The honest answer is that it depends on scope, permitting, and long-lead materials — but most commercial tenant build-outs follow a predictable range.
Typical timelines
A light refresh of an existing office — paint, carpet, minor reconfiguration — often runs three to five weeks. A full build-out of a warm shell into finished office space is usually eight to fourteen weeks of construction. Restaurant and medical space runs longer because of specialized inspections and equipment.
What happens before construction starts
Design, permit review, and subcontractor buyout typically add four to eight weeks ahead of the first day on site. Starting the permit process early is the single biggest schedule lever you control.
What causes delays
The usual culprits are late design decisions, long-lead items like switchgear and custom glass, landlord approvals, and change orders mid-project. A contractor who flags these during the estimate keeps them off the critical path.
Working on a timeline? Send us your plans and we will give you a realistic schedule.
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