How much does it cost to refurbish an office in London? Whether you are upgrading a small workspace, redesigning an existing office or planning a complete commercial fit-out, understanding the costs is essential before starting.
In 2026, office refurbishment prices in London typically range from £40 to £95 per square foot for light and medium refurbishment projects, while a complete office transformation can cost £120–£200 per square foot or more. Premium office fit-outs can exceed £350 per square foot, depending on the building, materials and complexity.
Key takeaways
- Light office refurbishment in London typically costs £40–£60 per sq ft in 2026; medium refurbishment £60–£95 per sq ft.
- A standard Category B fit-out typically costs £120–£200 per sq ft, and premium fit-outs £220–£380+ per sq ft.
- A 2,500 sq ft office typically costs £100,000–£237,500 for light to medium refurbishment.
- Small office refurbishments usually take 4–8 weeks on site; large or complex fit-outs 3–6 months or longer.
- Always check exactly what a quotation includes: VAT, professional fees, furniture and IT are often excluded.
London has a competitive market of refurbishment specialists, from smaller contractors handling local business premises to established companies delivering large corporate headquarters. This guide explains typical office refurbishment costs, what affects the final price, how to budget for a project and which companies offer these services in London.
How Much Does Office Refurbishment Cost in London in 2026?
Office refurbishment costs depend primarily on the size of the premises, the condition of the existing building and the extent of the work required.
A straightforward refresh involving painting, flooring and lighting can be considerably cheaper than replacing electrical systems, creating meeting rooms or redesigning an entire office. The following indicative London prices reflect contractor-published market benchmarks for 2026.
| Type of refurbishment | Estimated cost per sq ft | Estimated cost per m² |
|---|---|---|
| Light office refurbishment | £40–£60 | £430–£646 |
| Medium office refurbishment | £60–£95 | £646–£1,023 |
| Category A fit-out | £60–£95 | £646–£1,023 |
| Category A+ fit-out | £95–£140 | £1,023–£1,507 |
| Standard Category B fit-out | £120–£200 | £1,292–£2,153 |
| Premium office fit-out | £220–£380+ | £2,368–£4,090+ |
These figures are indicative construction or contractor-level benchmarks, not guaranteed quotations. VAT, professional fees, furniture and technology may be excluded, depending on the specification.
For comparison, the Cushman & Wakefield UK Office Fit Out Cost Guide 2026 reports higher, all-in London fit-out benchmarks:
- Low specification: £148 per sq ft.
- Medium specification: £243 per sq ft.
- High specification: £359 per sq ft.
These figures are not directly comparable with basic refurbishment prices because the all-in benchmark covers a broader project scope, including elements such as furniture, technology and professional services. The difference shows why business owners should always establish precisely what a contractor’s quotation includes.
How Much Does Office Refurbishment Cost by Office Size?
The total area of the office is another important factor in determining the budget. Refurbishing a 1,000 sq ft workspace may involve relatively limited work, while a larger office can require substantial project management, new infrastructure and multiple construction phases. Here are estimated costs for different office sizes in London.
| Office size | Light refurbishment | Medium refurbishment | Full standard Cat B fit-out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | £40,000–£60,000 | £60,000–£95,000 | £120,000–£200,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | £100,000–£150,000 | £150,000–£237,500 | £300,000–£500,000 |
| 5,000 sq ft | £200,000–£300,000 | £300,000–£475,000 | £600,000–£1 million |
| 10,000 sq ft | £400,000–£600,000 | £600,000–£950,000 | £1.2–£2 million |
These estimates assume the same specification across the whole floor area. Smaller offices can sometimes have higher costs per square foot because fixed expenses, including site preparation and management, are spread over less space. The actual price depends on the condition of the office and which existing materials and systems can be retained.
What Is Included in an Office Refurbishment?
Not every refurbishment requires a complete redesign. The work can be divided into several categories.
1. Light Office Refurbishment
Typical cost: £40–£60 per sq ft
A light refurbishment focuses on improving the appearance and functionality of an existing workspace without major structural changes. Common improvements include:
- Painting and decorating walls and ceilings.
- Replacing carpets and flooring.
- Updating lighting with energy-efficient LEDs.
- Repairing doors, skirting boards and existing joinery.
- Refreshing reception and communal areas.
- Carrying out minor electrical and maintenance works.
This approach is particularly suitable for offices that remain functional but have become dated or show signs of wear.
2. Medium Office Refurbishment
Typical cost: £60–£95 per sq ft
A medium refurbishment generally involves more extensive improvements to the office layout and facilities. Typical works include creating meeting rooms, installing partitions, updating kitchens or staff facilities, improving lighting and acoustics, and making adjustments to electrical or air-conditioning systems.
Businesses often choose this approach when their existing premises are in a suitable location but no longer suit the way they work.
3. Full Office Refurbishment and Category B Fit-Out
Typical cost: £120–£200 per sq ft
A complete office refurbishment can involve stripping out existing interiors and constructing a substantially new workspace. Depending on the specification, this can include electrical rewiring, heating and ventilation upgrades, partitions, ceilings, flooring, kitchens, washrooms, reception areas, meeting rooms and specialist installations.
A Category B fit-out usually refers to transforming a basic office into premises tailored to the occupier’s requirements, including its layout, finishes and branding. The budget can be considerably higher where complex building services or premium materials are required.
What Factors Affect Office Refurbishment Prices in London?
Several factors can increase the cost of a commercial refurbishment.
Location and building access. Central London offices can involve more complicated logistics than premises in outer London. Restricted deliveries, limited parking, service-lift bookings and building management requirements can increase labour and project costs.
Condition of the building. Older premises may need additional electrical, plumbing, ventilation or fire-safety work. Hidden defects can also increase the cost of refurbishment.
Materials and specifications. Standard commercial flooring and finishes are generally less expensive than bespoke joinery, specialist glass partitions, premium surfaces or complex architectural features.
Mechanical and electrical works. Changes to heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, power and data systems can account for a substantial proportion of a full refurbishment budget.
Working around existing employees. Refurbishing an occupied office may require the contractor to divide work into phases or carry out disruptive tasks outside normal business hours.
Approvals and compliance. Depending on the project, building regulations, fire-safety requirements, landlord consent and other statutory obligations may need to be addressed before work begins.
For budgeting, it is sensible to allow an additional 10–20% contingency, depending on the building’s condition and how thoroughly the works have been investigated. VAT and excluded professional fees should also be considered.
Which Companies Offer Office Refurbishment Services in London?
London has numerous companies specialising in office renovations, commercial interiors and workplace fit-outs. The right contractor depends on the size of the office, the scope of the work, the available budget and whether the business needs to remain operational during construction. Here are several companies working in this market.
Smart Maintenance+: Office Refurbishment in London and Surrey
Smart Maintenance+ office refurbishment is delivered by a family-run refurbishment and property maintenance company operating across Central London, South West London and Surrey.
Established in 2014, the company offers fully managed office refurbishment services, with particular attention to clear pricing, project coordination and minimising disruption to businesses. One of its key advantages is the option to organise refurbishment work around a company’s operating schedule, including evenings, weekends and out-of-hours periods where required.
Smart Maintenance+ offers:
- Fully managed office refurbishment projects.
- Clear, itemised fixed-price quotations.
- Refurbishment planning designed to minimise business downtime.
- Coordination of contractors and different stages of work.
- Assistance with applicable approvals and compliance.
- Snagging, aftercare and ongoing residential and commercial property maintenance.
The company serves areas including Mayfair, Marylebone, Fitzrovia, Westminster, Kensington, Chelsea, Richmond, Wimbledon, Wandsworth and Clapham, alongside Surrey locations. For businesses seeking to modernise their existing offices without moving to new premises, Smart Maintenance+ offers a free initial site survey followed by a detailed quotation.
Website: smartmaintenanceplus.co.uk
Telephone: 020 3601 2356
Overbury
Overbury is an established UK commercial fit-out and refurbishment contractor and part of Morgan Sindall Group. It works on office refurbishment, commercial fit-out and complex workplace projects, including large corporate environments. Its London operation covers projects of different sizes, including major schemes exceeding £15 million.
Morgan Lovell
Morgan Lovell specialises in office design and build, delivering workplace interiors across London. The company combines design, project planning and construction services, with experience in the finance, technology, real estate and professional services sectors. It is particularly relevant for businesses considering comprehensive workplace redesigns and bespoke office environments.
Rap Interiors
Rap Interiors offers office refurbishment and commercial interior design services in London. Its work includes redesigning office layouts, updating interiors, creating meeting rooms and reception spaces, and managing refurbishments in occupied premises. The company also provides office furniture and workplace design services.
Zentura
Zentura is a London-based office design, refurbishment and fit-out specialist. Its services include workspace planning, office renovations, furniture and workplace technology. The company has particular experience delivering projects in occupied offices, where careful scheduling and maintaining business operations are important.
These companies represent different parts of the London refurbishment market. Before appointing any contractor, businesses should review relevant completed projects, check the precise scope of services and request a written quotation.
How Long Does an Office Refurbishment Take?
The duration of an office refurbishment depends on its size, complexity and whether employees continue using the premises. As a broad planning guide:
| Project type | Indicative time on site |
|---|---|
| Small office refurbishment | 4–8 weeks |
| Medium office refurbishment | 8–16 weeks |
| Large or complex office fit-out | 3–6 months or longer |
Simple redecoration or isolated maintenance works can take considerably less time. These estimates do not necessarily include the preliminary design, procurement, landlord approvals or building-control processes. Companies that cannot close their offices for several weeks may benefit from phased refurbishment, weekend work or carefully scheduled out-of-hours construction.
Is It Cheaper to Refurbish an Office or Move to a New One?
For many businesses, refurbishing an existing office can be more cost-effective than relocating. Moving to new premises can introduce additional expenses, including lease negotiations, legal fees, removals, overlapping rent, dilapidation obligations and fitting out the new office. A refurbishment allows a business to improve its workspace while retaining its existing location and avoiding some of these costs.
However, refurbishment is not always the cheapest choice. If an office requires extensive structural work, major building-services replacement or substantial alterations, relocating to more suitable premises could be financially preferable. Businesses should compare the full costs of both options before making a decision.
How Do You Choose an Office Refurbishment Contractor in London?
Before hiring a contractor, consider the company’s experience, ability to coordinate the project and willingness to provide a transparent quotation. Request a breakdown of the work, including materials, labour, site management, waste disposal, compliance requirements and expected completion dates.
It is also worth checking insurance, guarantees, examples of comparable projects and how the contractor handles unexpected issues or variations. For occupied offices, ask specifically whether work can be scheduled outside business hours and which activities might require temporary closures.
Finally, ensure that quotations from different companies include comparable services. A lower headline price may exclude important elements that appear in another contractor’s proposal.
Planning an Office Refurbishment in London?
Office refurbishment can extend the useful life of commercial premises, improve the working environment and help businesses adapt their space without relocating. However, successful projects depend on realistic budgeting, careful planning and choosing a contractor whose services match the project.
Smart Maintenance+ provides professional office refurbishment services across London and Surrey, offering fully managed projects, clear fixed-price quotations and flexible working arrangements to minimise disruption. Whether you are considering a straightforward office refresh or a more comprehensive renovation, the first step is to assess the premises and establish a realistic scope of work.
Contact Smart Maintenance+ to arrange a free office refurbishment survey and request a quotation.
Pricing references: Cushman & Wakefield UK Office Fit Out Cost Guide 2026, Office Refurbishment London 2026 Cost Guide and the Zentura Office Refurbishment Cost Guide 2026. Prices are indicative, not company-specific quotes, and were reviewed in October 2026.