What Affects the Cost of a Restaurant Fit-Out in London?

Introduction

Two restaurants of the same size can cost very different amounts to fit out. The difference rarely comes from the furniture or the finishes alone. It usually comes from the building, the kitchen and the landlord. These are the factors that matter most.

What the Unit Comes With

A unit handed over as a bare shell needs everything: floors, walls, ceilings, services and toilets. A former restaurant may already have extract routes, drainage and gas or power supplies you can reuse. Ask early what the landlord is providing and survey what is already there.

Kitchen Extract & Ventilation

This is often the biggest single item. The route for the kitchen extract to reach the roof, the length of ductwork, odour control and fire-rated enclosures all add cost. Concepts with cooking at the table, such as Korean or Japanese BBQ, need extract at every table as well.

Power, Gas, Water & Drainage

Restaurants use a lot of power. If the existing supply is too small, an upgrade can affect both cost and programme. Grease traps, new drainage runs and gas safety work also vary a great deal from one building to another.

Fire Safety & Building Control

Sprinklers, fire alarms, fire-rated walls and ceilings, and escape routes must all work with your layout. In shopping centres and mixed-use buildings these connect to the landlord's systems, which needs extra coordination.

Landlord Requirements

Shopping centres and estates often set standards for shopfronts, materials, working hours and contractor procedures. Night working, restricted deliveries and the landlord's own engineers add to the cost of the works, so read the tenant pack before you set your budget.

Design, Finishes & Joinery

Bespoke joinery, feature lighting, natural stone and specialist finishes make a strong impression but take longer to make and install. A clear design brief helps you spend where guests notice it most.

Kitchen & Bar Equipment

Whether you buy new equipment, lease it or reuse existing kit changes the budget considerably. The kitchen layout also drives the services needed behind it.

Programme

A shorter programme can mean more people on site, out-of-hours working and faster deliveries. Planning approvals and long-lead items early is the simplest way to avoid paying extra to make up time.

Getting an Accurate Price

At LCC we plan first and price second. We survey the unit, review the landlord's requirements and agree the design and your choices on kitchen, services and finishes before we give a construction price. That way the price reflects what will actually be built, and there are fewer surprises once work starts. Book a site visit with our team.