an apartment, the buyer should check in detail: wall and floor finishes, interior doors, plumbing, lighting, electrical fittings, kitchen area, household appliances, and the condition of the entire building. Ready-made finishing has value not in itself, but as a tool for risk reduction. The buyer gets a clearer budget, faster move-in, and less dependence on the cost of labor and materials. However, these advantages must be combined with quality engineering and the readiness of the entire building for the autumn-winter season. ### Contradictory data In the context of assessing the growth of renovation prices in 2026, there are discrepancies in the estimates of various sources. The basis of this material is the position of the company Gazda, which points to a significant increase in the cost per square meter of renovation (up to 30 thousand UAH for complex work). At the same time, according to open sources (e.g., news.mail.ru), the total cost of renovation in 2026 rose by an average of 10% compared to the previous period. Meanwhile, last year the cost of renovation work increased by an average of 25%. The difference in data interpretation may be due to the fact that some sources assess the growth of prices for services and materials in general (indexation), while others assess the absolute cost per square meter taking into account inflation and the increase in construction costs over the entire period. Buyers should consider both scenarios: both the short-term price spike and long-term inflation. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Up to 1.5 million just for renovation: how the new build market changed in 2026](https://24tv.ua/realestate24/ru/ceny-kvartiry-novostrojkah-2026-goda-izmenilsja-pervichnyj-rynok_n3122445) - Источник подтверждает тренд на рост стоимости ремонта и изменение логики покупателей. - [How much does apartment renovation cost in Moscow in 2025-2026](https://www.sostav.ru/blogs/285118/70154) - Подтверждено по источнику sostav.ru - [Prices up: renovation costs in 2026 rose by 10%](https://news.mail.ru/economics/69734955/) - Источник указывает на общий рост цен на ремонт, что коррелирует с данными о росте себестоимости. - [How much does apartment renovation cost in 2026](https://www.sostav.ru/blogs/286041/75666) - Подтверждено по источнику sostav.ru ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: How much does apartment renovation cost in 2026? **A:** Basic renovation costs from 9 to 14 thousand UAH/m², mid-range – from 15 to 19 thousand UAH/m², complex – from 22 to 30 thousand UAH/m². ### Q: Why are new build prices rising? **A:** Main reasons: weakening of the hryvnia and increased construction costs. ### Q: Is it worth buying an apartment with renovation? **A:** Yes, this allows for a more accurate budget calculation and faster move-in, but it is important to check the package contents.