Yainis ÁvilaBlog / Guides
Shell-stage vs. move-in ready: what each one actually means
How to tell what stage your apartment is really in before you get a quote.
February 9, 2026
What does a shell-stage apartment look like?
Shell-stage ("obra gris") means the building's full structure is complete — slabs, walls, and embedded electrical and plumbing lines — but with no finishes at all: bare concrete floors, unpainted plaster walls, no tile, no kitchen or closets installed.
Most new apartments in Medellín and Bello are delivered this way; developers choose to hand them over unfinished so each buyer can select their own finishes.
What does move-in ready mean?
Move-in ready ("obra blanca") is an apartment with every finish complete: flooring installed, walls painted, bathrooms and kitchen tiled and equipped, closets mounted — all that's left is to furnish it.
How can you tell which stage your apartment is in?
Check for these signs: bare or polished concrete floors, unpainted grey plaster walls, no toilets or sinks installed, and no kitchen units — that's shell-stage.
If you bought off-plan or in pre-sale, the delivery condition should be specified in your purchase agreement; shell-stage is the most common delivery standard in Medellín and Bello.
What's typically missing between shell-stage and move-in ready?
Flooring and tiling, a fitted kitchen, closets, complete bathrooms (toilets, sinks, fixtures), wall and ceiling paint, and in some cases drywall to adjust the interior layout.
See the full breakdown on the apartment finishes page, or get a quote for your exact case in the simulator.