Buyer’s guide
Apartment finishes in Georgia: black, white and green frame
These local terms describe the interior condition at handover, separately from the building’s construction stage. Identical labels can cover different work. Compare the written specification for your particular project rather than treating the names as international standards.
What each package includes — a shared checklist
These four illustrative examples were compiled by Real Estate Hub. They are not a specific developer’s offer or a mandatory standard. Packages with the same name can differ by developer and project. Verify the written specification before agreeing.
Yes — included in this illustrative package. No — excluded from this example. A tick does not confirm that the work has already been completed.
This renovated example excludes kitchen furniture and household appliances; gas and underfloor heating are also excluded. These choices do not apply to every project. Balcony works apply only to apartments with a balcony. Lifts, entrances and common areas require separate checks.
Select at least one package to view the table.
Scroll the table horizontally to view all four packages.
| Work / equipment | Black frame | White frame | Green frame | Renovated apartment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Partitions and openings | ||||
| Internal partitions | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Door openings | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Walls and ceilings | ||||
| Wall plastering | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wall skim coat | No | No | No | Yes |
| Wall primer | No | No | No | Yes |
| Final wall finish | No | No | No | Yes |
| Ceiling levelling | No | No | No | Yes |
| Final ceiling finish | No | No | No | Yes |
| Floors | ||||
| Floor screed | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Floor thermal insulation | No | No | No | No |
| Floor sound insulation | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Final floor covering | No | No | No | Yes |
| Skirting boards | No | No | No | Yes |
| Doors and windows | ||||
| Window installation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Balcony door installation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Apartment entrance door | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Window reveal finishing | No | No | No | Yes |
| Interior window sills | No | No | No | Yes |
| Interior doors | No | No | No | Yes |
| Electricity and communications | ||||
| Electricity supply to the apartment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electricity meter installation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Distribution board and protection | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Internal electrical wiring | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Earthing installation | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Sockets and switches | No | No | No | Yes |
| Light fittings | No | No | No | Yes |
| Internet and TV cabling | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Indoor intercom unit | No | No | No | Yes |
| Water and drainage | ||||
| Water supply to the apartment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Water meter installation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Internal cold-water pipes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Internal hot-water pipes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Drainage connection point | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Internal drainage pipes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Water shut-off valves | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Gas | ||||
| Gas supply to the apartment | No | No | No | No |
| Gas meter installation | No | No | No | No |
| Internal gas pipes | No | No | No | No |
| Gas leak detector installation | No | No | No | No |
| Heating, cooling and ventilation | ||||
| Heating pipework | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Boiler or other heat source | No | No | No | Yes |
| Radiator installation | No | No | No | Yes |
| Underfloor heating | No | No | No | No |
| Heating thermostat | No | No | No | Yes |
| AC pipework and drain preparation | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Air conditioner installation | No | No | No | No |
| Connections to ventilation ducts | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Bathroom extractor fan | No | No | No | Yes |
| Bathroom and wet areas | ||||
| Wet-area waterproofing | No | No | No | Yes |
| Bathroom wall and floor tiling | No | No | No | Yes |
| Toilet installation | No | No | No | Yes |
| Washbasin installation | No | No | No | Yes |
| Bath or shower installation | No | No | No | Yes |
| Bathroom taps and mixers | No | No | No | Yes |
| Heated towel rail | No | No | No | No |
| Bathroom furniture | No | No | No | No |
| Kitchen, furniture and appliances | ||||
| Kitchen cabinets | No | No | No | No |
| Kitchen worktop | No | No | No | No |
| Kitchen splashback | No | No | No | No |
| Kitchen sink and tap | No | No | No | No |
| Kitchen extractor hood | No | No | No | No |
| Hob installation | No | No | No | No |
| Oven installation | No | No | No | No |
| Refrigerator supply | No | No | No | No |
| Dishwasher installation | No | No | No | No |
| Washing machine installation | No | No | No | No |
| Built-in wardrobes | No | No | No | No |
| Room furniture supply | No | No | No | No |
| Balcony | ||||
| Balcony waterproofing and drainage | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Balcony floor finish | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Balcony railing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Balcony wall and ceiling finishes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Balcony light and socket | No | No | No | Yes |
| Checks and handover | ||||
| Testing the engineering systems being handed over | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Commissioning installed equipment | No | No | No | Yes |
| Cleaning after works | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| As-built concealed-services drawings | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Manuals and warranties for installed equipment | No | No | No | Yes |
| Handover record and defect list | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Black frame
Unfinished interior
A basic unfinished interior with substantial work left for the buyer.
- What it may include: The basic structure; check whether windows, the entrance door and partitions are included in this project.
- Work that may remain: Partitions, utility distribution, preparation of walls and floors, followed by final finishes may all remain.
- Questions for the developer: Where do utilities terminate? Which partitions are included? Which alterations need agreement?
- Budget and time: Allow for organising and coordinating more work. Obtain a defined scope and estimate before comparing prices.
White frame
Partially prepared interior
Some preparatory work is complete; the exact scope needs confirmation.
- What it may include: Often refers to plastered walls or floor screed. Electrical, plumbing and heating provision can vary.
- Work that may remain: Some utility work, final surface preparation, flooring, painting, doors and bathrooms may remain.
- Questions for the developer: Are walls ready for paint or do they need further preparation? Is electricity brought to the unit or distributed inside?
- Budget and time: Assess the quality of completed work too: corrections can add cost and time.
Green frame
Enhanced preparation package
A more prepared package whose contents are defined by the particular developer.
- What it may include: May include more extensive utility preparation or additional surface work. Do not assume inclusions from the label alone.
- Work that may remain: Final finishes, equipment, doors or bathroom works may still be needed.
- Questions for the developer: What does this add to the same project’s white frame? Are the boiler, radiators, electrical panel or waterproofing included?
- Budget and time: Compare the price difference with the actual additional work. Green frame is not, by itself, proof of environmental certification.
Fully finished
Check furniture and appliances
A finished interior; furniture, appliances and practical move-in readiness still need checking.
- What it may include: Completed surfaces, doors and fixtures within the agreed inventory.
- Work that may remain: Furniture, kitchen units, appliances, lighting or utility activation may still need arranging.
- Questions for the developer: What stays in the apartment? Request models, quantities, warranties and a handover checklist.
- Budget and time: Less remaining work does not rule out defects. Inspect workmanship and test equipment at handover.
What should you compare in every offer?
Use these questions for each option. Illustrations are conceptual and do not represent any specific project’s inclusions.
- Partitions and layout: Which partitions are included, in which materials and according to which plan?
- Walls and ceilings: What preparation is complete and what remains before decoration?
- Floors: Are screed, levelling, insulation and final floor finishes included?
- Doors and windows: What are the specifications for internal doors, entrance door, glazing and installation?
- Electricity: Is there only an incoming connection, or internal wiring, panel, sockets and switches too?
- Water and heating: Where are connection points? Are boiler, radiators and system testing included?
- Bathrooms: Are waterproofing, tiles, sanitary fixtures and ventilation included?
- Furniture and appliances: Which items and models are included, and who provides their warranties?
From purchase price to full budget
Full budget = purchase price + remaining work + materials and equipment + agreed additional expenses.
- Compare offers at the same desired final condition.
- Request quantities, materials, labour costs, exclusions and timings separately.
- Clarify delivery, waste removal and supervision of the works.
- Agree timing after viewing and assessing the scope; allow a contingency for possible changes.
How to inspect at handover
Compare actual condition with the contractual specification. Photograph discrepancies and agree repair deadlines in writing.
Questions before you begin
Is white frame ready to live in?
Not automatically. Check outstanding finishes, bathrooms, equipment and working utilities. The label does not establish move-in readiness.
Does green frame mean an eco-certified apartment?
Do not draw that conclusion from the label alone. Verify energy performance, materials and any certification separately.
How does finishing differ from construction stage?
Construction stage describes building progress; frame condition describes the apartment interior at handover. A completed building can still contain black-frame apartments.
Which option suits someone buying from abroad?
Compare outstanding work, your ability to supervise it and the full cost. Request current video, a specification you understand and independent inspection where needed.
Sources and scope
Sources illustrate terminology and a specific project’s specification. They do not confirm a partnership or a current offer. Request the current annex for your chosen project before buying.
Let’s find your new apartment
Start with a short request. We can clarify the rest together.