How long does a commercial fitout take?

If you're looking to fit out a new business or even relocate and fit out an existing one, you are likely to want to know how long it will take. We understand that the time taken away from your day-to-day operations can cost you. So what are the things you need to look out for when planning for your next fitout? And how can you avoid any major setbacks?

The short answer: on average, it takes 8 weeks to complete the delivery of your build – whether it's an office fitout, medical fitout, shop fitout or hospitality fitout.

The long answer: while a fitout can take 8 weeks, things like project complexity, property condition, availability of resources, and permit approvals time can delay your fitout significantly – so it's best to first get an accurate idea of how long it's going to take, and work with your fitout contractor to make the journey as smooth as possible.

As you can expect, the complexity of your project will lengthen (or shorten) the time it takes. To put things into perspective, you could have a small modern retail shell with very few alterations needed, and this could take just 8 weeks. On the other hand, you could be transforming a 150-year-old heritage building into an office space, and that could take double the amount of time! Items like new floors, ceilings, HVAC and internal structural elements could add up to 4 weeks to the project timeline.

We've said it before, and we'll say it again, we don't work in the same climate we did five years ago – trade laws change, prices fluctuate, raw materials scarcen and supply chains get interrupted. So naturally, you can expect delays when it comes to when fitting out your business. In cases where your fitout requires a significant amount of raw materials, imported furniture or custom joinery, you will likely encounter extended lead times – it's best to ensure these are ordered early on in the project so that they are ready for installation as soon as they arrive.

When fitting out any commercial space, obtaining permits and approvals is unavoidable. And applications to regulatory bodies (such as town planning, health & safety, Heritage Victoria or landlords) need time to be processed and approved. On average, it takes 4-6 weeks to prepare and finalise a complete set of construction drawings, 2 weeks to obtain a building permit and up to 2 weeks for landlord approval. In cases where it is a new build, you will need to apply for a change of use permit, and this can take up to 12 weeks!

With all things considered, we will always circle back to engaging a fitout contractor as early as possible – this means consulting them at the time of searching for your prospective premise – which is usually around a year before your lease may end. By doing so, you can utilise the property expertise of your fitout contractor and gain the foresight needed to identify any potential costs and delays before they arise.

It's imperative to begin planning early and engage the right fitout company to help make the process easier – and more efficient. Leave the heavy lifting up to us, and let us help to cut down time by:

1. Managing project complexity
2. Coordination of supplies and trades
3. Acquiring the right permits and approvals
4. Choosing the right space

We don't mind giving you a little advice on cost, budgets, requirements, and timeframes. So give us a call on 1800 434 868 or email info@canopyfitouts.com.au, and we'd be more than happy to chat with you about your business' needs!