When starting a new business or redesigning your existing office from scratch, the first question that probably comes to mind is: What is the actual cost of this? From furniture and technical infrastructure to decoration and small finishing touches, the total cost of each item surprises most entrepreneurs. Moreover, these costs vary significantly from city to city and sector to sector.
Key Factors Determining Office Setup Costs
When setting up an office from scratch, there are many different items that affect your budget. Categorizing them correctly will help you avoid surprise expenses. Here are the main cost items:
Rent and deposit: Monthly rent for a 100 square meter office in a central location in Ankara ranges from 25,000 to 60,000 TL as of 2026. The deposit is usually 2-3 months' rent, and this constitutes a significant portion of your initial budget.
Renovation and flooring works: Converting a raw space into an office costs between 3,000 and 8,000 TL per square meter. Partition walls, electrical installation, network infrastructure, and flooring are the main components of this cost.
Furniture: The Most Critical Item in the Budget
Furniture accounts for approximately 30-40% of the cost of setting up an office. Cutting corners here will cost you much more in the long run. A non-ergonomic chair will come back to haunt you in the form of health problems and decreased productivity for your employees.
The average furniture cost for an office of 10 people is distributed as follows: 5,000-15,000 TL per person for desks, and 8,000-25,000 TL per person for ergonomic office chairs., meeting table The cost of furniture and chairs ranges from 20,000 to 60,000 TL, while storage units cost a total of 15,000 to 40,000 TL. The total furniture budget varies between 150,000 TL and 500,000 TL depending on quality preferences.
Technology and Infrastructure Investment
A modern office is unthinkable without a strong technological infrastructure. Computers, monitors, printers, network equipment, and software licenses constitute a significant expense. For a team of 10, the technology investment could range from 200,000 to 400,000 TL.
Internet infrastructure, security cameras, fire alarm systems, and access control systems should also not be overlooked. The installation cost of these systems is around 30,000-80,000 TL.
Overlooked Costs
Many entrepreneurs only consider the major items when setting up an office. However, when the smaller items are added up, they form a significant budget. Kitchen equipment, cleaning supplies, stationery, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, curtains or blinds, plants, and decorative items… These “small” items can easily add up to 20,000-50,000 TL.
For those who want to compare the costs of setting up offices and businesses in different countries. startup-cost.com Platforms like these provide detailed country-specific cost data; it may be surprising to see that Türkiye is actually in a quite competitive position in this comparison.
Practical Tips for Budget Planning
First, allocate 15-20% of your total budget for unexpected expenses. Second, don't compromise on quality when it comes to furniture and ergonomics; this investment will more than pay for itself through improved employee health and productivity. Third, list all items in a single table to clearly see the total cost.
The total cost of setting up a mid-range office for 10 people in Ankara, excluding rent, ranges from approximately 500,000 to 1,200,000 TL by 2026. This figure may increase or decrease depending on the sector and location preference.
Conclusion
Establishing an office is a significant investment, but with proper planning, you can keep it under control. Prioritizing quality and ergonomics in furniture selection will increase both employee satisfaction and business efficiency in the long run. Divide your budget into categories and always leave a reserve budget.