Shop fitout costs in Sydney vary depending on store size, layout, materials, custom joinery, and the type of business being fitted out. Costs differ between boutiques, cafés, salons, and other retail environments because each requires different levels of construction, joinery, and setup.
Highlights:
- Typical cost considerations
- Custom joinery vs modular elements
- Factors that influence overall pricing
- Ways to manage costs effectively
- Planning timelines for Sydney shop fitouts
Average Shop Fitout Costs in Sydney
If you’re planning a new retail space or updating an existing one, understanding the key factors that influence shop fitout costs can help you budget more confidently. Pricing varies depending on design requirements, the amount of custom joinery, the size of the store, and the type of business you operate.
Blackwood Carpentry delivers shop fitouts and commercial fitouts across Sydney, helping businesses create functional, well-planned spaces suited to their day-to-day needs.
For a design-focused overview, you can also explore our post about shop fitouts that sell, a Sydney business owner’s complete guide.
What is the average cost of a shop fitout in Sydney
Below is a general breakdown of typical price ranges based on store type and complexity.
Small Retail Store (Boutique / Pop-Up)
$25,000 – $60,000
Suitable for:
Clothing boutiques
Small boutiques often rely on curated shelving, hanging rails, and a simple feature counter to create a high-impact presentation in limited space. Joinery needs to feel elevated without overwhelming the store.
Specialty stores
Stores that sell niche or curated items benefit from flexible shelving and compact display walls. The right joinery helps keep small spaces organised while making products easy to browse.
Gift shops
Gift shops typically stock items of many shapes and sizes. Custom shelving and small display plinths help organise stock clearly and avoid clutter, even in tight floorplans.
Small wellness or lifestyle stores
Lifestyle stores often lean on warm materials and subtle design. Timber shelving or soft-finish counters help establish the relaxed feel these brands aim for without needing large structural changes.
Cost drivers:
Wall shelving
Vertical shelving maximises display capacity and keeps the floor area open. It’s usually one of the main cost components for small shops.
Feature counter
Even a compact store needs a well-designed counter that handles POS equipment and storage. A simple custom counter can make a big visual difference.
Lighting-ready joinery
Small stores depend on good lighting. While Blackwood doesn’t install electrical lighting, joinery can include recessed channels and concealed wiring paths for your electrician to work with.
Back-of-house storage
Smart storage — often built into counters or wall joinery — helps maintain a tidy, professional retail space without adding bulk.
Medium Retail Store
$60,000 – $120,000
Suitable for:
Larger boutiques
Larger boutiques often require more extensive wall displays and shelving to present a wider product range. Custom joinery helps maintain brand consistency while keeping the space visually open and easy to navigate.
Pharmacy or essentials retail
Pharmacies depend on organised shelving and clear product categorisation. Durable joinery is important due to high restocking, and the layout must support quick movement for customers and staff.
Convenience retail
Convenience stores need practical product walls and heavy-duty shelving that can withstand constant use. Good joinery helps optimise browsing flow, especially in narrow or high-traffic layouts.
Showrooms
Showrooms typically require simple but high-quality joinery that highlights the product rather than the fixture. Floating shelves, minimal cabinetry, and feature counters help create an uncluttered canvas for hero products.
Cost drivers:
Custom joinery
Medium-sized stores usually require more joinery overall — additional shelving, larger counters, and more display walls — which increases fabrication and installation costs.
Product walls
Full-height product walls are common in this category. They provide structure, organisation, and strong presentation but require more materials and labour.
Durable flooring
Medium stores receive more foot traffic, so flooring needs to be commercial-grade. Replacing or upgrading floors is often a significant part of the budget.
Updated electrical & lighting
Larger spaces need more lighting points and upgraded electrical capacity. While Blackwood doesn’t install lighting, custom joinery can be built lighting-ready with recesses and cable paths.
Counter + POS zones
Bigger stores require more functional counters with integrated storage, cable management, and space for multiple POS terminals. Custom counters that suit workflow and brand identity are a key cost component.
If you want to maximise results without overspending, layout tuning plays a huge role. Our post about retail layout design tips covers practical layout strategies that can reduce wasted space and improve efficiency.
Cafés & Food Retail Fitouts
$80,000 – $180,000+
Food businesses sit at the higher end because of:
- Plumbing
- Electrical rewiring
- Stainless steel work areas
- Food-grade surfaces
- Compliance requirements
- Complex custom joinery
- Back-of-house storage solutions
We frequently create custom café counters, display benches, and durable service areas through our custom bars & counters offering.
Salon, Spa & Beauty Fitouts
$50,000 – $150,000+
Cost drivers:
- Custom task stations
- Mirrors & lighting
- Plumbing for basins
- Storage joinery
- Acoustic considerations
What Influences Shop Fitout Costs the Most?
1. Custom Joinery
Custom joinery is usually the largest line item — and for good reason. It’s the part of your store that customers interact with most.
Common joinery pieces include:
- Display shelving
- Product walls
- Cashier counters
- Back-of-house storage
- Café benches
- Timber feature elements
All of these are built through our custom bars & counters and commercial joinery services.
You can learn how to choose the right joinery in our article on how to choose the right joinery for your store’s brand.
2. Structural or Layout Changes
The more you change:
- walls
- plumbing
- electrical
- ceilings
- flooring
…the higher the costs.
3. Lighting & Electrical
Retail lighting is essential for product visibility.
Costs vary depending on:
- feature lighting
- spotlighting
- LED strip lighting
- illuminated displays
- POS power needs
4. Compliance Requirements
Compliance isn’t optional — and it can affect pricing.
You may need:
- Fire safety updates
- Accessible pathway adjustments
- Doorway compliance
- Slip-rated flooring
- Emergency lighting
We handle these during our commercial fitouts projects.
5. Material Selection
Higher-grade or specialty finishes can increase the cost.
For example:
- Solid timber vs laminate
- Stainless steel (café/food prep)
- Stone benchtops
- Commercial-grade vinyl
6. Project Timeline
Shorter timelines usually mean:
- extended hours
- larger teams
- accelerated trades
All of which increase cost.
Hidden Costs Many Sydney Retailers Aren’t Prepared For
These often catch business owners by surprise:
1. Council or Certifier Requirements
Not every store needs approval — but when it’s required, it adds time and cost.
2. Waste Removal & Demolition
Old flooring, cabinets, and walls must be removed and disposed of properly.
3. Out-of-Hours Work
Common in shopping centres, where fitouts must occur after trading hours.
4. Shopfront or Façade Upgrades
Many landlords require the façade to match centre standards.
5. Accessible Modifications
Required by NSW standards.
Often includes:
- door width
- counters
- path of travel
- manoeuvring clearance
For more on avoiding compliance mistakes, read our article about the top mistakes to avoid when planning your shop fitout.
Timeline: How Long Does a Shop Fitout Take in Sydney?
Average fitout duration: 3–8 weeks
Breakdown:
- Design & approvals: 1–3 weeks
- Joinery fabrication: 2–4 weeks
- On-site construction: 2–6 weeks
Fitouts requiring plumbing, electrical, or structural changes lean toward the longer end.
How to Reduce Shop Fitout Costs Without Sacrificing Quality
1. Focus spending on high-impact areas
Such as the counter, main product wall, or critical joinery.
2. Choose durable mid-range materials
Often better value than premium finishes.
3. Retain existing services where possible
Reusing locations for plumbing or electrical saves thousands.
4. Use modular pieces in low-visibility zones
Reserve custom joinery for customer-facing areas.
5. Plan early
Last-minute changes are the biggest cost blowouts.
Start Your Shop Fitout With Confidence
If you’re budgeting for a retail project in 2025, we can help you understand your costs clearly from the start. Whether you’re building a boutique, café, salon, or specialty store, our team delivers high-quality joinery and fitouts designed to last in busy Sydney environments.
Let’s plan your shop fitout together. Contact us today
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a shop fitout tax-deductible?
Fitout expenses may be claimable — always check with your accountant.
Do you provide both joinery and full fitout services?
Yes — through our shop fitouts and commercial fitouts services.
Can you help with café fitouts?
Yes, we regularly complete café counters, benches, storage, timber work and front-of-house joinery.
Do you work with existing designers or architects?
Yes — we can collaborate with your designer or provide guidance during planning.