How to Restore Your Space Without Wasting Time, Money, or Your Bond
If you’re nearing the end of a commercial lease or planning a full reset, there’s one question that can save you thousands: how to restore your space — and do it properly.
It’s not just about cleaning. It’s about getting your space back to the condition it was in before the fitout, and if you get it wrong, you’re looking at lost bonds, blown deadlines, and possible legal headaches.
Here’s how to restore your space the right way — whether it’s an office, retail shop, or industrial warehouse.
1. Understand What “Restore” Actually Means
Most tenants underestimate what’s involved. Restoring your space isn’t just removing desks and vacuuming the floor. It typically involves:
Removing partitions, signage, and fitout elements
Repairing walls and repainting
Disposing of materials professionally
Returning lighting, ceilings, and services to original layout
Final cleaning and compliance checks
If your lease has a makegood clause, it’s legally binding. Ignore it, and your landlord will happily invoice you for a rushed job at premium cost.
2. Book the Right Defit Services for Your Space Type
How to restore your space depends on what kind of property you’re leaving. An office defit looks very different from a shop defit or warehouse defit.
Office defit: Includes removal of workstations, boardroom glass, power/data points, and often acoustic ceiling panels.
Shop defit: Usually requires removal of custom counters, signage, window decals, flooring, lighting, and shelving.
Warehouse defit: Often includes dismantling racking, removing epoxy floors, repairing roller door systems, and clearing out mezzanines.
Each job comes with its own set of risks, from electrical isolation to waste disposal compliance. Don’t DIY this unless you know exactly what you're doing — or you’re ready to wear the liability.
3. Plan Your Strip Outs Early
Too many businesses wait until the last week of their lease to start. Big mistake.
A proper strip out takes time — even more if you need engineering sign-offs or work after hours. Whether it’s a basic office defit or a heavy-duty warehouse defit, book your team 4–6 weeks out. Good crews get booked fast, especially around EOFY and December.
Professional defit services will handle the lot: furniture removal, ceiling restoration, electrical disconnection, signage strip outs, floor grinding — and most importantly, they'll return the site in full compliance with your lease.
4. Don’t Forget the Final Clean and Handover
Here’s where many people drop the ball. After the strip outs are done and the walls are patched, the site still needs a full clean — not just a sweep and mop. We’re talking dust-free, bin-free, ready-for-inspection levels of clean.
Then comes the final handover with your landlord or property manager. Do it in person. Get written sign-off. Take photos. Because once they’ve got the keys, any issues are now your problem — even if you’re long gone.
Final Thoughts on How to Restore Your Space
You only get one chance to leave a space properly. So if you’re asking how to restore your space, the answer is simple:
Plan early, hire the right defit services, and don’t cut corners.
From shop defits to full-scale warehouse defits, a clean and compliant exit isn’t just about appearances — it protects your business from fines, delays, and landlord disputes.
Don’t wait until it’s urgent. Know how to restore your space before it becomes a problem.
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