Office space FAQs: How much will my office fit out cost in 2025?

When it comes to office design and build, there are lots of factors to consider — there’s no definitive answer to the question ‘how much will my office fit out cost?’ and every project is unique. The cost of an office fit out in 2025 can vary significantly, depending on i) office size, ii) condition of the existing space, iii) the extent of the renovations, and iv) timing of the project.

Site visits save you money!

Before any building work can take place, our expert design and build team will come and take a look at the space. At this stage, knowing what you’re working with is half the battle, and it’s important that our team gets a real understanding of the space before getting started on the design and build.

It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of finding a new office space for your team, but without careful due diligence, you might just end up overlooking serious issues that could cost you dearly in the long run. When it comes to leasing commercial property, the landlord isn’t legally required to disclose to you, the prospective tenant, the building’s every flaw, and in some cases, there may be issues with the property even the landlord isn’t aware of.

That’s why we offer clients a fully integrated approach to office search, design, and build; with a holistic service like ours, you can steer clear of the kinds of issues — from peeling wallpaper, to cracked plug sockets, to obstructed fire exits — that can soon turn a ‘perfect’ office space into something of a money pit.

Understanding office fit out costs

Once you’ve secured yourself a space, the next step is understanding the costs involved in making it work for your team. 

It’s important to note that the cost per square foot typically only covers the core construction and design elements, such as partitions, flooring, lighting, and sometimes HVAC systems. However, it doesn’t usually include additional items like furniture, audiovisual (AV) equipment, IT infrastructure, or relocation costs (for example hiring removal vans or paying for temporary storage during the move). These expenses, while crucial to the overall office setup, are often omitted from the square footage cost and need to be budgeted separately. Understanding this distinction ensures you’re fully prepared for all aspects of your office transformation.

Let’s consider the key factors that can affect the cost of your fit out.

1) Office size

A good place to start when calculating the cost of your office fit out is size. It’s helpful to think in terms of square feet per employee (or, for serviced or managed options, number of desks), and we typically advise clients to allow 100 sq ft (just over 9 metres squared) per employee. So, for example, for a team of 25, you’d be looking at around 2,500 sq ft of office space. Depending on the market, it’s also wise to think about future expansion, and it’s not a bad idea to go for a slightly larger office to accommodate potential new employees.

2) Condition of the existing space

The condition of the existing space can have a huge impact on the cost of your office fit out. Things like existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, flooring, and mechanical and electrical systems can either save you money or bump up the cost of your office fit out. If these are outdated or inefficient, they’re likely to need updating, which could significantly increase the overall fit out cost. On the flip side, if they’re in good shape, you can swerve additional expenses and focus on other areas of the design. It’s crucial to assess these early on to avoid surprises down the line.

In fact, in today’s post-pandemic world, good ventilation in particular is more important than ever. Having an efficient HVAC system in your office plays a key role in maintaining indoor air quality, reducing the spread of airborne illnesses, and ensuring staff feel safe at work.

3) Extent of the renovations

Depending on the complexity of your project and the extent of the renovations needed, there are three main types of office fit out. These tend to be known as basic, mid-level, and high-spec office fit outs.

• A basic office fit out: This type of fit out focuses on the essentials, ensuring your office space is fresh, functional, and move-in-ready. It tends to include elements such as new flooring (if needed), light fixtures, and office furniture like desks, chairs, and storage units. Though it doesn’t always feature extensive customisation, high-end finishes, or advanced technology, a basic office fit out provides a professional and practical setup.
  
• In 2025, the cost of a basic office fit out ranges from £45 to £60 per square foot of office space, which covers the installation of core infrastructure, basic decorations, and standard mechanical and electrical work, making it a cost-effective option for businesses looking to get up and running with minimal investment.

• A mid-level office fit out: This office fit out strikes a balance between functionality and style, often incorporating upgraded finishes (when it comes to flooring and joinery, for example), better-quality furniture, and things like partitioned meeting rooms or pods. With a budget of around £70 per square foot, branded touches like bespoke paint colours and wall graphics can be added.

• A high-spec office fit out: For companies really looking to impress their clients (and with the budget to do so), the cost of an office fit out can be upwards of £95 per square foot. This allows for complete customisation of the space, which can include things like premium flooring, designer lighting, or more expensive wallpaper for a higher-quality finish. When the budget allows, we’ve even commissioned artists to paint bespoke murals in offices we’ve designed.
  
• State-of-the-art equipment such as podcast studios or a private screening room are also things to consider if you’ve got the budget for it and feel like these amenities could improve the productivity of employees or give them a boost.

It’s important to remember that projects rarely fall neatly into any of these categories — each of our design and build projects is tailored to the client, their brand, their team, and the building in question.

4) Timing of the project: When it comes to planning your office fit out, timing can be a tricky one. Expediting your project might increase costs, given that subcontractors may have to reprioritise. Equally, spreading your fit out project out over a number of months (to reduce disruption to employees) means more project management is needed to coordinate the purchase and arrival of materials, the hours subcontractors are needed, and the overall timeline of the fit out. A longer project duration can also lead to increased costs due to extended labour requirements and potential delays.

All things considered, though there’s no definitive answer to the question ‘how much will my office fit out cost in 2025?’, this guide should give you a solid understanding of the factors to take into account when you’re planning an office redesign.

Whether you’re budgeting for a basic, mid-level, or high-spec fit out, careful planning and a people-first approach like ours can help you create an office that truly reflects your company culture, without breaking the bank.

Curious about how we can help you save money on your office design and build or fit out? Click here or give us a call on 020 8588 9876 and a member of our expert design and build team will take you through the steps — free of charge.