What the fit-out manual will require
Every Mumbai commercial building issues one. Before we price anything, we read it — because it determines cost and programme more than the design does.
- Drawing submissions for architectural, electrical, HVAC, fire and sprinkler layouts, each with its own approval cycle.
- Mandated vendors for fire detection, sprinkler modification, and sometimes HVAC tie-ins and façade work — at building-set rates.
- Interest-free deposit, refundable on clean handover and compliance with debris and damage rules.
- Working hours, typically restricting noisy work to nights or weekends in occupied towers.
- Material movement — service lift slots, loading bay windows, and a ban on passenger-lift use for materials.
- Worker compliance — ID cards, police verification in some buildings, and site safety requirements.
The deposit comes back when the building is satisfied, not when you think you have finished. Snagging is a commercial activity in Mumbai.
Greenbox fit-out lead
Design and build under one accountable roof
Programme: where Mumbai weeks disappear
| Stage | Typical duration | How we compress it |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord drawing approval | 2 – 4 weeks | Submit during detailed design, not after |
| Mandated vendor scheduling | 1 – 3 weeks | Book at approval stage, not at first fix |
| Civil & partitions | 2 – 4 weeks | Night shifts where permitted |
| MEP first fix | 3 – 5 weeks | Run in parallel zones rather than sequentially |
| Ceilings, finishes, joinery | 3 – 6 weeks | Off-site joinery fabrication |
| Testing, snag, handover | 1 – 2 weeks | Rolling snag per zone, not one at the end |
Selected work by Greenbox Design Studio. Tap any image to enlarge.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an office fit-out cost per sq ft in Mumbai?+
₹1,220–₹1,840 for a basic warm-shell office, ₹2,130–₹3,190 for mid-specification and ₹3,140–₹4,700 high-specification — our own bands, drawn from Mumbai fit-outs we have billed and completed and held at October 2026 prices. Cushman & Wakefield's 2026 benchmark of ₹6,567 per sq ft for a fully collaborative hybrid workplace is a published market figure, not our rate. Bare shell adds ₹600–₹1,200 per sq ft.
How long does landlord approval take in Mumbai?+
Typically two to four weeks from submission, longer in Grade-A towers with multiple consultant sign-offs. We submit during detailed design so approval runs in parallel rather than delaying site start.
What is a fit-out deposit and is it refundable?+
An interest-free security deposit held by the landlord against damage to the base build and non-compliance with fit-out rules. It is refundable on clean handover, which is why thorough snagging and proper debris removal have direct commercial value.
Do you work night shifts?+
Yes. In occupied Grade-A towers, noisy work is often permitted only at night or on weekends. Night labour carries a premium of roughly 15–25%, but it is frequently the only way to meet a lease commencement date.
Can you take over a stalled fit-out from another contractor?+
Yes, though we insist on a full condition survey and a re-baselined programme first. Taking over mid-project without auditing what has actually been built and tested is how a second contractor inherits the first one's problems.