ENTERPRISE SOLU TION S
CONSTRUCTION COST REPORT STOBG ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS
Published by Enterprise Solutions Lead Author: Stephen Dennis Preconstruction Manager, Structure Tone Philadelphia
Commercial Interiors Market Data September 2026
Commercial Interiors Market Data | September 2026
Contents About STOBG Enterprise Solutions | Abstract
03
STOBG & Alliance Partner Locations
04
Methodology
05
Key Trade Cost Breakdowns
06
Commercial Interior Renovation Construction Costs
07
Regional Cost Breakdowns
08
Trade-Specific Breakout Costs
09
Conclusion
10
About Enterprise Solutions
Abstract
STOBG Enterprise Solutions reimagines the construction experience for enterprise clients with delivery models focused on collaboration, measurable impact, and predictable results. We thrive in repeat client work across multiple geographies.
STOBG actively engages with regional construction professionals to monitor cost and construction trends as they develop and seek to inform and connect with others in the commercial real estate industry so that we may all better understand the daily reality of our markets.
We leverage data-driven insights and a national network to streamline execution, enhance efficiency, and ensure consistent outcomes.
Through our global network of operating companies and Strategic Alliance Partners, STOBG collects and analyzes data from actual interior construction projects across our geographic platform to generate timely reports that represent the market as it stands.
Our flexible approach fosters lasting partnerships, helping clients achieve sustainable growth and maximize value.
This pricing data is captured from a variety of actual projects and not standardized benchmarks; it is intended only to inform and advise and not for specific planning purposes. For a deep dive, our team is here to support you.
Beth Moore
Stephen Dennis Preconstruction Manager Structure Tone, Philadelphia
Stephen.Dennis@structuretone.com
Senior Vice President Enterprise Solutions
Beth.Moore@STOBG.com
stobuildinggroup.com
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Commercial Interiors Market Data | September 2026
STOBG US OFFICE LOCATIONS Atlanta, GA Augusta, GA Austin, TX Bala Cynwyd, PA Boise, ID Boston, MA Charleston, SC Columbia, SC Dallas, TX Denver, CO Fairfield, NJ Fort Myers, FL Gainesville, FL Greenville, SC Honolulu, HI
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Houston, TX Irvine, CA Jacksonville, FL Lihue, HI Los Angeles, CA Mountain View, CA Nashville, TN New Haven, CT New York, NY Orlando, FL (2) Pasadena, CA Philadelphia, PA Phoenix, AZ Sacramento, CA Salt Lake City, UT
San Antonio, TX San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA San Jose, CA Sarasota, FL Seattle, WA Stamford, CT Tacoma, WA Tallahassee, FL Tampa, FL West Palm Beach, FL Woodbridge, NJ
STOBG INTERNATIONAL OFFICE LOCATIONS Calgary, Canada Edmonton, Canada Kitchener, Canada Toronto, Canada
Vancouver, Canada Amsterdam, Netherlands Dublin, Ireland Frankfurt, Germany London, United Kingdom
The following data represents median construction costs from actual projects under construction as well as recently procured interior fit-out projects spanning between Q1 and Q2 2026 by our family of builders within these specific locales. The data is normalized to an assumed 30,000 USF commercial interiors project in a central business district.
Methodology
‘High End’ values are assumed as Class A buildings with all MEPS run from a building core and include finishes such as stone flooring, specialty lighting, and veneer casework. ‘Medium End’ projects are assumed to be Class A/Class B new interiors within existing buildings, reuse existing perimeter heating, and more accurately reflect region median construction values. ‘Low End’ projects are based on building standard spec suites, Class B buildings, or projects that include higher levels of reuse of prior finishes, partitions, and MEPS. All pricing includes general contractor fees and staffing and assumes a Q2-2026 construction start (no escalation is included). Pricing does not include: design or consultant fees, commercial kitchen equipment, FF&E, security, AV and other low-voltage infrastructure, or any work outside of tenant interior space such as site work, foundations, roofing, fenestration, or building superstructure. STOBG understands that office design is an extension of an organization’s brand, values, and culture and that the spectrum of possible materials and inspiration changes and grows every day. Our indexing deliberately excludes ‘showcase’ and other significantly high-value spaces to prevent the skewing of average values. We hope this bulletin helps you understand the current cost trends and strategically plan your company’s growth into the upcoming quarters. Commercial Interiors Market Data presented in this report reflects information collected as of September 2026.
stobuildinggroup.com
05
Key Trade Cost Breakdowns
Commercial Interiors Market Data | September 2026
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FIGURE 1: The graph above represents average key trade cost breakdowns across major markets in the United States, Canada, London, and Dublin through Q2-2026. The subcontractor market’s desire to maintain backlog and tight competition for desirable projects has kept trade costs largely consistent for the past year. Post-COVID population flow continues to drive localized construction trends with cities throughout Texas, Colorado, Florida, and the Carolinas reporting not only aggressive TI markets, but also infrastructure, sports and entertainment, distribution, retail, and housing.
Commercial Interior
Renovation Construction Costs
FIGURE 2:
The graph above represents the typical range of costs for commercial tenant interior construction across major cities in North America, as well as select international markets, spanning Q1-Q2 2026. Construction costs continue to mirror the broader economic conditions in North America and Europe – modest general escalation with an increased sensitivity to fuel and transportation expenses. Aggressive competition among subcontractors, vendors, and distributors has had a damping effect on escalation as companies continue to seek build backlog as a hedge against uncertainty.
Fuel, transportation, and skilledlabor constraints remain key cost drivers, partially offset by aggressive subcontractor competition.
In markets with substantial industrial, medical, and mission critical construction, the skilled labor pool remains limited, increasing project cost and negatively impacting construction schedules.
stobuildinggroup.com
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Commercial Interiors Market Data | September 2026
Cost Per Usable Square Foot
Regional Cost Breakdowns
LOCATION
08
HIGH FINISH
MEDIUM FINISH
BUILDING STANDARD
PERMIT PROCESS
Albany, NY
$243 - $332
$158 - $242
$94 - $158
8 Weeks
Asheville, NC
$200 - $230
$150 - $200
$115 - $150
8-10 Weeks
Atlanta, GA
$260 - $344
$190 - $260
$150 - $190
4-8 Weeks
Austin, TX
$190 - $253
$135 - $190
$90 - $135
10-12 Weeks
Baltimore, MD
$175 - $245
$140 - $175
$110 - $140
12 Weeks
Boston, MA
$270 - $355
$210 - $270
$150 - $210
4 -6 Weeks
Boise, ID
$175 - $210
$150 - $175
$125 - $150
8 Weeks
Buffalo, NY
$243 - $295
$164 - $243
$96 - $164
8 Weeks
Charleston, SC
$256 - $318
$189 - $256
$138 - $189
6-8 Weeks
Charlotte, NC
$190 - $265
$150 - $190
$100 - $150
5-6 Weeks
Chicago, IL
$220 - $315
$185 - $220
$135 - $185
2-4 Weeks
Cleveland, OH
$225 - $315
$175 - $225
$125 - $175
3-4 Weeks
Columbus, OH
$230 - $325
$165 - $230
$125 - $165
2-4 Weeks
Dallas, TX
$235 - $315
$160 - $235
$115 - $160
6-8 Weeks
Denver, CO
$215 - $285
$155 - $215
$80 - $155
8 Weeks
Detroit, MI
$250 - $315
$195 - $250
$150 - $197
4-8 Weeks
Green Bay, WI
$175 - $195
$135 - $175
$90 - $135
4-6 Weeks
Hartford, CT
$250 - $330
$150 - $250
$120 - $175
4-6 Weeks
Houston, TX
$200 - $250
$135 - $200
$120 - $135
8-16 Weeks
Jacksonville, FL
$224 - $282
$157 - $224
$115 - $157
4-8 Weeks
Kansas City, MO
$256 - $302
$226 - $256
$185 - $226
6 Weeks
Las Vegas, NV
$280 - $350
$180 - $280
$150 - $180
10 Weeks
Los Angeles, CA
$250 - $330
$180 - $250
$150 – $180
12-16 Weeks
Madison, WI
$180 - $215
$130 - $180
$90 - $130
8 Weeks
Miami, FL
$244 - $344
$182 - $244
$132 - $182
4-10 Weeks
Milwaukee, WI
$175 - $195
$135 - $175
$90 - $135
4-6 Weeks
Minneapolis, MN
$190 - $260
$130 - $190
$80 - $130
6-8 Weeks
Nashville, TN
$256 - $310
$158 - $256
$134 - $158
10-12 Weeks
New Jersey (Northern)
$240 - $300
$200 - $240
$165 - $200
12-16 Weeks
New York, NY
$290 - $355
$215 - $290
$175 - $215
3-4 Weeks
Palo Alto, CA
$306 - $395
$226 - $306
$167 - $226
6-8 weeks (Intake)
Philadelphia, PA
$250 - $325
$200 - $250
$150 - $200
City 2-4 weeks, Suburbs 4-6 weeks
Phoenix, AZ
$180 - $215
$105 - $180
$75 - $105
8 Weeks
Pittsburgh, PA
$280 - $325
$200 - $280
$140 - $200
8-10 Weeks
Portland, OR
$375 - $415
$325 - $375
$225 - $325
8-10 Weeks
Raleigh, NC
$175 - $230
$130 - $175
$95 - $130
4-8 Weeks
Salt Lake City, UT
$160 - $190
$140 - $160
$105 - $140
6-8 Weeks
San Antonio, TX
$200 - $275
$150 - $200
$95 - $150
8-12 Weeks
San Diego, CA
$245 - $315
$175 - $245
$145 - $175
12-16 Weeks
San Francisco, CA
$306 - $395
$226 - $306
$167 - $226
3-4 Weeks Over The Counter; +/-32 weeks Intake
Seattle, WA
$375 - $425
$300 – $375
$225- $300
8-12 Weeks
St. Louis, MO
$256 - $302
$226 - $256
$185 - $226
6 Weeks
Stamford, CT
$250 - $330
$175 – $250
$120 – $175
4-6 Weeks
Tampa, FL
$234 - $290
$181 - $234
$130 - $181
6-10 Weeks
Washington, D.C.
$200 - $250
$165 - $200
$125 - $165
DC - 10-12 weeks; Virginia - 8-12 weeks
Calgary, CAN
C$190 - C$295
C$164 - C$243
C$105 - C$164
6-8 Weeks
Edmonton, CAN
C$190 - C$235
C$155 - C$190
C$105 – C$155
5-6 Weeks
Kitchener, CAN
C$235 - C$305
C$165 - C$235
C$105 - C$165
4-5 Weeks
Toronto, CAN
C$315 - C$420
C$225 - C$315
C$135 - C$225
6-8 Weeks
Vancouver, CAN
C$295 - C$395
C$195 - C$295
C$135 - C$195
10-22 Weeks
Dublin, Ireland
€234 - €303
€181 - €234
€144 – €181
18 Weeks
London, UK
£300 - £335
£265 - £300
£220 – £265
13 Weeks
MILLWORK
DRYWALL & PLUMBING & ELECTRICAL CEILINGS FIRE PROT.
LIGHTING HVAC
Albany, NY Boston, MA Buffalo, NY Hartford, CT New Jersey (Northern) New York, NY Stamford, CT
$86 $44 $84 $65 $61
$10 $25 $17 $12 $17
$15 $40 $18 $25 $25
$24 $18 $17 $10 $16
$35 $40 $30 $30 $45
$5 $18 $18 $20 $17
$25 $55 $20 $38 $39
$38 $69
$25 $14
$50 $25
$20 $10
$50 $30
$25 $20
$45 $45
MIDATLANTIC
Baltimore, MD Philadelphia, PA Washington, D.C.
$31 $89 $44
$14 $11 $20
$24 $35 $26
$6 $10 $8
$36 $30 $35
$12 $15 $12
$35 $35 $38
SOUTHEAST
Asheville, NC Atlanta, GA Charleston, SC Charlotte, NC Jacksonville, FL Miami, FL Nashville, TN Raleigh, NC Tampa, FL
$81 $60 $49 $68 $37 $25 $67 $42 $49
$10 $8 $9 $14 $7 $23 $14 $17 $9
$25 $28 $30 $25 $26 $50 $29 $26 $26
$10 $19 $19 $10 $16 $13 $25 $8 $18
$21 $51 $53 $21 $47 $50 $29 $27 $48
$13 $24 $26 $15 $24 $25 $17 $14 $23
$15 $35 $37 $17 $34 $27 $28 $19 $35
SOUTHWEST
Austin, TX Dallas, TX Houston, TX San Antonio, TX
$74 $98 $98 $43
$15 $15 $8 $15
$22 $25 $15 $22
$9 $3 $4 $15
$19 $18 $26 $22
$8 $15 N/A $16
$17 $24 $18 $30
Chicago, IL Cleveland, OH Columbus, OH Detroit, MI Kansas City, MO Madison, WI Milwaukee, WI Minneapolis, MN Pittsburgh, PA St. Louis, MO
$88 $18 $11 $109 $95 $41 $41 $38 $75 $93
$17 $27 $27 $10 $16 $15 $15 $14 $20 $16
$26 $45 $45 $15 $24 $29 $29 $31 $40 $24
$10 $25 $25 $24 $15 $12 $12 $8 $25 $15
$28 $40 $45 $35 $45 $21 $21 $30 $32 $45
$17 $18 $18 $5 $16 $15 $15 $15 $18 $16
$17 $27 $27 $25 $32 $22 $22 $24 $30 $32
MOUNTAIN
Denver, CO Las Vegas, NV Salt Lake City, UT
$101 $87 $42
$8 $6 $10
$11 $25 $19
$5 $13 $8
$27 $45 $28
$15 $10 $15
$18 $45 $28
WESTERN
Los Angeles, CA Palo Alto, CA Phoenix, AZ Portland, OR San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA Seattle, WA
$20 $64 $72 $163 $66 $64 $201
$32 $24 $9 $20 $17 $24 $20
$40 $47 $13 $37 $34 $47 $7
$19 $17 $6 $20 $9 $17 $20
$40 $53 $18 $40 $35 $53 $40
$27 $19 $7 $25 $17 $19 $15
$37 $42 $18 $45 $32 $42 $35
CANADA
Calgary, CAN Edmonton, CAN Kitchener, CAN Toronto, CAN Vancouver, CAN
C$90 C$54 C$75 C$117 C$102
C$10 C$16 C$20 C$20 C$20
C$15 C$17 C$22 C$30 C$28
C$24 C$18 C$18 C$18 C$20
C$35 C$30 C$22 C$35 C$30
C$5 C$18 C$18 C$20 C$20
C$25 C$20 C$25 C$30 C$25
Dublin, Ireland London, UK
€59 £58
€15 £45
€19 £45
€12 £14
€38 £52
€25 N/A
€41 £68
CENTRAL
NORTHEAST
CITY
stobuildinggroup.com
Trade-Specific Breakout Costs
BALANCE OF TRADES
INTL
New Location Added
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Commercial Interiors Market Data | September 2026
Conclusion The commercial construction market remains resilient despite ongoing economic and policy uncertainty. While overall activity remains strong, several trends are increasing pressure on budgets and schedules. • Petroleum-related volatility continues to impact costs. Fluctuating fuel prices are affecting transportation expenses and the pricing of petroleumbased products, including plastics, flooring components, ceiling systems, and packaging materials. • Lead times are becoming less predictable. Many suppliers have reduced inventory levels, making early procurement and flexible, performance-based specifications increasingly important. • Cross-border trade is driving regional cost increases. Although tariffs have not significantly disrupted operations, markets across the northern US and southern Canada are experiencing higher material costs due to the interconnected nature of regional supply chains.
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• Specialty trade capacity is tightening. Ongoing consolidation among HVAC, electrical, doors and frames, and sitework contractors is reducing competition in some markets as firms prioritize largescale data center opportunities, placing additional strain on labor availability for commercial interior projects.
Looking Ahead As we move toward 2027, the market outlook remains positive but cautious. Interest rates, global trade dynamics, material availability, and labor capacity will continue to influence project costs and execution. For clients, the most effective risk mitigation strategies remain early planning, procurement flexibility, and careful trade partner selection. STO Building Group continues to monitor market conditions closely and support clients with datadriven guidance. Our rigorous subcontractor prequalification process remains a critical tool for identifying qualified, reliable trade partners and helping projects navigate an increasingly complex marketplace with confidence.
stobuildinggroup.com
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Commercial Interiors Market Data September 2026