At Fran Cortés Arquitectos, edtudio de arquitecturawe think of the cost of a turnkey house as a sum of several chapters that go from the design to the delivery of the keys, including the coordination of all the trades and administrative procedures.
When we talk about turnkey construction, we refer to a process in which a single company is responsible for everything: project, licenses, execution, finishes and even supplier management.
What exactly does a new turnkey project include?
When we contract a turnkey project, the idea is simple: we take care of everything so that all you have to do is receive the keys and move in. In general terms, this type of contract usually includes:
- Complete architectural design (plans, memory, technical documentation).
- Management of licenses and procedures with the city council.
- Construction management and coordination.
- Supply and installation of systems: plumbing, electricity, air conditioning.
- Interior and exterior finishes (coatings, carpentry, flooring).
- Quality control and partial deliveries during construction.
This approach reduces the stress of dealing with multiple suppliers and avoids surprises arising from mismatches or duplication of responsibilities.
Factors influencing the cost of a turnkey house
The final cost of a turnkey house can vary depending on several factors:
- Quality of materials and finishes: From standard qualities to premium solutions or Passivhaus systems, there are considerable cost differences.
- Construction system: Prefabricated houses with good thermal integrity can have different prices (e.g., between about €1,200 and €2,000/m² turnkey) depending on materials.
- Topography and land access: A site that is easy to work on is more economical than one with steep slopes or difficult access.
- Timing and coordination: Administrative or meteorological delays may imply additional costs.
Turnkey house in Spain: approximate costs
To make realistic numbers in Spain, we have to start from the price per finished square meter. According to recent industry data for new homes with average qualities, the turnkey price usually ranges between approximately €1,800 and €2,200/m² depending on standard qualities.
This price can go up to 2,800 €/m² or more if we are looking for higher specifications or Passivhaus systems. This includes project, construction managementcomplete execution, installations and usual finishes.
If we transfer this to a typical house of 150 m², the total turnkey costs can be around 210,000 € to 270,000 € in average qualities. With higher qualities or advanced energy efficiency systems, this range can exceed €300,000.
These prices do not include the land or associated taxes (e.g. VAT, ICIO or municipal taxes), which may represent an additional 10-15% on the cost of execution depending on particular cases.
Comparison with turn-key prefabricated homes
The supply of turnkey prefabricated houses has gained ground due to its speed and cost control. In Spain, according to data from projects managed by quotation platforms, a turnkey prefabricated house turnkey prefabricated house can cost approximately
- Wooden house: from ~85.000 €.
- Reinforced concrete: ~€135,000.
- Concrete modular: ~125,000 €.
- Steel and concrete: ~150,000 €.
These prices are approximate for medium sized homes of adequate quality, and normally include design, assembly and basic installations. The final cost depends on size, finishes and other extras.
Build your turnkey home with us
At Fran Cortés Arquitectos we specialize in turnkey projects. We design and build houses from scratch totally customized.
Whether you want a detached single-family house, semi-detachedor a turnkey prefabricated house, in our architectural studio we make it happen.
We have architects in Madrid, Malaga, Alicante and the Balearic Islands. Contact us at and tell us about your dream turnkey home.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does a turnkey house mean?
It is a contractual and execution model where a single company assumes the responsibility of designing, coordinating, building and delivering the finished home ready to move into without the need for the client to coordinate different suppliers.
2. Does the turnkey price include the land?
No. The cost of the plot of land, taxes on the purchase of the land and some administrative expenses are not usually included in the turnkey price. The price usually refers only to the building and its integral execution.
3. Is it more expensive than contracting in phases?
Not necessarily. Although it may seem more costly in some cases, the value of having a single responsibility and greater control of budgets can offset coordination fees, avoiding cost overruns due to communication or planning errors.
How long does turnkey construction take?
It depends on the complexity of the project and the construction method, but in traditional construction in Spain a single-family home can take between 12 and 18 months from start of construction to delivery. The permitting period can add additional weeks or months.
5. What options are there if I want to adjust the budget of a turnkey house?
We can optimize costs through design (surface area, solar orientation, energy efficiency), choice of materials and construction system (e.g. prefabricated or traditional structure).
