If you’re new to building, you’ve probably heard the term “turn-key” thrown around — but what does it actually mean?
Simply put, a turn-key home is a home you can move straight into the day you get your keys. No extra trades. No surprise costs. No unfinished areas.
Here’s what you need to know.
1. What “turn-key” means when building
A genuine turn-key home includes everything you need to live in the home from day one, such as:
- Flooring
- Driveway & paths
- Landscaping
- Fencing
- Blinds
- Letterbox
- Clothesline
- Appliances
- All internal finishes
In other words, the home is 100% complete. You can literally turn the key, walk in, and start living.
This is especially important for first-home buyers who don’t want to organise extra trades or unexpected post-build costs.
2. How some builders use “from” pricing and exclusions
Not all builders mean the same thing when they say “turn-key.”
A lot of builders advertise “from $X” pricing — but the base price often doesn’t include essentials. The builders disclaimer might say something like:
"Price after First Home Owner Grant. Excludes land and site costs. Advertised price is based on standard inclusions and does not include landscaping, driveway, paving, appliances, fencing and window furnishings. Images for display purposes only and may depict finishes and features that are not included. Please contact us for detailed pricing."
So the price you see advertised looks cheap upfront, but by the time you add the items you actually need, the total can blow out by tens of thousands.
This is one of the biggest reasons buyers get caught off guard.
3. What questions to ask the builder
To avoid surprises, ask your builder:
- Is this a true turn-key price?
- What exactly is included in the base price?
- What items are excluded?
- Are site costs fixed or estimated?
- What upgrades are required to match the display home?
- Do I need to organise anything myself after handover?
If the answers aren’t clear — or you feel the builder is avoiding specifics — that’s usually a red flag.
You should always know the final total, not just the “from” number.
4. How we protect our buyers
At MWC, we believe building your first home should be simple — not confusing or full of unexpected costs.
That’s why we created our Keys and Ease Guarantee™, which gives buyers:- Clear, transparent pricing
- No unexpected add-ons or hidden exclusions
- Support throughout the entire build process
- Guidance on choosing a true turn-key package
- A smooth handover with everything ready to move in
We make sure you know exactly what’s included so you’re never left guessing — or paying for things that should’ve been included in the first place.
If you want help comparing turn-key packages or checking if a builder’s pricing is genuine, we can walk you through it step-by-step.
