Commercial Unit Fit-Out: A Practical Checklist

Lease and landlord consent

Most leases require the landlord's written consent for alterations, and obtaining it takes time and often involves the landlord's surveyor. Starting without it puts the tenant at risk regardless of how reasonable the work is.

Check the repairing obligation and the dilapidations position at the same time. What you install now may have to be removed at lease end, and knowing that changes what is worth building in.

Phasing around trading

For an occupied unit the programme drives the price. Working out of hours, in sections, or behind hoardings all cost more than an empty unit, but they avoid lost trade.

Agree working hours, noise windows and delivery access early · Confirm what must stay operational — tills, stock areas, staff facilities · Plan hoardings and dust separation so the trading area stays presentable · Book any service isolations well in advance

Compliance items

Fire strategy, means of escape, emergency lighting, accessibility, ventilation and electrical certification all sit inside a fit-out and are the items most likely to hold up occupation if left late.

Where the use is changing — retail to food, office to gym — planning permission and additional building regulations requirements can apply, alongside extract and drainage provision.

Finishes that survive commercial use

Commercial traffic is unlike domestic. Corner protection, durable floor finishes, washable wall coatings and hard-wearing joinery cost more at fit-out and less across the lease.

Plan for touch-up: keep records of paint colours, floor product references and any bespoke joinery details, so repairs during the lease match rather than patch.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need landlord consent for a shop fit-out?

Almost always for anything structural or fixed. The lease sets out what requires consent, and a licence to alter is the usual mechanism.

Can fit-out work be done outside trading hours?

Yes, and it is common. It affects programme and cost, and any noise restrictions in the lease or from the local authority need checking first.

What are dilapidations and why do they matter now?

They are the tenant's obligation to return the premises to an agreed condition at lease end. Knowing that liability at fit-out stage affects what you install and how it is fixed.

Does changing the use of a unit need permission?

It can, depending on the current and proposed use class and the local authority's position. Food, hot food and leisure uses attract the most scrutiny, particularly around extraction.