Turnkey flat renovation: how to compare estimates and avoid extra charges
What “turnkey” means in a renovation
For some, “turnkey” is a crew that does everything from demolition to cleaning; for others it is a company that also buys the materials and manages the schedule. So before you collect offers, decide three things: the type of renovation, who buys the materials, and whether you have a design project.
A cosmetic renovation refreshes surfaces without touching the utilities. A major one includes new wiring and pipes, floor screed, levelling walls, new flooring and doors. A designer renovation follows a ready project, and accuracy of execution is important.
What to put in your request
- Property and area — a flat in a new building or a resale, a house, number of rooms.
- Type of renovation — cosmetic, major, designer.
- Materials — from the contractor or yours; whether you need help buying.
- Design project — you have one, or it needs doing too.
- List of work — what exactly is included: electrics, plumbing, tiling, ceilings, doors.
- Address, timing, budget — with the deadline or the move-in date.
Example: “Perth, a two-bedroom flat of 700 sq ft in a new building, bare shell. I need a major turnkey renovation: electrics, plumbing, screed, tiling, ceilings and flooring. The design project is ready, the contractor buys the materials. Finish in 3 months, budget up to $12,000.”
How to compare estimates
The biggest problem in renovation is “extra work” that was not in the first calculation. To avoid it, ask for an estimate broken down by stages, not a single sum. Check:
- whether all the stages and rooms are there, including the bathroom, balcony, lift or carrying materials up to your floor;
- how work and materials are separated, and who is responsible for buying;
- how the work is paid for: in stages against completed work, not one big advance;
- what the schedule is, and the penalties for missing deadlines;
- the warranty on the work and the contact person on site.
How searching works on BlaBlaPrice
You write a request on the home page, and crews and companies reply in chat with offers. They see where their offer stands and can improve the scope, price or timing. You see reviews next to the offers, and contacts stay hidden until you choose a contractor. More on the “How it works” page.
Common mistakes
The most common mistake is starting without a design project and redoing things later. The second is agreeing to a verbal arrangement instead of a contract with an estimate and a schedule. The third is not setting aside a reserve for the unexpected: in an older home you almost always need one.
Agree with the crew in advance on working hours and noise, waste removal, use of the lift and who holds the keys and is responsible for the site. If you need only one type of work, see finishing work or electrical installation.
If you have no project yet, start with design and planning.
