What an office build-out costs per square foot in Palm Beach County (2026)
The first question every relocating company asks. These are directional 2026 ranges for the Palm Beach County market - what real bids look like - to sanity-check a lease before you sign it.
Directional market ranges reviewed September 2026. Construction pricing moves with labor and materials; confirm against current bids.
The ranges
| Scope | What it means | Directional $/sf (Palm Beach County, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | Paint, carpet, minor electrical, no layout change | $28 - $55 |
| Second-generation office build-out | New layout in an existing office shell: walls, doors, finishes, standard MEP modifications | $80 - $135 |
| Full shell build-out (office) | Raw or cold shell to finished office: full HVAC distribution, electrical, plumbing, finishes | $130 - $195 |
| Retail fit-out | Second-gen retail with storefront work, lighting, fitting rooms, POS infrastructure | $95 - $170 |
| Restaurant | Kitchen, hood, grease interceptor, health-department-grade finishes | $185 - $375+ |
| Medical / dental | Exam rooms, added plumbing, imaging shielding or medical gas where needed | $160 - $285+ |
| Bank / financial branch | Vault or ATM infrastructure, higher security and finish standards | $210 - $375+ |
What moves a project within a range
- Shell condition. New West Palm Beach towers deliver cold shell; suburban Boca and Delray inventory is mostly second-gen. The difference is $50+/sf before finishes.
- MEP share. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing is where budgets live. Layouts that reuse existing diffusers, panels, and wet walls save 20-30%.
- Building rules. Tower work rules - night shifts, freight windows, approved subs - add labor cost that suburban parks do not carry.
- Municipal review layers. Boca's design standards, Delray's historic overlays, and Palm Beach Gardens' detailed build-out checklist each shape schedule and soft costs.
- Code triggers. Change of use, occupancy load, and accessibility upgrades add unbudgeted scope. Read the change-of-use guide.
Costs people forget
- Design and engineering: typically 6-10% of construction cost for interiors.
- Permit and review fees: commonly 1-3% of project value all-in, varying by municipality.
- Low-voltage, security, furniture, moving - almost never in the GC's number.
- Downtown parking for staff and customers.
Use this correctly
Multiply the midpoint by your square footage, compare against the TI allowance on the table, and know your gap before you negotiate. When you are ready for a real number, request a 48-hour budget range with the form below.
Featured build-out partner
Shiff Construction & Development
Shiff Construction & Development, Inc. is a Fort Lauderdale commercial general contractor that has delivered office, retail, restaurant, medical, bank-branch, and municipal build-outs across South Florida since 1989. We feature Shiff because their project record in Broward and Palm Beach counties is long and verifiable, and because they answer the phone.
Send plans or a space brochure and get a realistic budget range back in 48 hours - before you sign a lease, not after. Call (561) 555-0117 or use the form below.
Get a build-out budget range in 48 hours
Tell us about the space and the move. You will also get the Palm Beach County permit and timeline checklist (PDF) - the same one we hand to partners planning an opening.
Prefer to talk? (561) 555-0117. Already have the checklist? Download the Palm Beach County permit & timeline checklist (PDF).