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01 · Ask
Retail, restaurant or office?
Different specs, different regs. Describe the unit and intended use, the AI tells you scope.
Fit out a restaurant.
Full restaurant or café fit-out — kitchen, bar, dining, lighting and finishes — by a coordinated team.
✓ Updated May 2026✓ Free quotes✓ Vetted pros
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Hire a shop fitter. Leased, regulated, phased.
Read the brief on lease terms, building control and milestone payments — then let Three local shop fitters quote.
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02 · Read the brief
Walk in informed
Lease reinstatement clauses, Building Regs (commercial), Equality Act 2010, fire safety risk assessment. Know the rules.
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03 · Compare
Compare 3 fitter quotes
Three local fitters quote on the same drawing — strip-out, fit-out, M&E — so you compare cleanly.
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Top tips
Hiring a shop fitting, without the regret.
Four moves that separate a smooth job from a nightmare.
Lease terms before fit-out spec.
Reinstatement clauses in the lease determine what you can install. Read your lease (or get a solicitor to) before designing the fit-out.
Building Control for any structural.
Knocking through, mezzanine, change of use — Building Control sign-off is mandatory. Skip it and you can't open.
Fire safety + Equality Act.
Commercial fit-outs must comply with the Equality Act 2010 (accessibility) and Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Penalties for non-compliance are heavy.
Phased payments tied to milestones.
Never pay more than 25% upfront. Milestone payments (strip-out, first-fix, snags) keep both sides honest.
Costs & timeline
Know what it costs. Know when it ends.
Indicative UK ranges and what affects price.
Cost range
By job type
Inc. VAT · 2026
Source: NMT quotes
Source: NMT quotes
Basic shopfit (per m²)
£600–£1.5k/m²
Mid-range fit-out (per m²)
£1.5k–£2.5k/m²
Premium fit-out (per m²)
£2.5k–£5k/m²
Small shop (50m² basic)
£30k–£75k
Restaurant kitchen install
£50k–£250k
Strip-out + reinstatement
£8k–£35k
!
Quote spread is typically ± 18% — always get 3 quotes.
At a glance
Infographic · VideoThe Shop Fitting briefing.
Infographic
Shop Fitting quick-view
Video guide
Shop Fitting explained
Restaurant and café fit-out — kitchen, dining, ventilation, FOH/BOH. Specialist commercial fit-out. Expect to pay £40,000–£300,000+ for UK restaurant fit-out.
What Does the Work Involve?
Hospitality fit-out specialist. Commercial kitchen design (Gas Safe). Ventilation system (extraction critical). Customer-facing dining area design. Bar/counter. Toilets. FF&E (Furniture, Fittings, Equipment). EHO sign-off.
Typical Costs
| Item | Low (£) | High (£) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per m² (café) | 800 | 2,000 | Simpler |
| Cost per m² (restaurant) | 1,500 | 3,500 | Full kitchen |
| Small café (50m²) | 40,000 | 100,000 | Single counter |
| Mid restaurant (100m²) | 100,000 | 250,000 | Full service |
| Premium restaurant (200m²) | 250,000 | 500,000+ | Fine dining |
| Commercial kitchen equipment | 40,000 | 150,000 | Stand-alone |
| Extract ventilation system | 10,000 | 40,000 | Critical investment |
UK Regulations
EHO (Environmental Health) approval. Food Standards Agency registration. Gas Safe for commercial. Building Regs Part B, M, L, F. DBR8 (Building Regs commercial). Premises Licence for alcohol.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long fit-out takes?
Café 6-12 weeks. Restaurant 12-20 weeks. Premium 6+ months.
EHO sign-off essential?
Yes — required before trading. Inspection during fit-out.
Best UK specialists?
JLA, Caterquip, Catering Equipment Ltd, Aria Resources.
Ventilation critical?
Yes — failure means EHO closure. £10,000-£40,000 well spent.
Premises licence timing?
Apply 28 days before opening. Council process.
Combined kitchen package?
Yes — kitchen + extract often single package £50k-£150k.
This guide was written with AI assistance and is intended for general information only. Prices are estimates based on UK averages and may vary by region. Always get at least three quotes and consult a qualified professional before starting any work.
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