Whatafullturnkeybuildingsolution actuallyis(andwhatsomebuilders don’ttellyou)
1 What full turnkey solutions should include (but sometimes don’t)
2 What some builders leave out
3 The stress factor (and how to reduce it)
4 Advance Build’s streamlined process
5 Why this matters for all builds
6 Questions to ask any builder
7 Keen to explore a turnkey build?
Not all turnkey builds are created equal In fact, some aren’t even playing in the same ballpark While the term is widely used across the building industry, its meaning can differ greatly – and that can lead to confusion when comparing quotes
A fullturnkeysolution(also referred to as constructionturnkeyprojects) means your home is built with Code of Compliance, delivered complete and ready to live in – including design, consents, site works and finishing details In other words, it’s a start-to-finish service where every stage is managed for you
But here’s where the confusion creeps in: not every builder who offers ‘turnkey’ provides the same thing Some only provide partial services, leaving you to coordinate key elements (and absorb unexpected costs) on your own
That’s why understanding the differences is essential In this guide, we’ll outline what true turnkey really involves, what to look for before you sign – and why it matters
Whatfullturnkeysolutionsshouldinclude(butsometimesdon’t)
Designandplanning(includinganycustomisations)
This stage begins with concept discussions to understand your needs, site constraints and budget Based on this information, your home is then designed accordingly – with customisations built in from the start
Then, working drawings are prepared before moving into the consent stage
Allrequiredconsents
A full turnkey build means all necessary consents are managed on your behalf
This includes:
Council building consents
Resource consents
Any required third party reports (e g engineering)
Siteworksandfoundations
All site works are included in a turnkey solution – and should be planned and priced upfront to avoid surprises later on
Site works include:
Foundations
Driveways
Water tanks
Septic systems
Essential ground preparations
Construction
An Advance Build home is constructed inside a controlled factory environment This improves quality control and reduces weather-related delays Each stage (whether inside a factory like us or onsite for traditional building) is managed by the team to meet specifications and compliance standards
Deliveryandinstallation
A genuine turnkey solution includes the costs and management of your home being transported to site after completion (if it’s built offsite), where it’s then installed and connected to services
Decking, nishingtouchesandCodeofCompliance
This is when the decking and external areas are completed, along with the final finishes You’ll be issued a Code of Compliance – and your home is ready to live in!
The challenge for home builders? Not all turnkey contracts cover those elements
Whatsomebuildersleaveout
As we said up top, the term ‘turnkey’ is a broadly used one In some cases, it refers only to the house structure itself – not the complete, move-in-ready result many clients expect
With certain builders, parts of the process sit outside their scope That doesn’t make the service wrong, but it doesmake it different That’s why it’s so important to understand what’s included before signing a contract
For example, not all builders include:
Design and architectural input
Foundations and site works
Consent management, water tanks, septic systems and utility connections
Decking and driveways
Transport and site placement
Anything beyond the house structure
These inconsistencies often raise questions like:
Does turnkey include foundations?
Are decks included in prefab builds?
Who manages council consents?
Are site works included in my quote?
The answers? They depend entirely on the builder – which is why reviewing scope matters so much What’sincluded?Asimplecomparison
Item
Design + customisation
Working drawings
Council consents
Engineering + other third party reports
Foundations
Site works
Factory construction
Transport
Site placement
Decking
Utility coordination
Final finishes
Code of Compliance
Some builders Advance Build
May be limited (or external) Included
Sometimes client-managed Included
Often client-managed Included
Sometimes separate Included
May be excluded Included
Often excluded Included
Included Included
May be additional Included
May be additional Included
Often excluded Included
Often client-managed Included
Not always included Included
Sometimes included Included
Thestressfactor(andhowtoreduceit)
The list above reminds us that building a home is a big undertaking – both financially and emotionally For first-time builders, the unknowns can feel daunting For rural and remote sites, logistics add complexity And for busy professionals and families, managing a build alongside everyday life can quickly become overwhelming
Much of that pressure doesn’t come from the build itself, though It’s actually the project coordination that causes stress When responsibilities are split across multiple contractors, the client often becomes the default project manager Suddenly – and with little or no experience – you ’ re dealing with tradespeople who expect you to have answers (often on the spot) And it’s not just construction: council consents and utility connections might also sit with you
Being thrown in the deep end can easily cause timelines to drift Perhaps a delay in site works affects delivery or a consent query stalls progress When each moving part relies on the next, any delay can lead to unexpected costs
That’s why a stress-free building process matters
With a true end-to-end solution, one experienced team handles every aspect of the project Site works, construction, transport and final detailing are all aligned from the outset This expertise ensures communications are clearer, timelines are managed and the risk of mistakes reduced
Its this clarity that turns a complex project into a manageable (even enjoyable) one
So how does a project move from early ideas to a complete, liveable home?
With Advance Build’s full turnkey solution, every stage is coordinated by one expert team You deal with that same team throughout your journey, with clear timelines, pricing and communication from start to finish The best bit? A guaranteed move-in date
Your 6-step journey covers:
1 Free oorplanandquote
We begin with a consultation to understand your vision budget site and timeframe
This initial discovery phase allows us to confirm feasibility and outline the scope clearly before progressing Your floor plan and quote won’t cost you anything
2 TheHomeStarterPack
We develop your concept design and working drawings, incorporating any customisations Layouts, finishes and functional requirements are resolved early to avoid changes later on
3 Thecontract
The Advance Build team finalises the full working drawings and submits them to council
They acquire all necessary consents and third party reports
4 Factoryconstruction
Your build is underway It takes 8 weeks to complete in our controlled factory environment
You’ll get regular updates and are also welcome to visit us in the factory to check on progress
5 Deliverytosite
Once complete, your home is transported to site and installed by our expert team Our sites team takes care of everything from connections to services, to decking and stairs
6 Liveyourdream!
Your build is complete and ready to use! You’ll soon receive the Code Compliance Certificate, along with all relevant warranty information
Whythismattersforallbuilds
So to summarise: a full turnkey solution brings certainty to any build – whether its rural remote or urban
When one team manages the end-to-end process, it means:
Fewer moving parts
Less risk of miscommunication
Greater control over timelines and budget
Consistency from design phase to final Code of Compliance
Homeowners avoid the burden of coordinating multiple contractors which, in turn, reduces the likelihood of project delays or budget blowouts
The result? Amorepredictable, stress-freebuildingprocess
Questionstoaskanybuilder
Before signing a contract, it’s important to clarify exactly what ‘turnkey’ means for your builder The questions below will get you started
What exactly is included in your turnkey price?
Ask for a detailed inclusions list It should clearly outline what’s covered (and what’s not)
Who manages consents?
Confirm whether the builder handles council consents, resource consents and reports – or whether this is your responsibility
Are foundations included?
Some builders exclude foundations from their turnkey price Always check whether they are part of the contract
Are any site works included?
Confirm whether site preparation, driveways, tanks and septic systems are included If they’re priced separately, it can significantly impact your final cost Are decks included?
