A representative turnkey fit-out project moves through brief and design (1-2 weeks), permitting (running in parallel), MEP and construction (4-8 weeks depending on scope), finishing (2-4 weeks), and handover — with a single project manager coordinating every stage under one contract.
Walking through a real project timeline end-to-end shows how the phases described elsewhere in this guide fit together in practice.
Week 0-2: Brief, Design and Permitting Kickoff
The client brief is translated into space plans and material selections, while permit applications are submitted in parallel to avoid them becoming the project's critical path.
Week 2-3: Procurement
Long-lead items — custom joinery, imported finishes, specific MEP equipment — are ordered as soon as design is confirmed, so they arrive in time for installation rather than delaying the finishing stage.
Week 3-8: MEP and Construction
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC and low-current systems are installed and inspected, followed by any partition or structural work, sequenced so each trade doesn't block the next unnecessarily.
Week 8-10: Finishing
Flooring, ceilings, paint, custom carpentry and fixture installation bring the space to substantial completion, with staged quality inspections at each step.
Week 10-11: Furniture and Handover
Furniture installation, a joint walkthrough to resolve punch-list items, and formal handover with warranty documentation close out the project.
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Roughly 10-11 weeks for a mid-size project, from initial brief to final handover, though this scales with size and complexity.
Long-lead items like custom joinery and imported finishes are ordered as soon as design is confirmed, to avoid delaying the finishing stage.