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Cost guide · updated November 2026
How much does a shop fit-out cost?
Published ranges put a basic retail fit-out at about £400–£800 per m² (roughly £60 per sq ft at the low end), food retail higher, and high-end boutiques from £1,500 per m².
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Basic clothing or fashion retail | £400–£800 per m² [1] |
| Food retail | £600–£1,200 per m² [1] |
| High-end boutique | £1,500–£3,000 per m² [1] |
| Shopfront and glazing | £15,000–£50,000 per frontage [1] |
| Shop fit-out by spec (low / medium / high) | £60 / £90 / £140 per sq ft [2] |
Worked example. A 100 m² (about 1,080 sq ft) basic retail unit at £400–£800 per m² gives a budget of roughly £40,000–£80,000 before a new shopfront.
What changes the price
- Unit size and condition
- Level of finish and amount of bespoke joinery
- Food areas: extraction, drainage and hygiene finishes
- Shopfront and signage
- Opening deadline and out-of-hours working
Rules to budget for
Shopfront and signage changes often need planning or advertisement consent. Food premises must meet environmental health requirements, and Building Regulations cover fire, escape and accessibility.
Get a real price for your building
Published ranges are a starting point. Installers price properly after a survey.
Get shop fit-out quotesSources
- Trade2Base, Commercial Fit-Out Pricing Guide UK (June 2026)
- Checkatrade, Shop fitting cost guide (prices May 2024)
Prices exclude VAT unless the source says otherwise. They are ballpark figures and change over time.