Start with Headcount, Not Furniture
Most office fit-outs fail because furniture is ordered before space planning is done. Start with: how many people on day one, how many in 12 months, and what team adjacencies matter. Everything else follows.
Workstation Density Standards
- Dense open plan (IT/BPO): 60–75 sq ft per person
- Standard open plan (corporate): 80–100 sq ft per person
- Creative/agency: 100–120 sq ft per person
- Executive cabin: 180–250 sq ft
- Conference room (per seat): 25–35 sq ft
Partition Options and When to Use Them
Frameless Glass Partitions
Best for: CEO/MD cabins, boardrooms, and client-facing areas. Creates visual openness while providing acoustic separation. 12mm toughened glass with spider fittings is the current premium standard.
Aluminium Framed Partitions
Best for: general office division, cost-sensitive projects. Accepts glass, gypsum, or solid panels. Demountable — important if you may need to reconfigure.
Gypsum/Drywall Partitions
Best for: permanent walls, server rooms, and high-acoustic areas. Not demountable — don't use where reconfiguration is likely.
Budget Per Seat (Chennai 2024)
| Fit-Out Level | Per Seat Budget | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | ₹18,000–₹28,000 | Workstation, chair, overhead locker |
| Mid-range | ₹30,000–₹50,000 | Above + partitions, reception, meeting table |
| Premium | ₹55,000–₹90,000 | Above + glass cabins, feature reception, branding wall |
| Luxury | ₹90,000+ | Full design, premium materials, AV integration |
Timeline Expectations
- Space planning and design sign-off: 1–2 weeks
- Material procurement and factory production: 3–5 weeks
- Installation: 1–3 weeks depending on size
- Snagging and handover: 2–5 days
- Total realistic timeline: 6–10 weeks from confirmed order