One of the most common questions from Bengaluru businesses planning an office fit-out is: how long will this take? The answer depends on size, scope, and complexity — but here is a realistic week-by-week guide based on projects we have executed across Koramangala, Whitefield, HSR Layout, and Indiranagar.
A poorly planned office fit-out timeline is the number one cause of cost overruns and delayed occupancy. Most lease agreements in Bengaluru allow a fit-out period of 4–8 weeks. If your project runs over, you may be paying rent on a space you cannot occupy. Understanding the sequence of work and the dependencies between trades helps you set realistic expectations with your board, team, and landlord.
Before a single wall is broken, you need a complete design and Bill of Quantities. This covers space planning and layout finalisation, material selections and specification, MEP coordination drawing, BOQ with itemised rates for client approval, and work permit applications with building management. Rushing this phase is the most common mistake — a poorly coordinated design leads to on-site rework that adds 2–3 weeks.
Civil work covers demolition of existing partitions if required, new partition walls and false ceiling framework, electrical conduit routing and main DB installation, HVAC piping and ductwork rough-in, plumbing and drainage rough-in, and network conduit routing. For a typical 3,000–5,000 sq ft office, this phase takes 2–3 weeks.
Before any concealed work is covered, inspections are mandatory: electrical first fix inspection, HVAC piping pressure test, plumbing pressure test, and network conduit continuity check. Skipping this step causes major problems later when defects in concealed work are discovered after finishing.
The most visible phase covers false ceiling boarding, taping, plastering; partition boarding and finishing; flooring installation (tile, vinyl, wood); painting; electrical second fix (outlets, switches, light fittings); HVAC second fix (grilles, diffusers, thermostats); network cabling pull and termination; and joinery and furniture installation. For most offices this takes 3–4 weeks. Premium joinery (solid wood, marble) can add 1–2 weeks.
Before handover: HVAC commissioning and balancing, electrical testing and megger reports, network cabling test reports (Cat6A certification), CCTV and access control commissioning, fire safety testing and sign-off, client snagging walkthrough, and defect rectification. Allow at least 1 week for snagging and rectification even on clean projects.
| Size | Scope | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 2,000 sq ft | Basic fit-out | 5–6 weeks |
| 2,000–5,000 sq ft | Standard fit-out | 8–10 weeks |
| 5,000–10,000 sq ft | Full fit-out with MEP | 10–14 weeks |
| 10,000+ sq ft | Turnkey campus fit-out | 14–20 weeks |
The most common delay causes: design changes after work has started (adds 1–3 weeks); late material delivery for imported tiles or custom joinery (adds 1–2 weeks); building management permit delays (adds 1–2 weeks); electrical inspections by BESCOM or building authority (adds 3–5 days); and client approvals not given on time (adds 1 week per delayed approval).
Practical steps: finalise all design decisions before work begins (no changes after week 2); order long-lead items in week 1; use a contractor with a live project portal for daily updates; nominate a single decision-maker on your side for fast approvals; build a 1-week buffer into your planned move-in date.
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Free Pre-Lease Audit WhatsApp UsFor a typical 3,000–5,000 sq ft office, allow 8–10 weeks from BOQ approval to handover. Larger offices with premium finishes take 12–16 weeks.
A basic fit-out for a small office under 2,000 sq ft can be completed in 5–6 weeks with pre-ordered materials and fast decision-making.
Design changes mid-project, late material delivery, and delayed client approvals are the top three causes of timeline overruns.
Yes. Large offices are often phased — fit out one floor while another is still occupied. This requires careful scheduling and dust/noise management.
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