Build-out costs
What an office build-out costs per square foot in Broward (2026)
Every relocating company asks this first, and every honest answer starts with "it depends on the scope." These are directional 2026 ranges for the Broward market - what we see in real bids - to help you sanity-check a lease before you sign it.
Directional market ranges reviewed September 2026. Construction pricing moves with labor and materials; confirm against current bids.
The ranges
| Scope | What it means | Directional $/sf (Broward, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | Paint, carpet, minor electrical, no layout change | $25 - $50 |
| Second-generation office build-out | New layout in an existing office shell: walls, doors, finishes, standard MEP modifications | $75 - $125 |
| Full shell build-out (office) | Raw shell to finished office: full HVAC distribution, electrical, plumbing, finishes | $120 - $180 |
| Retail fit-out | Second-gen retail with storefront work, lighting, fitting rooms, POS infrastructure | $90 - $160 |
| Restaurant | Kitchen, hood, grease interceptor, health-department-grade finishes | $175 - $350+ |
| Medical / dental | Exam rooms, added plumbing, medical gas or imaging shielding where needed | $150 - $275+ |
| Bank / financial branch | Vault or ATM infrastructure, higher security and finish standards | $200 - $350+ |
What moves a project within a range
- Condition of the shell. Second-generation space with usable HVAC and electrical lands low; anything requiring new distribution, panels, or rooftop units climbs fast.
- MEP share. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing is where budgets live. A layout that reuses existing diffusers, panels, and wet walls saves 20-30% against one that does not.
- Building rules. Downtown towers with night-work rules and freight-elevator windows add labor cost that suburban parks do not have.
- Finish level. The difference between standard and high-end finishes on a 5,000 sf office is routinely $75,000-$150,000.
- Code triggers. A change of use, occupancy load change, or accessibility upgrades can add scope nobody budgeted. Read the change-of-use guide.
Costs people forget
- Design and engineering: typically 6-10% of construction cost for an interior project.
- Permit and review fees: varies by city and valuation; commonly 1-3% of project value all-in.
- Low-voltage, security, furniture, and moving - often larger than tenants expect and almost never in the GC's number.
- Landlord-required insurance, deposits, and restoration clauses.
Use this correctly
The right way to use these numbers: before you sign a lease, multiply the midpoint by your square footage, compare it against the TI allowance on the table, and know your gap. A tenant who knows a 6,000 sf second-gen office is a $450,000-$750,000 project negotiates a very different lease than one who guesses. When you are ready for a real range, request a 48-hour budget range with the form below.
Featured build-out partner
Shiff Construction & Development
Shiff Construction & Development, Inc. is a Fort Lauderdale commercial general contractor that has delivered office, retail, restaurant, medical, bank-branch, and municipal build-outs across South Florida since 1989. We feature Shiff because their project record in Broward and Palm Beach counties is long and verifiable, and because they answer the phone.
Send plans or a space brochure and get a realistic budget range back in 48 hours - before you sign a lease, not after. Call (954) 555-0132 or use the form below.
Get a build-out budget range in 48 hours
Tell us about the space and the move. You will also get the Broward County permit and timeline checklist (PDF) - the same one we hand to partners planning an opening.
Prefer to talk? (954) 555-0132. Already have the checklist? Download the Broward County permit & timeline checklist (PDF).