Anyone planning a store or redesigning a retail space soon faces the question: what will the shopfitting cost? A clear answer is often difficult at the outset, because published prices can rarely be compared directly. Depending on the space, the fit-out and the services commissioned, costs can vary considerably.
What shopfitting actually costs depends mainly on the size of the space, the fit-out, the materials and the requirements for technical equipment, logistics and installation. A standard price per square metre is not a reliable guide. For a meaningful cost comparison, it first has to be clear which services and specifications a quote includes.
Contents
Why shopfitting costs cannot be given as a flat figure
The term shopfitting covers a very wide range of services. One project may involve nothing more than individual shelves, counters or presentation furniture. Another may cover the development and delivery of an entire retail space, including space planning, technical detailing, interior fit-out, delivery and installation.
Published prices vary just as widely. It is often unclear which services a quoted price per square metre actually includes. A meaningful comparison is only possible once it is clear exactly what has been costed.
The German shopfitting association named "Deutscher Ladenbau Verband" also points out that benchmark figures can only give a rough indication if the scope and specification of the underlying projects are unknown. More information is available in the article Was kostet eine Ladeneinrichtung? (in German).
What can a price per square metre actually tell you?
A price per square metre can only serve as a guide if the projects being compared are similar in scope and fit-out level. The size of the retail space alone says nothing about how much furniture is needed, which technical equipment is to be integrated or whether additional work on the building is required.
Scope matters too: does the figure cover shop furniture only, or also flooring, walls, ceilings, lighting, electrical work and other trades? Without this information, a price per square metre is of limited value.
Which factors determine shopfitting costs?
Costs depend on several factors. Some relate to the space and the existing building, others to the required fit-out, the technical equipment or delivery at one or more locations.
| Cost factor | Impact on the costing |
|---|---|
| Space and existing building | Size, floor plan, ceiling height, connections, access and any alterations required |
| Planning | Scope of concept, space planning, visualisation, engineering and detailed design |
| Furniture and fixtures | Quantity, dimensions, functions, bespoke items and integrated technology |
| Materials | Materials, surfaces, fittings, glass types and load requirements |
| Technical equipment | Lighting, power, digital signage, security tagging systems and other built-in equipment |
| Logistics and installation | Distance, accessibility, delivery windows, installation times and number of locations |
| Rollout and series elements | Custom production, variants or recurring components for several retail spaces |
Size and condition of the space
The size of the space is an important cost factor, but not the only one. Two retail spaces of the same size can involve very different levels of effort. Floor plan, ceiling height, existing connections, access and the condition of floors, walls and ceilings all play a part.
Landlord or operator requirements, fire safety regulations and any restrictions on delivery and installation must also be taken into account. An existing retail space with infrastructure already in place makes different demands from a new build or a space that needs complete refurbishment.
Planning and technical detailing
Before shop furniture can be manufactured or fixtures installed, the use, design and technical requirements have to be defined. Depending on the project, this includes space planning, design, visualisation, material selection, engineering and detailed design.
The effort increases when many bespoke details have to be developed, technical components integrated or several trades coordinated. Changes after sign-off can trigger additional planning and manufacturing steps.
At IMA, planning, engineering and manufacturing are carried out under one roof. This reduces coordination effort and avoids friction between project phases.
Shop furniture and bespoke fixtures
Shelving, counters, showcases, consultation tables, display furniture and fixed installations differ considerably in construction and finish. A simple shelf involves a different level of effort from a made-to-measure showcase with lighting, glass panels, lockable elements and integrated technology.
In furniture production for shopfitting, quantity, dimensions, material combinations, fittings, surfaces and special finishing details have a particular impact on the costing. The quote should clearly describe the planned furniture and fixtures.
Materials and surfaces
Materials are not chosen on appearance alone. Wear, cleaning effort, reparability, fire safety requirements and the intended service life also have to be considered.
Shopfitting uses materials such as wood-based panels, metal, glass, high-pressure laminate (HPL), lacquered and coated surfaces. Elaborate material combinations, special colours or custom-developed surfaces can increase manufacturing effort. At the same time, choosing materials that suit the application can help fixtures and fittings stay in use for longer.
For more on coating processes and surfaces, see the article water-based lacquers in trade fair construction.
Technical equipment
Depending on the store concept, lighting, digital signage, power connections, security tagging systems, media technology or other built-in equipment may be required. The price of the individual components is not the only consideration. Their integration into furniture, walls and display surfaces also has to be planned and prepared.
When comparing quotes, it must be clear which technical services are included and which are covered by other project partners.
Logistics and installation
Costs do not end with manufacturing. Packaging, transport, delivery and installation must be coordinated with the location and the planned opening date. Distance, accessibility, restricted delivery times and work outside regular opening hours can all affect the effort involved.
Special conditions, such as installation in shopping centres or in areas with access controls, should be mentioned at the enquiry stage. IMA handles delivery and installation as part of the overall contract - so there is no need to coordinate different trades at this interface.
How does the location affect shopfitting costs?
Conditions at the project location can significantly change the effort required for logistics and installation. Additional costs arise in particular when access is restricted, work is only permitted at certain times or special permits are required.
Airports: Access authorisations, security checks, controlled delivery routes, waiting times and restricted working hours can add planning and installation effort.
Shopping centres: Set delivery times, night-time installation, site safety measures and centre management requirements must be factored into the schedule and the costing.
City-centre locations: Limited access and stopping options, a lack of storage space, longer transport routes inside the building or required access permits can make delivery more difficult.
Conditions like these can mean additional working hours, night surcharges, safety measures, handling equipment or extra deliveries. Location, accessibility, delivery routes and permitted working hours should be clarified before the quote is prepared.
From single project to rollout: costs across several locations
For a single store, furniture and fixtures are often developed specifically for one particular space. Planning, engineering and manufacturing then relate to that one project.
If similar fixtures and fittings are to be used at several locations, recurring components can be designed and manufactured in multiples. Development and technical preparation are then spread across a larger quantity. Whether this brings economic benefits depends on the scale of the rollout and on how much each space needs to be adapted. At IMA, such concepts are planned during engineering so that later extensions or new locations can be delivered without redevelopment.
Even with a uniform store concept, locations often differ in floor plan, connections or structural conditions. Planning must define which elements can be used unchanged and where variants are needed.
For more on producing recurring fixtures and fittings, see: custom and series production.
What should a shopfitting quote include?
A meaningful quote should show which services, materials and specifications have been costed. Only then can different quotes be compared properly.
| Scope area | What the quote should make clear |
|---|---|
| Planning | Scope of design, space planning, visualisation and technical detailing |
| Furniture and fixtures | Quantity, dimensions, functions and specification |
| Materials | Materials, surfaces, decors, fittings and glass types |
| Technical equipment | Included lighting, connections and built-in technical equipment |
| Other trades | Work included, interfaces and responsibilities |
| Logistics | Packaging, transport, delivery and special conditions |
| Installation | Scope of installation, working times and number of locations |
| Handover | Acceptance, documentation and handling of outstanding work |
If key details are missing, a low total price can be misleading. Services that were not initially included can lead to additional costs later on.
How to compare shopfitting quotes properly
For a meaningful comparison, all suppliers should receive the same planning documents and requirements. These include floor plans, a specification of works, material requirements, the furniture needed, technical requirements and the planned timeframe.
The total alone is not what matters. A detailed quote provides a better basis for budgeting, scheduling and later acceptance.
How to manage the shopfitting budget
Costs are easiest to influence at an early stage of the project. Once engineering, material orders or manufacturing have started, changes often lead to additional effort. Requirements and functions should therefore be defined early, and essential and optional elements kept separate.
Choosing materials suited to the expected wear, using recurring components and coordinating dimensions also help with budget planning. Special constructions should be used selectively and technical components defined in good time. Clear responsibilities between trades and realistic delivery and installation times reduce the risk of additional costs later on.
The aim is not to achieve the lowest price for every single item. What matters is a solution that suits the use, the brand and the available budget. IMA advises on costs and alternatives from the early stages - before engineering or manufacturing begins.
What information is needed for a costing?
The more precise the initial data, the more realistically a shopfitting project can be assessed. For an initial enquiry, the most relevant details are the location and size of the retail space, the floor plan or dimensions, the intended use and the required functional areas. Add to this the opening date, any existing design documents or the need for concept development.
Details of the furniture and fixtures required, materials, quality requirements and technical equipment are also helpful for the costing. It should also be clear whether the project is a single store or several locations, which services are to be commissioned and what budget has been set.
Not every detail has to be finalised at the start. Open points should, however, be flagged so that they can be taken into account as planning progresses.
Shopfitting from in-house manufacturing
IMA realises shopfitting projects for single stores, flagship stores, showrooms and bespoke brand spaces. Planning, technical detailing and manufacturing are tailored to each project. As general contractor, IMA covers every project phase - from planning through to installation on site.
IMA's own workshops produce made-to-measure furniture, counters, showcases, shelving systems and other fixtures and fittings in wood, metal, glass and coated surfaces.
For projects across several locations, recurring elements and necessary variants are already taken into account during engineering. This creates a clear basis for manufacturing, logistics and installation.
Examples of completed projects: IMA's shopfitting references.
Assessing costs realistically
The question of shopfitting costs cannot be answered with a single price per square metre. A realistic costing is built on clearly described services, transparently presented materials and specifications, and known conditions at the location.
Anyone comparing quotes should first check whether they are actually based on the same services. The more precisely requirements, responsibilities and deadlines are defined, the more reliably the budget and project schedule can be assessed.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does a shopfitting project cost?
The cost of a shopfitting project depends on the size of the space, the shop furniture, materials, technical equipment and the services commissioned for planning, logistics and installation. A reliable price can only be established once the key requirements and all included services are known.
What does shopfitting cost per square metre?
A standard price per square metre says little, because shopfitting covers a very wide range of services. A figure is only useful if it is clear whether it covers shop furniture alone or also planning, interior fit-out, technical equipment, delivery and installation.
Which services are included in shopfitting costs?
That depends on the individual quote. It may include planning, engineering, furniture production, built-in technical equipment, delivery and installation. Work such as drywall construction, electrics, flooring or lighting may be part of the contract or awarded separately. The included services must be clearly listed.
Which factors can make a shopfitting project more expensive?
Additional effort can result from bespoke items, elaborate material combinations, integrated technology, difficult access, tight installation windows or changes after sign-off, among other things. Specific requirements at the location can also affect costs.
Is bespoke shop furniture always more expensive?
Bespoke furniture requires project-specific planning and manufacturing. Whether it is more expensive overall, however, depends on its construction, materials, quantity and specification. There is no general answer.
How can different shopfitting quotes be compared?
The quotes should be based on the same planning documents and requirements. Compare not only the final prices, but also materials, specification, included services, technical integration, delivery and installation.
When can a reliable quote be prepared?
A reliable quote is possible once the key requirements, space data, furniture, materials, technical services and site conditions are known. The more points remain open, the more provisional the costing will be.
Do costs differ between a single store and several locations?
Yes. With several locations, recurring components and fixtures can be manufactured in multiples. At the same time, there are additional requirements for adaptation, logistics, installation planning and scheduling. The key question is how far the store concept can be standardised.