What Does a Retail Fit-Out Include?
Retail fit-outs are judged on one date. Whole House Renovation delivered a Yorkville retail flagship with landlord approvals in a 10-week window and hit the deadline. Scope covers landlord design criteria and drawings, permits, long-lead millwork and signage coordination, night work in malls, storefront glass, architectural lighting and turnover deficiencies. Retail fit-outs typically run $80K-$350K.
A typical retail fit-out includes:
- Storefront: new glazing, entrance doors with barrier-free hardware and signage blocking.
- Interior build: demising walls, sprinkler head relocation, electrical and data.
- Display: custom millwork, shelving, cash wrap and fitting rooms.
- Lighting: architectural track and accent lighting designed around your product.
- Flooring: porcelain tile, LVT or polished concrete for high traffic, $4-$12/sqft.
- Back of house: stockroom, staff room and AODA-compliant washroom.
Types of Retail Projects
Flagship stores
High-visibility stores like our Yorkville flagship: custom millwork throughout, stone details, architectural lighting and a storefront that stops people on the sidewalk.
Boutiques and street retail
Smaller stores on streets like Queen West, Ossington or Lakeshore Road in Oakville, where the storefront and one or two signature pieces of millwork carry the brand.
Mall units
Work under mall contractor rules, usually at night behind hoarding.
Showrooms
Product showrooms with display lighting and meeting areas, often combined with office space. See office renovation.
How Much Does a Retail Fit-Out Cost in Toronto?
| Scope | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Boutique / small format | $80K-$160K |
| Flagship store | $160K-$350K |
| Commercial flooring | $4-$12/sqft |
Main cost drivers are the amount of custom millwork, storefront changes, lighting design and how much work must happen at night.
The Retail Fit-Out Timeline
| Week | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | Site walk, criteria review, design drawings, landlord submission |
| 2-4 | Landlord approval, permit filed, long-lead items ordered |
| 4-9 | Demolition, rough-ins, sprinklers, flooring, lighting, millwork install |
| 9-10 | Storefront and signage, deficiencies, turnover |
Ordering millwork and glass during approvals is what keeps a 10-week schedule realistic.
When Does a Store Need a New Fit-Out?
- A new lease or relocation.
- A rebrand or new store concept.
- Worn floors, outdated lighting or fixtures that no longer suit the product.
- Accessibility upgrades for entrances, counters or washrooms.
For multi-use projects see commercial renovation, part of our Toronto general contractor services for residential and commercial clients. Most of our retail work is in Central Toronto and along Highway 7 in Vaughan. Request a free written quote with your opening date.
