There is no single square-metre rate that tells the whole story
Office fit-out costs vary enormously because two spaces of the same size can require completely different levels of work. A light refresh to an existing office is very different from a full CAT B fit-out with new mechanical and electrical services, meeting rooms, bespoke joinery and furniture.
That is why early budget figures should be treated as guidance rather than a final price.
The main cost drivers
The biggest differences normally come from the condition of the existing building and the level of specification required. Mechanical and electrical alterations can be a substantial part of a fit-out, particularly where power, lighting, data, ventilation or air conditioning needs to change.
- Mechanical and electrical alterations.
- Partitions, doors, glazing and acoustic requirements.
- Flooring, ceilings, decorations and wall finishes.
- Bespoke joinery, kitchens, tea points and reception areas.
- Furniture, AV and data infrastructure.
- Fire strategy, access requirements and statutory compliance.
- Working hours, phasing, location and programme constraints.
Why design affects cost
Design is not simply about choosing colours and finishes. Space planning can influence how many partitions are required, where services need to move, how much furniture is needed and whether existing elements can be retained.
A well-resolved design can therefore remove unnecessary work as well as improve the finished environment.
Why programme matters
A compressed programme can increase cost because more labour may be required, deliveries have less flexibility and trades may need to work out of sequence. Evening, weekend or phased working can also increase preliminaries.
For occupied sites, the cheapest construction sequence is not always the most practical sequence for the client’s operation.
How we build a realistic figure
Creation Office starts with the brief, a site survey and the level of finish the client wants to achieve. We then build the cost around the actual scope rather than forcing the project into a generic rate.
Where the design is still developing, we can provide early budget guidance and refine it as decisions are made.