Construction costs are rocketing.

With figures for building a house hitting roughly €2,250 per square meter, the price of renovations and extensions has experienced a sharp rise too.

The situation has left more Cork house hunters than ever seeking a turn-key home where most of the time-consuming, messy and expensive work has been done already.

With new electrics, modern plumbing, fresh paint, and tiling complete, all you’ll need to do is unpack your boxes, arrange your furniture and settle into your new home.

Here are three properties that fit the bill, all guiding at €285,000:

Railway Cottage, Station Cross, Ballincollig, Co. Cork

Guide price: €285,000, ERA Downey McCarthy

This stylish two-bedroom detached cottage is located in the heart of Ballincollig, just a five-minutes from the town centre and its schools, shops, bars, and restaurants.

The property boasts a large south-facing enclosed rear garden, a modern, welcoming hallway, and a bright, comfy living room. There’s a beautiful new open plan kitchen/dining area, two bedrooms and a shower room too.

Full planning permission is in place for a substantial rear extension too, so there’s an option to create extra space if you need it in a few years.

Clermont Terrace, South Douglas Road, Douglas, Co. Cork

Guide price: €285,000, Barry Auctioneers

This two-storey, two-bedroom mid-terrace is situated in a much sought-after location on the south side of Cork city.

The property dates from the mid-19th Century, enjoying a southerly aspect, and has been refurbished with an open plan living/dining room opening to the rear kitchen and bathroom extension, with dual aspects throughout. Original brick features and details exposed add plenty of character and there’s also some bespoke built-in storage.

The recent, extensive renovation included an energy upgrade with new underfloor insulation to the ground floor, double glazed windows, dry lining to internal walls, and triple glazed doors. Re-wiring and re-plumbing have also been completed, with new radiators installed and a modern gas-fired combi-boiler with ‘Hive’ heating app.

Parnell Terrace, Pouladuff Road, Co. Cork

Guide price: €285, Savills

Just a stone’s throw from the hipster Barrack Street area and all its cafes, bars, and beer gardens, this beautiful two/three bedroom red brick terraced home boasts a light-filled and cleverly designed rear extension.

The property underwent renovation, refurbishment and extension works in 2011, which included re-wiring, replumbing, and upgrading.

On the ground floor, there’s the lounge, a relaxing room separate from the rest of the house and ideally suited as added living accommodation, a home office or an added ground floor double bedroom, a large main bathroom and a rear kitchen, living and dining room with original redbrick features, a Belfast sink and an exposed timber beam.

Double doors from the living area open out onto a relaxing covered deck and a lawn that is surrounded by beautiful landscaping.

Upstairs reveals two double bedrooms, one with access to a flat roof ideal for sitting out with a coffee in the morning sunshine.