Guide
How much does a new shopfront cost?
A new aluminium shopfront is £2,495 to £7,995 ex VAT for a typical 3 to 5 m frontage, and other materials cost more or less depending on glass, size and structure. These guide prices exclude VAT and cover supply and fitting. Your figure comes from a free survey and a written fixed quote, so treat everything here as a starting point.
Last updated 3 November 2026. General guidance only: confirm anything legal with your council or adviser.
What do different shopfront materials cost?
Material is the biggest single choice you will make. Aluminium is the usual starting point for a high street unit, while steel, curved glass and heritage joinery sit higher because they take longer to make and fit. Each figure is a guide for a typical job and gets confirmed once we have surveyed your frontage.
- Timber: £3,995 to £9,995 ex VAT for a typical frontage
- Heritage joinery: £5,995 to £14,995 ex VAT for a typical frontage
- Frameless glazing: £4,995 to £11,995 ex VAT for a typical frontage
- Steel: £5,495 to £13,995 ex VAT for a typical frontage
- Curved glass: £6,495 to £15,995 ex VAT for a typical frontage
- Bi-fold: £3,495 to £8,995 ex VAT per opening
What pushes the price up or down?
Width and height set the amount of frame and glass, but the glass type often moves the price more than owners expect. Laminated security glass costs more than standard toughened glass, and very large panes may need lifting equipment. A new lintel or steel beam adds structural work and usually an engineer's calculation.
Site access matters too. A busy road can mean a pavement licence or a parking suspension, and overnight or weekend fitting takes extra planning. We list these items in the written quote, so you can see where the money goes before you commit.
What extras should you budget for?
Most shops need more than the frame and glass. Allow for signs, security and access work, plus any application fees your council charges, and check whether your lease needs the landlord to agree the work. If a sign, shutter or door is part of the job, put it in the same quote, so the trades can be planned around each other.
- Roller shutter: £1,495 to £3,695 ex VAT per shutter
- Fascia sign: £395 to £1,695 ex VAT per sign
- Illuminated sign: £795 to £3,495 ex VAT per sign
- Automatic entrance: £2,495 to £5,495 ex VAT per entrance
Is refurbishing cheaper than a new shopfront?
Often it is, provided the frame, glass and structure are sound. A refurbishment is £1,495 to £6,995 ex VAT depending on what is kept, and it can cover recoating, replacement glass, new door gear and a fresh fascia. We can price both options after the survey, so you can compare a refurbishment with a full replacement side by side.
What should a written quote include?
Look for a fixed price, a clear list of what is included and excluded, the glass specification and who is arranging any consents. The quote also states the payment terms for the job. Our workmanship carries a 10-year guarantee, and manufacturers' warranties cover products, motors and glass units.