Turnkey Timber House: Prices 2026 by Construction Method
A turnkey timber house costs around €1,900 to €3,100 per square metre in 2026, depending on construction method and equipment. This guide classifies the prices by budget class, compares timber panel, log and solid timber construction and explains what turnkey really includes – including bungalow costs and ongoing maintenance.
A turnkey (schlüsselfertig) timber house combines the short construction time of prefabrication with a cosy, ecological building material – and it is becoming ever more popular, especially as a bungalow. But what does a timber house really cost in 2026 if it is handed over to you ready to move into? The price range runs from around €1,900 to over €3,000 per square metre, depending on the construction method, the fittings and the floor plan. This guide organises the prices by budget class, explains the differences between timber-panel, log and solid-timber construction and shows what “turnkey” actually covers for a timber house. For orientation, the current prefabricated house prices 2026 help; you can work out your personal price in the prefabricated house cost calculator.
What does a turnkey timber house cost in 2026?
Short answer: A turnkey timber house costs, as a rule, between €1,900 and €3,100 per square metre of living space in 2026. For an average family house of 120 to 140 m², depending on the construction method and fittings, that means around €250,000 to €400,000 – without the plot and incidental construction costs. Simple, compact floor plans with standard fittings sit at the lower end, while individual architecture, high-quality building technology and upmarket materials push the price up. The price per square metre also depends heavily on whether it is a single-storey bungalow timber house or a two-storey house.
The term “turnkey” is not legally protected – which is why the actual scope of services varies considerably from provider to provider. Some manufacturers hand over a house that is completely ready to move into, including painting and floor coverings, while others leave out the interior finishing and still call that “turnkey”. That is why you should always compare the construction and services description (Bau- und Leistungsbeschreibung) word for word, rather than looking at the final price alone. How timber compares to solid build in the numbers and where the limits of prefabrication lie is explained by our comparison prefabricated house vs. solid build.
Turnkey timber house 2026 by budget class (without plot)
| Budget class | typical area | price per m² | what is realistic |
|---|---|---|---|
| up to 100,000 € | 35–50 m² | from 2,000 € | compact small/single house, very basic standard |
| up to 150,000 € | 55–75 m² | 2,000–2,400 € | small bungalow, reduced fittings |
| up to 200,000 € | 80–100 m² | 2,100–2,500 € | compact family house, solid standard |
| up to 300,000 € | 110–140 m² | 2,300–2,900 € | fully-fledged family house, upmarket standard |
| over 300,000 € | 140 m²+ | 2,800–3,100 €+ | individual architecture, premium technology |
Beware of come-on prices such as “timber house up to €100,000”
Anyone who reads “turnkey timber house up to 100,000 euros” online should look closely. In 2026 you cannot build a fully-fledged family house ready to move into for this amount. Realistically these are either very small houses of around 40 m², shell houses (Ausbauhäuser) without interior finishing, or offers where the base slab, incidental construction costs and site development still come on top in full. The specific budget classes are also explained by our guide prefabricated house up to €150,000.
Timber-panel, log or solid timber – why the construction method determines the price
Short answer: The construction method is the single biggest price factor for a timber house. Timber-panel or timber-frame construction, at around €1,900 to €2,600 per m², is the cheapest and most widely used variant, because walls are produced as finished elements in the factory. A log house (Blockhaus) made of solid tree trunks or logs usually lies between €2,200 and €3,000 per m² and scores on living climate and looks, but is more maintenance-intensive. Solid-timber houses with glued cross-laminated timber or dowel-laminated timber walls are the most expensive at €2,600 to over €3,200 per m², but are very healthy to live in and strong on sound and thermal mass.
In timber-panel construction, thin, highly insulated wall elements carry the loads – this produces slim walls, very good insulation values at a low wall thickness and a short assembly time. In a log house the walls consist of solid, often visibly stacked timbers; this shapes the look and the indoor climate, but calls for regular care of the façade and takes account of the natural settling of the wood. Solid-timber construction uses large-format solid wood panels that offer high thermal mass and good sound insulation – an argument that otherwise tends to favour stone.
Timber-house construction methods compared
| Construction method | price per m² | strengths | to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timber-panel / timber-frame | 1,900–2,600 € | cheap, fast, top insulation values | lower thermal mass |
| Log / Blockhaus | 2,200–3,000 € | looks, living climate, character | settling, façade care |
| Solid timber (CLT/dowel-laminated) | 2,600–3,200 €+ | healthy to live in, strong on sound & thermal mass | higher price |
Specifically on the log house, with its wall structures and the settling issue, we have a dedicated price guide – log house prices – that covers the cost drivers of this construction method in detail. An overview of the properties of timber construction as a whole is provided by the house-type page timber house.
What does “turnkey” cover for a timber house?
Short answer: For a timber house, turnkey means that you take over the house essentially ready to move into: the shell, roof, windows, doors, installations for electrics, heating and plumbing, screed, interior walls and, as a rule, painting and floor-covering work are included. What is not automatically included, depending on the provider, is the base slab or cellar, the site development, outdoor facilities, terrace, carport and all the incidental construction costs. Because the term is not protected, only the construction and services description determines what you really get.
- Check whether the base slab or cellar is included in the price — it is often a separate item of €20,000–45,000.
- Make sure whether painting, floor coverings and interior doors are included, or excluded as a “shell house”.
- Clarify the heating standard: a heat pump, underfloor heating and ventilation system make a big difference in price.
- Have the sanitary fixtures and tile budget quantified concretely rather than a blanket “as per show home”.
- Compare the insulation standard (KfW efficiency-house level) — it decides funding eligibility and running costs.
Anyone who wants to save costs can deliberately choose a lower finishing stage and take on parts through their own labour. What is realistically feasible here and how much it brings is explained by the guides finishing stages and own labour in house building.
Compare timber-house prices – turnkey at a fixed price
The only reliable route to a realistic price is comparing several construction and services descriptions. Request quotes from suitable timber-house manufacturers from our network, free of charge and with no obligation – with clear fixed prices instead of come-on offers.
Timber house as a bungalow: what does single-storey living cost?
Short answer: A timber house as a bungalow is usually somewhat more expensive per square metre than a two-storey house with the same living space, because a bungalow needs more roof and base-slab area for the same floor area. Turnkey, bungalow timber houses in 2026 typically lie between €2,200 and €3,000 per m². A compact bungalow of 90 to 110 m² therefore costs around €220,000 to €320,000. In return, the bungalow offers single-storey, low-barrier living without stairs – ideal for families with small children and for later use in old age.
The premium per square metre is put into perspective once you factor in the comfort and the long usability. Floor-plan ideas and typical room layouts can be found in our bungalow floor-plan collection, while barrier-free variants are covered by the guide barrier-free bungalow for seniors.
Running costs and maintenance: does a timber house stay cheap?
Short answer: The running costs of a well-planned timber house in 2026 are on a par with or below those of a comparable solid-build house, because modern timber houses achieve very good insulation values and thereby cause low heating costs. In addition, maintenance costs for the façade arise due to the construction type: a timber façade should be cared for or repainted every 6 to 12 years depending on the coating and weathering, while rendered or clad timber houses are easier to maintain here. As a rough reserve, around 1 % of the building value per year for upkeep makes sense.
- Heating costs: thanks to high insulation standards and a heat pump, often lower than for older solid builds.
- Façade care: timber façades need periodic painting; rendered timber houses need less maintenance.
- Roof and seal check: as with any house, inspect regularly.
- Maintenance reserve: budget around 1 % of the building value per year.
- Insurance: building insurance covers timber houses normally; premiums are usually comparable with solid build.
A stubborn prejudice concerns fire protection: modern timber houses meet the same fire protection requirements as solid-build houses, because load-bearing timbers comply with defined fire resistance classes. Neutral information on energy-efficient building and funding can be found at the KfW as well as at the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building.
A further misunderstanding concerns the service life: a properly built and maintained timber house lasts just as long as a solid-build house – historic half-timbered and log buildings prove this impressively. What is decisive is structural timber protection: sufficient roof overhangs, a back-ventilated façade and a clean plinth connection that prevents rising damp. Anyone who checks these details with the provider need not worry about longevity. The resale value of a properly built timber house is also in no way inferior to that of a solid-build house in a comparable location – on the contrary, ecological construction methods are increasingly gaining appeal among prospective buyers.
Don't forget incidental construction costs and the plot
Short answer: On top of the pure house price come incidental construction costs of typically 15 % to 20 % of the building price in 2026 – so roughly €40,000 to €70,000 for a family house. These include the plot purchase, real estate transfer tax (Grunderwerbsteuer), notary and land register, site development, soil report, surveying, building permit, base slab or cellar, and outdoor facilities. Factor these items into your budget from the outset, otherwise the financing quickly gets out of balance.
Sample calculation: turnkey timber-house bungalow, 110 m²
| Item | Amount (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Timber house turnkey (110 m² × €2,500) | 275,000 € |
| Base slab | 30,000 € |
| Site development | 18,000 € |
| Building permit, statics, certificates | 8,000 € |
| Outdoor facilities, terrace, paths | 22,000 € |
| Total without plot | ≈ 353,000 € |
How to quantify incidental construction costs realistically is set out in the overview of house-building costs. Anyone who wants to save in a targeted way will find concrete approaches in the guide building cheaply. And to compare suitable manufacturers neutrally, the provider overview helps.
Plan your timber house at a transparent fixed price
A turnkey timber house is worthwhile above all when the scope of services and the fixed price are clear from the outset. We put you in touch with suitable timber-house providers with a complete construction and services description, free of charge and with no obligation – so that you know your total costs before you sign.
What does your dream house really cost?
Request suitable quotes from vetted manufacturers for free and compare the prices per square metre for your construction project.
Compare house prices nowImportant questions briefly explained
The most common price questions around Turnkey Timber House – answered concisely by the Prefabricated House editorial team (as of 2026).
