Top Office Design, Cost and Delivery Considerations for Law Firms

Law firms are under pressure to evolve. Rising client expectations, new technology and the shift towards hybrid working are reshaping what lawyers need from their workplaces. But legal offices are often rooted in tradition, with legacy layouts and outdated ways of working that no longer reflect how firms actually operate.

Left unaddressed, these environments can hinder collaboration, inflate running costs and make it harder to attract and retain top talent. In a market where reputation and performance are everything, the wrong workspace can quietly undermine both.

Planning an office refurbishment or fit out is therefore about more than aesthetics — it’s about building a resilient workplace strategy. This guide explores the key factors law firms must consider, from space planning and sustainability to change management and employee experience, so you can design a workplace that supports the future of legal practice.

Layout is a crucial point of consideration and a determining factor in the efficiency of your space. Consider how your staff uses your current space – what works well and what doesn’t? Do they have access to the right mix of working environments to support daily tasks? A great deal of productive workspace layouts can be adapted to suit the specific requirements of a legal company, so it’s important not to rule any out. Consider incorporating the following types of spaces in your fit out or refurbishment:

• Breakout spaces
• Amenities
• Agile meeting areas
• Phone booths
• Bookable offices
• Collaborative, open-plan workspace
• Bookable meeting rooms

Incorporating breakout spaces within your workplace design can enhance collaboration and teamwork by allowing opportunities for socialising and ideas sharing. Café style teapoints and informal meeting areas provide the homely elements employees have come to expect from new styles of working, without compromising your brand or professional environment.

The client also directly sets and manages the design and the budget parameters, after which contractors and sub-contractors bid to deliver the project. You’ll need to be aware of unrealistically low bids as they will have a negative impact on the quality of your new space.

Traditionally-procured projects tend to see inflated budgets as anything outside the tender specification is chargeable. Delivery times are longer and can be uncertain, particularly if the specification changes.

Design and build offers clients a turnkey solution with design, specification, consultancy, project management and construction services under one roof. Approximately 85% of interior fit out projects with a value under £5,000,000 are procured using design and build. This method has evolved to suit more complex projects as well, and is a common and competitive delivery method for projects 70,000 sq ft and higher.

One of the main advantages of D&B is that it provides 100% cost certainty as the client and contractor share the risk. This delivery method gives clients a single point of contact and accountability as a single contractor is responsible for the entire project. Design and build is efficient – typically 33% faster than traditional procurement – and lends itself well to rollouts, making it an advantageous option for law firms with multiple offices in the UK or internationally.

Based on current industry benchmarks, average office fit out costs in London range from £70 to £120 per sq ft for a standard specification and can exceed £150 per sq ft for high-quality, bespoke schemes. On top of this, we advise allowing a contingency of 5–10% of the project total to cover unforeseen changes during delivery. These figures highlight just how important it is to align your budget with your design vision and operational requirements from the outset.

• Building-related costs – rent, rates, service charges, building security, maintenance, running contracts, existing space dilapidations and stamp duty
• Advisory fees – commercial property agents, legal advice, cost consultants and environmental audits
• Capital expenditure – fit out and furniture costs, IT infrastructure and hardware, new AV systems, installation, training and telephone lines
• Logistical fees – mail redirection, move management, PR and marketing
• Soft costs – insurance, staff training and project contingency

While there’s no single answer to what your project will cost, understanding these variables early helps ensure your budget is both realistic and futureproof. For more detailed information on office fit out costs, speak to a member of our professional teams.