Insights
Office Fit Out Cost Guide 2026
The Office Fit Out Cost Guide 2026
The Office Fit Out Cost Guide 2026 is your comprehensive guide to the costs of fitting out and furnishing your office spaces in Germany and the EMEA region: it contains the latest price trends, comparative figures and expert opinions, takes economic and geopolitical developments into account, and provides a sound understanding of the financial aspects associated with office fit-outs.
For 53 cities across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Office Fit Out Cost Guide 2026 offers detailed insights into the cost structures of various fit-out standards, as well as comprehensive ‘all-in’ costs including furniture, AV technology, fees and provisions. It also covers four German cities – Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich. Furthermore, the guide contains valuable insights from our contractor sentiment survey.
Key Highlights
- Market review & outlook: Conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, as well as new US tariffs, continue to create uncertainty for the European economy. Nevertheless, the region showed comparatively robust performance last year: inflation in the Eurozone is falling, but wage growth remains high, pushing up labour costs. Construction costs are expected to continue rising moderately, but project durations have stabilised and sentiment among construction firms is optimistic.
- Sentiment among contractors: Our second Europe-wide survey of 140 main contractors shows that whilst the sector remains under cost pressure, it is looking to the future with greater optimism. Opinions are relatively evenly split as to whether contractors will maintain their prices in the short term (39 per cent) or increase them slightly (57 per cent). This suggests that the current upward pressure of around 4 per cent per year will persist.
- Germany remains among Europe’s most expensive markets: The four top German locations – Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg – continue to operate within a narrow cost corridor. The cost of average-quality office fit-outs ranges between €2,333 and €2,512 per square metre, with Berlin at the lower end and Hamburg at the upper end. Demolition costs also remain high, standing at €208 per square metre in all four German cities.
"All-in" Fit Out Cost
Fit Out Cost
(EURO PER SQUARE Metre)
| City | Low | Medium | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin | € 1,480 | € 2,333 | € 2,910 |
| Frankfurt | € 1,530 | € 2,408 | € 3,010 |
| Hamburg | € 1,590 | € 2,512 | € 3,140 |
| Munich | € 1,520 | € 2,432 | € 3,040 |
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Frequently asked questions
Office fit out covers the design, construction measures, and furnishing of an office space, tailored to the user’s requirements. The type and scope of the customised fit out can cover a whole range of measures - from being restricted to surface finishes and furnishings through to a comprehensive fit out including the adaptation of technical building systems and the IT infrastructure.
Optimised, needs-based furnishing and equipping of workplaces can sustainably improve the productivity and well-being of employees and also contribute to a positive brand image. Whether you are moving into a new office or refurbishing your existing space, our guide will help you understand the costs associated with realising your ideal working environment.
An office refurbishment is an office refresh project that is often less intensive than an office fit out. lt may include changing a layout, new furniture or replacing flooring. Often, a refurbishment can be carried out while the office is in use.
A well thought-through office fit out can have a significant impact on your business. For example, by helping to create a positive working environment that is customised to the operational requirements of your company, thereby attracting and retaining talent and increasing productivity. Investing in a successful office fit out is therefore also an investment in the future of your business.
The price per square metre of your new fit out depends on various factors, including:
Size and Type of Office Space
The fit-out costs vary depending on the room division density for any given quality and relative size. The installation density is generally higher in cellular offices than in open-plan spaces.
Level of Customisation
- Quality of surface finishes: The quality of finishes, such as flooring and wall coverings, can significantly impact office fit out costs.
- Complexity of design: The more complex the design — such as intricate lighting or made-to-measure furniture — the higher the cost.
- ESG requirements: Although a sustainable office fit-out can initially increase costs, it offers potential savings in the long term - especially when costs are considered over the life cycle of the lease.
- Technical services: Additional requirements, for example with regard to air conditioning or IT infrastructure, have an impact on the overall costs.
Location of the Office
Fees, Timelines and Contingencies
- Project management and professional fees: Professional fees, such as architect and project management fees, can make up a significant proportion of the total office fit out costs.
- Timeline and delivery requirements: Tight timelines or delivery requirements can add costs for expedited tasks or overtime labour.
- Contingencies: A contingency margin is an essential element of any budget to cover unforeseen expenses or changes during the project.
The cost of office fit-outs can vary considerably in Germany, depending in particular on the type and design of the fit-out.
The average costs for fit-outs of comparable quality, in major centres all the way from Hamburg in the far north to Munich in the far south, lie within a narrow band: a mid-range office fit-out in Berlin costs around €2,333 per square metre, in Frankfurt €2,408, in Munich €2,432, and in Hamburg, the most expensive of Germany’s top locations, €2,512. The situation is similar for dismantling and reinstatement costs for mid-range designs. In Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich, these average around €208 per square metre.
In view of the considerable investment involved, thorough requirements planning and expert advice are essential from commencement through to occupation. Our Project & Development Services experts will be happy to advise you and support you at every stage of your project.
Based on an initial needs and requirements analysis, we help you to get an overview of the expected hard and soft costs (construction, planning and consultancy costs) and to draw up a budget for your project.
Our Office Fit-Out Cost Guide 2026 provides an initial overview of this, highlighting key factors for your office space location strategy and how decision-making processes and investments can be optimised to result in a sustainably profitable property portfolio.
OUR SERVICES
Cushman & Wakefield offers a range of services to help you create your ideal office space. We are a trusted for occupiers and investors managing their capital expenditure and project delivery across the Europe. By providing consistent, trusted client service, we have created an excellent reputation locally, across Germany and globally. Our experienced team can guide you through the entire fit out process from concept to completion.
Design & Build
Inspiring workspace solutions that contribute to the long‑term success of your business.
Project Management
New construction, conversion or modernisation: We manage your projects - on schedule as well as in terms of costs and quality.
Technical Due Diligence
WHY CHOOSE US?
Project & Development Services (PDS) clients require skilled project and development teams that can transform any idea or strategy into a tangible reality in the built world. This means going above and beyond to find practical solutions that outthink and outdo the most difficult construction challenges facing our clients and communities. Our Project & Development Services (PDS) teams deliver end-to-end solutions globally, living out Cushman & Wakefield's ethos of "Better never settles".We're not just conceiving of some of the biggest and brightest projects - we're bringing them to life.
