Introduction
We have produced a global office fit-out cost guide that provides you with insight on how costs are established and what they are based on.
Our dataset allows you the flexibility to take core functional cost areas and build up your own capital expenditure budget. The report examines 50 cities globally, identifying the CAT A and CAT B construction costs for a high, medium and low specification. Further to this, 16 spotlight cities have been examined in a greater functional and elemental split.
Key initial notes
The costs contained within this report are:
- Construction costs including security and structured cabling
- Client direct items, such as loose furniture, audio-visual and professional fees
- Based on a CAT A and CAT B fit out with the existing building at shell and core
- Reflective of a single test fit and specification level split between high, medium and low
- As at Q1 2025 (base date)
- In US Dollars, the exchange rates are obtainable here
- Exclusions are obtainable here
Please refer below for further information pertaining to the methodology of this report.
Methodology
A test fit of approximately 4,215m2, split across two floors, was utilised to estimate the high, medium and low construction costs for a CAT A and CAT B fit-out. The test fit, which is obtainable here, was measured and priced by our regional cost management teams.
During the design and measurement process, the test fit was broken down into 12 functional categories, namely:
1. Business / welcome lounge
2. Staff breakout / dining / tea point
3. Collaboration
4. Comms / IT build and store / copy print / lockers
5. Executive suite
6. Meeting rooms
7. Boardroom
8. Open plan
9. Quiet rooms
10. Contemplation / parents' rooms
11. Training facilities
12. Water closests (WCs)
A functional cost model was produced by the Cost Management teams which formed the basis of a pricing document. This was broken down into nine elements in line with the New Rules of Measurement published by the RICS, namely:
1. Internal stairs
2. Walls and doors
3. Wall finishes
4. Floor finishes
5. Ceiling finishes
6. Fixed joinery and equipment
7. Services
8. IT and security
9. Preliminaries, overhead and profit
For cities in North America, the cost model was broken down in line with the CSI MasterFormat, a standard form of measurement published by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada (CSC). It was broken down into nine elements, namely:
1. Monumental stair
2. Millwork
3. Architectural metal and glass
4. Ceiling, carpentry, partitions and wall covering
5. Access floors and finishes
6. Appliances and toilet accessories
7. Services
8. Data and security
9. General conditions, fee and insurance
The client direct packages were included under three elements for all regions:
1. Loose furniture
2. Audio-visual
3. Professional fees
This document alongside the test fit and design assumptions was shared with the 50 respective cities, allowing them to price this project. It must be noted that not all cities commonly adhered to the specifications contained within the cost model, however a similar product representing the same level of quality was priced to allow for a consistent output and global comparability.
Upon receipt of the fully priced cost model, each city was compared to Turner & Townsend global benchmarking to confirm alignment within an acceptable tolerance. All costs were then converted into US Dollars.
Appendix 2 - Specification
Appendix 3 - Exclusions
- Internal planting
- MEP works related to generator sets, major trading offices or data centres
- Specialist security requirements, such as speed gates
- Software and/or apps for IT, AV and security
- IT networking (e.g. racks).
- Move management costs
- Landlord lobbies or receptions
- Vertical transportation (e.g lifts)
- Reinstatement costs
- All taxes.
