Global office fit-out cost guide 2026

Occupiers are raising the bar on quality  

Across all regions, strong competition for talent in all key industries is driving more spending than ever on high-quality fit-outs.  

Offices are moving up the value chain

Strong competition for talent in industries like finance and tech is leading to more spending on high-quality fit-outs, with high-specification fit-outs seeing the steepest cost increases Y-o-Y.  

Clients are investing in high impact areas

While cost pressures are driving clients to find ways to save money, clients are continuing to prioritise targeted investments in functional zones which drive productivity, wellbeing and connection in the office. These include collaboration areas, canteens and tech-enabled meeting rooms – which come at a higher price tag, as demonstrated by our spotlight city functional data. 

Premium markets command premium prices

For the global top six markets, costs average more than US$5,000 per m2 for high-specification fit-outs (using a constant currency comparison).  

HQs are the primary focus

Clients are increasingly prioritising investment in flagship spaces in major cities worldwide, reversing the trend of the early 2020s where a ‘hub and spoke’ approach was more prevalent. This trend is coming at a time when major cities are seeing acute shortages of premium Grade A space due to slowdown in development pipelines in the early 2020s. This is making stay vs. go decisions tougher and more complex than ever.  

What’s inside the guide? 

• The guide analyses 58 office markets globally, presenting CAT A and CAT B fit‑out costs across high, medium and low specification levels. 
• Seventeen spotlight cities are explored in greater depth, providing functional zone pricing and highlighting local drivers, market dynamics and emerging workplace trends. 
• Analysis of commercial drivers that matter in 2026, including flight to quality, stay vs. go decisions and the impact of AI.  

Whether planning a single office project or managing a global portfolio, the guide provides the insight needed to compare costs, assess risks and make informed investment decisions.