A full fit-out project in Bucharest, including all interior works across various specialties, building management systems, furniture, audio-video equipment, professional services and contingency costs is being budgeted at an average of €1,077 per sqm. Depending on the complexity of projects, materials and solutions used, as well as how the space is delivered to the tenant, fit-out budgets can range from approximately €800 per sqm to nearly €1,600 per sqm.

Andrei Ianculescu, Head of Project & Development Services at Cushman & Wakefield Echinox, said: "After a period of cost volatility, we are noticing a relative stabilisation. However, labour remains the main source of pressure in fit-out budgets along with delivery schedules for materials and equipment. At the same time, companies are calibrating their investments toward more efficient, sustainable, and better-equipped spaces, so fit-out decisions are increasingly made based on the total occupancy cost, not just on the initial investment."

In 2025, fit-out budgets were shaped by a mix of market and economic factors, with higher labour and materials costs continuing to weigh on project budgets. While wage growth is expected to decelerate, labour remains the main driver pushing costs up. Moreover, even though prices for materials have partially stabilised, inflationary pressure is still visible in overall project budgets.

Sustainability requirements are another cost factor. Investments in energy-efficient solutions and ESG-aligned upgrades can raise upfront fit-out costs, but they aim to reduce operating expenses over time. Geopolitical volatility and macroeconomic uncertainty have also kept many occupiers cautious, adding pressure on delivery schedules and on the labour component of fit-out projects.