Office Defit vs. Makegood: What’s the Real Difference—and Why It Matters
If you’re ending a commercial lease and staring down the terms of your agreement, you’ve probably hit the confusing bit: office defit vs. makegood. They sound similar, and sometimes they overlap—but treat them the same, and you could end up paying for it. Literally.
So let’s cut the noise. Here’s what each term actually means, where they differ, and what you need to know to avoid disputes, delays, or dodgy costs.
What Is an Office Defit?
An office defit (also called a strip-out) is the physical process of dismantling your fit-out and returning the premises to its original state. Think of it as hitting “reset” on the office.
This typically includes:
Removing partition walls, workstations, built-ins
Pulling up carpets and floor coverings
Disconnecting data cabling, lighting, and power points
Stripping signage, decals, and branding
Clearing out loose furniture and kitchen setups
The goal? Get the space back to a bare shell or “base building” condition, usually as it was handed to you at the start of the lease.
What Does ‘Makegood’ Actually Mean?
Makegood is the legal obligation to restore the office according to your lease terms. Sometimes that means a full defit, sometimes just a tidy-up. The kicker? It’s entirely based on what’s written in your contract.
Common makegood conditions include:
Full defit and removal of all tenant works
Repainting walls in neutral colours
Professional cleaning (including carpets, windows, and air conditioning)
Minor repairs or patching damaged areas
Restoring lighting, ceilings, and floors to agreed condition
And yes, some leases allow you to settle this with cash instead of actually doing the work—but only if that’s agreed upfront.
Office Defit vs. Makegood: The Key Differences
Here’s the critical distinction:
Office defit = the physical job of removing your office fit-out
Makegood = the legal obligation to meet specific lease exit conditions, which might include a defit
So, while a defit is often part of makegood, they’re not the same thing. You can do a full defit and still fall short on makegood if your lease requires additional repairs, cleaning, or reinstatement.
Why the Difference Matters for Your Bottom Line
Mess this up, and it’ll cost you. If you underestimate your makegood obligations—or assume your defit is enough—you could end up:
Losing your bond
Copping unexpected charges
Getting tangled in legal disputes with your landlord
Delaying your move-out and paying extra rent
Knowing where office defit vs. makegood starts and ends helps you budget, plan ahead, and protect your legal position.
What’s the Smart Move? Get the Lease Reviewed Early
Ideally, you want to review your makegood clause at least 3–6 months before your lease ends. Get a commercial lease specialist (or a lawyer) to translate the fine print into plain English. They’ll tell you exactly what’s required—and what’s negotiable.
Don’t assume your landlord will be generous or flexible. Most aren’t. And once you hand back the keys, your negotiating power disappears.
Who Should Handle It? Bring in the Pros
A proper office defit and makegood job needs qualified trades, rubbish removal, and someone who knows what “base building” really means. Do it half-baked, and your landlord will charge you to fix it—plus markup.
Professional defit teams will:
Quote based on your specific lease terms
Coordinate trades and safety compliance
Handle disposal, recycling, and site clean-up
Finish on time, so you’re not paying extra rent
Look for Perth-based defit contractors who specialise in office defit vs. makegood projects. They’ll know local building codes, understand what landlords expect, and won’t waste your time.
Takeaways: Don’t Mix Up Defit and Makegood
An office defit is the physical strip-out of your space
Makegood is the broader lease obligation that may include defit and more
Your lease defines what’s required, not industry standards or guesswork
Engaging professionals early saves you stress, time, and money
Need help with your office defit or makegood in Perth? Work with a team that knows how to read a lease, quote it right, and deliver on time. Don’t gamble on your handover—get it done properly.
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