Retail fitout costs in Australia vary widely depending on store size, fitout specification, location and whether you’re doing a refurbishment or a full fit-out from bare shell. Without a clear understanding of what drives cost and what a realistic budget looks like, retailers either over-invest in a space that doesn’t generate sufficient return, or under-invest and open a store that doesn’t reflect their brand quality.
This guide covers the main cost categories and realistic price ranges for retail fitouts across Australian markets in 2026.
The Main Cost Categories in Retail Fitouts
A retail fitout invoice typically covers design fees, shopfitting and joinery, flooring, lighting and electrical, ceilings, partitioning, signage, painting, and project management. Understanding what each category costs lets you see where value is and where trade-offs are available.
Design fees typically run 8-12% of total project cost for design-and-build providers. Shopfitting and joinery is usually the largest line item, covering counter fabrication, shelving systems, display bays, wall panelling and all custom joinery. This typically represents 35-45% of total project cost.
Budget Tier 1: Economy Fitout ($800-$1,500 per sqm)
An economy fitout uses standard off-the-shelf fixture systems, laminate surfaces, basic lighting and minimal custom joinery. This tier is appropriate for service-based retail (insurance, financial services, phone repairs) where brand atmosphere is secondary to functional efficiency. A 100sqm economy fitout in this tier typically costs $80,000-$150,000.
Economy fitouts age quickly. The materials and finishes at this tier start showing wear within 2-3 years of trading, which means a refresh cycle that adds ongoing cost. For brands where the store environment is central to the customer experience, this tier is false economy.
Budget Tier 2: Mid-Range Fitout ($1,500-$2,500 per sqm)
Mid-range fitouts use better-quality laminates, timber veneers, custom joinery for feature elements, appropriate lighting design and a coherent material palette. This tier is the most common for specialty retail in shopping centres, boutique street-facing stores and franchise retail with brand standards. A 100sqm mid-range fitout typically costs $150,000-$250,000.
Mid-range fitouts in good-quality materials will last 5-7 years before requiring a significant refresh, which provides a reasonable return on the initial investment.
Budget Tier 3: Premium Fitout ($2,500-$4,500+ per sqm)
Premium fitouts use architectural-grade materials: stone surfaces, solid timber, speciality glass, high-specification lighting, bespoke joinery and fully custom fixture systems. This tier is appropriate for luxury retail, flagship stores, high-footfall destination retail and brands where the physical environment is a primary product. A 100sqm premium fitout typically costs $250,000-$450,000.
Premium fitouts can last 8-12 years with appropriate maintenance, providing the best lifetime cost-per-year of any fitout tier.
Shopping Centre vs Street-Facing Fitout Costs
Shopping centre fitouts are typically 15-25% more expensive than equivalent street-facing fitouts. This premium reflects the centre management requirements: approved contractor lists, fitout guidelines, restricted trading hours for construction, centre levy fees and the cost of working within a managed environment with other tenants immediately adjacent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost per square metre for a retail fitout in Sydney?
Mid-range retail fitout in Sydney currently costs approximately $1,800-$2,500 per square metre for specialty retail. Premium fitouts in Sydney CBD and major shopping centres can reach $3,500-$5,000 per sqm. These are total project costs including design, all trades and shopfitting.
Does a retail fitout include signage and branding?
Usually, yes. Most fitout contracts include interior signage, wall graphics and counter branding. External signage may be quoted separately, particularly at shopping centres where signage must meet centre specifications and may require landlord approval.
How long does a retail fitout take from start to trading?
A design-and-build mid-range fitout for a 100sqm space typically takes 10-16 weeks from brief to trading: 3-5 weeks for design and approvals, 4-8 weeks for construction, and 1 week for fitout, signage and final inspections.
Is it cheaper to refurbish an existing store than to do a full fitout?
Yes. A targeted refurbishment of high-impact elements (shopfront, counter, flooring, lighting) typically costs 30-50% of a full fitout for a significant share of the commercial impact. We assess each situation individually and advise on whether refurbishment or full fitout is the better commercial decision.
Planning a retail fitout or refurbishment in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane? Brij & Co provides end-to-end design and build for Australian retailers. Contact us for a free project consultation.
