Turnkey Renovation in Moscow: What's Included and Extra
Turnkey apartment renovation in Moscow: what is included, what is extra, and how it differs from capital and designer work. Guidance only.
Profmaster Editorial
Apartment Renovation Experts
TL;DR
TL;DR
Turnkey renovation in Moscow usually bundles demolition, MEP, rough, and finishing in one contract — but furniture, appliances, approvals, and some deliveries are often separate lines. Match the estimate, not the ad slogan.
"Turnkey renovation" sounds the same in every ad but means different things in estimates. For one contractor it is demolition, new wiring, rough and finishing work. For another it is paint over old walls without pipe replacement. Budget and timeline gaps can span months and a large share of the estimate.
In short: turnkey means one contract and one accountable party through finished handover — but scope always lives in the estimate.
Put simply: you pay not for the word but for the list: demolition → MEP → rough → finishing → what else.
Main risk: accepting marketing "all inclusive" without exclusions — then extras appear for haul-off, panel upgrade, waterproofing, and door install.
Profmaster has worked in Moscow and the region since 2006. Below: what turnkey usually includes, what is often separate, comparison tables, and a checklist. Guidance: capital calculator, designer calculator. Format comparison: renovation types.
Three levels of "turnkey"
In Moscow, one label hides different depths of work.
| Level | Usually includes | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Capital turnkey | Demolition, MEP, rough, finishing, doors, basic lighting | Secondary housing, long-term move-in, utility refresh |
| Designer turnkey | + design project, specs, author supervision, complex lighting | Non-standard layout, built-in furniture |
| Premium turnkey | + custom materials, project-driven MEP, supply coordination | High detail and aesthetic requirements |
Cosmetic work is rarely "turnkey" in professional estimates — but ads use the term. Clarify depth of intervention.
What usually IS included in capital turnkey
Typical scope for a Moscow apartment in capital format — guidance, not an offer:
| Work block | Scope | What to check in estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Prep | Demolition, protection, haul-off* | Demolition volume in m² and linear m |
| MEP | Electrical, plumbing, ventilation* | Point count, full or partial replacement |
| Rough | Screed, plaster, primer, sound insulation | Layer thickness, tolerances |
| Finishing | Tile, paint/wallpaper, flooring | Areas, material class |
| Doors and windows | Interior door install*, reveals | Trim package, sills |
| Low voltage | Internet, TV, intercom* | Routes and outlets |
| Handover | Cleaning*, small fit-out | What "turnkey handover" means here |
*Often disputed — see "billed separately."
Secondary apartments almost always need survey — secondary checklist.
What is usually billed SEPARATELY
Even with honest turnkey, some items sit outside base estimate or client supplies them.
| Item | Why separate | Budget approach |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen and built-ins | Custom, long lead time | Separate contract or appendix |
| Appliances | Model drives electrical | Choose before rough stage |
| Design project | Separate intellectual work | Design project cost |
| Layout approval | Fees, design | Contract line or separate vendor |
| Windows | Replacement not always needed | "If required" line |
| Non-standard lighting | Custom fixtures | Spec in design project |
| Debris haul-off | Tonnage, trips | Explicit line or "included" |
| Final cleaning | Dust volume | Clarify in estimate |
| Smart home, AC | Project MEP | Separate section |
| Decor, curtains, textiles | Not construction | After finishing handover |
If an item is neither in "included" nor "excluded" — ask in writing before deposit. Contract detail: 15-point checklist.
Turnkey vs rough vs White Box
| Format | Starting point | Finish | Accountability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rough only | Empty or post-demolition | Ready substrates | Finishing by another party |
| Developer White Box | Partial developer finish | Finishing over white box | Developer fixes + finishing |
| Turnkey (capital) | Any condition | Move-in with finishes | One contractor |
| Designer turnkey | + project | Per specification | Design + build |
Developer finish comparison: rough, White Box, turnkey.
Budget guidance: not a fixed price
Total depends on area, condition, and material class. Site ranges are for initial bracketing:
| Type | Guidance ₽/m² | What moves the range |
|---|---|---|
| Capital turnkey | 42,000–60,000 | MEP, demolition, bathrooms |
| Designer turnkey | 55,000–150,000 | Design, lighting, complex materials |
| Premium | 90,000–200,000 | Custom items, supervision |
Rough stage alone — guidance 28,000–38,000 ₽/m². Exact estimate follows inspection. Market context: renovation cost 2026.
Hidden "not included" that surfaces on site
Even detailed estimates surprise clients who skip fine print:
| Line | Typical estimate wording | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Screed reinforcement | "If required" | Change order after opening |
| Riser replacement | "Per inspection" | Large secondary line |
| Chasing in load-bearing walls | "Approval separate" | Timeline and price outside contract |
| Carry-up without elevator | Not listed | Manual carry surcharge |
| Elevator and entrance protection | "Per building rules" | Fines without budget |
| Reserve | Exists without rules | Disputes when spent |
How to read such lines: how to read an estimate.
Checklist: what turnkey should contain
- Demolition with measured units
- MEP: electrical, plumbing, ventilation — with point counts
- Rough: screed, plaster, wet-area waterproofing
- Finishing: all rooms on plan
- Doors, baseboards, reveals — listed
- "Exclusions" attached to contract
- Reserve with rules
- Timeline per stage schedule
- Acceptance per checklist
- Cross-check with calculator
Questions to ask the contractor
| Question | Why | Good answer |
|---|---|---|
| What exactly is in your turnkey estimate? | Avoid different readings | Section list + exclusions |
| Are rewiring and pipes included? | Secondary housing | Yes/no with criteria in estimate |
| Who procures materials? | Quality control | Brands, substitution approval |
| Are haul-off and cleaning included? | Hidden cost | Explicit line or extra |
| Design project and supervision? | Format level | Separate block or not |
| How are change orders handled? | Budget | Act before execution |
| What about layout changes? | Timeline and legality | Status in contract |
| Reserve size and spending rules? | Transparency | %, acts, return of balance |
| Handover timeline by stage? | Control | Schedule, not one date |
| Similar project examples? | Trust | Portfolio, details |
Typical mistakes ordering "turnkey"
| Mistake | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Comparing totals only | Different scope |
| No exclusions list | Extras at finishing |
| Saving on MEP | Reopening after finishing |
| Furniture and appliances "later" | Electrical and niche conflicts |
| One deadline without stages | Unclear delays |
When to contact Profmaster
Contact Profmaster if:
- you need capital or designer turnkey with a transparent estimate;
- you want to compare ad "all inclusive" to real scope;
- the apartment is secondary — demolition and MEP inclusion matters;
- you want one contractor from survey to handover with stage acts;
- you need initial bracketing: capital or designer calculator.
Services, contacts, projects. Final price is set after site visit — without fake discounts or "lowest price" promises.
In short: turnkey renovation in Moscow is convenient single accountability, not a magic word. Open the estimate, find exclusions, match the contract — then turnkey aligns with move-in expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does turnkey renovation mean in practice?
One contractor runs the site from prep to handover with finishing: demolition, utilities, rough work, final surfaces. Scope depends on the contract — the label alone is not a standard.
Is rewiring included in turnkey renovation?
In capital format — often yes; in secondary housing it is typical minimum. In cosmetic work or with some contractors — no. Check the MEP section in the estimate.
Is a design project included in turnkey?
Not always. Capital turnkey may skip visualizations and author supervision. Designer turnkey includes project and compliance control — a different budget level.
What is most often paid separately?
Furniture, built-in kitchens, appliances, layout approval, delivery of non-standard materials, sometimes debris haul-off and final cleaning if not in the estimate.
How is turnkey different from rough-only renovation?
Rough work prepares substrates and MEP without finishing. Turnkey also covers tile, paint, doors, flooring — under one accountable party.
Can you build turnkey from two contractors?
Yes, but the handoff between rough and finishing crews is where tolerance and hidden-work disputes happen. One contractor lowers rework risk.
How do you verify what is in the price?
Estimate with sections, exclusions list, contract cross-check. See also contract checklist and estimate reading guide.
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