FAQ Page

Q: What does Cape Interiors actually do?
Cape Interiors is a quote coordination service. We are not a contractor or a design firm. When you contact us with a project brief, we share it with vetted commercial contractors and designers in our network. Each one prepares an independent quote. You receive up to 3 quotes, compare them, and choose who to work with. There is no obligation and no cost to you.

Q: Is this service free?
Yes. You pay nothing to receive quotes through Cape Interiors. The contractors in our network operate under a referral arrangement that funds the service. You are not charged at any point in the process.

Q: How many quotes will I receive?
Up to 3 independent quotes, depending on contractor availability and the scope of your project. We always aim for 3 so you have a meaningful comparison. Each contractor prepares their quote separately — they do not see each other’s pricing.

Q: How long does it take to receive quotes?
Typically 5 to 10 working days from the time we receive a clear project brief. Simpler projects with well-defined scope come back faster. Larger or more complex projects may take a few days longer as contractors assess the requirements properly.

Q: Do I have to use one of the contractors you recommend?
No. You are under no obligation to proceed with any of the quotes you receive. If none of them work for your project, timeline, or budget, that is a valid outcome. You have lost nothing but a few minutes filling in a brief.

Q: Why should I use Cape Interiors instead of finding a contractor myself?
Finding commercial renovation contractors in Cape Town takes time, and you have no easy way to know who is reputable, who is currently available, or whether the price you are being given is competitive. We have been working with commercial contractors across Cape Town for over 15 years. We know who delivers consistently. You get the benefit of that without having to build it yourself.

Q: What does an office renovation typically include?
Scope varies by project, but common elements include: partition removal or installation, flooring replacement or restoration, ceiling tile replacement and suspended ceiling work, lighting upgrades, electrical modifications, painting and surface finishes, kitchen and bathroom upgrades, reception and boardroom refurbishments, and branded feature walls or signage. Your project may involve one of these or all of them.

Q: How much does an office renovation cost in Cape Town?
Costs vary significantly based on the size of the space, the level of finish, what structural work is required, and the current condition of the space. As a rough guide: a basic refresh typically runs R500 to R800 per square metre; a mid-range commercial fit-out is usually R1,500 to R3,000 per square metre; premium finishes and complex layouts go higher. Getting 3 independent quotes is the most reliable way to understand what your specific project will cost. One quote gives you a number. Three quotes give you context.

Q: What is the difference between a renovation and a fit-out?
A fit-out usually refers to the initial configuration of a new or empty space — installing partitions, ceilings, flooring, and building services so the space becomes usable. A renovation refers to updating or reconfiguring an existing fitted space. In practice, many projects are a combination of both. The terms are frequently used interchangeably in the Cape Town commercial property market, so it is worth confirming with any contractor exactly what their quote covers.

Q: What is a Category A and Category B fit-out?
A Category A fit-out brings a bare shell to a basic functional standard — raised floors, suspended ceilings, basic lighting, mechanical and electrical services, and toilets. It is usually completed by the landlord or developer. A Category B fit-out is the tenant’s fit-out — everything that makes the space usable for a specific business: partitions, meeting rooms, reception, kitchen, AV, furniture, branding, and finishes. Most businesses engaging Cape Interiors are looking for Category B work, or a combination of both.

Q: How long does an office renovation take?
Duration depends on the scope and size of the project. A basic refresh of a small office can be completed in 2 to 4 weeks. A full fit-out of a larger space typically takes 6 to 12 weeks once construction starts. Planning, design, approvals, and lead times for materials add time before the build begins. For most mid-sized projects, allow 3 to 5 months from brief to handover. Your contractors will include timelines in their quotes.

Q: When is the right time to renovate an office?
There is no fixed rule. Common triggers include: moving into a new space that needs fitting out, a team that has outgrown the current layout, clients visiting the office more regularly and the space not reflecting the business, staff reluctance to return to the office, or simply not having updated the space in 7 or more years. Any of these is a reasonable reason to start.

Q: Do I need to vacate the office during renovation?
Not always. For smaller or phased projects, work can often be done in sections while parts of the office remain operational. For full fit-outs or extensive structural work, a full vacate is usually safer and faster. Your contractor will advise based on the specific scope. This is worth raising in your brief so quotes reflect whether phased delivery is required.

Q: What are professional fees, and are they included in quotes?
Professional fees cover services like architectural drawings, structural engineering assessments, or municipal permit applications. Some contractors include these in their quotes; others price them separately. When you receive quotes through Cape Interiors, check whether professional fees are listed in the scope. If they are not, ask. Fees that are left out of initial quotes are one of the most common sources of budget overruns on commercial renovation projects.

Q: Do I need council approval for an office renovation?
It depends on the nature of the work. Cosmetic changes — painting, flooring, furniture — do not require council approval. Structural changes, alterations to the fire protection system, changes to plumbing or major electrical work, and anything affecting the building envelope usually do. Your contractor or architect will advise on what approvals are needed for your specific scope. Skipping required approvals can create problems at lease end or during building inspections.

Q: What is the best way to brief a contractor for an office renovation?
The more specific your brief, the more accurate and comparable your quotes will be. Useful information to include: the size of the space in square metres, the current condition of the space (white box, grey box, or existing fit-out), what you want changed and why, your headcount and how the team uses the space, your budget range if you have one, and your timeline. You do not need all of this before contacting us — we can help you structure the brief.

Q: What is office space planning?
Space planning is the process of deciding how a floor plate will be used. It determines where teams sit, where meeting rooms go, how people move through the space, where storage is located, and how the space handles growth or change over time. A good space plan is built around how your team actually works, not around a standard template.

Q: Do I need a space plan before I renovate?
Yes, in most cases. A space plan defines the layout before any construction begins. It determines where walls go, where services need to be extended, and what the final configuration will look like. Getting the layout right before building starts prevents costly changes mid-construction. If you are spending money on a renovation, a space plan first is a sound investment.

Q: Can space planning be included in the renovation quote?
Yes. When you submit your brief through Cape Interiors, you can request that space planning be included as part of each contractor’s scope. Some contractors have in-house space planning capability; others partner with designers. Either way, it can be priced as part of your fit-out quote.

Q: What is office reinstatement?
Reinstatement — also called make-good — is the process of returning a leased office space to its original condition at the end of a lease. Most commercial leases in South Africa include this obligation. It typically means removing any alterations made during the tenancy, restoring walls, ceilings, and flooring to their original state, and ensuring all building services are in working order as per the original handover condition.

Q: What happens if I do not reinstate my office at lease end?
Your landlord can carry out the reinstatement work themselves and deduct the cost from your deposit. If the cost exceeds your deposit, you may be liable for the difference. The work done by a landlord-appointed contractor is rarely cheaper than work you source yourself — and you have no control over the scope or standard. It is always better to manage reinstatement yourself, with your own contractors.

Q: When should I start planning reinstatement?
3 to 6 months before your lease end date, at minimum. Contractors in high-demand areas like Century City, Claremont, and the Cape Town CBD book out quickly. Leaving it to the final month creates time pressure that increases costs and reduces quality. If you are also moving into a new space simultaneously, the timeline pressure is even greater.

Q: What does reinstatement work typically cover?
Common reinstatement work includes: removal of partitions installed during the tenancy, removal of built-in furniture, shelving, and branded elements, patching and repainting walls to the original specification, replacing or restoring ceiling tiles, flooring restoration or replacement, reversing electrical modifications, restoring plumbing for kitchenettes or additional bathrooms, and reversing HVAC changes. The exact scope is determined by comparing the current state of the space against the original handover condition documented in your lease.

Q: How much does office reinstatement cost?
Reinstatement costs depend on what alterations were made during the tenancy and the size of the space. Minor alterations in a small office may cost R30,000 to R80,000. Extensive fit-outs in larger spaces can run to several hundred thousand rand. Getting competitive quotes early gives you time to budget accurately and avoid surprises.

Q: Can I get quotes for both reinstatement and my new office fit-out at the same time?
Yes, and it makes sense to do so. Reinstatement and relocation often happen in the same window. We can source quotes for both through Cape Interiors, giving you a clearer picture of your total transition cost and simplifying coordination between the two projects.

Q: What is a white box office space?
A white box space has been finished to a basic, neutral standard by the landlord — painted walls, a suspended ceiling, basic lighting, and functional mechanical and electrical services. It is ready for a tenant’s Category B fit-out. The term is not always precise: every landlord interprets white box slightly differently, so it is worth confirming exactly what is included before signing a lease.

Q: What is a grey box office space?
A grey box space is less finished than a white box — typically a bare concrete shell with core building services in place but no ceiling, no finishes, and no internal configuration. It requires more extensive work before it is occupiable, and your fit-out cost will be higher as a result. Grey box spaces offer more flexibility for customisation but come with a longer and more expensive fit-out process.

Q: What is the difference between white box and grey box?
White box is finished to a basic habitable standard — ceilings, lighting, painted walls, services connected. Grey box is a shell with services roughed in but no finishes. Both require a Category B fit-out before they are usable as an office, but a white box requires significantly less work and cost. Your fit-out quote will differ materially depending on which starting point you have.