Office Strip Out: Process, Timeline and Quotes
An office strip out removes your fit-out back to a bare shell. Here is the real process, what drives the price, and how to get quotes you can compare.
An office strip out is the demolition and removal stage of a make good: stripping partitions, ceilings, flooring and fixtures out of a tenancy, usually back towards base building or Cat A shell condition. It is the physically disruptive part of the project, and the part most tenants underestimate on both time and cost.
What an office make good covers, start to finish
How strip out is priced
Strip out is usually quoted per square metre or as a lump sum for the floor, and the figure moves with the factors below. Ask every contractor to price against the same make good schedule, and to separate strip out from reinstatement, so the quotes line up.
Compare new fit-out costs across cities
What actually drives the price
- Building size, height, and how easy the site is to access (lift access adds cost versus ground floor).
- Whether asbestos is present, which requires licensed removal before any strip out work starts.
- Disposal fees and how much waste the job generates.
- Timeline: a compressed handback deadline usually costs more than a flexible one.
- Salvage opportunities: some fixtures and furniture can offset costs if resold or donated.
A realistic timeline
A simple open-plan office with no asbestos can often be stripped out in a week or two. Heavily partitioned spaces, older buildings needing asbestos clearance certificates, or sites with restricted after-hours access can take considerably longer. Build in buffer time before your lease handback date rather than booking a strip out for the final week.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an office strip out cost?
It depends on floor area, building access, disposal and whether asbestos is present. Get at least two itemised quotes against your make good schedule; the same office can price very differently depending on lift access and the time you allow.
How long does an office strip out take?
A small, simple office can be stripped in about a week. Larger or more complex spaces, especially those needing licensed asbestos removal, typically take two to four weeks or more.
What is not included in a strip out quote?
Reinstatement (patching, plastering, repainting) is usually a separate line item from demolition and removal. Ask for an itemised quote that separates strip out from reinstatement so you can compare providers on a like-for-like basis.
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