Guide
Turnkey Granny Flats
Turnkey means you walk in and it is finished. It is an appealing model for a second dwelling — provided you know exactly where the scope starts and stops.
Why owners choose turnkey
- One contract and one point of responsibility
- A defined price with fewer decisions along the way
- A predictable programme, which matters when family are waiting to move in
- A finish standard suited to tenanting from day one
The questions that separate packages
Site works and foundations
Most packages assume a level, accessible site and a standard foundation. If your section slopes, has soft ground or has restricted access, ask how that is priced.
Connections
Water, wastewater, stormwater and electrical connections are frequently priced as an allowance. Confirm what the allowance assumes about distance and depth.
Consenting and fees
Ask who lodges what, which fees are included, and what happens if the consenting pathway changes after site investigation.
Finishing items
Appliances, window coverings, heating, fencing, paths and landscaping are the items most often missing from a "complete" price.
Transportable versus site-built
Transportable dwellings can be efficient where access allows. Site-built dwellings suit constrained or sloping sections and unusual footprints. Neither is universally better — the site usually decides.
Read the cost guide or start with a property check.
Property and planning information is preliminary only. Eligibility depends on current planning rules, site conditions, servicing, design and professional assessment.
Common questions
- What does turnkey actually include?
- It varies by supplier. Ask specifically about site works, foundations, service connections, driveways, landscaping, appliances, window coverings, professional fees and consent costs.
- Is turnkey more expensive?
- Not necessarily. A fixed, complete scope can reduce variation risk. The comparison only works if the excluded items in a cheaper quote are added back in.
- Can a turnkey dwelling be customised?
- Most suppliers offer a defined range of plans with selectable finishes. Heavier customisation usually moves the project toward an architectural process.
Start with your address
A property check takes less than a minute and gives a specialist something useful to work with.