Fitting out a shop or showroom
Design IRL Editorial · Figures checked 7 November 2026 · For shop owners and brands fitting out a high-street store, mall unit or showroom · How we make our guides
In a shop, the money goes into what customers see: the front, the display fixtures and the lighting. Plan those first and the rest of the budget follows.
What a fit-out costs
These ranges are per sq ft, excluding GST. Published retail data is thin, so treat them as approximate.
| Level | ₹ per sq ft | Typical shop |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹700–1,500 | Local brand, neighbourhood store, tier-2 city |
| Standard | ₹1,500–3,000 | Branded store or mall unit |
| Premium | ₹3,000–6,000 or more | Flagship showroom |
Some higher quotes you see online include the building shell itself, so check what a figure covers before you compare it. For city differences, office cost ratios are the nearest guide we have. Using them for shops is a rough estimate.
What drives the cost
- Display fixtures and lighting. These are what set one shop apart from another, and the biggest variable in the budget.
- The shopfront: glazing, doors and the fascia.
- Signage, which runs about ₹500–900 per sq ft of sign installed, and ₹1,000 or more for 3D or channel letters.
- Security and anti-theft systems.
- POS and billing.
- Trial rooms and back-of-house storage.
Price these as separate lines in your quote, not folded into one per sq ft rate. That way you can see where to trim.
Mall units have their own rules
Malls usually issue a fit-out manual. It can set materials, signage size, working hours and approvals. We found no reliable figures for mall fit-out deposits, design-approval fees or the cost of night-only working. Ask the mall for these in writing before you sign, and add them to your budget yourself.
Ask the mall before you sign
Get the fit-out manual, the deposit amount, any approval fees, permitted working hours and the handover condition of the unit. Each of these can change your cost and your opening date.
Signage permissions
Outdoor signs on the high street usually need municipal permission. We found no reliable fee data. Rules and fees vary by city and state and change over time, so check with your municipal body or its official portal. A Shop and Establishment registration typically costs ₹500–2,000, but verify the current fee for your state.
Timeline
Shops follow a similar sequence to offices, usually in a shorter time because the space is smaller.
- Brief, design and bill of quantities: 2–4 weeks.
- Landlord or mall approvals: 2–3 weeks, alongside design.
- Civil work, electrical and AC.
- Ceiling, flooring and joinery.
- Fixtures, lighting, signage and security.
- Snagging and handover.
Order fixtures and signage early, as they often take longest to arrive.
Retail fit-out firm or local carpenter
A local carpenter can be good value for a simple budget shop, with fixtures made on site. A retail fit-out contractor or design-build firm makes more sense for a branded store, a mall unit or several stores. They are used to mall rules and repeat roll-outs, and the design is in their rate. If you hire a separate designer, design-only fees run about ₹50–150 per sq ft, or 5–10% of the project.
| Route | Suits | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Local carpenter | Small, simple shops | No drawings, unclear scope, finish quality |
| Designer plus contractor | Standard shops and showrooms | Separate design fees; two parties to manage |
| Retail fit-out or turnkey firm | Mall units, brands, roll-outs | Margin hidden in the rate; compare like for like |
Get 2–3 quotes on the same drawings. Keep a contingency of 5–10%.
GST
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.
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.
- NoBroker forum: shop interior design cost
- India Retailing: store roll-out costs
- Construction Estimator India: commercial interiors
- Delhi NCR interiors blog: commercial interior costs 2026
- SA Creative: LED sign boards
- signageboard: retail signage
- NoBroker: interior designer costs
- Petpooja (POS vendor): licence costs incl. Shop and Establishment
- Bajaj Finserv: works contract under GST