Every office reaches a point where it no longer works as well as it once did — layouts become inefficient as teams evolve, finishes look tired, technology infrastructure falls behind, and the space simply fails to reflect where the business is today. Office renovation in Dhaka is not just about aesthetics; it is a strategic investment in productivity, culture, and brand positioning. This guide explains when, why, and how to approach your next office renovation.
Signs Your Dhaka Office Is Due for a Renovation
- High staff turnover citing the workspace: When employees name the office environment as a factor in leaving, the renovation ROI becomes easy to calculate
- Visitor or client feedback: If clients comment — positively or negatively — on your office, the environment is affecting your business development
- Inefficient use of space: Empty desks alongside cramped areas; departments that grew (or shrank) but whose space allocation never changed
- Technology gaps: Insufficient power points, no video conferencing capability, poor WiFi coverage — symptoms of a space designed before modern working practices
- Deteriorating finishes: Worn carpet, faded paint, damaged furniture, stained ceiling tiles — the accumulated cost of deferred maintenance becomes visible
- No longer reflecting brand: Your office was designed when the company was different — smaller, less ambitious, or with a different target client
Renovate or Relocate?
Before committing to a renovation, check that your current office is still the right place for your business. This quick comparison helps:
| Renovate if… | Relocate if… |
|---|---|
| The location still works for staff and clients | Your team has outgrown the floor area |
| Your lease has significant time remaining | Your lease ends soon or rent is rising sharply |
| The building services (power, AC, lifts) are sound | The building cannot support your IT, power or safety needs |
| The layout can be redesigned to fit how you work now | You need a different image or neighbourhood for your brand |
Relocating? Our office interior design in Dhaka team can plan the new space from the first site visit.
Types of Office Renovation
Cosmetic Refresh (Lightest Touch)
New paint, replacement carpet or flooring, updated lighting fixtures, refreshed furniture. No structural changes. Timeline: 1–2 weeks. Cost: ৳3L–৳10L for a typical office. Appropriate when the layout works but the aesthetic has dated.
Partial Renovation
Reception area upgrade, meeting room refurbishment, new breakout space added, specific zone reconfigured. Selective changes to highest-impact areas. Timeline: 2–6 weeks. Cost: ৳10L–৳30L. Appropriate when you want maximum visual impact with minimum disruption.
Full Office Renovation
Complete redesign of the entire floor plate — new layout, all new finishes, updated MEP, furniture throughout. Timeline: 2–4 months. Cost: ৳1,500–৳4,000 per sq ft. Appropriate when the business has changed significantly or the existing space has fundamental layout problems.
Phased Renovation
Full renovation scope executed in phases — one zone or floor at a time — to allow continued occupation throughout. Minimises business disruption but typically adds 15–25% to total cost versus a single shutdown renovation. Popular with larger offices in Dhaka that cannot afford any period of full closure.
How to Minimise Disruption During Renovation
- Plan out-of-hours works: Noisy or disruptive trades (demolition, concrete cutting, major installations) scheduled for evenings and weekends
- Phase the project: Work through the office zone by zone, always maintaining sufficient workspace for ongoing operations
- Temporary accommodation: For major renovations, some businesses temporarily relocate teams to co-working spaces — this reduces duration of overall disruption
- Early procurement: Long-lead furniture and materials ordered before construction starts, so fit-out can proceed smoothly without waiting
- Dedicated site manager: House De Arch assigns a dedicated project manager who coordinates with your team daily to resolve issues before they escalate
Office Renovation Cost in Dhaka (2025 Guide)
| Renovation Type | Cost Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic Refresh | ৳3L–৳10L | 1–2 weeks |
| Partial Renovation | ৳10L–৳30L | 2–6 weeks |
| Full Renovation (per sq ft) | ৳1,500–৳4,000 | 2–4 months |
| Phased Renovation (premium) | +15–25% vs. full | 4–8 months |
What Drives the Cost?
- Floor area and layout changes: moving walls, rooms and workstations costs more than refreshing finishes in place
- MEP scope: new electrical, data cabling, air conditioning and fire safety systems are often the largest single cost in a full renovation
- Finish level: flooring, ceilings, glass partitions and joinery vary widely in price
- Furniture: reusing existing workstations can reduce the budget considerably
- Phasing and after-hours work: keeping the office running during works adds time and cost
For a detailed breakdown by item, see our office fit-out cost guide.
Office Projects We Have Delivered
House De Arch has designed and delivered offices in Dhaka since 2008. A few examples:
- Unilever Head Office, Gulshan: corporate headquarters interior
- BayerCropScience office, Dhaka: workspace design case study
- Red Crescent office, Dhaka: institutional office interior
- BYD Flagship Showroom, Tejgaon: commercial showroom design
The Renovation Process at House De Arch
- Current state audit: We assess your existing space — what is working, what is not, and what can be preserved versus replaced
- Business needs review: Understanding how your team works now versus how they worked when the office was last designed
- Renovation scope definition: Agree the boundaries — what is included, what is out of scope, what is aspirational (for a possible future phase)
- Design and costing: Design options developed, costed, and presented with phasing alternatives if required
- Works execution: Renovation delivered with dedicated project management and weekly progress updates
- Snagging and handover: Final review, any remaining items rectified, full handover to your team
Before You Start: Renovation Checklist
- Read your lease and get written landlord approval for the planned works
- Confirm headcount and growth plans for the next 3–5 years
- List what must be kept: furniture, IT equipment, fittings
- Agree a budget range and a contingency
- Plan IT and network downtime with your IT team
- Tell staff early: timeline, temporary seating and noisy-work days
- Check fire safety and building management rules for contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an office renovation take in Dhaka?
It depends on scope. A cosmetic refresh usually takes 1–2 weeks, a partial renovation 2–6 weeks and a full renovation 2–4 months. A phased renovation, done while the office stays open, typically takes 4–8 months.
How much does an office renovation cost in Dhaka?
A cosmetic refresh typically costs ৳3L–৳10L and a partial renovation ৳10L–৳30L. A full renovation usually runs ৳1,500–৳4,000 per sq ft, depending on MEP scope and finish level.
Can the renovation be done in phases?
Yes. Working zone by zone lets your team keep working throughout. It usually adds 15–25% to the total cost compared with renovating in one go.
Do I need my landlord’s permission?
Check your lease first. Many commercial leases require the landlord’s written approval before alterations, especially for walls, electrical, air conditioning or façade work.
Do I need to vacate my office for a renovation?
Not always. For cosmetic refreshes and partial renovations, most work can be completed with the office occupied — typically using after-hours scheduling for disruptive trades. Full renovations usually require either full vacation or a carefully managed phased approach. We advise specifically on this during the initial consultation.
How do I know if renovation or relocation is the better choice?
Renovation makes sense when the location is right, the lease has significant remaining term, and the space can be redesigned to serve your needs. Relocation makes sense when the location itself has become inappropriate, the building quality cannot be improved by fit-out, or the lease terms make the economics of renovation unattractive. We can help you work through this analysis honestly.
Related: Complete Office Design Guide | Small Office Design Ideas | Office Design in Gulshan | The Office Design Process
Planning an office renovation in Dhaka? Talk to House De Arch: free initial consultation, no obligation.
