Turnkey Renovation — What It Means and Who It's For

Many people consider a renovation but feel overwhelmed by the thought of comparing contractors, managing schedules, and sourcing materials. That is when the idea of a "turnkey renovation" (avaimet käteen -remontti) becomes appealing.

• Key Points:
• In a turnkey renovation, one company handles the entire project from planning to completion
• You do not need to separately find a plumber, electrician, and painter — everything is managed under one roof
• It is especially suited for busy lifestyles, first-time renovators, and multi-trade projects
• A good partner creates a clear plan, timeline, and price before work begins

What Does a Turnkey Renovation Include?

In a turnkey renovation, the same partner typically:

• Plans the renovation with you
• Handles measurements and inspections
• Coordinates or employs trusted professionals (electrical, plumbing, waterproofing)
• Procures materials and arranges delivery
• Manages the timeline and communication

Your role is to express your wishes, make decisions between options, and approve the plan — not to run between the hardware store and different contractors.

A typical turnkey apartment renovation might include:

• Surface renovation: wall levelling and painting, trim, door fixes
• Flooring: old floor removal, prep work, and new floor installation
• Kitchen: cabinet replacement, countertops, sink, appliance installation — kitchen renovation
• Bathroom and WC: demolition, waterproofing, tiling, fixtures — bathroom renovation
• Electrical and plumbing: licensed work, documentation, and inspections

When Is a Turnkey Renovation the Best Choice?

The turnkey model works particularly well when:

• Your daily life is busy (work, family, other commitments take all your time)
• It is your first major renovation
• The project involves multiple trades (flooring, walls, kitchen, electrical, plumbing)
• You do not want to personally coordinate schedules and different professionals

Many people find that their own time and energy are greater "costs" than the monetary price. Having someone take ownership of the project and keep all the threads together is genuinely relieving.

Benefits of a Single Responsible Partner

The biggest difference compared to the "hire different people for different jobs" model is that responsibility sits with one party:

• You do not have to chase anyone if someone is late — the partner handles it
• If something needs fixing, there is no need to figure out whether the fault was the painter's, the plumber's, or the tiler's
• The entire renovation is planned from the start so that work phases support rather than conflict with each other

This reduces stress, misunderstandings, and "falling between the cracks" that sometimes occurs with multi-contractor projects.

Also read: How to choose a renovation company — 7 essential tips

How Are Pricing and Budget Handled?

In a turnkey model, the budget is reviewed step by step:

1. Assessment: Which rooms are being renovated, current condition, housing association involvement
2. Plan: Your wishes and priorities (e.g., "kitchen first, living room just surface renovation")
3. Quote: Clear breakdown of labour, materials, and possible add-on options

Be prepared for occasional surprises, especially in older buildings. Experienced contractors typically include a small contingency buffer for issues that cannot be seen before demolition. The important thing is that these are communicated openly and the invoice does not grow secretly.

Read more: Apartment renovation cost 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a turnkey renovation always more expensive than hiring separate contractors? Not necessarily. A single contract may feel like a larger sum at once, but the total is often more even and controlled. When the same company plans the work and schedules, no time is wasted on waiting and overlapping tasks, which also shows in costs. Plus, you save your own time on procurement, coordination, and supervision.

Is turnkey only for large apartment renovations? No. The turnkey approach works for any project with multiple work phases — even a combined painting + flooring + door replacement project benefits from single-point coordination.

How do I know if a turnkey company is reliable? Check references, reviews, and photos of completed work. Ask for a detailed written quote. Verify insurance and business registration. Read our guide to choosing a renovation company.

Can I still make decisions about materials and design? Absolutely. In a turnkey renovation, you make all the key decisions — the contractor presents options and implements your choices. You are in control of the design direction.

Can I claim the tax deduction for a turnkey renovation? Yes. The labour portion of the invoice qualifies for the household tax deduction (35%, max €1,600/person/year). Read our tax deduction guide.