Why Timing Matters More Than Ever
In 2025, timing isn’t just important for your office fit-out – it’s critical. Birmingham businesses that delay their fit-out projects risk significant financial and operational setbacks. With costs rising faster than expected and lead times stretching, waiting could mean paying much more for the same result.
Recent data from JLL’s Global Office Fit-Out Cost Guide 2025 and Cushman & Wakefield’s UK Fit-Out Cost Guide highlights just how rapidly the market is shifting. Inflation, sustainability requirements, and labour shortages are pushing prices up across the UK. The reality? The longer you wait, the more you’ll pay in office fit out costs.
1. Price Escalation: Waiting Can Add Thousands to Your Budget
According to JLL’s 2025 guide, the average cost of an office fit-out globally is now around $1,830 per sqm, with EMEA markets averaging £1,970 per sqm. Looking at broader market trends, office fit out costs could climb by 6–8% year-on-year, driven by rising raw material costs and increased demand for premium-grade offices.
For Birmingham projects, that means:
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Average cost for a mid-spec fit-out:
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£1,500 per sqm (£139 per sq ft)
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High-quality fit-out:
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£2,200 per sqm (£204 per sq ft)
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For businesses, this means every month of delay matters. Consider this: if your project is worth £500,000 today and the market sees another 6% increase over the next year, that’s an extra £30,000 added to your budget for no added value – simply because of timing.
Why are costs rising?
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Material inflation – Steel, glass, timber, and M&E components are still impacted by global supply chain volatility.
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Labour shortages – Skilled labour is in high demand, particularly for specialist trades.
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Sustainability compliance – ESG-driven design is now the norm, and sustainable materials carry a premium.
The takeaway: The longer you wait, the more expensive your project becomes. Acting now secures today’s rates and reduces your exposure to market volatility.
2. Lead Times & Supply Chain Delays: Longer Wait = Longer Downtime
Even if you’re not ready to start building tomorrow, early engagement is crucial to secure suppliers and manage lead times. Cushman & Wakefield’s research shows:
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Furniture lead times: 16–20 weeks for sustainable or bespoke ranges.
- Mechanical systems: 12-14 weeks for complicated system supply
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Specialist finishes: up to 14 weeks for certain products.
Delaying means:
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Longer disruption to your business – teams stay in outdated spaces longer.
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Increased lease pressures – landlords expect timely completion to reduce void periods.
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Programme overruns – one delayed component can stall your entire project.
3. The Hidden Cost: Employee Experience and Productivity
The financial cost of delaying isn’t just in materials—it’s in people. JLL highlights a strong “flight to quality” trend, as businesses upgrade to attract talent back to the office.
If you delay, you risk:
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Lower productivity – poor environments reduce engagement.
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Talent loss – employees expect spaces designed for collaboration and wellbeing.
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Brand perception damage – your office is a statement; outdated space sends the wrong message.
The cost of lost productivity and talent retention easily outweighs any perceived savings from postponing your fit-out.
What’s the Solution? Early Engagement = Cost Certainty
The good news? These risks are avoidable. By engaging early, you can:
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Secure today’s rates and protect against further increases.
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Plan in phases – start design and procurement now, even if build follows later.
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Value engineer intelligently – find savings without compromising quality.
At Estilo Interiors, we specialise in design and build solutions for Birmingham businesses, giving you cost certainty and full visibility from concept to completion. Our early engagement approach ensures transparent pricing, mitigates supply chain risk, and ensures your project delivers on time and on budget.
Why Act Now?
Delaying your fit-out is a false economy. With costs rising, supply chains tightening, and talent expectations changing fast, waiting could cost far more than moving forward.
If you’re planning a fit-out or relocation this year, now is the time to act. At Estilo Interiors, we help businesses secure costs early, manage procurement, and deliver environments that support productivity and wellbeing. We undertake projects from £50,000 up to £20m in value, ensuring the same level of quality and care for each scheme, regardless of cost or scope, and advise you at every step of the way… Speak to Estilo Interiors today and secure a workplace that works for your people—and your bottom line.
