Turnkey Project
A renovation delivered fully complete and ready to use, where the contractor handles every aspect from design through final cleaning.
A turnkey project is one in which the contractor or design-build firm takes responsibility for all phases—design, permitting, procurement, construction, and final cleaning—and delivers a finished, move-in-ready space to the homeowner. The term comes from the idea that the owner simply "turns the key" and begins using the space without further work.
Turnkey arrangements are common in kitchen and bath remodeling, where firms offer a one-stop-shop experience including design consultation, material selection, subcontractor management, and installation. They offer homeowners convenience and a single point of accountability, typically at a premium over separately managed projects.
The trade-off is that turnkey prices include the firm's overhead on every component—design fees, project management, material markups—which can add 20–40% to the cost versus managing the project yourself. For homeowners who value time savings, single accountability, and professional design, turnkey is often worth the premium.
Real-World Example
The design-build firm delivered a turnkey kitchen renovation for $68,000: they handled everything from permits to countertop sealing, leaving the homeowners only to stock the cabinets.