Shell condition vs turnkey

What each option means

Shell condition is a flat with plastered walls, screed on the floors, windows and an entrance door, and installations brought in. It does not, however, have finishing floors, tiling, sanitary fittings or interior doors. To live there you have to finish it yourself.

The turnkey option is a flat fully ready to move into. It has laid floors, painted walls, and a fitted bathroom and kitchen. The buyer gets the final result, usually according to a previously chosen finishing package.

Costs and time

Shell condition is cheaper to buy, but requires an additional budget for finishing and time to organise the work. The cost of finishing depends on the standard of materials and can vary considerably. You also have to allow for the time needed for the renovation, which delays moving in.

The turnkey option is more expensive at the point of purchase, but lets you move in almost straight away. For people who have neither the time nor the desire to coordinate a renovation, it is often a solution that saves nerves, even if the total cost turns out to be similar.

Control over the result

The biggest advantage of shell condition is full control over the finishing. You decide on the materials, colours, layout and quality. You can tailor the flat to your own needs and taste, and also spread the spending over time, finishing successive rooms in stages.

In the turnkey option you usually choose from ready packages. You have less influence over the details, but you gain a predictable result and no need to supervise contractors. It is a solution for people who value convenience over customisation.

Which solution for whom

Shell condition works well for people who have the time, want to design the interior their own way, and can manage a renovation or entrust it to a trusted firm. It is also a choice for those who want to spread the cost of finishing over time.

The turnkey option is good for the busy, for investors preparing a flat for rent, and for anyone who values a quick move-in and predictable costs. When buying with a loan it is worth remembering that finishing a shell-condition flat can also be partly financed.

Summary: a choice by priorities

There is no single right answer. Shell condition gives control and the ability to spread costs, but requires time and commitment. The turnkey option means convenience and a quick move-in at a higher purchase price. Add up the real costs of both options, weigh your time, and choose the solution suited to your priorities.