Office Fit Out Cost UK: The 2026 Complete Pricing Guide

Planning a new office or refurbishing an existing workspace is one of the most significant investments your business will make. The design and condition of your workplace has a direct impact on productivity, staff retention, and the impression you make on clients — so getting it right matters. But before you can get it right, you need to understand what it will cost.

This guide, compiled by the team at Design Business Interiors, gives you real 2026 pricing benchmarks for office fit outs across the UK, explains what drives the cost, and helps you plan your project with confidence.

Office fit out costs per square foot in 2026

Office fit out costs in the UK range widely depending on specification, building condition, and location. The most useful way to benchmark is cost per square foot (sq ft):

• Basic office fit out: £40–£65 per sq ft — functional, clean, low-specification. Suitable for warehouses, call centres, or budget-constrained projects.
• Mid-range office fit out: £65–£100 per sq ft — professional environment with good quality finishes, meeting rooms, and a branded reception. This is where the majority of commercial office fit outs land.
• High-specification office fit out: £100–£160+ per sq ft — premium materials, bespoke joinery, biophilic design, high-end AV, and a standout workplace experience.

These figures reflect the construction and fit out cost. Furniture, IT infrastructure, and loose equipment are typically quoted separately.

Example total costs by office size

To give you a sense of overall budgets at a mid-range specification:

• 1,000 sq ft office: £65,000–£100,000
• 2,500 sq ft office: £162,500–£250,000
• 5,000 sq ft office: £325,000–£500,000
• 10,000 sq ft office: £650,000–£1,000,000+

Larger projects often achieve a better rate per square foot because fixed costs — design fees, project management, preliminary site setup — are spread across a greater area.

What drives office fit out costs?

Building condition

The most important cost variable is what you’re starting with. A Cat A shell (newly built or recently stripped) with working M&E, suspended ceilings, and raised floors will cost far less to fit out than an old building with outdated services, asbestos, or poor accessibility. Always commission a proper survey before committing to a space.

Mechanical and electrical works

M&E — heating, ventilation, air conditioning, power, data cabling, and lighting — typically represents 30–40% of the total fit out cost. The age of existing services, the number of zones required, and the technology specification all drive this element significantly.

Partitioning and internal layout

The number and type of internal rooms affects cost considerably. A largely open-plan floor is cheaper to fit out than one requiring multiple glass-fronted offices, soundproofed meeting rooms, and a formal boardroom. Glazed partitions, acoustic panels, and bespoke joinery all add cost but can transform the feel of a space.

Specification of finishes

Flooring is one of the most visible cost drivers. Carpet tiles are the budget choice; luxury vinyl tile (LVT), polished concrete, and hardwood are progressively more expensive but dramatically improve the aesthetic. The same principle applies to ceiling systems, lighting, and kitchen finishes.

Location

London-based projects typically attract a 20–30% premium over equivalent work in the North of England due to higher labour rates, logistics costs, and contractor overheads. For businesses in the Northwest — Manchester, Liverpool, Wigan, Preston, Bolton — working with a local design and build contractor like Design Business Interiors can deliver significant cost savings without compromising on quality.

How long does an office fit out take?

Timescales vary by project size and complexity, but as a general guide:

• Small office (up to 2,000 sq ft): 4–8 weeks on site
• Medium office (2,000–5,000 sq ft): 8–14 weeks on site
• Large office (5,000+ sq ft): 14–24+ weeks on site

Add 4–8 weeks for the design and planning stage before work begins. At Design Business Interiors, we have delivered every project on time — our scheduling and project management processes are built around protecting your move-in date.

Design and build vs traditional procurement

Many businesses choose to use an architect to design the space, a separate quantity surveyor to manage costs, and then appoint a contractor to build it. This traditional approach can work well on large, complex projects — but it involves multiple parties, multiple contracts, and significant management overhead.

For most commercial fit outs in the £100,000–£2,000,000 range, design and build is the smarter choice. A single contractor takes responsibility for design, cost, and delivery — eliminating the communication gaps between consultants and reducing your risk considerably. It typically delivers the same or better quality at a lower total cost.

Design Business Interiors is a specialist design and build fit out contractor based in Wigan, delivering commercial office projects across the Northwest and beyond.

Get a free office fit out cost estimate

If you’re planning an office fit out or refurbishment, we’d love to help. Our team will assess your space, understand your brief, and give you a clear and realistic cost picture — at no charge. Contact us today to arrange your free consultation.