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Quick answer: Choose design-only if you have a contractor you trust, time to visit the site several times a week, and want to buy materials yourself. Choose turnkey if you want one company to design, build and hand over the finished space for a fixed scope, cost and timeline. For most offices, bank branches and large apartments in Dhaka, turnkey is lower risk; design-only can cost less in cash but more in your time.
What the two models mean
Design-only means the interior design firm produces the concept, 3D views, working drawings and a bill of quantities. You then hire a contractor (or several) to build it. The designer may visit the site occasionally to check that the drawings are followed.
Turnkey (sometimes called design-and-build) means one company is responsible for everything: design, procurement, joinery, civil and electrical work, site management and handover. You turn the key and move in. Concord Interior offers both, through its interior design service and its turnkey execution service.
Turnkey vs design-only: side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Design-only | Turnkey |
|---|---|---|
| Who you sign with | Designer plus one or more contractors | One company |
| Design fee | About BDT 50–200 per sq ft, or a percentage | Usually included in the project price |
| Cost certainty | Low to medium; contractor quotes come after design | High; scope and price fixed before work starts |
| Your time on site | High: daily or weekly visits, material buying | Low: milestone reviews and approvals |
| Who fixes defects | Often disputed between designer and contractor | The turnkey company, under one warranty |
| Timeline control | Depends on contractor discipline | Single schedule, one project manager |
| Quality match to design | Varies; details often simplified on site | Closer, because the designer and builder are one team |
| Best for | Small residential jobs, clients with their own trusted builders | Offices, banks, healthcare, retail, full apartments and duplexes |
When design-only makes sense
- The project is small, such as one or two rooms.
- You already work with a contractor or carpenter you trust.
- You, or someone in your family, can visit the site several times a week and make quick decisions.
- You want to source certain items yourself, such as tiles, sanitary ware or lighting.
- Your budget is tight and you are prepared to trade your own time for a lower fee.
When turnkey is the better choice
- Commercial deadlines. An office, bank branch or showroom that must open on a fixed date. Every week of delay costs rent and revenue.
- Many trades on one site. Ceiling, electrical, HVAC coordination, fire safety, joinery, glass and furniture all need sequencing.
- You live abroad or work full time. Many Dhaka apartment owners are overseas when their flat is finished.
- High-value finishes. Veneer, stone, lacquer and custom lighting need a builder who understands the design intent.
- You want one warranty. When something fails after handover, there is one number to call.
Our turnkey projects include the Concord Group corporate office, the BESTSELLER office in Gulshan, Unico Hospitals and the Pubali Bank auditorium.
Is turnkey more expensive?
On paper, a turnkey price can look 5–15% higher than adding a design fee to the cheapest contractor quote. In practice the gap usually closes, for three reasons:
- Fewer variations. Design-only projects often grow by 15–30% once the contractor prices details that were not in the original quote.
- Less rework. When the designer and builder are separate, mistakes are discovered late and paid for twice.
- Shorter timeline. A coordinated schedule with workshop-made joinery typically finishes weeks earlier, which matters for rented offices and for families paying rent elsewhere.
For typical per-square-foot rates by finish level, see our interior design cost guide for Bangladesh. For how design fees are structured, see the interior designer fees guide.
The middle option: design plus project management
Some clients want to choose their own contractors but still want professional control of the site. In that case, hire the designer for design and add project management: the design team checks drawings, approves materials, inspects work and certifies payments to your contractors. It costs more than design-only but less than turnkey, and keeps a professional on your side.
Questions to ask before you choose an interior contractor in Dhaka
- Do you have your own joinery workshop, or do you subcontract it? (See our joinery service.)
- Will I get an itemised bill of quantities with brands?
- Who is the project manager and how often will they be on site?
- What is the warranty and who honours it?
- Can I see a completed project and speak to the client?
For the full list, read how to choose an interior design company in Bangladesh: 12 questions to ask.
Frequently asked questions
What is a turnkey interior company?
A turnkey interior company designs, builds and hands over a finished space under one contract. It manages procurement, joinery, civil, electrical and finishing work, and the client receives a ready-to-use space at the end.
What is the difference between turnkey and design-only interiors?
Design-only gives you drawings and specifications, and you hire contractors to build them. Turnkey gives you the finished interior, with one company responsible for design, cost, timeline and quality.
Is turnkey interior work more expensive in Bangladesh?
The quoted price can be 5–15% higher than a design fee plus the cheapest contractor, but turnkey projects usually have fewer cost overruns, less rework and shorter timelines, so the final cost is often similar or lower.
Can I hire Concord Interior for design only?
Yes. Concord Interior offers design-only services, turnkey execution, and design with project management, depending on how much of the work you want to manage yourself.
Which is better for an office fit-out in Dhaka?
Turnkey is usually better for offices, bank branches and other commercial spaces, because they run to fixed opening dates and involve many trades that need one coordinated schedule.
Not sure which model fits your project? Tell us about your space, timeline and budget and we will recommend the right approach. Speak to Concord Interior.
