Budgeting accurately for an office fit-out is one of the most challenging tasks a facilities manager or business owner faces — because the range of possible costs is enormous, and the factors that drive that range are not always obvious. A 3,000 sq ft office in Dhaka can cost anywhere between ৳45L and ৳300L depending on specification level, furniture quality, technology requirements, and the extent of structural modifications. This complete office fit-out cost guide for Bangladesh in 2025 explains what drives costs at every level and provides detailed benchmarks for accurate budget planning.
Office Fit-Out Cost per Sq Ft — Bangladesh 2025
| Specification Level | Cost per Sq Ft | Typical For |
|---|---|---|
| Category A (shell only) | ৳400–৳800 | Basic MEP, no fit-out — landlord delivers, tenant fits out |
| Budget fit-out | ৳800–৳1,400 | Basic partitions, standard furniture, minimal design |
| Mid-range professional | ৳1,500–৳2,800 | Most local SME and NGO offices |
| Premium corporate | ৳3,000–৳5,500 | Regional HQs, multinational offices, financial sector |
| Flagship / headquarters | ৳6,000–৳10,000+ | International standard, premium FF&E, full BMS |
Full Cost Breakdown by Component
Understanding how the total fit-out cost is allocated across components helps prioritise where to invest and where to economise.
| Component | % of Total Budget | Mid-Range (3,000 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture (desks, chairs, storage, meeting) | 35–42% | ৳25L–৳38L |
| Construction (partitions, ceiling, flooring, painting) | 28–35% | ৳20L–৳32L |
| MEP (electrical, data, HVAC modifications) | 12–18% | ৳9L–৳16L |
| Design and project management fees | 8–12% | ৳6L–৳11L |
| Contingency | 8–10% | ৳6L–৳9L |
| Total mid-range (3,000 sq ft) | ৳66L–৳106L |
What Drives Office Fit-Out Costs Up
Glass partition systems
Frameless full-height glass partitions cost significantly more than framed systems (৳3,500–৳6,000 per linear metre vs ৳1,800–৳3,000 for framed) but produce a substantially superior result. For any office where visual quality matters to clients and visitors, frameless glass is the correct specification — the premium is justified by the quality differential.
International furniture
Herman Miller, Steelcase, and equivalent internationally specified ergonomic chairs and workstation systems add 25–50% to the furniture line item compared to quality locally sourced alternatives. For multinational clients with global furniture standards, this cost is typically non-negotiable. For local clients, the decision depends on staff retention priorities and budget.
Specialist ceiling systems
A custom geometric or patterned gypsum ceiling, timber batten ceiling, or acoustic ceiling system adds ৳80–৳250 per sq ft compared to a standard flat gypsum ceiling at ৳60–৳120 per sq ft. The impact is significant — the ceiling is the largest single unobstructed surface in most offices and has a defining influence on the quality of the space.
Raised access flooring
Required by some multinational clients for data cable management — adds ৳300–৳600 per sq ft to flooring costs but provides flexible, accessible cable routing that supports future layout changes without disruption.
What Reduces Cost Without Reducing Quality
- Clear early brief: Design changes after construction has started are significantly more expensive than changes at the design stage. A detailed brief resolved before design begins is the highest-return cost management tool available.
- Integrated design and build: Appointing a single firm for both design and construction eliminates the coordination costs and price uplift that occur when a separately appointed contractor prices a completed design. House De Arch’s EPC model consistently delivers 10–20% lower total project cost than sequential design-and-tender.
- Early procurement: International furniture and long-lead items ordered as soon as specified avoid rush premiums and programme delays that cost money in extended lease rent-free periods.
- Retaining existing MEP: Where existing electrical distribution, HVAC, and data infrastructure is serviceable, retaining it (with modifications as needed) rather than replacing entirely can save ৳15L–৳40L on a mid-sized office project.
Cost by Office Type — 2,000 sq ft Examples
| Office Type | Typical Spec | Estimated Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Local SME office | Mid-range | ৳30L–৳55L |
| NGO / development org | Mid-range corporate | ৳35L–৳65L |
| Multinational regional office | Premium corporate | ৳65L–৳110L |
| Financial / legal firm | Premium–flagship | ৳85L–৳160L |
| Technology company | Mid to premium | ৳45L–৳90L |
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is a cost estimate before design is completed?
Early-stage cost estimates (before design development) carry ±30% uncertainty — they indicate order of magnitude, not a fixed price. As design develops, cost certainty increases: a completed design specification can be priced within ±10–15%. A fixed-price contract (which House De Arch provides under our EPC model) is only possible once the design is fully specified and all materials are identified for procurement.
Should we include IT infrastructure costs in the fit-out budget?
IT infrastructure — servers, networking equipment, AV systems, access control technology — is typically a separate budget line from the interior fit-out. However, the physical infrastructure that supports IT (data conduit, floor boxes, server room construction, cable trays) is part of the fit-out and must be co-ordinated between the IT team and the fit-out contractor from the start of the project.
How does location affect fit-out cost in Dhaka?
Location affects fit-out cost indirectly through building access constraints (Gulshan high-rises have stricter contractor access rules that slow the programme and slightly increase labour costs) and client quality expectations (Gulshan and Banani clients typically specify at a higher level than equivalent businesses in other districts). The direct cost of materials and construction labour is broadly consistent across Dhaka.
Related: Complete Office Interior Design Guide | Corporate Office Design | Interior Design Cost Guide | EPC Integrated Delivery | Office Furniture Guide
Planning an office fit-out in Bangladesh? Contact House De Arch for a detailed cost plan — we provide honest budgets before any design work begins.