Renovated Apartments in New Developments: How Buyer Demand Is Shifting in 2026
Ukraine’s primary real estate market is entering a phase of structural transformation. Time for Action analyzed the new dynamics of demand and supply and concluded that buyers are no longer willing to shoulder all renovation risks. Instead of apartments handed over in raw condition, more and more purchasers are choosing ready-to-move-in properties finished by developers.
For many years, the standard model on the primary market was consistent. Apartments were sold during construction or immediately after commissioning without interior finishing. Owners independently organized renovations, planned budgets, searched for contractors, and controlled timelines. New buildings were attractive due to lower starting prices, installment options, and future appreciation potential. Renovation was considered inevitable, though often lengthy. In 2025, buyer behavior shifted. Requests for developer-finished apartments rose to 35-45%, compared with only 15-20% in 2023. The forecast for 2026 reaches up to 40-45%. This means nearly every second potential buyer expects a home ready for occupancy.
Demand is reshaping market logic. Finished apartments sell on average 20-30% faster than raw units. At the same time, their prices are 20-30% higher. Buyers are deliberately paying more in exchange for predictable costs and move-in timelines. The reasons for this shift are economic and risk-related. In 2025, the cost of renovation work increased by nearly 6%. Construction materials and services rose by 10-30%, with the steepest growth affecting tiles, сантехніка, laminate, paints, drywall, and insulation materials. Renovation budgets have become increasingly difficult to forecast.
A labor shortage compounds the issue. At the beginning of 2026, more than 150,000 vacancies were open nationwide. The shortage of plasterers, tilers, electricians, and plumbers reaches 30-45%. Even with sufficient funds, project timelines may stretch significantly. Power outages present another challenge. In 2024, Kyiv experienced scheduled restrictions for almost ten months more than 1,950 hours of limited electricity supply. In the second half of 2025, outages returned for 600–800 hours, and early 2026 added another 300-400 hours of emergency restrictions. For private renovation projects, this means logistical disruptions, downtime, and additional expenses. As a result, renovation costs may increase by 12-18%, and project durations may extend from four to sixteen months.
Under these conditions, a finished apartment becomes a tool for risk management. Developers, using generators at construction sites, can continue work during outages. Buyers receive a fixed budget and clear move-in deadlines.
At the same time, supply remains limited. Only about 4% of residential complexes in Kyiv offer developer-finished apartments. Demand outpaces supply, creating additional pricing pressure. The state mortgage program “eOselya” also plays a significant role. More than 50% of requests for finished apartments are linked to this program. Buyers prefer to include renovation costs in the mortgage amount rather than finance them separately after purchase.
Similar trends are visible in the secondary market. More than 60% of transactions involve properties with recent renovations. Apartments with outdated interiors take longer to sell and often require discounts. The forecast for 2026 suggests that 65-70% of transactions may involve homes with quality renovations. The market assessment is direct:
“In 2025, we clearly saw a change in buyer logic: people increasingly choose not square meters, but a finished product with transparent economics. An apartment with renovation is not just a trend, but a market response to real problems: rising material costs, labor shortages, extended timelines, and the ability to move in almost immediately after a building is completed.”
The primary housing market is shifting from a lowest-price model to a predictability model. In wartime conditions, buyers seek stability after purchase rather than initial savings. Finished renovation is no longer an optional add-on it has become part of a new household financial strategy. This means developers will need to adapt their product offerings, and the market will have to restructure its supply. Demand has already determined the direction of movement.
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