How long does office reinstatement take in Singapore?
On-site works for a typical office floor are often a matter of weeks, but the overall process is longer because it includes reading the lease, getting the landlord's guidelines, a pre-reinstatement survey, quotation and award, building permit-to-work applications, QP work on sprinklers and fire alarm, after-hours noisy works, a joint inspection and rectification. Plan backwards from the handback date and start at least four to six months ahead for a mid-sized office. The timeline in this guide is illustrative, not a rule.
From the RRD Field Guide, checked against the sources cited in Office Reinstatement in Singapore: The Complete Guide to Commercial Handback. General information, not advice for your project.
The fuller picture
Office reinstatement is the work a tenant must do before handing premises back: removing its fit-out and restoring the unit to the condition the lease and the landlord's reinstatement guidelines require, often bare shell or original handover condition. It usually involves demolition, ceiling and M&E reinstatement, fire-protection reinstatement by a QP, a joint inspection and deposit settlement, all before the lease expiry date.
More questions on this topic
- What does 'reinstate to original condition' mean in a Singapore office lease?
- Can I use any contractor for reinstatement, or must I use the landlord's contractor?
- Do reinstatement works need SCDF or BCA approval?
- What happens if reinstatement is not finished by the lease expiry date?
- Can I negotiate cash in lieu of reinstatement?
- Can I leave my fit-out for the incoming tenant?
- When will I get my security deposit back?