What a turnkey renovation is

"Turnkey" (clé en main) means you receive an apartment ready to move into, without managing every stage yourself. Instead of separately finding an electrician, plumber, tiler and painter, coordinating them and making sure one doesn't get in another's way, you work with a single contractor who coordinates all the trades (corps de métier) and answers for the outcome.

This is especially valuable in Switzerland, where renovation is about not just the technical side but the rules: approvals, standards and paperwork. One accountable contractor lifts both the organisational and much of the bureaucratic load off you.

Where a renovation in Switzerland begins

Before reaching for the hammer, three things need to be clear.

First, the status of the property. If you own in a condominium (PPE), work affecting common elements, the façade or the structure requires approval from the management company (régie) or the owners' assembly. If the apartment is rented, the scope of permitted work is limited and the état des lieux (condition report) matters.

Second, permits. A cosmetic refresh usually doesn't require them, but changing the layout, moving load-bearing walls or touching the façade may require a building permit (permis de construire) and an engineer's calculation.

Third, budget and priorities. Knowing exactly what needs doing and in what order saves both money and nerves. We help set those priorities right at the assessment stage.

The stages of a turnkey renovation

A well-run renovation follows a strict order — breaking it means redoing work.

1. Assessment and planning

We inspect the apartment, discuss your goals, budget and style preferences, and assess the condition of the services and surfaces. The result is a clear quote with no hidden charges and a staged work plan.

2. Demolition and shell work

We remove old finishes, relocate partitions where needed and prepare the substrate. This stage sets the geometry of the future apartment.

3. Building services

We install and upgrade the electrics and plumbing before the walls are closed up. Mistakes here are the most expensive to fix, so precision and compliance with standards are key.

4. Finishing work

Plastering, painting, tiling, parquet, ceilings — the final layer that gives the apartment its look. Here it's the details and quality of execution that count.

5. Handover and cleaning

Final check, snagging, cleaning. You receive an apartment ready to move into, with a guarantee on the work.

The benefits of a turnkey renovation with a single contractor

The main advantage is single-point accountability. When one contractor answers for the result, you avoid the situation where the electrician points at the tiler and timelines slip due to mismatches. Coordinating the trades is on us, not you.

The second is predictable budget and timeline. A single quote and a single plan reduce the risk of unexpected extras and dead time between stages.

The third is quality at the joints. The most common renovation defects appear where different tradespeople's work meets. When everything is in one set of hands, those joins are thought through in advance.

How much an apartment renovation costs in Geneva and Lausanne

The cost depends on the floor area, the depth of the renovation (cosmetic or full), the condition of the apartment and the materials chosen. Refreshing an apartment and completely rebuilding it are tasks of completely different scale. That's why we always assess the specific property first and only then quote an honest price. This approach avoids nasty surprises on the bill and lets you plan your budget in advance, with clear payment stages.

Why choose SmartHaus Swiss

We bring the full range of building skills under one roof: electrics, plumbing, climate, finishing, façades and shell work. That means your entire renovation is carried out and coordinated by a single team. We know Swiss standards and the realities of condominiums, speak your language and understand the specifics of French-speaking Swiss property — from modern apartments to older buildings in central Geneva and Lausanne.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an apartment renovation take?

The duration depends on the scope: a cosmetic refresh and a full renovation differ greatly. We give precise timelines after assessing the apartment.

Do you need the régie's approval to renovate?

If the work affects common elements, the façade or the structure, generally yes. We'll tell you what requires approval in your case.

Can you live in the apartment during the work?

For a cosmetic refresh, sometimes yes; for a full renovation, usually not. We'll discuss this at the planning stage.

Do you do all the work yourselves or subcontract?

We cover the core range of work with our own resources and coordinate the whole process as a single accountable contractor.

Do you offer a guarantee on the renovation?

Yes, the completed work is guaranteed.