How Long Does an Office Fit-Out Take? A Timeline for Success

• Factors Affecting an Office Fit-Out Timeline
• How Long Does an Office Fit-Out Typically Take?
• Comparing Approaches: Design and Build vs. Traditional
• Tips For Planning an Office Fit-Out Timeline
• Why Planning Your Timeline Is Crucial

One of the biggest questions our clients have when planning an office fit-out is: How long will it take? Whether you’re relocating to a new space or revamping your current office, knowing what to expect can help you plan effectively and minimise disruption.

This blog breaks down the typical office fit-out timeline, key factors that influence project duration, and tips to keep everything running smoothly. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to ensure your office transformation goes off without a hitch.

Factors Affecting an Office Fit-Out Timeline

The timeline for your office fit-out can vary quite significantly depending on a few key factors. One of the biggest things to consider is the size and complexity of your project. Naturally, the bigger and more intricate your office design, the longer it’ll take to complete. The type of fit-out also makes a difference. Cat A fit-outs, which focus on the basics like lighting, ceilings, and flooring, tend to be quicker, while Cat B fit-outs take longer as they involve branding, furniture, and all the finishing touches that make the space truly yours.

If you’re adding specialist features like HVAC systems, soundproofing, or smart office tech, expect things to take a bit longer since these require extra time for design, installation and testing. Location can also be a factor. If you’re in a busy city centre, planning restrictions and permits might slow things down. Being aware of these factors from the start will help you set realistic expectations and make the whole process smoother.

How Long Does an Office Fit-Out Typically Take?

While the timeline for your project will depend on your unique requirements, some general assumptions can be made based on typical timeframes. Below we’ve provided an approximate guide for a 5,000 sq. ft. and a 10,000 sq. ft. office fit-out, covering the major project stages. It’s worth bearing in mind that depending on your chosen procurement approach (which we talk more about below), some of the work within each of these stages can overlap, which will speed up the process.

Comparing Approaches: Design and Build vs. Traditional

When planning your office redesign and fit-out, you’ll need help from the experts. The routes you can take with this can be grouped into two typical approaches – ‘traditional’, and ‘design build’. Here’s how they compare:

Traditional

This involves working with an interior designer or architect to develop the design first. Once the design is finalised, you’ll invite multiple fit-out contractors to bid for the project. After selecting the best fit, the contractor completes your project according to the agreed designs. While this method allows for detailed planning and costing, it can add weeks or even months to the overall timeline due to the sequential nature of the process. Of course, you always have to tender a project if you already have a working partnership with a contractor or supplier you trust – ultimately it’s about achieving best value

Selecting project partners who are used to working in a traditional approach, where regular communication and coordination between all involved is crucial, will help ensure your fit-out runs smoothly and your project remains on track. Our recent project with Flex by Landsec, in which we transformed a 16,500 sq.ft space at MediaCity UK into a stunning flexible workspace in just 13 weeks, is a great example of how this model can work effectively when there is a solid partnership approach.

Design and build (D&B)

With D&B, you work with a single company that manages both the design and fit-out under one contract. This approach streamlines communication, reduces project complexity, and allows for overlapping phases, cutting down the timeline to as little as 8-12 weeks. If speed and efficiency are top priorities, D&B could be the way to go. In our recent D&B project on the 2^nd floor of White Tower at MediaCity we delivered a cutting-edge 8,600 sq.ft content studio for our client, which offers everything from podcast and photo studios to flexible production areas, in just a 14 week period.

Tips For Planning an Office Fit-Out Timeline

One of the best ways to keep your office fit-out on track is to start planning early. The more time you give yourself for planning, the less likely you are to run into last-minute surprises that could delay the project. This is particularly important if you’re working to a strict deadline, such as the end of a tenancy, where there is no wiggle room in when your new space needs to be ready. Working with experienced fit-out companies can also make a huge difference. They’ll help you set realistic timelines and ensure everything runs smoothly from start to finish.

As we’ve already mentioned, if speed is a priority, consider a design and build approach, which streamlines the process and can shave valuable time off your schedule. It’s also worth getting all your paperwork sorted early on. Securing permits, finalising budgets, identifying your stakeholder group and decision makers, and signing off designs quickly will help avoid frustrating delays down the line. With a bit of forward planning and the right team in place, you’ll be well on your way to a stress-free office fit-out.

Why Planning Your Timeline Is Crucial

A well-planned office fit-out isn’t just about finishing on time, it’s about ensuring an enjoyable, stress-free process. Careful planning helps:

1. Minimise Disruption: Reducing downtime keeps your business running smoothly.
2. Control Costs: Delays often lead to increased expenses, so sticking to a timeline will help keep within your budget.
3. Improve Coordination: A clear roadmap which defines roles and responsibilities for everyone involved, will help improve efficiency.
4. Enhance Quality: Rushing at the last minute can compromise quality so careful planning will help ensure mistakes aren’t made, corners aren’t cut and ultimately, result in a finished workplace everyone is proud of.

Understanding the office fit-out timeline and planning appropriately is essential for a successful project. By choosing the right procurement method, considering key influencing factors and following best practices, you can ensure a seamless transition into your new space.

If you have a project in mind and are ready to get started, we’d love to hear from you. Contact our team today to discuss your requirements and we’ll help you keep your project on track from day one!