How to Estimate Your Office Fitout Budget
Plan with confidence and avoid surprises later.
If you’re planning to update or relocate your workspace, one of the first questions that comes up is:
“How much will my office fitout cost?”
While every project is different, there are proven ways to estimate your office fitout budget early on, so you can plan with confidence and avoid surprises later.
At Workspace 360, we’ve guided countless Australian businesses through the process of budgeting, designing, and delivering successful workspaces. Here’s our six-step framework for estimating your commercial fitout cost and building a space that works for your team and your bottom line.
Step 1. Define Your Project Scope
Before you start crunching numbers, get crystal clear on what you’re actually building.
Your project scope sets the tone – and cost – for everything that follows.
Ask yourself:
- Are you refurbishing an existing space or fitting out a new one?
- What level of finish are you aiming for: standard, premium, or high-end?
- Will you need new furniture, technology, or joinery?
- Are lighting, air-conditioning, or plumbing systems being upgraded? Typically any construction of new spaces or tweaks to wall locations will trigger adjustments to services to ensure the space is compliant.
A light refresh (new flooring, paint, and layout tweaks) will cost significantly less than a full office fitout involving partitions, custom joinery, and service upgrades. Getting your scope right from the start helps you create a more accurate fitout budget and avoid scope creep later.
Step 2. Understand the Key Cost Drivers
Once you’ve defined your scope, it’s time to look at what influences your commercial fitout cost the most.
Cost Driver
What It Includes
Size & Layout
The total area (m²) and how efficiently it’s planned. Open layouts tend to be more cost-effective than enclosed offices.
Location
Central business districts (Sydney or Melbourne CBD) often attract higher logistics and labour costs compared to suburban areas.
Design Complexity
Custom joinery, curved walls, acoustics, and specialty finishes increase both labour and materials.
Services & Compliance
Electrical, mechanical, and fire services, plus permits and building compliance can add 20–30% to your total cost, and they are critical components to a functional workspace. You cannot take shortcuts here.
Furniture & Technology
Desks, seating, AV systems, and hybrid-ready setups can vary widely in cost depending on quality and specification.
Understanding these cost drivers early makes your budgeting process faster, smarter, and far less stressful.
When you’re still in the planning stage, fitout per square metre estimates are the most practical way to start shaping your budget.
Step 3. Estimate Costs Per Square Metre
These ranges usually cover design, construction, project management, and standard finishes – but exclude major structural works or high-end technology systems.
At Workspace 360, we refine these estimates through scope reviews and value-engineering workshops, ensuring your design vision stays aligned with your budget.
Fitout Tier
Indicative Range (ex GST)
Typical Inclusions
Basic / Light Refurbishment
$700 – $1,200/m²
New paint, flooring, lighting refresh, modest partitions
Mid-Range / Standard Fitout
$1,200 – $2,200/m²
Quality finishes, moderate joinery, improved services
Premium / High-Spec Fitout
$2,200 – $3,500+ /m²
Bespoke design, premium materials, advanced tech, high design intent
Step 4. Factor in the “Soft Costs”
Your office fitout budget isn’t just about construction.
There are several soft costs that support the project but are easy to overlook.
These often include:
- Design, engineering, and approval fees
- Permits and certifications
- Furniture procurement and logistics
- Temporary workspace or relocation costs
- Contingency (typically 5–10% of the total budget)
Including these early gives you a true picture of your total investment — not just the build cost.
Step 5. Align Design and Budget from Day One
One of the most common mistakes we see is finalising a design before understanding what it will actually cost to build.
An integrated design and construct model solves that problem. At Workspace 360, our designers, estimators, and project managers work together from the start, making sure every design decision is grounded in cost transparency and practicality. The result? Smarter decisions, faster approvals, and no surprises at tender stage.
Step 6. Get Expert Advice
Creating an accurate office fitout cost guide doesn’t have to feel like guesswork. With the right partners, you can make informed decisions that protect your investment and deliver a workspace your team will love.
At Workspace 360, we specialise in workspace design and construct solutions that balance creativity, functionality, and cost certainty. From concept to completion, we help you see exactly where your budget is going – and how to get the most out of it.
Ready to Start Planning Your Office Fitout?
Explore our Office Fitout Cost Guide for more detailed insights, or speak with the Workspace 360 team for tailored advice and pricing.
Whether you’re planning a small refurbishment or a full-scale relocation, we’ll help you plan smarter, design better, and deliver a workspace that works.