Thinking about doing up your office? Maybe you’ve outgrown the old space, the vibe is a bit 1999, or the team just needs something that doesn’t feel like a storage unit with desks. Whatever the reason — if you’re anywhere around Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast or Ipswich — you’re probably wondering:

“How much is this going to cost me?”

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Totally fair question. Office refurbishments and fitouts can be confusing as hell because the range is huge, and no two spaces are the same. So here’s a straight breakdown of what businesses in SEQ have actually been spending in 2025 and where we see cost sitting moving into 2026.
(Quick disclaimer: these numbers are ballpark only —every job has its quirks. But they’ll give you a decent idea before you start planning.)

 

The 2026 Office Fitout Price Guide (SEQ)

Basic Office Fitout — $600 to $800 per m² (ex. GST)

This is your “freshen it up without getting too fancy” option.

Typical inclusions:

• Mostly open plan

• 1-2 small meeting rooms

• New paint, carpet, and vinyl in wet areas

• Minimal changes to air-con

• Simple, functional furniture

• Standard power + data

Best for: new leases, startups, small upgrades, or older offices that just need a reset without the bells and whistles.
Office space: This price range is usually achievable only if the existing space already has the basics in place — ceilings, lighting, AC distribution, compliant amenities, etc.
If you're working with a completely bare “blank canvas” this bracket won’t be realistic.

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Mid-Range Office Fitout — $800 to $1,800 per m² (ex. GST)

$900-$1200/m2 is the sweet spot for most businesses we talk to.

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What you get:

• More meeting + quiet rooms (3-10)

• Feature walls & nicer finishes

• New ceilings in key areas

• Upgraded lighting & AC tweaks

• More data + AV

• Good-quality ergonomic furniture

• Hard flooring in reception or kitchen areas

Best for: Growing teams, modern workplaces, companies wanting a space that reflects their brand and culture — without blowing the budget.
Office space: If you’re starting with a blank canvas and still want something cost-effective, this is where you’ll likely land. If you do have an existing space but want upgraded finishes, smarter layout, and a more considered design, you’ll also sit comfortably in this range.

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High-End Office Fitout — $1,800+ per m² (ex. GST)

This is the “turn heads” option. Full transformation, high-spec materials, the works.

Expect things like:

• 10+ meeting and enclosed rooms

• New double-glazed partitions

• Bespoke joinery

• Imported furniture

• Feature ceilings + specialty lighting

• New AC units, zoning & ventilation

• Acoustic treatments

• High-end finishes throughout

Best for: Premium spaces, client-facing industries, or teams chasing something truly unique (yes, even if you want a cinema room).
Office space: Once you're in this range, your imagination can genuinely run wild. Whether the space has some existing bones or is completely blank, the possibilities are huge — the only real limit is the budget.

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What Actually Impacts the Cost of Your Fitout?

Everyone wants the magic number, but the reality is your price hinges on a handful of key factors. Here’s the no-BS version.

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1. How You Want the Space to Work
Think of this as the “shape” of your office. Open space? Cheap. Lots of little rooms and specialist areas? Not so cheap.

Things that push the price UP:

• Tight desk layouts needing more power, data and Wi-Fi access points

• Fancy front-of-house areas where everything has to look schmick

• Stacks of offices, focus rooms or meeting rooms

• Funky floorplans that need extra air-con zoning

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Things that keep the price DOWN:

• Open-plan layouts

• Reusing existing walls, ceilings or lighting

• Keeping room sizes standard instead of custom

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2. What You’re Starting With
The “before” matters more than people think.

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• Existing office space: You already have ceilings, lights, AC distribution, it’s going to be much cheaper as you already have the basics to add too.

• Blank canvas: Basically an empty concrete box which ends up pricier because we’re starting from scratch, you’re going to need a lot more

work done.

Your budget moves the most when:

• Old walls or services need to be ripped out

• Extra AC or electrical capacity is required

• You’re adding new plumbing (kitchens, medical, hair/beauty, etc.)

• Compliance upgrades kick in — fire, egress, acoustic, accessibility, etc.

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3. Where the Job Actually Is
Same square metres, different postcode… totally different cost.

Costs jump when:

• You’re in the Brisbane CBD (loading docks, lift time slots and after-hours work)

• The building has tough access or restrictive rules

Costs drop when:

• You’re in suburbs/business parks with good parking and easy access

• Trades can get in and out without playing Tetris with materials and schedules

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4. The Finishes You Pick
This is where you can save or splurge.

More expensive choices:

• Natural stone, custom timber, imported finishes

• Detailed joinery

• Specialised acoustic partitions or glazing

• Feature ceilings and fancy lighting

Budget-friendly choices:

• Durable mid-range materials in staff areas

• Investing only in high-impact zones (reception, boardroom)

• Using local materials instead of long-lead imports

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5. The Level of Design Detail
The more custom or “architectural” the design, the more coordination it takes - and the more trades need to nail the details.

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Higher cost indicators:

• Curves, shapes, feature elements

• Integrated lighting or hidden air-con grilles

• Custom-built furniture or one-off pieces

Lower cost indicators:

• Modular designs

• Repeatable room layouts

• Straight, clean lines that are easy to build

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So… What Should You Budget?

If you’re planning an office fitout anywhere across Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast or Ipswich (SEQ):

Quality Level Budget Range
Basic $600–$800/m²
Mid-Range $850–$1,800/m

High-End $1,800+/m²

Most clients we work with land around $900–$1,200/m² once the design is locked in. Worth noting — this doesn’t cover design fees or DA approvals. Those jump around depending on your postcode and which council you’ve got to charm.

 

Why Work With Us (GCM QLD)?

We’re passionate about commercial fit-outs across SEQ, especially:

• Offices

• Medical Suites

• Retail & Showrooms

• Hospitality (Cafés, Restaurants, Bars)

• Industrial & Warehouse offices

What we love most?
Turning empty, boring, or outdated spaces into workplaces people actually enjoy being in, and doing it with zero fluff, clear communication, and a realistic budget from day one.

We’re upfront, we don’t sugarcoat, and we don’t sting you with variations halfway through the job. If something’s not needed, we’ll tell you. If something’s going to cost more, we’ll explain why before anyone turns up with a hammer.
We can assist from as early as initial design, cost planning & DA applications or if your plans are already complete, your project is DA approved & you're looking for a quote for your project.

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Want a Price for Your Office Fitout?
If you’re anywhere in Brisbane, Logan, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast or Ipswich, we’d be keen to chat.
Tell us what you're thinking, share a floor plan if you’ve got one, and we’ll give you all the next steps and assist with getting your project going — no guesswork, no cookie-cutter pricing.

Send Mason an email at mason@gcmqld.com or give him a call on 0408 770 663 to discuss.