The value of the office has been reevaluated globally, identifying a particular focus on quality and flexibility in the U.S. and Canada. Increased emphasis on structured policies and encouraging in-office attendance in 2025 continues to drive many corporate occupiers to create high-quality office spaces that enhance employee experience and performance.

While the current economic climate may encourage cautious decision-making, forward-thinking companies focused on growth and expansion continue to invest strategically in office fit-outs. These investments aim to support long-term goals and capitalize on potential benefits in the coming months.

Our U.S. and Canada Office Fit-Out Cost Guide 2025 provides crucial insights into market trends and cost drivers to inform capital planning and office fit-out strategies in this dynamic environment.

Understanding costs in key cities can be critical to portfolio CAPEX planning and the implementation of corporate design requirements across regional locations. To understand the relative costs between cities, moderate-style medium- quality office fit-outs have been assessed against their respective national averages.

The U.S. cost landscape in 2025 is characterized by considerable uncertainty due to ongoing trade tensions and evolving policies. The costs presented in this guide reflect Q1 2025 data. Overall costs are likely to evolve at an accelerated pace in 2025 due to uncertainty. While the extent of these changes remains unclear, they may be unavoidable or disproportionate for some goods and trades.

Trade uncertainty carries extensive implications that complicate the balance between short-term impacts and long-term needs for businesses. Ongoing trade tensions may lead to longer-term shifts in supply chains and material sourcing, potentially affecting fit-out costs beyond immediate price increases. Further, any rebalancing of domestic industries could significantly shift broader CRE needs, creating supply and demand challenges for local office markets.

In this climate of uncertainty, close collaboration with project teams is crucial. Regular monitoring of policy developments and consideration of flexible budgeting strategies can help accommodate potential cost fluctuations not captured by this research at publication. Ongoing reassessment of material choices and sourcing options may be necessary to address changing project costs and requirements.

Early and continued engagement with project delivery teams and supply chains will be vital in 2025 to effectively manage fit-out projects and future-proof long term capital planning.