Clinics, salons and gyms: the costs people forget
Design IRL Editorial · Figures checked 7 November 2026 · For doctors, salon owners and gym owners setting up their own space · How we make our guides
A clinic, salon or gym looks like an ordinary fit-out until you add the plumbing, power, flooring and equipment each one needs. Those extras are where budgets slip.
Fit-out rates at a glance
| Format | Fit-out ₹ per sq ft | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Clinic (GP, dental, physio) | ₹1,500–3,500 | Clinical equipment not included |
| Salon or spa | ₹1,000–4,000 | Sources conflict widely |
| Gym or fitness studio | ₹500–1,600 | Interiors only; equipment is extra and usually larger |
These exclude GST. Get 2–3 quotes and keep a contingency of 5–10%.
Clinics
Two real dental projects came in at about ₹2,050–2,500 per sq ft. Some online listings quoting ₹70–150 per sq ft are design fees only, not the fit-out.
- Medical-grade plumbing and drainage.
- A sterilisation room.
- Lead shielding if you have an X-ray.
- Dental chairs and other equipment, which you should price separately.
- Accessible entry and toilets.
Licences for a clinic tend to total ₹25,000–75,000. These include Clinical Establishment registration at about ₹5,000–25,000 and a fire NOC at about ₹5,000–15,000. Biomedical waste authorisation and a contract with a waste treatment facility are needed too. With an X-ray you may also need a pollution NOC.
Salons and spas
A small salon of 300–500 sq ft typically costs ₹5–10 lakh in total. A mid-sized one of 700–1,000 sq ft costs ₹12–25 lakh. Franchise totals you see quoted are often higher because they include franchise fees.
| Station equipment | Approximate range |
|---|---|
| Styling chair | ₹8,000–25,000 each |
| Backwash unit | ₹15,000–45,000 each |
- Hot-water plumbing to every wash point.
- Extra power for dryers, straighteners and lighting.
- Good task lighting at each mirror.
- Exhaust for chemical treatments.
Gyms
In a gym, equipment usually costs more than the interiors. Cardio equipment runs ₹3–15 lakh, with each commercial treadmill at ₹1.5–4 lakh. Strength equipment runs ₹1.5–6 lakh. Interiors for about 1,500 sq ft run ₹4–8 lakh in a tier-2 city and ₹8–15 lakh in a tier-1 city.
| Gym size | Approximate total |
|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | ₹5–10 lakh |
| 1,500 sq ft | ₹15–25 lakh |
| 1,500–2,000 sq ft with AC | ₹15–30 lakh |
| Metro club | ₹35 lakh–1.5 crore |
- Rubber flooring at ₹60–120 per sq ft.
- Acoustic treatment at ₹80–150 per sq ft, especially in a shared building.
- A heavy air-conditioning load.
- Showers and lockers.
- A floor-loading check from a structural engineer for heavy racks on upper floors.
Licences
Every format needs the usual Shop and Establishment registration and, depending on size and building, a fire NOC. Clinics add Clinical Establishment and biomedical waste registrations. Allow time for equipment installation and checks before you open.
Licence fees change
Licence fees and rules vary by state and change often. The figures here come mostly from agent and software-vendor blogs. Check the current fee and process on the official state or municipal portal before you rely on them.
GST: clinics usually cannot claim credit
Healthcare services are exempt from GST, so a clinic generally cannot claim input credit on its fit-out or equipment. Budget the GST as a real cost. Salons and gyms registered for GST may claim credit on movable equipment, but not usually on the fit-out itself.
GST on fit-out work
Fit-out work done as a works contract is usually charged GST at 18%. For work that becomes part of the building, including tenant fit-outs and interiors, input tax credit is generally blocked. Movable items such as furniture, IT and equipment are treated differently. The rules have changed recently, so confirm your own position with a CA before you fix the budget.
Who to hire
Look for an interior designer who has done your kind of space before, and ask to see one. An MEP consultant or contractor matters more here than in an ordinary shop, because of the plumbing, power and air conditioning. Bring in an architect or structural engineer if you are changing walls, adding wet areas on an upper floor or loading a floor with gym equipment.
Find the people
Sources
Most published cost figures come from firms that sell the work. We give ranges and you should get 2–3 quotes.
- Healthcare Snapshots: 32 Smiles dental clinic, Amritsar
- interiorlover: dental clinic interiors
- IndiaMART: clinic interior design services
- Healthplix: clinic licences
- legalsuvidha: how to open a clinic in India
- IIFL: starting a salon and spa
- Dingg (salon software vendor): cost to open a salon 2026
- Codingclave: starting a salon in India 2026
- OkCredit: starting a gym business 2026
- MaxPro Fitness (equipment vendor): commercial gym set-up