Shopfitters
Embarking on a commercial fit out project is as exciting as it is stressful. In order to turn your vision into a fully functional commercial space that your customers and employees will love, you will need to hire the expert services of a shopfitter. It’s important to take your time and find a shopfitter that specialises in your type of business, meets your budget and can deliver within your project timeline.
Our goal is to give you an outline of the different services offered by shopfitters and what to consider when hiring. We can also point you in the right direction of shopfitters in your local area.
When should I consider hiring a shopfitter?
You can hire a shopfitter to design and build a new commercial space from scratch, renovate an existing space or help your business relocate to a new commercial space. For example:
- You’re opening a new retail shop and need to fit out an empty space you have leased
- You’ve purchased a cafe and want to redesign the floor plan to open up more space
- You want to achieve a modern look and feel in your office but don’t know how to do it
- You want to modernise and refresh your medical practice with a new reception and patient waiting area
What is a shopfitter?
Shopfitters are experts in designing, building and installing shop fittings and fixtures for a range of commercial spaces including:
- Retail shops
- Cafes, restaurants and bars
- Offices and showrooms
- Healthcare and dental practices
- Hair and beauty salons
- Childcare and recreation centres
Shopfitters work closely with you to understand your practical requirements and design preferences to bring your vision to life. They specialise in the entire design and construction process and coordinate and manage plumbers, electricians and other trade professionals to ensure all aspects of a fitout are complete.
What is the difference between shopfitting and interior design services?
Shopfitting is better if you are starting from scratch or need to drastically change your shop or office, whereas interior design services are usually needed for cosmetic changes without changing fixtures, joineries and permanent fittings.
What services do shopfitters offer?
Shopfitters offer a wide range of services that are tailored to your project requirements including:
- Floorplanning and design
- Ordering building supplies and materials
- Obtaining the appropriate permits and licenses
- Custom cabinetry, joinery, fixtures and furniture
- Assembling counters, worktops and other fittings
- Plumbing works
- Electrical works
- Carpentry
- Glasswork
- Signage (menu boards, in-store display)
How much does a commercial fitout cost?
This question is difficult to answer as all shopfitting projects are unique and have different requirements. Costs can vary greatly depending on the size of the space, complexity of the project, custom requirements, materials used and location. Shopfitters may provide a fixed quote for a project, charge per square metre or charge an hourly rate. To give you a rough idea, small businesses can expect to pay from $50K for a full fitout.
How do I hire a shopfitter?
Your commercial space plays a major role in your business success, so it’s important to hire a shopfitter that understands your functional requirements and aesthetic taste. Ideally, you should hire a company that specialises in your industry and can show you a solid portfolio of similar projects they’ve worked on. They should also have great customer reviews to back it up. Other things to consider include:
- Flexibility: Plans can change, so hire shopfitters who can adapt to changing situations or delays.
- Cost: Shop around for a few quotes before deciding on the right one.
- Warranties: Look at the warranties they provide for their build. Sniff out any unfair clauses that may leave you with shoddy fixtures and a big repair bill.
What questions should I ask a shopfitter?
To help you, here are some questions to ask when hiring:
- Do you specialise in the type of shopfitting I need (e.g. cafes, bars, retail, offices, hair salons, etc)?
- How closely will you work with me along the process?
- Do you offer a full shopfitting service?
- Can you meet my deadline?
- Can you provide a breakdown of costs?
If you’re ready to start your project, we can introduce you to shopfitters in your local area. Simply answer a few questions to get started.
