How Much Does It Cost to Fit Out a London Office?

If you’re planning a relocation, refurbishment, or expansion, one of the first questions you’ll ask is:

How much does it cost to fit out a London office?

The honest answer is that costs vary depending on specification, building condition, design ambition, and location. However, based on current market conditions and active commercial projects across the capital, we can provide clear, realistic Category B fit out cost ranges to guide your budgeting.

For a tailored cost assessment and expert guidance, visit our office fit out London page to speak with our London office fit out specialists.

Typical Cost Ranges for Category B Office Fit Outs in London

Providing universally fixed prices for London office fit outs is challenging because every building and brief is different. Factors such as landlord specifications, M&E capacity, sustainability requirements, programme timelines, and design complexity all influence the final figure.

That said, here are current indicative cost ranges for a Category B office fit out in London:

Basic / Budget Level Fit Out

£60 – £90 per sq ft
(approximately £645 – £970 per sq m)

Typical Scope

A basic Category B fit out focuses on adapting existing landlord-provided (Cat A) infrastructure efficiently. It generally includes:

• Making good existing services
• Basic partitioning for meeting rooms and private offices
• Standard contract-grade carpet tiles
• Simple paint finishes
• Functional lighting and compliant power distribution
• Durable, cost-effective furniture
• Straightforward layout planning

The design is clean, practical, and focused on functionality rather than high-impact aesthetics.

Suitable For

• Start-ups
• Short-term leases
• Temporary office space
• Cost-conscious occupiers

This level provides a professional working environment without premium design features.

Mid-Range / Good Quality Fit Out

£90 – £140 per sq ft
(approximately £970 – £1,500 per sq m)

This is the most common specification level for London businesses — and often the answer when clients ask, “How much does it cost to fit out a London office?”

Typical Scope

A mid-range fit out allows for a balanced, well-considered design including:

• A mix of open-plan workspace and private rooms
• Higher-grade carpet tiles
• Feature flooring such as LVT in breakout spaces
• Bespoke joinery elements (e.g. reception desk or tea point)
• Enhanced M&E systems with effective climate control
• Tailored lighting design
• Good-quality ergonomic furniture
• Branded finishes and feature walls
• Improved acoustic performance
• Integrated AV for meeting rooms

This specification creates a comfortable, professional, and brand-aligned workspace that supports employee wellbeing and productivity.

Suitable For

• Established SMEs
• Professional services firms
• Technology companies
• Growing businesses investing in culture and retention

If this level matches your ambitions, speak to our team of London office fit out specialists using the details on our Contact Us page to find out how we can help and where you can request a quote.

High-End / Premium Fit Out

£140 – £250+ per sq ft
(approximately £1,500 – £2,700+ per sq m)

Premium Category B projects are architecturally driven and brand-led environments designed to make a statement.

Typical Scope

These projects often include:

• High-concept workplace design
• Luxury finishes such as natural stone flooring or bespoke timber panelling
• Architectural glazing systems
• Advanced mechanical and electrical systems with zoned control
• Smart building technology integration
• High-end ergonomic or designer furniture
• Complex AV systems and hybrid meeting suites
• Feature staircases
• Biophilic installations or green walls
• Specialist acoustic environments

Premium fit outs are particularly common in prestigious commercial districts such as:

• Mayfair
• The City of London
• Canary Wharf

In these areas, office design often plays a strategic role in brand positioning and client perception.

Suitable For

• Corporate headquarters
• International firms
• Legal and financial institutions
• Brand-led organisations

What Influences the Cost of Fitting Out a London Office?

When evaluating how much it costs to fit out a London office, several variables will shape your investment:

1. Location

Central London projects may involve:

• Out-of-hours working
• Delivery restrictions
• Building management compliance
• Congestion charges
• Limited site access

These logistical factors can increase project cost compared to outer borough locations.

2. Existing Infrastructure

Older buildings may require:

• HVAC upgrades
• Electrical capacity improvements
• Fire compliance upgrades
• Structural alterations

For example, properties in areas like Shoreditch may require additional coordination due to heritage constraints or building configuration.

3. Office Size

Larger projects often benefit from economies of scale.

For example:

• 4,000 sq ft mid-range fit out at £115 per sq ft = £460,000
• 10,000 sq ft mid-range fit out at £100 per sq ft = £1,000,000

Smaller spaces can carry proportionally higher per-square-foot costs due to fixed preliminaries.

4. Design Complexity

The more bespoke the environment — including specialist lighting, acoustic glass partitions, custom joinery, or advanced technology — the higher the cost.

5. Furniture & Technology

Furniture, fixtures, AV systems, and IT infrastructure can represent 10–20% of total project cost and are often excluded from base construction figures.

Example Budget Scenarios

To help contextualise the numbers:

4,000 Sq Ft Mid-Range Fit Out

• £115 per sq ft average
• Base construction cost: £460,000

Allowances for professional fees, furniture, IT, and contingency may bring total project investment to approximately £550,000–£650,000.

8,000 Sq Ft Premium Fit Out

• £180 per sq ft average
• Base construction cost: £1,440,000

With furniture, technology, and fees included, total investment could exceed £1.7M.

For a bespoke cost plan tailored to your building and brief, visit our London office fit out services page.

Additional Costs to Consider

When budgeting for a London office fit out, also account for:

• Professional design and consultancy fees
• Project management
• Dilapidations
• Temporary relocation
• Building control approvals
• Sustainability certifications (e.g. BREEAM, WELL)
• Security and IT infrastructure

These elements are not always included in headline “per square foot” rates.

How Long Does It Take to Fit Out a London Office?

Programme timelines vary depending on size and complexity:

• 3,000 sq ft: 6–8 weeks construction
• 8,000–10,000 sq ft: 10–14 weeks construction
• Design phase: typically 6–10 weeks

Fast-track programmes can increase labour and logistics costs.

Final Answer: How Much Does It Cost to Fit Out a London Office?

For a Category B office fit out in London, typical construction cost ranges are:

• Basic: £60–£90 per sq ft
• Mid-Range: £90–£140 per sq ft
• Premium: £140–£250+ per sq ft

For a 5,000 sq ft office, this equates to:

• Basic: £300,000–£450,000
• Mid-Range: £450,000–£700,000
• Premium: £700,000–£1,250,000+

Every project is unique, and accurate budgeting requires a detailed survey and design brief.

If you’re planning a move, refurbishment, or expansion and want clarity on how we would approach your project, visit our main London office fit out page to start the conversation with our expert team.