Singapore tops Asia-Pacific fit-out costs at US$2,029 per sq m

Knight Frank expects 2% to 5% rises.

Singapore is the most expensive Asia-Pacific city for office fit-outs, with average costs of US$2,029 per square metre, according to Knight Frank.

The firm said Singapore edged Tokyo at US$1,994 per square metre and Taipei at US$1,593 per square metre, based on market data from the fourth quarter of 2025.

Knight Frank attributed Singapore’s ranking to higher labour costs, constrained contractor capacity, and stringent building and sustainability standards, adding that premium fit-outs in the city-state command a large premium over the rest of Southeast Asia.

Across the region, fit-out costs are expected to rise 2% to 5% over the next 12 months as construction labour markets stay tight and companies invest more in workplace upgrades, the report said.

Knight Frank added that sustainability requirements, including green building certifications and materials compliance, are increasingly treated as baseline specifications, including in Singapore.