Smart Fitouts, Smarter Spending: How to Save Money on Your Office Fitout Without Compromising Quality

By Matt Woods, Director – PALM Projects.

Office fitouts are a big investment — whether you're relocating, upgrading or rethinking your workplace strategy. And while cost is always front of mind, cutting corners often ends up costing more in the long run. The good news? There are smart, strategic ways to save money on your office fitout without sacrificing quality, functionality or aesthetic impact.

Here’s how we approach it at PALM Projects, and how you can too (with the help of us, of course #wink).

1. Start With Strategy, Not Sketches

The earlier we’re brought in, the more value we can offer. One of the biggest cost mistakes we see is businesses jumping straight into design or leasing decisions without a clear workplace strategy.

We always start by asking:

• How does your team work now — and how will that evolve in 12 to 24 months?

• How often are people in the office?

• What spaces are actually being used?

Understanding the function of your space before locking in layouts or square metre commitments is key to avoiding overdesign and underuse. In many cases, we've helped clients reduce their required footprint by 10 –30%, purely by thinking differently about how space is used.

2. Leverage Hybrid to Reduce Space Requirements

Hybrid work is here to stay. But not everyone is adjusting their physical space to reflect that reality.

If your team is working on a rotation or split-week model, you may not need as many individual desks as you once did. Instead, we can reallocate that area to more flexible, shared spaces—collaboration zones, quiet rooms, or hot desk hubs. Less desks = less furniture, less real estate, and ultimately, less cost.

We recently worked with a professional services firm where we reduced their floorplate by 20% while improving the employee experience. It’s not just about saving money — it’s about making the space work harder for you.

3. Design Efficient Layouts (That Don’t Feel Cheap)

Not all design decisions carry equal weight—or equal cost. Simple layout efficiencies can save thousands.

For example:

• Keeping plumbing in the same location rather than moving kitchens or bathrooms

• Avoiding extensive glazing by strategically placing enclosed rooms near natural light

• Designing open plan zones around existing services to minimise rerouting HVAC or sprinklers

These kinds of decisions don’t diminish the user experience — they just eliminate unnecessary spend. A smart layout allows for future growth, gives your team what they need, and minimises waste.

4. Select Materials for Impact, Not Just Aesthetic

It’s easy to fall in love with premium finishes. But in reality, there’s almost always a more cost-effective alternative that looks and performs just as well, and the good news is, we know lots about finishes!

We work closely with suppliers to recommend durable, budget-conscious materials that deliver the look and feel our clients want, without the premium price tag. Think engineered timber-look vinyl instead of solid timber, or acoustic panels that double as design features.

We’ll also consider lifecycle cost — not just upfront spend. There’s no point installing something cheap that needs replacing in two years. Balance is key.

5. Don’t Overlook Value Engineering (the Smart Kind)

Value engineering gets a bad rap - but when done properly, it’s a game changer.

It’s not about downgrading or stripping back. It’s about finding smarter, more efficient ways to achieve the same outcome. Sometimes that’s a layout tweak. Other times, it’s optimising joinery design, switching materials, or removing redundant features.

At PALM, we proactively run value engineering reviews before the construction phase. It means fewer surprises, clearer cost control, and peace of mind that the end result will meet expectations — without blowing the budget.

6. Choose the Right Partner (Not Just the Cheapest)

Finally, your builder or D&C partner makes a massive difference. Look for someone with the right experience at your scale — someone who understands where to push for savings and where not to cut corners.

We’ve seen too many clients come to us after a painful experience with low-cost providers who lacked the systems, experience or transparency to deliver. You need a team that’s commercially savvy, solutions-focused, and accountable from start to finish - that's us every day of the week (a little bit less on the weekend as we'll probably be at the beach!).

Final Thoughts

A quality fitout doesn’t have to mean a premium price tag. With the right strategy, efficient design, smart material choices, and an experienced team, you can create a space that performs brilliantly —without breaking the bank.

At PALM Projects, we’re all about building smarter: fitouts that balance cost, quality, and experience. If you’re planning a move, a refurb, or a rethink, we’d love to chat.

Need a ballpark budget? Download our Cost Guide To Commercial Spaces to see what your project could cost in 2025, based on real, current market data.