What is an Office Fit Out?

Any owner looking for space to establish or relocate a business has likely encountered properties that will build or lease to suit or office fit-out included. While the building may look complete on the outside, it is not in move-in ready condition. An office fit out is the final construction that uses the specs defined by the occupant to make the space ready for occupancy. It allows a tenant to customize the floor plan, fixtures, and furnishings that resemble their brand. The building owner or landlord often provides a budget for the fit-out. Three types of office fit-outs determine the extent of construction that will be necessary to finish the space.

Shell and Core

A shell and core office fit-out is just like it sounds. The building is structurally sound, plumbed and wired for electrical, but is otherwise an empty shell on the inside. A shell and core fit-out will offer the occupant the most flexibility in creating an office space that best suits their needs. But it also requires the most construction work. The interior walls, ceiling, and flooring, along with any offices, breakrooms, and restrooms will need to be constructed. You will also be responsible for the installation of all lighting fixtures, furnishings, and any other desirable architectural features. But at the end of the process, you will have a beautiful office space that was customized specifically for your brand.

Cat A

With its bare floors and walls, a Cat A office fit-out looks more like a warehouse at first glance. But once the construction of your finishing options is complete, the office space will be ready for your staff to move in. A Cat A fit-out allows tenants to select paint colors for the walls, choice of flooring options, workspace partitions, and window coverings, for example. The building owner may also give you the flexibility to knock down or relocate interior walls, for an additional fee. While a Cat A fit-out isn’t as extensive as a shell and core, the office space is ready for occupancy sooner.

Cat B

A Cat B fit-out is practically ready for move-in. All it needs is the finishing touches to customize the space to meet any tenant occupancy needs. The tenant will work with a local contractor to install offices, workstations, conference and break rooms, and the reception area. Also, lighting fixtures and furnishings will be installed according to tenant preferences.

It is important to note that there is no standard for determining what is included in each fit-out. So it is essential to read the lease or tenant agreement to determine what the building owner is including and any allowances they are offering for fit-out construction. Also, you can save a lot of headaches by choosing a commercial contractor that can provide a turn-key fit-out for your office space. With a turn-key fit-out, the contractor will complete the necessary construction work according to your specs and preferences to make the space move-in ready.