Commercial fit-outs transform your space, but only when they’re done right. Preparing a new office? Revamping a retail unit? Rolling out a full-scale refurb across multiple locations? The fit-out stage is where all the planning comes to fruition.
However, it’s also where costly mistakes can creep in.
From unclear specifications to skipping over the fine details, there are a few pitfalls we see time and time again in the industry. The good news is that they're avoidable with the right planning and the right team behind you.
Here are five common mistakes to steer clear of in your next commercial fit-out project, and how to get it right from the start.
1. Rushing the planning stage
In the rush to get boots on the ground and the job finished quickly, it’s easy to skim over the details at the beginning. However, in commercial fit-out work, the planning stage is where the whole project either succeeds or starts to unravel.
One of the biggest issues we see is a lack of coordination between trades. Without clear timelines, drawings or handover points, things can quickly become chaotic on site. Painters and decorators might be scheduled in before boarding or partitions are fully installed. Joiners might arrive to find key measurements have changed. Delays pile up, and costs start creeping in.
How to avoid it:
Get everyone involved from day one. Bring your commercial decorating contractors, joiners and other trades together early to review the plans, flag issues and raise questions.
A good contractor won’t just “follow instructions”, they’ll bring valuable insight and problem-solving ideas that save time and money down the line.
Because Intertech Contracts is a full-service decorating contractor, it means we supply and project manage multiple trades. When you work with us, we can take a lot of the planning stage off your hands.
2. Overlooking building compliance and safety
It sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how often fire safety or accessibility gets pushed aside in the design process. Whether it’s incorrect placement of fire doors or not meeting building control standards, cutting corners here can lead to serious consequences, financially and legally.
Fit-out projects are about more than just how a space looks. They need to meet strict regulations across safety, access and energy performance. This is especially critical in public buildings or high-traffic commercial sites.
How to avoid it:
Work with a team that understands compliance from the ground up. At Intertech, for example, we don’t just install fire doors, we also carry out inspections and help you stay compliant long after the doors are in. That level of service matters when the stakes are high.
3. Treating painting and decorating as an afterthought
It might come at the end of the schedule, but commercial painting and decorating isn’t just a finishing touch, it’s what ties the entire project together. Unfortunately, it's often left to the last minute, with limited time or budget allocated to get it done well.
This is when you start seeing mismatched paint finishes, poor surface prep and decorators struggling to work around other trades. The result is often a fit-out that looks rushed and doesn’t reflect the quality of the brand or space.
How to avoid it:
Plan for decoration from the outset. Involve painters and decorators in the timeline and make sure they have the right conditions to do their best work, not just what's left over. A professional commercial decorating contractor will help you choose the right products and finishes for durability, brand consistency and long-term performance.
4. Ignoring the importance of joinery and details
Joinery is one of those areas that often gets underestimated in commercial fit-outs. But the quality of your doors, skirting, frames and trims plays a big role in how polished and professional the space feels. It also affects functionality. Badly fitted doors or uneven surfaces can cause problems for years to come.
We’ve seen projects where poor joinery work led to ongoing snags, last-minute fixes and rework. All issues that could have been avoided with proper planning and craftsmanship from the beginning.
How to avoid it:
Use experienced trades who take pride in the details. Joinery isn’t just about the woodwork. It’s about understanding how all the elements of a room come together. At Intertech, our team works hand-in-hand with professional joiners to make sure finishes are clean, consistent and built to last.
5. Choosing price over quality
Budget is always a factor, especially in commercial projects where every penny counts. However, going for the cheapest option can often cost more in the long run. Poor workmanship, lack of site coordination and corners being cut all lead to delays, complaints and redos.
This is particularly true with commercial painting and decorating. It might look fine on handover day, but fast forward six months and you’ll start to see bubbling, flaking or inconsistent finishes that reflect back on your business.
How to avoid it:
Choose a contractor with a proven track record, clear communication and a hands-on project management approach. A commercial decorating contractor like Intertech Contracts will spot problems before they happen, offer better solutions and leave you with a space you’re proud to put your name to.
Work with a team that gets it right the first time
Avoiding these mistakes sets your project up for long-term success. At Intertech Contracts, we’ve worked on commercial fit-outs across offices, healthcare settings, education buildings and beyond. Our integrated approach means painting, decorating, joinery, fire safety and partitions are all handled under one roof, by one experienced team that knows how to deliver on time and on budget.
Get in touch with Intertech Contracts today to discuss your next project.
