UK cities · Manchester City Council
Commercial Fit-Out & Construction in Manchester
Manchester is the largest office market outside London, with major commercial districts, a big hospitality scene and growing technology and data infrastructure. Craftex has delivered a data centre expansion for a healthcare technology client here.
Craftex is a design and build contractor founded in London in 2016. One team takes your project from survey, design and consents through construction to handover — with around 70% direct labour, ISO and CHAS accreditation, a 4.9★ Google rating and every project to date delivered on budget and ahead of programme.
- 2016 founded in London
- 4.9★ Google rating
- ~70% direct labour
- ISO · CHAS accredited
What we build in Manchester
We only offer services in Manchester that suit its buildings and market. These are the projects we are asked for most here:
Office fit-out
Cat A and Cat B office fit-outs and refurbishments in Manchester: layouts, partitions, ceilings, lighting, M&E, data cabling, kitchens, meeting rooms and furniture, delivered around your lease dates. We work to landlord fit-out guides and schedule noisy work out of hours when the building is occupied.
Commercial fit-out & refurbishment
Commercial fit-outs and refurbishments in Manchester for offices, showrooms, studios and mixed-use buildings — from strip-out and structural changes to M&E, finishes and handover, with one team accountable for design and build.
Data centre fit-out
Data centre and server-room fit-outs in Manchester: resilient power and UPS, cooling and containment, structured cabling and commissioning, delivered without disrupting live systems.
Restaurant, bar & hotel fit-out
Restaurant, bar, café and hotel fit-outs in Manchester: kitchens and extraction, bars, dining rooms, guest rooms, washrooms and back-of-house, planned around licensing, neighbours and your opening date.
Warehouse & industrial fit-out
Warehouse and industrial fit-outs in and around Manchester: welfare and office areas, mezzanines, racking, lighting, power and ventilation, delivered around live operations.
Planning, consents and site rules in Manchester
Local authority: Manchester City Council. Before any design is fixed we check the planning and ownership position for your address, because in Manchester this decides what is possible and how long it takes:
- Commercial districts such as Spinningfields and the city centre have many managed office buildings with landlord fit-out guides.
- Converted mills and warehouses are common for offices, apartments and hospitality.
- Data and technology occupiers need resilient power and cooling.
We prepare the drawings and statements, submit the applications and build the approval time into your programme — so construction starts on a date you can rely on.
Craftex projects that show how we work
Planning a project in Manchester? Send us the address and a few photos — we will tell you what is realistic, what consents you need and what it is likely to cost.
Talk to our teamWhat our projects actually cost
Most contractors avoid numbers. These are real Craftex projects — total value, size and time on site — so you can benchmark your budget. Your cost will depend on condition, specification, consents and access; we confirm it in a unit-by-unit cost plan.
| Project | Scope | Value | Size | Time on site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsoken House, Aldgate | Warehouse-to-office conversion, full M&E | £2.2M | 1,550 sq m | 7 months |
| Beaumont House, Kensington | Office refurbishment, open-plan + meeting rooms | £350K | 750 sq m | 3 weeks |
| Drake's, Savile Row | Flagship retail refit, live trading | £410K | 120 sq m | 12 weeks |
| Medusa, Knightsbridge | Turnkey spa & clinic, four floors | £460K | 180 sq m | 17 weeks |
| Banbury Warehouse | Fit-out inside a live warehouse | £380K | 148 sq m | 4 weeks |
How a Manchester project runs with Craftex
- Site visit and brief. We survey the building, check services and access, and confirm planning, listing and landlord or estate constraints.
- Feasibility & Costing Study. Design options, consents route, a detailed unit-by-unit cost plan and a realistic programme.
- Design and consents. Our in-house team completes the design and manages applications and licences.
- Construction. One project manager runs every trade, with around 70% direct labour.
- Handover. Snag-free handover, documentation and aftercare.
Questions about building in Manchester
Have you worked in Manchester?
Yes. We delivered a 310 sq m data centre expansion and infrastructure upgrade for a healthcare technology client in 12 weeks, without disrupting live operations.
Do you fit out offices in Manchester?
Yes. We deliver Cat A and Cat B office fit-outs and refurbishments.
How much does a project in Manchester cost?
It depends on scope, condition, specification and access, so we don't publish a price per square foot without seeing the building. As a reference, the table above shows what recent Craftex projects actually cost. Our Feasibility & Costing Study gives you a detailed, unit-by-unit cost plan before you commit.
How long will my Manchester project take?
Programme depends on size, consents and whether the building stays occupied. Our projects have ranged from three weeks for a 750 sq m office refurbishment to seven months for a £2.2M conversion. We give a realistic programme with the cost plan, and every project we have delivered so far has finished ahead of programme.
Do you really work in Manchester if you are based in London?
Yes, on selected projects. Projects in Manchester are run by the same senior team that delivers our London work, with a dedicated site lead and a single point of contact. We typically take on projects from around £100k.
Do you use subcontractors?
Around 70% of our labour is direct, and one Craftex project manager controls every trade. That gives you one accountable team, consistent quality and no gaps between designer and builder.
What is the minimum project size you take on?
We typically take on projects from around £100k, from single floors and units to whole buildings.
How do I start?
Send us the address, a short description and any drawings or photos. We arrange a site visit, then prepare a Feasibility & Costing Study with design options, consents, a cost plan and a programme for your Manchester project.
Nearby areas we cover
Start your Manchester project
Tell us about the building and what you want to achieve.
Get a free consultation info@craftex.co.ukand we will be in touch to discuss your project