Commercial Fitout & Interior Design Cost Calculator
Calculator
Planning a new workplace, clinic, hospitality venue or retail store is exciting – but the first question is almost always the same: how much is this going to cost?
Leithal Designs’ project cost calculator is designed to give you a realistic, experience-based estimate so you may plan with confidence before moving into detailed design.
Drawing on more than two decades of commercial interior design and architectural experience, this tool offers a quick way to understand likely fitout costs per square metre, indicative design fees, and the level of investment needed to bring your project to life across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and wider South East Queensland.
Start with a quick, informed project estimate
Before engaging builders, signing a lease or committing to a programme, it helps to have a clear ballpark of what your fitout may involve.
This calculator supports businesses that are:
- Considering a new office fitout or refurbishment
- Opening or refreshing a medical, dental or allied health clinic
- Creating a hospitality venue such as a café, bar, distillery or restaurant
- Designing a retail environment or showroom
- Delivering a government, education or community space
- Exploring multi-storey or mixed-use commercial projects
Use it as part of your research phase to compare options, sense-check budgets and have more grounded conversations with your internal stakeholders or board.
What influences your commercial fitout cost?
1. Size and complexity of the space
2. Existing base build and services
3. Level of finish and customisation
Premium materials, bespoke joinery, feature lighting and integrated technology all contribute to a higher investment – and a higher calibre space. The calculator allows for different finish levels so you understand how these decisions affect cost.
4. Specialist compliance requirements
5. Programme, staging and access
How the Leithal Designs calculator works
Step 1 – Tell us about your project
Use the drop-down fields in the calculator to describe key details, including:
- Current status of your project (early ideas, site secured, ready to start)
- Your preferred start timeframe
- Whether you would like an estimate of overall project cost
- Whether you would like an estimate of design fees
- Approximate floor area (m²) of your tenancy or building
Where relevant, you may also choose:
- Project type – workplace, medical and wellness, retail, hospitality, government or mixed-use
- Level of finish – standard commercial, premium or high-end bespoke.
Step 2 – Receive an indicative cost range
Using benchmarks from completed projects and our internal building cost estimator, the calculator produces a projected investment range. This gives you an early sense of:
- Likely fitout construction costs
- Approximate design and documentation fees
- How budget shifts when space, finish or scope changes
Step 3 – Decide your next step
From here you may:
- Book a Needs & Options Review to test feasibility in more detail
- Discuss your estimate with your leadership team or investors
- Share the results with Leithal Designs so we may refine them into a tailored proposal
From quick quote to completed space – our process
The calculator is the first step in a structured, six-stage journey that keeps your project on time, on brief and on budget.
Research
Analysis
Design
Drawings
Tender
Build
Why high-end clients trust Leithal Designs
For more than 20 years, Principal Designer Sonia Leith and the team have shaped intelligent, high-impact commercial spaces across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and beyond.
When you use the Leithal Designs calculator, you are drawing on:
- Deep experience in workplace, hospitality, retail, medical and government projects
- A QBCC-licensed commercial building designer with up to medium-rise capability
- Robust professional indemnity and public liability insurance suitable for government and ASX-listed clients
- A proven track record delivering projects such as Husk Distillery, Infinity Group Australia, The Estate Lawyers, Proud Smile dental clinic and multiple Hearing Australia centres
- A collaborative methodology grounded in clear communication, honest advice and meticulous documentation
Your project is treated as more than a fitout – it is a strategic asset for your brand, your team and your customers.
FAQs – Commercial fitout cost calculator
How accurate is the Leithal Designs calculator?
The calculator is designed to give you a realistic project range rather than a fixed quote. It draws on benchmarks from recent office, medical, hospitality and retail fitouts across South East Queensland, combined with your project size, scope and desired finish. Actual pricing depends on final design, consultant inputs, builder selection and market conditions. After you submit your details, the Leithal Designs team may review the information and provide more tailored guidance.
Does this replace a quote from a builder or quantity surveyor?
No. The calculator sits in the research and planning phase of your project. It gives you a ballpark budget so you may decide whether to proceed, adjust scope, or explore alternative options. A formal quote from a builder or quantity surveyor requires detailed drawings, specifications and site inspections, which form part of Leithal Designs’ full design and documentation service.
Is the calculator suitable for government or multi-site projects?
Yes, the underlying methodology reflects experience on government service centres, health facilities and multi-site rollouts. For complex programmes, however, a one-off calculator result is only a starting point. Contact the team to discuss your broader portfolio, staging requirements and procurement strategy so a more nuanced cost framework may be prepared.
What if I do not know my exact floor area yet?
An approximate square metre figure still provides useful guidance. You may use lease plans, preliminary agent information or rough measurements to select the closest range in the calculator. Once a tenancy is secured, Leithal Designs prepares accurate measured drawings and refines the estimate accordingly.
What happens after I receive my estimate?
You may save your estimate for internal use, or choose to speak with Leithal Designs. Many clients move next into a Needs & Options Review, where we test feasibility, explore layout scenarios, highlight risks and opportunities, and outline a clear roadmap from concept through to construction.
Legal Disclaimer
The Leithal Designs cost calculator is intended as a guide only. All estimates are contingent on market conditions, builder pricing, site constraints and final scope. Figures are subject to change without notice and do not constitute a formal quote or commitment by Leithal Designs or any associated builder. For an accurate and detailed proposal, please contact Leithal Designs directly to discuss your specific project requirements.
Ready to explore your project?
Use the calculator below to generate your initial estimate, then take the next step:
- Review our services to see how we support commercial projects from concept to completion
- Browse recent projects for inspiration and case studies
- Contact the studio to book a feasibility call and refine your results into a tailored proposal