Typical office fit-out costs: what to expect in 2026

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Dave Carr

Associate Director, Corporate Occupier, UK

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As economic uncertainty and shifting work models intensify pressure on occupiers, having a clear understanding of office fit-out costs is essential. This knowledge helps manage budgets and support business objectives.

In an environment that needs both cost efficiency and an improved employee experience, accurate benchmarks help you make informed decisions—especially as you refine return-to-office or broader workplace strategies.

Here, we provide a detailed overview of office fit-out costs in 2025 and how this is shaping trends in 2026. It offers benchmarks and analyzes the key drivers shaping office fit-out expenditure per square meter across global markets.

What do office fit-out costs include?

Before exploring cost benchmarks, it’s important to clarify what office fit-out costs cover. Our methodology captures the total fit-out costs per square meter for a CAT A/B fit-out from a shell-and-core condition, including:

Construction costs: all construction costs, including security systems, IT cabling and infrastructure. 
Client-direct items: furniture, audio-visual (AV) equipment and professional fees.

All office fit-out costs per square meter are based on a single test fit across high, medium and low specifications, with USD figures as at Q1 2025.

For details on methodology, exchange rates and exclusions, consult our full Global office fit-out cost guide 2025.

Global office fit-out costs: average costs and ranges

Average office fit-out costs vary widely across the world. These differences depend on local market conditions, labor and supply chain trends.

The cost of office fit-out continues to rise, driven by demand for premium workspace and increased construction expenses. Understanding these differentials is critical for building robust budgets and managing stakeholder expectations across your portfolio.

London remains the most expensive city globally, with office fit-out costs per square meter reaching $5,932. Other European cities such as Zurich, Paris, Munich and Amsterdam also see high fit-out costs per square meter, each exceeding $4,000.

Office fit-out costs per square metre: regional highlights

Being able to compare office fit-out costs by region is essential for planning—especially when you’re managing multiple sites or global projects.

Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA): average office fit-out costs

EMEA has significant variation in office fit-out costs, with Western European cities consistently among the most expensive in the world.

Major markets such as London, Zurich and Paris have much higher typical costs than locations in Africa and the Middle East. This reflects differences in construction standards, labor pricing and regulatory complexity.

For international occupiers, you’ll want to compare specifications closely to get the best value across your EMEA portfolio.

The Americas: average office fit-out costs

Fit-out costs in the Americas are just as diverse. Major U.S. cities, including New York and San Francisco, remain among the highest-cost environments globally.

Elsewhere across the Americas—especially in Latin America—markets like Buenos Aires and Santiago are more accessible entry points for fit-out investment. This reflects both economic conditions and distinct regional construction standards.

If you’re managing operations across North and South America, tailored strategies for project delivery and budgeting will help increase value.

While U.S. cities like New York and San Francisco continue to lead with high prices, markets across Latin America such as Buenos Aires and Santiago offer more cost-effective options. This reflects the region’s diverse economic conditions and construction standards.

Asia Pacific (APAC): average office fit-out costs

The Asia Pacific region is shaped by diverse operating environments, with office fit-out costs ranging significantly between mature markets and rapidly developing cities.

Business centers like Sydney, Tokyo and Hong Kong demonstrate higher fit-out costs, often reflecting greater regulatory requirements and expectations for premium standards.

By contrast, markets in Southeast Asia and India can deliver more value-driven solutions. This helps balance cost efficiency with employee experience at scale in the region.

Major business cities like Sydney, Tokyo, and Hong Kong remain at the higher end of the cost spectrum, while emerging markets in Southeast Asia and India often offer more affordable options for businesses seeking value.

Key factors influencing office fit-out costs into 2026

The factors impacting typical office fit-out costs continue to evolve. Consider the following in your cost planning:

Demand for premium offices: the drive to attract and retain top talent is underpinning investment in higher-specification environments.
Portfolio agility: a renewed focus on flexibility is shaping the need for agile fit-out solutions. It also helps manage overall space requirements.
Right-sizing portfolios: many occupiers are rebalancing flagship locations with expansion in emerging markets, needing to analyze detailed cost-benefit by region.
Focus on return on investment (ROI): demonstrating value and accountability for every investment is a growing board-level priority.
Sustainability: more ambitious green targets and certification standards are influencing fit-out design, material selection and long-term maintenance costs.

Navigating office fit-out costs: managing market and project challenges

Managing office fit-out costs effectively is vital for delivering projects on time and on budget, while also supporting employee needs. Setting clear criteria, engaging experienced partners and prioritizing locally sourced materials all support smarter investment decisions.

By benchmarking costs across multiple markets, you can strengthen capital planning. This helps align workplace strategies to organizational goals and secure the best outcomes from your office environment.

Informed decision-making begins with robust data on office fit-out costs

With economic uncertainty and ongoing workplace transformation, there’s increased pressure to deliver more with less. As organizations navigate these challenges, making informed investment decisions depends on accessible, reliable data.

Our latest Global Office Fit-out Cost Guide draws on data from 50 markets. The guide provides detailed cost benchmarks by specification. It offers useful insights to support capital planning and risk mitigation. It also includes cost breakdowns for key workspace areas.

Access the data and insight you need to align workplace investments with today’s challenges—and tomorrow’s opportunities.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE REPORTS