What are office Fitouts? What does a fitout include and how much do they cost in Australia?
What is an office fitout and what is entailed? How much does an office fitout cost per square metre on average in Australia and across the major states? In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know so that you can get a rough idea as to how much budget you’ll need for your office fitout in Australia. Read on for more information.
What are office Fitouts?
So, what is an office fitout? An office fitout is the term that refers to the process of making the interior space of a building suitable for occupation. It’s taking the bare shell of a building and fitting it with everything that is required to accommodate a business and its employees, from electrical and mechanical through to furnishing and decoration.
What does a fitout include?
What does a fitout include? The office fitout process will typically involve making alterations to the lighting and air conditioning systems, installing partitions to break up the space into sections, adjusting the interior to be flexible, and much more.
Before these works are started it’s important that you have a good idea of the level of finish that you and your landlord expect:
Shell and Core fitout
A shell and core fitout refers to the process of furnishing a space with the minimum required essentials. This is typically what is required by law for the building to pass regulations and achieve approval for occupation.
The building itself will appear complete from outside, however, the space inside will be more or less an empty shell – fitted with the bare minimum. These works include structure, external cladding, base plant, finished common areas, and any external works required such as planting and landscaping.
A shell and core finish will typically have these areas finished:
- Doors
- Lobbies
- Stairwells
- Elevators
- Basic spec washrooms
Category A fitout
Following that, the next level of fitout is classed as “Category A”. Category A fitouts include:
- The installation of electrical and mechanical services at the basic level
- New air conditioning units (though not necessarily brand-new)
- Raised access floors and ceilings
- Standard decoration and interior design
Category A is a step up from a shell and core fitout, however, it is still a rather basic finish. In any case, the office will be ready for occupation.
Category B fitout
Next up is the category B fitout. This is a more advanced fitout and will typically include the following:
- Installation of internal joinery, partitions, and glazing to create better-optimised space
- Mechanical and electrical services tailored to the new layout changes
- Installation of all necessary data cabling and floorboxes
- Decorative ceiling details and bulkhead designs (sometimes with sound-proofing systems)
- Feature lighting
- Customised decorations
- Graphics on the walls, floors, ceilings, and glazing
- Floor coverings
- IT and AV equipment installation
- Window blinds/shutters
- Custom joinery such as kitchens, break rooms, and reception desks
- Storage walls and lockers
- Loose furniture
- Illuminated custom signage
How much do office Fitouts cost in Australia?
How much do office fitouts cost in Australia? This all depends on the level of fitout you are looking for. On average, you can expect a commercial fitout to cost somewhere in the region of $500 and $2,000 per square metre.
For basic workstations and the bare essentials, it will come in around the $500 per square metre mark for an average-sized office.
However, for a high-end fitout with interior design, flooring, ceilings, lighting, air-con, kitchen and break area, custom storage, and all of the other bells and whistles, you’ll be looking at the $2,000 per square metre mark and above.
One important thing to note is that the rates will typically be higher for smaller office spaces. So, if you were having the same level and quality of fitout on two different offices – one small and one large – the larger of the two would get the best price per square metre.
How much do office Fitouts cost in Sydney?
How much do office fitouts cost in Sydney? For a basic fitout that is attractive and functional but with no extras, you’ll be looking at somewhere between $600 and $800 per square metre. This price can climb up to some $1,200 for an intermediate fitout and upwards of $2,000 for a high-end spec.
How much do office Fitouts cost in Melbourne?
How much do office fitouts cost in Melbourne? The average cost for a mid-range office in Melbourne comes to around $850 to $1,200 per square metre. This sort of budget would include additional features and create a positive working environment including improvements to services such as cabling, lighting, audiovisual, flooring, etc.
How much do office Fitouts cost in Brisbane?
How much do office fitouts cost in Brisbane? A typical office fitout would come to around $500 and $800 per square metre. For more advanced fitouts you will be looking at $1,100 to $1,800 and beyond.
How much do office Fitouts cost in Gold Coast?
How much do office fitouts costs in Gold Coast? Hiring an office fitouts specialist in the Gold Coast will typically set you back around $500 and $800 per square metre. For more advanced fitouts you will be looking at $1,100 to $1,800 and upwards.
Conclusion
To recap: So, what is an office fitout? An office fitout is the term that refers to the process of making the interior space of a building suitable for occupation.
An office fitout can include anything from the shell and core of office space to custom signage, high-end interior design, advanced electrical and mechanical systems, and quality partitions to create a more flexible space.
Please note that the average prices offered in this article are merely speculative. They are designed to give you a rough approximation of how much you can expect to pay in Australia for an office fitout. Ultimately, your best option is to contact your local fitout specialists, such as Alpha Ceilings and Partitions where you can get an accurate estimation based on your chosen interior and the level of work you would like done.
