Question 1

What's involved in a commercial fitout?

Accepted Answer

Depending on scope: demolition of the existing space, structural carpentry, partitioning, ceilings, electrical (light and power rough-in, data, comms), plumbing for any new wet areas, mechanical services coordination, joinery, painting, flooring, fixtures and fit-off. We've done hospitality (cafes, restaurants), retail (small shops through to medium-format), commercial offices, healthcare and aged care fitouts. Because we run multiple trades in-house, we can package most of the scope through one quote rather than coordinating with a separate plumber, sparky, carpenter and tiler.

Question 2

Can you work to a tenant's design package, or do you take the design too?

Accepted Answer

Both. Most of our fitouts come through with the tenant's designer or architect already engaged — we work from the drawings, BCA, and any landlord's fit-out guide. For smaller scopes (a hairdresser, a clinic, a corner retailer), we can do the design through to delivery as a single contract, either with an in-house plan or via a designer we partner with. Tell us what stage you're at when you reach out.

Question 3

How do you handle the landlord's fit-out approval process?

Accepted Answer

We've done this enough times to know what the major Brisbane shopping centres and landlords want in the package — landlord approvals, services drawings, fire compliance, after-hours work approvals, COC and certifications at handover. We submit what's needed and chase the approvals so the build doesn't stall waiting for paperwork.

Question 4

Can you handle a tight turnaround between tenancies?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and we'll be honest about what's actually possible. A typical small fitout (a cafe, a clinic, a small retail tenancy) is usually 4–8 weeks once permits are in and lead-time items are ordered. Larger scopes are longer. Acceleration (night and weekend work, two-shift labour) is on the table when the cost makes sense for the tenant or landlord. We'll quote both the straight build and the accelerated path so the trade-off is on the page.

Question 5

Do you do mechanical, fire and HVAC, or just the trades you run?

Accepted Answer

We run plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting and finishes in-house. Mechanical/HVAC, fire services and structural engineering we sub-contract to specialists we've worked with for years — but they sit under our head-contract, so the tenant only signs one contract and only calls one project lead. That's usually preferable to managing four separate trades on a tight site.

Question 6

What aftercare do you provide after handover?

Accepted Answer

Standard defects liability period is included in every fitout contract — we'll come back and fix anything that's our work for the agreed period. After that, many of our commercial clients move to a preventative-maintenance plan (HVAC service, electrical safety testing, plumbing checks, general handyman) so the tenancy keeps running smoothly. Same business, same contact, same standard.

Question 7

Are you insured for commercial work, and do you have a head-contractor's licence?

Accepted Answer

Yes — public liability insurance to the level required by Brisbane shopping centres and commercial landlords, and the QBCC head-contractor's licence (QBCC: 15129925) that lets us legally hold a fitout contract above the residential-only threshold. We'll send copies of both with the quote so the tenant rep or landlord's project manager can verify it before we start.

Commercial Fitout Case Studies

Commercial Fitout Case Studies by RTL Trades.

Plumbing

Electrical

Roofing

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