How Long Does an Office Refurbishment Take?
Refurbishment timelines vary more than fit out timelines, largely because so much depends on whether people are working around the project or the space is vacated for the works.
Typical timelines by scope
A cosmetic refresh — decoration, flooring, furniture — can move relatively quickly. A refurbishment involving reconfigured partitions and updated M&E takes considerably longer. A full strip-back-to-shell refurbishment is closer to a full fit out in timeline terms, since much of the same sequencing applies.
What extends a refurbishment
Unforeseen issues behind existing walls or ceilings, working in phases to keep the office operational, and any building-wide approvals needed from a landlord all tend to add time compared to an empty-space fit out.
Working around occupied space
Phased refurbishment — completing one zone at a time while staff continue working in others — takes longer overall than working on an empty floor, but avoids relocating the whole team during the works. It’s a genuine trade-off between disruption and duration.
Setting realistic expectations with your team
Communicate timeline and disruption expectations early and clearly, particularly if noisy or disruptive works are scheduled during working hours. Surprises during a refurbishment cause far more frustration than disruption that’s been planned for in advance.
