What Is An Office Fit Out? Category A and B

What is an Office Fit-Out?

As an organisation is successful it grows and will often need to move into a new workplace. When you’re moving from one office to another, you must improve your work environment. To do this you need to install an office fit out that reflects your company’s culture, enables productivity, and increases staff happiness. A fit out is different from an office refurbishment as a refurbishment transforms your current workplace. While a fit out involves installing fittings into a new space without any existing features or interior design elements. This process should be a long-term installation that sets up your business to continue to grow and succeed. If you’re moving to a new workplace, you may not know the best fit out for your requirements. There are two main types to be aware of category A and category B. Let’s explore what each type is and if they’re right for your organisation.

The term fit out means: making interior spaces ready for people to occupy. Often, it’s used to describe business properties, particularly office developments. Many office buildings are constructed by a developer, while an office fit out is completed by the occupying business. A property’s landlord and developers have responsibilities over the initial construction. The structural and non-structural envelope of a building – the walls, floor, windows, doors, roof, and roof lights – are known as the building shell and are built by the developer. This shell acts as the separation between the interior and exterior of the property. Office fit outs involve the installation of electrical and mechanical fittings, as well as decorating and furnishing the entire space. They should always make space optimal for your business’s work demands and ensure it’s a pleasant place for your staff. However, there are different types of this interior installation. The type of fit out you choose will depend on the building’s level of completion and your interior design plans.

Category A (Cat A Projects)

Category A is the simple steps taken to complete a property’s interior. This is usually undertaken by the landlord and focuses on the basic elements of the building. For example, the electrics, mechanical systems, internal walls, lifts, and reception areas fall under a Cat A project. Once this installation is completed, the occupant has creative control over the furnishings and other features. The space is practically a blank canvas for you to fit out in the most beneficial way for your business. You don’t have to worry about the foundations of the property once a Cat A project is completed, you can focus on the interior design elements. If a building is new, Category A fit outs prepare the property for the first occupant. Whereas if a previous occupier has moved out, Cat A projects ensure space is appealing to potential renters once it’s on the market.

What Does A Category A Fit Out Include?

• Raised Floors & Suspended Ceilings
• Fundamental Electrics & Mechanical Systems
• Fire Alarms & Safety Features
• Air Conditioning Systems
• Basic Interior Design Elements e.g. Blinds

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What Does A Category B Fit Out Involve?

Category B (Cat B Projects) Category B fit outs transform a prospective space to match the tenant’s interior design choices. Undertaking a Cat B project involves making your new office meet your requirements and the personality of your business. With the right installation, you can build a work environment that is friendly, productive, and invigorating for your staff. Cat B projects encompass staff well-being areas, office furniture, collaborative workspaces, and interior design. Incorporating all of these elements together creates a functional and happy workplace that enables your business to grow and succeed. One of the most important aspects of this process is office furniture. Furnishing your workspace with different types of office furniture ensures your staff is comfy and the environment is set up for productive and collaborative work. As part of your Cat B project, you should analyse the best office furniture for different areas throughout your workplace. For example, you will need different furniture in a collaborative space, such as a meeting room, to a relaxation space such as a breakout room. Office furniture plays a crucial role in an organisation. It should support staff while they’re working, so they’re comfortable and able to remain productive. Here are some ways that office furniture is important to your business:

• Safe Physical Support
• Adaptable
• Match Storage Requirements
• Aid Collaborative Working
• Reflect Your Business’s Culture

Cat B projects will include alterations to the existing installation to match the new occupant’s requirements.

• Flooring
• Decoration & Wall Finishes
• Office Furniture
• Individual Offices
• Conference & Meeting Facilities
• Breakout Rooms
• Staff Kitchens
• Partitioning Systems

Preparing For An Office Fit Out

A complete Cat B fit out can seem like a daunting task to take on. However, with the right planning and project management ensures you create a workplace that supports your business’s success. Working with an expert office fit out company means you can complete a category B fit out without going over budget or experiencing any major issues. The first step when planning a Cat B fit out is to obtain a licence of alteration from the property’s landlord. It’s also advised to ask for the Operation and Maintenance Manual (O&M Manual). This document contains all information related to the construction and maintenance of the building. Legally this isn’t required, however, it is typically used in the health and safety file, which is a legal obligation. Within the O&M Manual are details on the fit and finish of the property, so you can see its quality and other information. You can also check if you have to work with certain contractors for specific changes you want to make, such as to the fire alarm or air conditioning system. To help your office fit out company, it’s also good practice to ask for the CAD plans for the property. CAD means computer-aided designs and are detailed 2D or 3D drawings or physical models of a building. This allows the company you’ve hired to view the design and plan out your Cat B fit out.

When undertaking an office fit out, discuss with your staff how they would improve their work environment. This can help you to create a company culture that benefits your staff and supports the growth of your business. Take onboard the input from your staff, brainstorm ideas and create a wish list for the ideal office fit out for your organisation.

Once you have your ideas defined, get in touch with interior design and fit out experts as soon as possible. The more time you have to prepare for the fit out, the better equipped you are to make the right decisions for your business.