Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about office partitioning, fitout, ceilings, flooring, and blinds in Nairobi Kenya.

General Questions

We are based in Nairobi, Kenya and serve all major Nairobi business districts including Westlands, Upper Hill, CBD, Kilimani, Karen, Lavington, Gigiri, Runda, Parklands, and Kileleshwa. We also work in Industrial Area, South C, Langata, and other Nairobi neighbourhoods.

Yes, always. Every project begins with a free site visit at which we measure your space, discuss your requirements and preferences, and take the necessary information to prepare a detailed, accurate written quotation — at no charge and with no obligation. Call +254 712 833 178 or WhatsApp us to arrange a visit.

For most projects we can mobilise within 5–10 working days of contract signature and deposit receipt, subject to materials availability. Urgent projects can sometimes be accommodated faster — contact us to discuss your specific timeline requirements and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

Yes. We provide a 12-month workmanship warranty on all projects. Any defect arising from our installation or materials within 12 months of practical completion will be rectified at no cost to you. We also pass through any manufacturer warranties on specific products such as partition systems, ceiling products, and flooring.

Yes. Most of our projects are carried out in occupied commercial buildings. We work in phases, create temporary dust and noise barriers, schedule disruptive activities before or after business hours where required, and provide regular status updates so you always know what to expect the next day. We understand your business cannot stop for our construction project.

Office Partitioning Questions

Partition costs vary significantly by system type: All prices are per square metre of partition face area and include materials and installation. Contact us for a free site visit and accurate quotation.

There is no single "best" system — the right partition depends on your priorities: We assess your specific space, use pattern, and budget and recommend the best system or combination of systems for your project.

A typical 100–200m² open-plan office partitioning project takes 3–7 working days. A complete floor of 500m² may take 2–3 weeks. We will provide a detailed project programme with every quotation showing all stages and daily activities.

Most commercial leases in Nairobi require written landlord consent before carrying out partitioning works. You should check your lease agreement before proceeding. Demountable partition systems (glass and aluminium) are generally easier to get landlord approval for, as they can be removed and the floor restored at lease end. We can provide layout drawings and specifications to support your landlord consent application.

Yes. Glass partitions can incorporate frosted or etched window film applied in full panels, strip patterns, or branded graphic designs. Frosted film provides visual privacy while still transmitting diffuse natural light. Manifestation strips (a legal requirement on clear glass) are also available in a range of decorative designs to suit your interior aesthetic.

Ceilings & Flooring Questions

Gypsum board ceilings are fixed plasterboard ceilings that offer a smooth, painted finish and can be formed into complex architectural shapes (flat, stepped, coffered, coved). They don't provide access to services above without cutting. Acoustic suspended ceilings use removable mineral fibre tiles on a visible aluminium T-grid — they provide excellent noise absorption, allow easy access to services above, and install faster. Many offices use both: gypsum in reception and feature areas, acoustic tiles in open-plan work areas.

All prices include materials and labour. Contact us for a free site visit and accurate quotation for your specific project.

For open-plan office areas, carpet tiles are the most common choice — they provide comfort underfoot, acoustic absorption, and easy replacement of damaged tiles. LVT/SPC vinyl flooring is ideal for reception areas, kitchens, and heavy-traffic zones — it's fully waterproof and very durable. Laminate flooring suits boardrooms and executive offices where a wood aesthetic is desired at a lower cost than real wood. Read our guide: Best Flooring for Offices in Kenya.

In some cases, yes. Laminate and LVT/SPC flooring can sometimes be installed over smooth, sound existing vinyl or tile floors if they are flat, clean, and firmly adhered. However, in most commercial projects we recommend stripping existing floor finishes to ensure a flat, clean subfloor is achieved — this avoids hollow areas, height differences at doorways, and adhesion failures. We assess the existing floor condition during our free site visit and advise accordingly.

Window Blinds & Films Questions

The best blind depends on the window orientation and your priorities. Blackout roller blinds are excellent for west and east-facing windows that receive direct sun — they block heat and glare completely. Vertical blinds are popular for floor-to-ceiling glazing and have lower material cost. Zebra blinds offer a modern aesthetic with flexibility between full view and filtered privacy. For maximum ongoing solar control without user action, solar control window film is an effective alternative to blinds. See our window blinds guide.

Prices vary with window size and blind specification. Contact us for a free site visit and quotation for all your office windows.

Window film is a permanent adhesive film applied directly to the glass surface that selectively rejects solar heat and glare. Unlike blinds, it works automatically without user action, doesn't obstruct emergency egress routes, and doesn't require cleaning or replacement as frequently. However, it doesn't provide the flexible light control that a blind does — you cannot open or close a film to vary privacy or light levels. Many offices use both: film on external windows for baseline solar control, and blinds for additional privacy and blackout when required.

Office Fitout Questions

A standard Category B office fitout in Nairobi typically costs KES 8,000–25,000 per square metre of floor area depending on specification level. A mid-spec 300m² office fitout typically costs KES 3–7 million inclusive of partitions, ceilings, flooring, electrical, blinds, joinery, and painting. Premium fitouts with high-end materials, feature ceilings, and bespoke joinery cost more. Read our detailed guide: Office Fitout Cost Kenya 2026.

A 300–500m² Cat B office fitout in Nairobi typically takes 8–12 weeks from the design sign-off stage to handover. This includes design and approval (1–2 weeks), procurement (1 week), site installation (5–8 weeks), and commissioning and snagging (1 week). See our detailed office fitout page for a sample project timeline and read How to Plan an Office Fitout in Nairobi.

Yes. Interiors by Violet offers a complete design-and-build service. Our designers develop space plans, concept designs, material specifications, and 3D renders as part of the integrated service. You don't need to separately appoint an interior designer. See our commercial interior design page for more information about our design process.

Category A (Cat A) fitout takes a bare concrete shell to a basic ready-to-occupy standard — raised floors, suspended ceilings, base mechanical and electrical services, and basic WC fit-out. This is typically done by the landlord or developer. Category B (Cat B) fitout is the occupier's fit-out that personalises the Cat A floor into a fully branded, operational office with partitions, feature ceilings, flooring finishes, joinery, lighting, blinds, and signage specific to the tenant's business. Most Interiors by Violet projects are Cat B fitouts.

Absolutely. Office renovation and refurbishment of existing spaces is a significant part of our business. We can replace worn flooring, update tired ceilings, reconfigure partitions for a new workplace strategy, upgrade lighting, and repaint throughout — all independently or as a co-ordinated package. See our renovations and repairs page for more information.

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