Commercial Interior Design & Office Renovation Singapore
Refined commercial environments for offices, retail and F&B spaces, delivered with careful planning, compliance coordination and polished execution.
Direct answer for Singapore business owners
Commercial renovation in Singapore: cost, timeline and approvals
Commercial renovation in Singapore typically costs $50 to $80 psf for a basic office fit-out, $80 to $130 psf for a mid-range office fit-out, and $130 to $200+ psf for a premium or Grade A office fit-out. Complex corporate, high-spec M&E, acoustic, AV or strongly branded projects can exceed $200 psf and approach $300 psf. Retail shops usually range from $120 to $300 psf, while F&B outlets commonly require $200 to $500+ psf. A typical commercial renovation may take around 8 to 16 weeks from planning to handover, depending on unit type, approval requirements, M&E complexity and renovation scope.
The main difference from residential renovation is compliance. Commercial projects may involve landlord fitting-out rules, MCST requirements, fire safety checks, exhaust requirements, working-hour restrictions and reinstatement obligations at lease end.
Office renovation
$50 – $200+ psf
Basic $50–80 psf; mid-range $80–130 psf; premium / Grade A $130–200+ psf. Complex high-spec projects may approach $300 psf.
Retail renovation
$120 – $300 psf
Shopfront, lighting, display and storage works
F&B renovation
$200 – $500+ psf
Kitchen, exhaust, plumbing and fire safety factors
Next commercial decision
Choose the next decision to clarify
Commercial renovation decisions usually move from budget to timing, unit type and lease obligations. Use the next guide based on the question you are trying to answer now.
If you are budgeting
Commercial Renovation Cost Singapore
Start here if you need realistic office, retail or F&B renovation ranges before requesting quotations.
If you already have a budget
Office Renovation Timeline Singapore
Next, check how design, landlord approval, site works and handover affect your opening date.
Commercial Renovation Solutions
Specialist services for every commercial space in Singapore — from offices to F&B outlets.
Office & Workspace Renovation
Turnkey office fit-outs for Singapore businesses. Hybrid work layouts, system furniture, with BCA / SCDF coordination where required.
Retail & Mall Store Design
High-impact retail interiors that drive footfall and sales. MCST submission management for major Singapore malls.
F&B & Shophouse Renovation
Heritage-sensitive shophouse renovations and F&B fit-outs with URA and SCDF coordination where required.
Permits & Compliance
Coordination of applicable BCA, SCDF, MCST and LEW submission processes with the relevant QP, LEW and building management, so you can focus on your business.
Commercial renovation cost breakdown in Singapore
Use these as practical planning ranges before a site visit. A confirmed quotation still needs floor plan review, site measurement, building rules and material selection.
Basic office fit-out
$50 – $80 psf
- Paint, flooring, basic ceiling touch-up and loose furniture coordination
- Basic electrical and lighting points
- Suitable for small offices with limited built-in works and simple M&E scope
Mid-range office renovation
$80 – $130 psf
- Meeting rooms, pantry and manager rooms
- Carpet/vinyl, ceiling, lighting and data works
- Glass partitions and practical carpentry
Premium commercial fit-out
$130 – $200+ psf
- Custom reception, feature walls and acoustic rooms
- Higher-grade finishes and more M&E coordination
- Best for client-facing offices and brand-led spaces
Retail and F&B usually need a higher budget
Retail spaces usually need stronger lighting, display fixtures, shopfront works and landlord design compliance. F&B spaces are more demanding because of kitchen equipment coordination, exhaust, grease trap, waterproofing, plumbing, fire safety and cleaning access. This is why F&B renovation can reach $200 to $500+ psf depending on kitchen, exhaust, fire-safety and equipment coordination.
Typical commercial renovation timeline
For many Singapore commercial projects, a realistic end-to-end planning range is around 8 to 16 weeks from planning to handover. Straightforward office fit-outs can be faster, while retail and F&B projects may take longer. The approval stage is usually where delays happen, especially when landlord, MCST, SCDF or building management comments require drawing revisions.
Design and planning
2 – 3 weeksSite visit, layout planning, design direction, budget alignment and material direction.
Landlord / MCST / authority submission
2 – 4 weeksSubmission of drawings, contractor documents, insurance, method statements and fire-safety-related checks where needed.
Renovation works and handover
4 – 8 weeksProtection, demolition, M&E, ceiling, flooring, carpentry, painting, cleaning and final handover.
Common commercial approval items
Project Management & Compliance
Fire Safety (SCDF)
Coordination of required fire-safety submissions with the appointed QP where applicable.
BCA Permits
Experienced coordination for Building and Construction Authority permit requirements.
Mall Management
Experienced in coordinating with major mall management teams in Singapore.
Site Safety
Strict adherence to workplace safety and health (WSH) standards.
Our Clients & Partners
Trusted by leading brands, MNCs, and businesses across Singapore.
Our Commercial Renovation Process
A transparent, step-by-step approach engineered to minimise business downtime.
Free Site Survey
FREEWe conduct a detailed onsite assessment and provide a comprehensive itemised quotation at no cost.
Design & Planning
1–2 WEEKSOur designers develop space plans, material schedules and 3D visuals aligned with your brand identity.
Permit Submission
1–3 WEEKSWe coordinate the applicable BCA, SCDF, MCST and URA submission process with the relevant parties before affected works begin.
Renovation Works
4–8 WEEKSOur licensed CoreTrade team executes the fit-out with phased scheduling to minimise disruption.
Handover & Inspection
DAY 1Joint inspection with building management, defect rectification and full site handover.
Strategic Project Management
Minimizing business downtime through precision planning and execution.
Downtime Minimization
Phased renovation strategies to keep your business operational during the fit-out process.
Gantt Chart Transparency
Detailed project timelines and weekly progress reports to ensure on-time delivery.
Turnkey Delivery
From initial site survey to final handover, we manage every detail of your commercial project.
Commercial renovation Singapore FAQ
Practical answers for office, retail and F&B renovation in Singapore, including cost, timeline, landlord approval, MCST and SCDF considerations.
How much does commercial renovation cost in Singapore?
Commercial renovation in Singapore typically costs $50 to $80 psf for a basic office fit-out, $80 to $130 psf for a mid-range office fit-out, and $130 to $200+ psf for a premium or Grade A office fit-out. Complex corporate, high-spec M&E, acoustic, AV or strongly branded projects can exceed $200 psf and approach $300 psf. Retail shops usually range from $120 to $300 psf, while F&B outlets commonly require $200 to $500+ psf. The final range is mainly affected by M&E works, fire safety requirements, carpentry, flooring, ceiling works and landlord reinstatement conditions.
How much does office renovation cost in Singapore?
A basic office fit-out is typically $50 to $80 psf. A mid-range office fit-out with more meeting rooms, glass partitions, pantry, better lighting and more electrical or data points is usually $80 to $130 psf. Premium or Grade A office fit-outs with acoustic treatment, custom carpentry, boardrooms, advanced M&E and stronger branding details are typically $130 to $200+ psf. Complex high-spec projects can exceed $200 psf and approach $300 psf.
How long does commercial renovation usually take?
A typical commercial renovation may take around 8 to 16 weeks from planning to handover, depending on unit type, approval requirements, M&E complexity and renovation scope. Straightforward office fit-outs can be faster, while retail and F&B projects may take longer. Design and planning may take 2 to 3 weeks, landlord or MCST submission may take 2 to 4 weeks as a planning allowance, and actual renovation works commonly take 4 to 8 weeks depending on project size and approval conditions.
Do I need landlord or MCST approval before renovation?
Yes. Most offices, retail units, clinics, gyms and F&B spaces require landlord, building management or MCST approval before renovation starts. Drawings, method statements, insurance documents and contractor details may be required before work permits are issued.
Does commercial renovation need SCDF submission?
SCDF submission may be required if the renovation affects fire-rated partitions, sprinkler points, fire alarm systems, exit routes, emergency lighting, occupancy load or F&B exhaust systems. Simple office refresh works may not need SCDF submission, but this should be checked before work starts.
Can office renovation be done after office hours?
Yes, but it depends on the building rules. Many commercial buildings only allow noisy works after office hours or during approved time windows. Hacking, drilling and delivery timing must follow landlord, MCST or building management requirements.
What affects commercial renovation cost the most?
The biggest cost drivers are electrical and data points, air-conditioning changes, ceiling works, fire safety compliance, flooring, carpentry, glass partitions, pantry works, plumbing and whether reinstatement is required at the end of the lease.
What is office reinstatement in Singapore?
Office reinstatement means returning the unit to the landlord's original handover condition before lease exit. It may include removing partitions, flooring, ceiling, wiring, signage, carpentry and making good affected surfaces according to the tenancy agreement.
Is retail renovation more expensive than office renovation?
Retail renovation is often higher than a basic office because shopfront, lighting, display fixtures, signage, customer flow, storage and landlord design guidelines are more involved. Typical retail renovation in Singapore ranges from $120 to $300 psf.
Why is F&B renovation usually more expensive?
F&B renovation usually costs more because of exhaust, grease trap, plumbing, waterproofing, kitchen equipment coordination, fire safety, pest control requirements and stricter authority or landlord conditions. A practical F&B budget is usually $200 to $500+ psf.
What should I prepare before requesting a commercial renovation quotation?
Prepare the floor plan, unit size, tenancy agreement or landlord fitting-out guide, preferred handover date, rough layout requirements, headcount, pantry needs, meeting room count and any existing reinstatement conditions. These details make the quotation more accurate.
Can ID Work Studio handle both design and renovation works?
Yes. ID Work Studio can support layout planning, design coordination, renovation works, site coordination and commercial handover. For commercial projects, we also coordinate practical site requirements such as access timing, protection works and building management submissions.
A FlawlessBARE SHELL HANDOVER
Professional reinstatement for offices and shopping mall units, managed with compliance, precision and a smooth handover experience.
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