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Frequently asked questions

# Commercial fitout & construction questions, answered

Everything you need to know about commercial fitouts, construction timelines, permits, costs, and how Innovare Commercial works — answered directly by our team.

Timeline depends on the type of fitout, the size of the premises, the complexity of services work, and building approval processing times. As a general guide:

- Small office fitout (100–200 sqm): 6–10 weeks from approval
- Medium office or medical fitout (200–400 sqm): 10–16 weeks from approval
- Large or complex fitout (400 sqm+): 16–24+ weeks from approval
- Retail fitout in a shopping centre: 4–10 weeks depending on centre requirements
- Hospitality fitout with commercial kitchen: 10–16 weeks from approval
- Childcare or aged care facility: 14–22 weeks depending on building class and scope

Building approval typically adds 2–8 weeks depending on the local authority and certifier workload. We factor approval time into the overall programme we present at proposal stage.

Commercial fitout costs vary significantly based on sector, scope, specification and market conditions. Indicative ranges:

- Basic office fitout (Cat B): $600 – $1,200 per sqm
- Mid-range office fitout: $1,200 – $2,000 per sqm
- Premium corporate office: $2,000 – $3,500+ per sqm
- Medical GP clinic fitout: $1,800 – $3,000 per sqm
- Dental practice fitout: $2,500 – $5,000+ per sqm
- Retail shopfit (standard): $600 – $1,500 per sqm
- Restaurant fitout (with commercial kitchen): $2,000 – $4,500 per sqm
- Childcare centre: $2,000 – $3,500 per sqm

These are indicative only. The best way to understand cost for your specific project is to provide us with your floor plan and brief — we'll produce a detailed fixed-price proposal following a site inspection.

In most cases, yes. Commercial fitouts in Queensland require a building development approval under the Building Act 1975. The approval may be issued by a private building certifier (most common for fitouts) or Brisbane City Council / Gold Coast City Council for certain assessment categories.

Approval is typically required where the works involve structural elements, changes to essential safety measures (fire, exit signage, emergency lighting), changes to plumbing and drainage, change of use, or works in a building regulated by a base building consent. We manage the approval process on your behalf, including engagement of private certifiers and liaison with council where required.

Our fixed-price proposals are fully itemised and include all labour, materials, subcontractor costs, preliminaries, waste disposal and project management. We do not quote lump sums that hide inclusions — you can see exactly what you are paying for.

Items not typically included in a standard fitout proposal: building approval fees (charged separately as a disbursement), any utility authority connections (Energex, Urban Utilities) with their own separate fees, and client-supplied items or independent equipment installation.

Variations to the agreed scope are managed through formal written change orders — no verbal scope additions, no surprise invoices.

Yes. After-hours, weekend and public holiday construction is available for projects where the business is operating in the premises, or where building management requires out-of-hours construction. We price after-hours working transparently — it adds cost (penalty rate labour) but this is clear in our proposal rather than as an end-of-project variation.

Our primary markets are Brisbane and the Gold Coast. We also service the broader South East Queensland region. For significant project opportunities in regional Queensland or interstate, we assess on a project-by-project basis. Our NSW Builder Licence (474965C) allows us to work in New South Wales where needed.

Innovare Commercial carries:

- Public liability insurance
- Contract works (construction all risks) insurance
- Workers compensation insurance (Queensland and NSW)

Certificates of currency are available upon request at the time of contract execution. We are also able to add clients as interested parties to contract works policies for larger projects.

After practical completion, a defects liability period (typically 12 months in line with industry standard contracts) applies. During this period, any defects that become apparent in the completed works are rectified by Innovare Commercial at no charge to the client, provided they arise from the construction works. We respond promptly to defects notices and maintain a dedicated aftercare contact for post-completion support.

We are primarily a construction company, not a design firm. For projects requiring architectural design and documentation (most larger fitouts), we recommend engaging an interior designer or architect for the design phase, then engage us to price and construct from that documentation. We can recommend design professionals we've worked with successfully. For smaller or more straightforward fitouts, we can work from a design brief and produce construction-level documentation ourselves.

The fastest way to get started is to call us on 0488 773 232 or email info@innovarebuilders.com.au with a brief description of your project, the address of the premises, and your target timeline. We'll arrange a no-obligation site inspection, after which we produce a detailed fixed-price proposal. No commitment is required at the site inspection stage.

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Call or email with a brief description of your project — we'll arrange a no-obligation site inspection and a detailed fixed-price proposal.

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