Fully Furnished vs. Unfurnished Apartments in Makati — Pros and Cons
By MakatiApartments.com | Updated 2025 | Category: Makati Apartment Comparison, Furnished vs Unfurnished Philippines, Makati Rental Guide 2025
Every Makati apartment search eventually hits the same fork in the road: fully furnished or unfurnished? The furnished unit costs more per month. The unfurnished unit requires you to furnish it. On the surface, it looks like the unfurnished unit is cheaper. When you do the complete math — counting every peso you spend in year one and every logistical complication you manage at move-in and move-out — the picture is significantly more nuanced.
This article gives you the full, honest comparison. Not the version that tells you furnished is always better. Not the version that tells you unfurnished is always smarter for long-term savers. The version where the right answer depends on how long you plan to stay, what furniture you already own, what your upfront cash situation looks like, and what kind of renter experience you want on day one.
By the end, you will have a clear answer for your specific situation — backed by real peso figures, realistic timelines, and an honest assessment of what each option actually delivers in the Makati market.
Quick answer: For most Makati renters staying under 24 months, fully furnished is cheaper on total cost. The furniture investment (₱40,000–₱80,000) takes 20–32 months to amortize against the monthly rent premium. Under that break-even point, furnished wins. Over 36 months with a budget furniture setup, unfurnished becomes competitive.
What This Guide Covers
- The Complete Comparison: Furnished vs. Unfurnished at a Glance
- What Furnishing a Bare Makati Apartment Actually Costs
- The Break-Even Calculator: When Unfurnished Becomes Cheaper
- Full Pros and Cons: Honest Assessment of Both Options
- Who Should Choose Furnished and Who Should Choose Unfurnished
- What ‘Fully Furnished’ Actually Means in Makati (Item by Item)
- The WiFi and Appliances Factor: The Hidden Inclusion Value
- The Move-In Day Experience: Furnished vs. Unfurnished
- The Move-Out Day Experience: Furnished vs. Unfurnished
- True Total Cost Comparison: The Complete Year-One Picture
- MakatiApartments.com: What You Get in a Fully Furnished Studio
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. The Complete Comparison: Furnished vs. Unfurnished at a Glance
Here is every major factor side-by-side. Use this table as your primary reference — the sections that follow build the case for each point with real numbers.
| Factor | Fully Furnished | Unfurnished |
| Monthly rent (Makati studio) | ₱10,500 – ₱18,000/month | ₱8,000 – ₱13,000/month |
| Upfront setup cost | ₱0 (furniture included) | ₱40,000 – ₱80,000 (minimum furniture investment) |
| Move-in readiness | Day 1 — sleep in it the night you sign | 2–4 weeks before fully livable (furniture delivery, setup) |
| WiFi / internet | Often included in rent (MakatiApartments.com: yes) | Not included — ₱999–₱1,299/month additional |
| Air conditioning | Installed and working — confirmed during viewing | May not be included; installation costs ₱15,000–₱30,000+ |
| Flexibility to leave | Leave when lease ends; no furniture to move | Must move, sell, store, or abandon furniture on exit |
| Personalization | Limited — cannot repaint or make major changes | Greater freedom to customize within lease terms |
| Upfront cash required | ₱31,500 – ₱54,000 (3 months’ rent for deposit+advance+first month) | ₱71,500 – ₱134,000 (rent deposits + full furniture budget) |
| Best for stays under 18 months | Clear winner — furniture cost never recovered | Poor value — furniture investment not amortized |
| Best for stays over 36 months | Still competitive if WiFi/AC included | Can become cheaper per month after furniture paid off |
| OVERALL VERDICT | Best for most Makati renters — lower total upfront cost, immediate livability, easier exit | Best for long-term renters (3+ years) who already own furniture or want to personalize |
The bottom-line verdict in this table — furnished for most Makati renters, unfurnished for long-term stayers with existing furniture — is the honest summary. But the table’s most important row is the one about upfront cash. A furnished apartment at ₱10,500 per month requires approximately ₱31,500 on move-in day (three months’ rent for deposit and advance). An unfurnished apartment at ₱8,500 requires ₱25,500 in rent deposits plus ₱40,000 to ₱65,000 in furniture. The furnished option requires less cash on move-in day by a significant margin.
2. What Furnishing a Bare Makati Apartment Actually Costs
The single most underestimated cost in the unfurnished apartment calculation is the furniture setup. Most renters who choose unfurnished do a quick mental estimate — “a bed and a refrigerator, maybe ₱20,000 total” — and are shocked by the real number when they actually start shopping. Here is the itemized reality.
| Item to Furnish | Budget Quality | Mid-Range Quality | Notes |
| Bed frame | ₱3,000 – ₱6,000 | ₱7,000 – ₱15,000 | Most Makati elevators limit size — confirm dimensions first |
| Mattress | ₱4,000 – ₱8,000 | ₱10,000 – ₱25,000 | Single or double; memory foam adds cost significantly |
| Wardrobe / cabinet | ₱3,500 – ₱7,000 | ₱8,000 – ₱18,000 | Assembly required for flat-pack; delivery and assembly adds ₱500–₱1,500 |
| Dining table and chairs | ₱3,000 – ₱6,000 | ₱7,000 – ₱15,000 | 2-seater is sufficient for most solo studio tenants |
| Refrigerator | ₱8,000 – ₱14,000 | ₱15,000 – ₱30,000 | Single-door vs two-door; energy rating affects monthly electricity |
| Air conditioning unit | ₱0 (if built-in) | ₱15,000 – ₱30,000 + installation | Many Makati studios have built-in AC — confirm before signing |
| Microwave or rice cooker | ₱1,500 – ₱4,000 | ₱4,000 – ₱8,000 | Both useful; rice cooker almost essential for Filipino cooking routine |
| Curtains or blinds | ₱800 – ₱2,000 | ₱3,000 – ₱7,000 | Custom fitting adds cost; light-blocking essential for shift workers |
| Hangers, organizers, small items | ₱500 – ₱1,500 | ₱1,500 – ₱3,000 | Often overlooked but consistently underestimated cost |
| Total estimated setup cost | ₱24,300 – ₱48,500 | ₱70,500 – ₱151,000 | Budget range is absolute minimum; mid-range is comfortable setup |
| BOTTOM LINE | Even at the budget minimum, furnishing a bare Makati studio costs ₱24,000–₱50,000 upfront — on top of deposit and advance rent |
Why the Budget Estimate Is Usually Wrong
The ₱24,000 budget minimum in this table is genuinely the floor — and it assumes you are buying the cheapest functional version of each item, assembly is included in delivery, and you make no mistakes about sizing or compatibility. In practice, first-time Makati furniture buyers typically make several costly errors: ordering a bed frame that does not fit through the unit door, buying a refrigerator that is too large for the designated kitchen space, or purchasing cheap furniture that needs replacement within 18 months.
The mid-range setup of ₱70,000 to ₱151,000 is what most people who buy quality, durable furniture actually spend. This is the number that makes the furnished-versus-unfurnished math work heavily in favor of furnished for any stay under three years.
The Hidden Costs Beyond Furniture
- Delivery fees: ₱500 to ₱2,500 per item depending on size and floor level; heavy items like fridges and bed frames add up
- Assembly fees: flat-pack furniture from IKEA, Mandaue Foam, or online retailers often requires paid assembly at ₱500 to ₱1,500 per piece
- Internet installation: typically free but with a ₱1,000 to ₱2,000 modem deposit; plus 7 to 14 business days waiting before the line is active
- AC installation (if not built-in): ₱2,000 to ₱4,000 for professional installation beyond the unit cost
- Curtain installation: drilling into Makati apartment walls for rods requires landlord permission and a handyman; ₱500 to ₱1,500 additional
WATCH OUT: The two weeks after you move into a bare Makati unit are typically the most expensive and logistically chaotic of your tenancy. You are sleeping on the floor or a temporary setup, living out of bags, managing multiple delivery windows, and spending money daily on things you forgot to account for. This period has a real cost — in pesos and in stress — that the monthly rent comparison does not capture.
3. The Break-Even Calculator: When Unfurnished Becomes Cheaper
The key question in the furnished-versus-unfurnished comparison is simple: how long do you need to stay in the unfurnished unit before the monthly rent savings offset the furniture investment? Here is the answer at different price points.
| Scenario | Monthly Rent Gap | Setup Cost | Break-Even Month |
| Furnished ₱10,500 vs Bare ₱8,500 (Makati) | ₱2,000/month | ₱40,000 (budget) | Month 20 — you only save after 20 months in the bare unit |
| Furnished ₱10,500 vs Bare ₱8,500 (Makati) | ₱2,000/month | ₱65,000 (mid-range) | Month 32 — nearly 3 years before the bare unit pays off |
| Furnished ₱13,000 vs Bare ₱10,000 | ₱3,000/month | ₱40,000 (budget) | Month 14 — faster break-even due to larger monthly gap |
| Furnished ₱13,000 vs Bare ₱10,000 | ₱3,000/month | ₱65,000 (mid-range) | Month 22 — still under 2 years |
| Furnished with WiFi vs Bare without | ₱1,000 (net gap after WiFi added) | ₱40,000 | Month 40 — over 3 years when WiFi saves are factored in |
| KEY INSIGHT | Most Makati renters stay in one unit for 6–18 months. At this tenure length, furnished is almost always cheaper on total cost. |
What the Break-Even Means in Practice
The most common Makati lease is 6 to 12 months, with many renters extending once before deciding to move. At 12 months, no unfurnished option with a furniture investment over ₱24,000 has broken even. At 18 months, only the absolute budget furniture setups at the highest monthly rent gaps have recovered their cost. At 24 months, a budget furniture setup with a ₱3,000 monthly rent gap has broken even. At 36 months, most scenarios have broken even.
The practical implication: if you know at the time of signing that you are staying for at least three years at the same address — because you have a permanent job, a long-term relationship reason to stay, or a deliberate life plan — the unfurnished unit is financially worth considering. If there is any realistic possibility you will move within 24 months, the furnished unit is the financially safer choice.
The WiFi Factor Extends the Break-Even
Many unfurnished Makati apartments do not include WiFi in the rent. MakatiApartments.com furnished units do. Adding ₱1,099 per month in WiFi costs to the unfurnished scenario reduces the effective monthly rent gap by ₱1,099 — extending the break-even timeline significantly. In the scenario where the rent gap is ₱2,000 per month and WiFi costs ₱1,099 separately, the effective gap is only ₱901. At that rate, recovering a ₱40,000 furniture investment takes 44 months — nearly four years.
PRO TIP: Before comparing furnished vs unfurnished rent prices, add the monthly WiFi cost to the unfurnished unit’s rent. The effective comparison is furnished rent versus (unfurnished rent + WiFi). This single adjustment often shifts the break-even from 20 months to 36+ months.
4. Full Pros and Cons: Honest Assessment of Both Options
Here is the unfiltered assessment of both options — the advantages and the genuine limitations of each.
| Fully Furnished: Advantages | Fully Furnished: Disadvantages |
| Move in on day one — sleep in it the same night you sign | Monthly rent is higher than comparable unfurnished unit |
| No ₱40,000–₱80,000 upfront furniture investment needed | Cannot repaint walls or make permanent modifications |
| WiFi and appliances often included — real monthly savings | Furniture style is chosen by landlord, not you |
| Leave at lease end with no logistics — no furniture to move | Quality of included furniture varies; inspect before signing |
| Lower total upfront cash requirement on move-in day | Some furnished units have older or lower-quality appliances |
| Ideal for 6–24 month stays — furniture cost never recovers | Less flexibility in layout — you work around existing furniture |
| No depreciation exposure — furniture ages at landlord’s cost | Cannot add major furniture without creating removal logistics |
| Professional management often standard at furnished tier | Internet plan may be basic — confirm speed before signing |
| Unfurnished: Advantages | Unfurnished: Disadvantages |
| Lower monthly rent — savings compound if staying long-term | ₱40,000–₱80,000 furniture investment needed upfront |
| Full personalization — your furniture, your layout, your style | 2–4 weeks before unit is fully livable after move-in |
| Furniture assets belong to you — resale value on exit | Must budget for WiFi, appliances separately (adds ₱2,000+/month) |
| Better for long stays (3+ years) with established furniture | Furniture logistics on exit — sell, store, or move everything |
| You choose quality and style at every item level | Higher total upfront cost (furniture + deposit + advance) |
The Furniture Quality Trap in Furnished Units
The biggest legitimate complaint about furnished apartments in Makati is furniture quality. Some furnished units — particularly in private landlord arrangements rather than professionally managed properties — include furniture that is old, worn, uncomfortable, or of poor quality. A mattress that should have been replaced three tenants ago, a refrigerator that barely maintains temperature, a wardrobe with a broken sliding door. The ₱10,500 per month you pay includes these items in whatever condition they happen to be in.
This is why unit inspection during the viewing is critical for furnished apartments. Test the mattress (lie on it — seriously). Open the refrigerator and confirm it is cold. Turn on the AC and wait five minutes to confirm it cools. Operate every door and drawer on the wardrobe. Furniture that is listed as included is only valuable if it actually works. MakatiApartments.com maintains all included furniture across its portfolio — report any item that does not meet standard during your move-in inspection and it will be addressed.
The Personalization Constraint in Furnished Units
The most valid lifestyle argument for unfurnished is personalization. Your furniture choices reflect your aesthetic. A bed frame you chose, in a style you like, with sheets you selected, in a room you have configured the way you want — this is a different living experience than inheriting a furnished layout from a property manager. For renters who derive genuine satisfaction from home curation and interior design, the unfurnished option offers something the furnished one cannot.
The honest counterweight to this argument: most Makati professionals are in their apartments for sleeping, eating, and brief rest periods. The average weekday Makati renter is home for six to eight waking hours. Of those hours, most are spent in the kitchen, bathroom, and bed. The aesthetic of the wardrobe and the dining set matters far less than the quality of the mattress and the temperature of the AC. If you are one of the people for whom home curation is a genuine daily source of wellbeing, unfurnished is worth considering. If you are like most Makati workers, the furniture is largely background.
5. Who Should Choose Furnished and Who Should Choose Unfurnished
The decision framework, applied honestly to real renter situations.
| Choose Fully Furnished If You… | Choose Unfurnished If You… |
| Are relocating from the province with no existing furniture | Already own quality furniture currently in Metro Manila or nearby |
| Plan to stay 6–24 months and then reassess | Are committing to a 3+ year stay at the same address |
| Are on a probationary contract with relocation risk | Have passed probation and confirmed your Makati posting |
| Want to minimize upfront cash outlay on move-in day | Have ₱60,000–₱100,000 available for furniture beyond move-in costs |
| Value move-in convenience — start work the week you arrive | Prioritize personalizing your living space over convenience |
| Work irregular shifts and need WiFi and AC on day one | Work standard hours with time to manage utility setup over 2 weeks |
| Are a fresh graduate or first-time city renter | Are a returning Metro Manila resident with stored furniture |
| Value professional management (common at furnished tier) | Have found a specific private landlord you trust for long-term |
| Want the easiest possible exit when your lease ends | Want to build equity in furniture assets that travel with you |
| Are co-sharing and want a neutral, ready setup to split | Have a co-sharer who already owns furniture to contribute |
The Career Stage Framework Applied to Furnishing
The furnished-versus-unfurnished decision tracks closely with career stage. Fresh graduates and workers in their first two to three years in Makati almost universally benefit from furnished — they do not have the upfront cash for a quality furniture setup, they do not know which Makati neighborhood they will settle in long-term, and their employment situation may still have probationary or contract variability. The furnished option gives them a stable, professional living environment without capital commitment.
Workers in year four or five of their Makati career, with stable employment, established savings, and a clear intention to stay at a specific address for three or more years, are the natural candidates for the unfurnished option. They have the capital to furnish properly, the career stability to commit to a long lease, and the local knowledge to choose a building and location they actually want to be in for the long term.
The Province Relocator Default
For workers relocating to Makati from the province — one of the most common renter profiles in the city — furnished is almost always the right choice. Shipping furniture from Visayas or Mindanao to Makati costs more than buying basic furniture locally. Storing provincial furniture during the transition costs money and creates logistics. And starting a new job in a new city while simultaneously managing a furniture setup project is a recipe for unnecessary stress. The furnished unit eliminates this entire category of complexity for the first Makati tenancy.
6. What ‘Fully Furnished’ Actually Means in Makati (Item by Item)
The term ‘fully furnished’ is used inconsistently in Makati rental listings. Some landlords call a unit with a bed frame and a used refrigerator ‘fully furnished.’ Others include a complete, modern setup with all appliances working and WiFi active. Here is the item-by-item guide to what to expect and what to verify.
| Item | Typically Included? | What to Confirm at Viewing / Inquiry |
| Bed frame | Yes | Confirm single vs double; check condition of frame |
| Mattress | Usually yes | Test firmness; check for visible sagging or staining |
| Wardrobe / storage | Yes | Confirm number of shelves and hanging space — studios need efficient storage |
| Dining table and chairs | Yes | Size appropriate for the floor area? 2-seater vs 4-seater |
| Air conditioning | Yes | Turn it on during viewing — confirm it cools; check energy rating |
| Refrigerator | Usually yes | Single-door or two-door? Test temperature setting; listen for unusual noise |
| Flat-screen TV | Often yes | Screen size, remote available, input ports — confirm it works |
| Microwave or rice cooker | Sometimes | Ask explicitly; often not listed but present — check kitchen counter |
| WiFi / internet | At MakatiApartments.com: yes | Ask for the provider and speed tier; run a speed test if possible |
| Water heater | In most MAcom units: yes | Test hot water during viewing — turn on and run for 2 minutes |
| Curtains or blinds | Usually yes | Check whether blackout or sheer — critical for shift workers |
| Kitchen basics (cookware) | Sometimes | Ask whether pots, pans, or utensils are included or you provide |
| Laundry area / appliances | Building laundry common | Confirm if in-unit washing machine or coin laundry in building |
The Checklist to Use at Every Furnished Viewing
When viewing a furnished unit, treat this list as your physical inspection protocol — not a wish list, a testing sequence. Work through it systematically:
- Sit on the mattress and press down — does it spring back or is it dead? A dead mattress affects your sleep quality every night.
- Open every wardrobe door and drawer — do they slide smoothly? Check the rail condition for hanging clothes.
- Turn on the refrigerator and hold your hand near the back cooling coils — do you feel cold air? Check the freezer section.
- Turn on the AC, set it to 18 degrees, and wait five minutes — does the air coming out feel properly cold?
- Connect to the WiFi on your phone and run a speed test — what are the actual download and upload speeds?
- Run the shower on hot and wait 60 seconds — does hot water arrive within a reasonable time?
- Turn on the television and confirm the remote works.
- Open the refrigerator door seal and confirm it seals properly — a poor seal means the unit runs constantly and drives up electricity.
Any item that fails this testing sequence should be documented, photographed, and reported to the property manager before you sign. Either request replacement or repair as a condition of signing, or confirm in writing that the item is non-functional as noted and that it will be addressed within a defined timeframe.
7. The WiFi and Appliances Factor: The Hidden Inclusion Value
The monthly rent premium for a furnished unit looks larger than it actually is when you fail to account for what the rent includes beyond furniture. WiFi is the most significant hidden inclusion in furnished Makati apartments.
WiFi: The ₱1,099 Monthly Saving You Overlook
A standard home fiber WiFi plan in Metro Manila costs ₱999 to ₱1,299 per month with Globe or PLDT. A furnished apartment that includes WiFi is effectively charging you ₱10,500 per month for the rent plus the internet. An unfurnished apartment at ₱8,500 where you add WiFi costs ₱9,599 per month in these two categories alone. The effective rent gap between the two narrows from ₱2,000 to approximately ₱900.
At MakatiApartments.com, high-speed WiFi is included as standard in all units. This is not a promotional feature — it is baked into the ₱10,500 rent figure. When the Messenger inquiry shows ₱10,500 per month, that number includes internet. The comparable private unfurnished unit at ₱8,500 does not.
Water: The Frequently Missed Inclusion
Some Makati furnished apartments — including certain MakatiApartments.com buildings — include water in the rent. A water bill for a solo studio tenant runs ₱200 to ₱500 per month. In buildings where water is included, that savings adds to the already-narrow effective gap between furnished and unfurnished. Always confirm whether water is included at your specific unit — it varies by building and unit.
The AC Situation in Unfurnished Makati Units
Air conditioning in unfurnished Makati units is one of the most variable factors in the comparison. Many older private buildings have no installed AC — the unit has a sleeve or window opening for a window-type unit, and you are expected to purchase and install your own. A 1.0 horsepower inverter window-type AC costs ₱15,000 to ₱22,000 plus ₱2,000 to ₱4,000 for professional installation. This is an expense that many renters in unfurnished units discover only when they view the unit and ask specifically. It is almost never mentioned in the listing.
Always confirm during an unfurnished unit viewing: Is there a built-in split-type AC? If not, is there a window sleeve for a window-type unit? What size AC is appropriate for the room? Have the landlord confirm in writing whether AC is included or your responsibility.
GOOD TO KNOW: When comparing a furnished unit at ₱10,500 to an unfurnished unit at ₱8,500, add the following to the unfurnished monthly cost: WiFi (₱1,099), water if not included (₱350), and any AC amortized cost if not provided. The effective monthly gap shrinks to ₱500–₱1,000 in many cases — and the furnished unit’s upfront cash advantage remains unchanged.
8. The Move-In Day Experience: Furnished vs. Unfurnished
Move-in day is when the furnished-versus-unfurnished decision produces its most immediate and felt difference.
Furnished Move-In: Same Day Livability
At a fully furnished MakatiApartments.com unit, move-in day follows a simple sequence: sign the lease, pay the move-in amount, receive keys, conduct the unit inspection with photos, unpack your personal items, and sleep in your new apartment that night. The WiFi is active. The AC is working. The bed has a mattress. The refrigerator has been running. You can cook or order food. The unit is ready.
For workers starting a new job the following Monday — one of the most common move-in scenarios in Makati — this day-one livability is not a luxury. It means you spend your first weekend in Makati orienting to the city, learning your commute route, and resting — not coordinating furniture deliveries and sleeping on the floor.
Unfurnished Move-In: The Two-Week Gap
An unfurnished move-in begins the same way — lease signed, keys received, unit inspected. But then the practical work begins. You need to order a bed and mattress (delivery typically takes 3 to 7 business days, longer for heavy items), a refrigerator (immediate delivery but requires someone to receive it and manage the installation), an AC if not built-in (purchase, scheduling, and installation appointment), and then all the smaller items that make daily life functional.
In the intervening days, you are managing this setup project while also starting a new job, learning a new city, and handling the administrative tasks of a Makati relocation — bank account, government registrations, commute logistics. The opportunity cost of this management time and the daily stress of living in an unfurnished space is real even if it does not appear in the monthly rent calculation.
Bridging the Gap in an Unfurnished Unit
Renters who choose unfurnished but need to move in before furniture arrives commonly use: an air mattress from Shopee or Lazada (₱800 to ₱1,500 for a basic functional version) for the first few days, a portable fan if AC is not yet installed, and delivery food for the first week before the refrigerator arrives. These bridging costs add ₱2,000 to ₱5,000 to the total unfurnished move-in cost and are rarely counted when people compare the two options.
9. The Move-Out Day Experience: Furnished vs. Unfurnished
The move-out experience is the second major point where the furnished-versus-unfurnished decision produces felt differences — and where unfurnished creates logistics that many renters underestimate when they signed the lease.
Furnished Move-Out: Leave What You Came With
Moving out of a furnished apartment is logistically simple. You leave with what you arrived with — your personal clothes, documents, electronics, and small personal items. The furniture, appliances, and fixtures stay. The move-out inspection confirms the unit’s condition relative to the move-in photos. The deposit return process is triggered. You are done. The entire process can happen in a single day with one or two bags.
Unfurnished Move-Out: The Furniture Problem
Moving out of an unfurnished apartment means moving everything you brought in plus everything you acquired during the tenancy. A full studio furniture setup — bed, wardrobe, dining table, refrigerator, chairs — is not small. Organizing this move involves: renting a van (₱3,000 to ₱8,000 depending on size and hours), hiring movers (₱2,000 to ₱5,000), deciding what to take versus sell versus discard, selling unwanted items on Facebook Marketplace (time investment plus likely selling for a fraction of purchase price), and coordinating the exit with the landlord while simultaneously managing your new living situation.
For renters who are moving to another Makati apartment, the furniture can be transferred directly. For renters who are leaving Makati for the province, leaving the country, or moving to a furnished new unit, disposing of the furniture is a significant problem. Selling secondhand furniture in Manila takes time and yields 20 to 40 percent of the original purchase price for most items. Donation is free but requires logistics. Abandonment is technically a deposit issue.
WATCH OUT: Do not sign an unfurnished lease unless you have a clear plan for your furniture at move-out. Renters who accumulate furniture over a Makati tenancy and then decide to take a job in another city, return to the province, or move into a furnished unit often find that their furniture disposal costs (moving van, movers, discounted sale) eat significantly into any savings the unfurnished rent provided.
10. True Total Cost Comparison: The Complete Year-One Picture
Here is the side-by-side total cost for year one, including every peso that actually gets spent — not just the monthly rent.
| Monthly Cost Category | Furnished (MakatiApartments.com ₱10,500) | Unfurnished Private (₱8,500) |
| Rent | ₱10,500 | ₱8,500 |
| Furniture (amortized / 24 months) | ₱0 (included) | ₱1,667–₱2,708 (₱40k–₱65k ÷ 24) |
| WiFi | ₱0 (included) | ₱1,099 |
| Electricity | ₱1,000–₱1,500 | ₱1,000–₱1,500 |
| Water (if not included) | ₱0–₱350 | ₱300–₱500 |
| True monthly cost — Year 1 | ₱11,500–₱12,350 | ₱12,566–₱14,307 |
| True monthly cost — Year 3+ | ₱11,500–₱12,350 | ₱9,899–₱11,599 (furniture paid off) |
| Move-in day cash required | ₱31,500 (3 months at ₱10,500) | ₱25,500 (rent deposits) + ₱40,000–₱65,000 furniture = ₱65,500–₱90,500 |
| TOTAL YEAR 1 COST | ₱138,000–₱148,200 | ₱150,792–₱171,684 (incl. furniture investment) |
| VERDICT | Furnished is ₱12,000–₱33,000 cheaper in Year 1 total. Unfurnished only catches up after 20–32 months. |
Reading the Total Year-One Cost
The ₱12,000 to ₱33,000 year-one cost advantage of the furnished unit over the unfurnished one is not primarily driven by the monthly rent difference — it is driven by the furniture investment that the unfurnished tenant must make upfront. When that ₱40,000 to ₱65,000 furniture investment is included in the year-one total cost calculation, the furnished option consistently wins.
The unfurnished option only becomes cheaper over time as the furniture investment gets amortized across an increasing number of months. At month 24, the furniture is partially amortized and the monthly cost calculation starts to shift. At month 36, the furniture is fully paid off and the bare unit’s lower monthly rent generates genuine savings.
The Impact of Lease Length on the Decision
If you could determine at move-in exactly how long you will stay, the decision would be simple: under 20 months — furnished. Over 36 months with budget furniture — unfurnished eventually wins. The challenge is that most Makati renters cannot predict their tenure with certainty. Employment changes, relationship changes, and city preference changes all affect tenure in ways that are not foreseeable at lease signing.
The asymmetry matters here. If you choose furnished and stay shorter than expected: no problem — you leave without furniture logistics and your total cost was optimal. If you choose unfurnished and leave shorter than expected: you absorb a large furniture investment with a short amortization period and face move-out logistics. The furnished option is the lower-risk choice under uncertainty, which describes most Makati renting situations.
11. MakatiApartments.com: What You Get in a Fully Furnished Studio
MakatiApartments.com manages fully furnished studios across eight buildings in four Makati barangays. Every unit in the portfolio is fully furnished as described in this article — not partially, not “some items furnished,” but completely move-in ready with all furniture, appliances, and WiFi active on day one.
The Standard Inclusions
- Bed frame and mattress — double or single depending on unit; mattress tested and maintained
- Wardrobe with hanging rail and shelving — functional, not decorative
- Dining table and chairs
- Air conditioning unit — split-type installed in the unit; operational on move-in day
- Refrigerator — appropriately sized for studio; running and cold on move-in day
- Flat-screen television
- High-speed WiFi — active from move-in day; no waiting period
- Water heater in most units — confirm for specific unit during viewing
- Basic kitchen setup including cooktop or induction plate in applicable units
The Management Infrastructure That Comes With It
Every MakatiApartments.com furnished unit also includes: 24-hour front desk security, no gate curfew, a formal lease contract reviewed before signing, official receipts for all payments, a move-in inspection process with documented condition, and a responsive maintenance team reachable via Messenger in under five minutes. This management infrastructure is part of what the ₱10,500 per month covers — and it is the element that private unfurnished landlords at lower price points most often cannot match.
The Eight Buildings and Their Locations
- Roma Plaza — Brgy. Poblacion: Walk to Ayala Ave, Makati City Hall, Rockwell
- Osmena Manor — Brgy. Poblacion: Near Rockwell, Makati Ave, Salcedo Village
- Macy Mansion — Brgy. Sta. Cruz: Walk to RCBC Plaza and Circuit Mall
- Tim Building — Brgy. Sta. Cruz: Near Ayala-Buendia corner and Circuit Mall
- Trixie Tower — Brgy. Sta. Cruz: Closest to Pasong Tamo BPO corridor
- TRP Building — Brgy. Pio del Pilar: Near Greenbelt and SLEX access
- Fortview Tower — Brgy. Guadalupe Nuevo: BGC via Kalayaan bridge (10–16 min)
- Fort Dow Place — Brgy. Guadalupe Nuevo: Burgos Circle BGC and St. Luke’s access
All units start at ₱10,500/month. Fully furnished. WiFi included. 24-hour security. No gate curfew. Short and long-term leases. Contact MakatiApartments.com via Facebook Messenger — response in under 5 minutes. Call 0998-595-2341 or email info@MakatiApartments.com.
12. Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Direct Answer |
| Mas mura ba ang furnished o unfurnished na apartment sa Makati? | Sa kabuuan ng unang taon: furnished ang mas mura. Hindi mo kailangang gumastos ng ₱40,000–₱80,000 sa kasangkapan. Ang unfurnished ay nagiging mas mura pagkatapos ng 20–32 buwan kung ikaw ay mananatili nang matagal. |
| Is a furnished apartment worth the higher rent in Makati? | Yes — for most renters staying under 24 months. The furniture investment you skip (₱40,000–₱80,000) outweighs the rent premium in most scenarios. Furnished also means WiFi and AC are included. |
| What does ‘fully furnished’ mean in Makati apartments? | A bed, mattress, wardrobe, dining set, refrigerator, air conditioning, and usually a flat-screen TV. At MakatiApartments.com: also includes high-speed WiFi and water heater in most units. |
| Can I negotiate a lower rent on an unfurnished Makati apartment? | Yes — unfurnished units have more negotiating room than furnished ones, especially for long-term leases. Offer a 12-month commitment and ask for 5–10% off the listed rate. |
| How long do I need to stay for an unfurnished apartment to be cheaper? | Approximately 20–32 months for a budget furniture setup, or 32–40 months for a mid-range setup. Under 20 months: furnished is cheaper on total cost. |
| What is included in a fully furnished Makati apartment? | Bed, mattress, wardrobe, dining table and chairs, refrigerator, AC, and usually a TV. WiFi and water heater depend on the property — always confirm at viewing. |
What happens to the furniture when I move out of a furnished apartment?
Everything you found in the unit stays in the unit. The furniture, appliances, and fixtures belong to the landlord or property manager — not to you. Your move-out is logistics-light: pack your personal belongings and leave. The move-out inspection confirms that the included items are in the same condition as when you arrived (minus normal wear and tear), and your deposit is returned accordingly. This is one of the most underappreciated advantages of furnished apartments that most renters do not fully appreciate until their first move-out.
Can I add my own furniture to a furnished Makati apartment?
Generally yes — you can add items you bring in. You cannot remove or replace the landlord’s included furniture without permission. Adding a floor lamp, a small bookshelf, a work chair, or a desk to a furnished unit is typically fine and does not require specific approval. Adding a large piece of additional furniture that changes the layout or uses wall mounting requires checking with the property manager. At move-out, you take what you brought and leave what was there.
Is the furniture in furnished Makati apartments mine to use freely?
Yes — you use it as your own during the tenancy. The condition at move-in is documented (always photograph everything on day one), and normal wear and tear from daily use is expected and acceptable. You are responsible for damage beyond normal use: a burn on the dining table, a broken wardrobe door you did not report, a mattress stain from a spill you ignored. Normal use — sitting on chairs, sleeping on the bed, opening the refrigerator daily — is not damage and cannot be deducted from your deposit.
Are there semi-furnished options in Makati — somewhere between fully furnished and bare?
Yes — some Makati listings describe themselves as ‘semi-furnished,’ typically meaning a bed and refrigerator are included but other items (wardrobe, dining set, AC) are not. These semi-furnished units require a partial furniture investment, typically ₱15,000 to ₱35,000, depending on what is missing. They exist in the price range between fully furnished and bare — around ₱9,000 to ₱12,000 per month. Whether they represent better value than fully furnished depends entirely on which specific items are included and what quality those items are at. Evaluate semi-furnished listings item by item using the inclusions table in Section 6 of this article.
Does the furniture in a furnished Makati apartment depreciate my way?
No — furniture depreciation is entirely the landlord’s concern. If the refrigerator fails from age, the landlord replaces it. If the mattress wears out over multiple tenancies, the landlord replaces it. If the AC unit reaches end of life during your tenancy (and it is functioning normally, not broken by misuse), the landlord maintains it. You are not responsible for the natural aging of any included item. This is a significant financial advantage over owning your furniture — particularly for appliances with defined lifecycles like refrigerators and AC units.
If I rent furnished and then decide to buy furniture later, can I switch units to unfurnished?
Within MakatiApartments.com, if you decide after your initial furnished tenancy that you want to transition to an unfurnished unit, the team can assist with identifying availability depending on the building and timing. Most long-term tenants who make this transition do so at a lease renewal point rather than mid-lease. The more common pattern is the reverse — starting unfurnished and upgrading to furnished for convenience — but the team accommodates individual situations. Contact MakatiApartments.com via Messenger to discuss your specific situation.
What if the furniture in my furnished apartment breaks or deteriorates during my stay?
Report it immediately in writing — a Messenger message with a photo is the fastest and most documented approach. At MakatiApartments.com, maintenance requests for included furniture and appliances are handled through a formal process. Normal wear and tear is addressed as a management responsibility. If an item you report is not addressed within a reasonable timeframe, follow up in writing — the paper trail you create protects you if the condition is still unresolved at move-out and the landlord attempts to charge you for it. Any item in poor condition at move-in should be photographed and reported on day one — not assumed to be your problem.
The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
Fully furnished or unfurnished — the decision is ultimately about three things: how long you plan to stay, what upfront cash you have available, and how much the move-in and move-out logistics matter to you.
For the majority of Makati renters — fresh graduates, first-time city residents, workers on probationary contracts, BPO employees, relocating professionals from the province, people staying for 6 to 24 months — fully furnished is the financially smarter and practically easier choice. The math supports it in year one. The logistics support it at move-out. The day-one livability supports it when you are simultaneously starting a new job and navigating a new city.
For the minority of renters who are committing to three or more years at a specific Makati address, who already own quality furniture, and who have the capital to furnish properly without financial strain — unfurnished becomes a reasonable long-term strategy. The break-even arrives around month 20 to 32 for budget setups, and after that the lower monthly rent generates genuine savings.
MakatiApartments.com’s portfolio is entirely furnished — by design, because the majority of Makati renters are in the first category. Every unit is move-in ready on day one, with WiFi active, AC operational, furniture in place, and a management team reachable in minutes. Studios from ₱10,500 per month across eight buildings in four barangays.
Contact MakatiApartments.com via Facebook Messenger — response in under 5 minutes. Call 0998-595-2341 or email info@MakatiApartments.com. Fully furnished studios from ₱10,500/month. WiFi included. AC installed. 24-hour security. No gate curfew. Short and long-term leases. Eight buildings across Poblacion, Sta. Cruz, Pio del Pilar, and Guadalupe Nuevo.
MakatiApartments.com | Fully furnished studios from ₱10,500/month across eight Makati buildings.
Poblacion: Roma Plaza, Osmena Manor • Sta. Cruz: Macy Mansion, Tim Building, Trixie Tower • Pio del Pilar: TRP Building • Guadalupe Nuevo: Fortview Tower, Fort Dow Place
info@MakatiApartments.com | 0998-595-2341 | (02) 8896-33-65 | (02) 8897-08-60
Fully furnished. Flood-free. 24-hour security. No gate curfew. Short & long-term leases available.
