An end-of-lease office defit can feel overwhelming, especially when timelines are tight and your bond is on the line. There’s plenty to coordinate, from removing tenant-installed fixtures to restoring the space to its original condition. Without a clear plan, costs can escalate quickly and important items can be missed.
That is where a structured office defit checklist becomes essential. This type of structured checklist provides clarity, reduces risk, and helps ensure nothing is overlooked before handover. At Makegoods, we specialise in commercial defits and office strip outs, delivering compliant outcomes that consistently secure our clients’ bond returns.
Speak to our team today about planning your end of lease defit project.
Why an office defit checklist matters
An office defit is not simply about removing furniture and handing back the keys. Most commercial leases require tenants to return the space to its original condition, which may include removing partitions, restoring services, and repairing finishes.
A detailed office defit checklist helps you understand exactly what is required under your lease. It also supports better communication with landlords, project managers, and contractors. Most importantly, it reduces the risk of disputes or costly rectification works after you vacate.
Without a checklist, tenants often underestimate the scope of works, leaving too much until the final weeks of the lease.
Reviewing lease obligations and condition reports
The first step in any office defit checklist is understanding your contractual obligations. This means reviewing your lease, make good clause, and original condition report.
These documents define what must be removed, what must be reinstated, and the standard expected by the landlord. Common requirements include removal of internal offices, reinstatement of ceiling grids, restoration of base lighting, and removal of additional power or data points.
Clarifying these details early forms the foundation of effective office defit planning.
How to plan for an office defit effectively
Knowing how to plan for an office defit starts with timing. Ideally, planning should begin six to twelve months before lease expiry, particularly for larger offices.
Early planning allows time for site inspections, scoping, budgeting, and approvals. It also provides flexibility if unexpected issues arise, such as undocumented alterations or landlord variations.
Good planning a commercial strip out also means aligning the defit program with your relocation or shutdown schedule. This avoids unnecessary downtime and pressure at the end of the lease.
Creating an office strip out checklist
An office strip out checklist focuses on the physical removal of tenant-installed elements. While every office is different, common items include:
- Workstations and loose furniture
- Partition walls and internal offices
- Floor finishes such as carpet tiles
- Joinery, cabinetry, and storage units
- Kitchen and breakout area fittings
- Signage and branding elements.
Each item should be assessed for removal, disposal, or recycling. Sequencing matters, especially where multiple trades are involved.
A clear checklist helps ensure removal works are completed efficiently and safely.
Developing an office defit list of actions
Beyond physical removal, a defit requires a structured office defit list of actions. These actions often include isolating services, coordinating trades and building access, and managing compliance requirements.
Typical actions include booking lift access, arranging waste removal, notifying building management, and scheduling inspections. Overlooking these tasks can delay works or result in additional fees.
At Makegoods, we manage this process end to end, coordinating all actions so nothing falls through the cracks.
Identifying an office defit list of fixes
Once removal works are complete, attention shifts to rectification. An office defit list of fixes ensures the space is returned to an acceptable standard.
Common fixes include repairing walls and ceilings, patching and painting surfaces, restoring floor finishes, and reinstating base building services. These works are often the difference between a smooth bond return and a costly dispute.
Rectification should always be completed to a professional standard, matching the original condition as closely as possible.
| Category | Task Item | Specific Requirements |
| 1. Admin & Compliance | Lease Review | Identify “Make Good” standard (Shell, Base Build, or Light Clean). |
| Condition Report | Compare current state to original entry photos to avoid over-repairing. | |
| Building Manager Liaison | Book loading docks, service lifts, and notify of “hot works” (grinding/welding). | |
| Insurances & Permits | Ensure $20M Public Liability is active; obtain CDC if structural. | |
| 2. Services (Make Safe) | Electrical Decommission | Disconnect tenant power; cap and make safe all wiring to base building. |
| Fire Services | Reset sprinklers and smoke detectors to open-plan spacing. | |
| Data & Comms | Remove all redundant server racks and “dead” data cabling from ceiling/floor. | |
| Plumbing/Hydraulic | Cap off internal kitchenettes, sinks, or private bathrooms at the stack. | |
| Mechanical (HVAC) | Balance air-con system; return ducts/grilles to original open-plan layout. | |
| 3. Structural Strip-out | Partition Removal | Remove all glass, plasterboard, and demountable office walls. |
| Doors & Hardware | Remove internal doors/frames; ensure fire exit doors remain compliant. | |
| Ceiling Grid | Repair damaged grids; replace missing/stained ceiling tiles to match existing. | |
| Joinery & Cabinetry | Demolish reception desks, kitchen cupboards, and built-in storage. | |
| 4. Floor Restoration | Floor Coverings | Remove tenant carpet/vinyl. If lease requires, replace with new “base” carpet. |
| Adhesive Grinding | Grind back glue, paint, or leveling compounds to bare concrete slab. | |
| Slab Repair | Patch holes from floor-mounted desks or dyna-bolts with structural grout. | |
| 5. Wall & Finishes | Patch & Plaster | Fill all screw holes, scuffs, and dings in perimeter/core walls. |
| Painting | Repaint all perimeter walls to the landlord’s specified “base” color (e.g., White). | |
| Signage Removal | Remove window frosting, decals, and signage from doors/building directories. | |
| 6. Waste & Handover | Rubbish Removal | Clear all debris; provide a Waste Management Report for ESG compliance. |
| Commercial Clean | High-dusting, window cleaning, and industrial floor scrub/seal. | |
| Final Walkthrough | Conduct joint inspection with Landlord/Agent for bond release sign-off. | |
| Documentation | Collate all Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Safety Certificates for handover. |
Managing services and compliance
Electrical, data, and mechanical services are a critical part of any office defit checklist. These services must be isolated correctly and reinstated safely.
Compliance is essential. All works must meet relevant standards and building requirements. Failure to do so can result in delays at final inspection or requests for further rectification.
Our experience in commercial defit planning allows us to manage services efficiently while ensuring full compliance throughout the project.
Coordinating timelines and budgets
Time and cost control are key concerns during any defit. Clear timelines help avoid last-minute rushes, while detailed budgets prevent unexpected expenses.
By engaging a specialist early, you gain access to accurate scoping and realistic cost forecasting. This allows you to plan confidently and allocate resources appropriately.
At Makegoods, we provide clear programs and transparent pricing, so there are no surprises at the end of the lease.
Final inspections and landlord handover
The final stage of the office defit checklist is inspection and handover. This typically involves a walkthrough with building management or the landlord to confirm works meet lease requirements.
Any outstanding issues should be addressed promptly before formal handover. Completing this stage thoroughly is essential to securing your bond return.
Our team conducts internal quality checks before landlord inspections, reducing the risk of defects or omissions.
Why engage a commercial defit specialist
While some tenants attempt to manage defits themselves, engaging an experienced specialist often saves time, money, and stress.
With deep expertise in office defit planning and execution, Makegoods understands what landlords expect and how to deliver it efficiently. We manage planning, strip out, repairs, and compliance under one contract.
Most importantly, we consistently achieve full bond returns for our clients.
Planning your office defit with confidence
A successful end-of-lease defit starts with preparation. Using a clear office defit checklist helps you stay organised, meet obligations, and avoid unnecessary costs. If your lease expiry is approaching, early engagement and expert support can make all the difference. We deliver structured, compliant defits that protect your interests and close out your lease with confidence.