Cat A Fit Out Services

A Cat A fit out, also known as a Category A fit out, is the process of taking a base build or shell and core office space and bringing it to a standard that is ready for a tenant to occupy and personalise. It typically includes the installation of raised access floors, suspended ceilings, basic mechanical and electrical services, lighting, fire detection systems and air conditioning. The space is functional but neutral, with no occupier-specific finishes or furniture in place.

A typical Cat A fit out includes raised access flooring, suspended ceilings, perimeter trunking, lighting, heating and cooling systems, mechanical and electrical distribution, fire alarm systems, emergency lighting and basic toilet facilities. Decoration is usually limited to a neutral finish throughout. The aim is to produce a clean, functional space that any occupier can adapt to their needs without structural alteration.

A Cat A fit out brings a space to a lettable standard with essential building services and neutral finishes. A Cat B fit out takes that shell further by adding occupier-specific elements such as partitioning, meeting rooms, kitchen and breakout areas, branded finishes and furniture. In most commercial lettings, the landlord is responsible for the Cat A and the tenant carries out the Cat B to suit their own requirements.

The duration of a Cat A refurbishment depends on the size of the space and the complexity of the building services being installed. A small to medium commercial office of up to 5,000 square feet might be completed in six to ten weeks. Larger or more technically complex projects can take considerably longer. 

All Cat A fit outs from ACI benefit from our dedicated project management service. So, if you’d like to discuss aspects like timeframes and minimising disruption, please contact us at the earliest opportunity so that we can look at all the available options.

In most commercial property transactions, the Cat A fit out is the responsibility of the landlord or developer. It is carried out to make the space attractive and lettable to prospective tenants. Some landlords offer a Cat A plus standard, which includes additional elements such as basic furniture or enhanced finishes, to reduce the time and cost a new tenant faces before moving in.

Cat A plus, sometimes written as Cat A+, is an enhanced version of the standard Cat A specification that incorporates elements typically associated with Cat B. This might include basic furniture, additional partitioning, breakout areas and improved finishes. Cat A+ fit outs have become more common in recent years as landlords look to attract tenants who want to move in quickly without the cost and disruption of a full Cat B fit out.

In most cases, a Cat A fit out does not require planning permission as it involves internal works only and does not change the use or external appearance of the building. However, works affecting the structure, listed buildings or buildings in conservation areas may require consent. It is always advisable to consult with our fit out contractors and confirm with the local planning authority before works begin.

A shell and core fit out is a developer’s base build, typically including the structural frame, external envelope, common areas and core services such as lifts and main plant. A Cat A fit out takes that shell and adds the floor, ceiling, lighting and mechanical and electrical distribution within the lettable space itself. In short, shell and core is the starting point, while Cat A is the next stage before any occupier-specific work takes place.

Some of our key locations for category A office fit outs include Birmingham, Derby, Manchester, Nottingham, Leicester, London and Sheffield. 

Whether your office is based in these areas or elsewhere in the UK, please call us on 0115 939 7572 to discuss your Cat A requirements.