How much does an office renovation cost per square foot in Canada?
Office renovations and tenant fit-outs are priced per square foot of usable area, and the spread is wide because finishes, mechanical/electrical scope, and whether you're touching the base building all swing the number. A cosmetic refresh and a full gut-and-rebuild can differ by 4–5x.
Typical price breakdown
General planning ranges for Canadian commercial work. Your actual price depends on scope, region, building condition, and access.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh (paint, flooring, lighting) | $30 – $70 / sq ft |
| Standard fit-out (new layout, basic MEP) | $80 – $150 / sq ft |
| High-end / full fit-outCustom millwork, premium finishes, full MEP. | $150 – $250+ / sq ft |
| Demolition / strip-out | $6 – $15 / sq ft |
| HVAC & electrical reconfiguration | $20 – $60 / sq ft |
| Architectural / permit / design feesOn top of construction cost. | 8 – 15% of project |
What moves the price
Finish level
Builder-grade vs. designer finishes, glass walls, and custom millwork are the biggest swing factor.
Mechanical & electrical scope
Moving HVAC, sprinklers, and electrical to suit a new layout is far more than a cosmetic refresh.
Base-building condition
Older buildings may need code upgrades (accessibility, fire, electrical) triggered by the permit.
Schedule & after-hours work
Occupied-floor and after-hours work to keep a business running adds premium labour.
Permits & approvals
Permit timelines, landlord approvals, and design fees add cost and time beyond construction.
How to get an accurate price
The numbers above are for budgeting. To get a real, scope-specific price, post your project as an RFP on PMRFP — describe the building, the work, and your region, and qualified general contracting companies respond with their own pricing. Posting is free, and getting two or three competitive responses is the simplest way to know the true market rate.
Questions
PMRFP is a vendor discovery and RFP visibility platform. We do not guarantee project availability, bid success, contract awards, property manager response, or revenue. Members are responsible for their own due diligence, qualifications, insurance, licensing, pricing, and agreements.
Budgeting office renovation & fit-out? Get real numbers.
Post your project on PMRFP and qualified Canadian trades respond with real, scope-specific pricing. Free to post.