A standard Adelaide retail or cafe fit-out from key handover to first trade typically takes 6-10 weeks. Office fit-outs in commercial buildings follow a similar window but spend more time on services rough-in. Adelaide CBD heritage shopfronts add 2-4 weeks for council and heritage approvals.
Week 1-2: Pre-construction
Final design lock-down. Build sequence agreed with all trades. Council development consent confirmed. Building consent lodged where required. Long-lead items (custom joinery, commercial appliances, refrigeration) ordered.
Week 3-4: Strip-out + services rough-in
Demo of existing fittings. Floor leveling and substrate prep. Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC rough-in. Data and security cabling. Compliance items (sprinkler upgrades, exit signs, emergency lighting) addressed early.
Week 5-6: Build + finishes
Wall construction and partitioning. Joinery install (counter, cabinetry, fixtures). Tiling, flooring, and painting. Glazing where required.
Week 7-8: Fit-off + sign-off
Final fixture install. Refrigeration commissioning for cafes/restaurants. Electrical and plumbing fit-off and Certificates of Compliance. Council final inspection. Cleaning and handover.
The four bottlenecks that delay Adelaide fit-outs
- 01Council development consent — application errors and incomplete submissions add 2-4 weeks. Use a consultant who knows the council, especially for heritage shopfronts
- 02Long-lead joinery — custom counters and cabinetry can take 6-8 weeks. Order before strip-out, not during
- 03Trade sequencing failures when each trade is hired separately — Briks runs everything under one coordinator
- 04Compliance discovery during build — sprinkler upgrades, fire-rated glazing, accessibility ramps. Pre-construction audit catches these before they become urgent