Understanding the Difference Between Cat A & Cat B Fit-Outs

What is a cat fit-out?

A Cat A fit-out is essentially the “shell and core” of an office space. It includes the basic refurbishments necessary for the space to be usable but leaves the finishing touches for the tenants to complete.

Common elements of a Cat A fit-out:

• Suspended ceilings
• Basic mechanical and electrical installations
• Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems (HVAC)
  
• Basic lighting fixtures
  
• Raised floors
  
• Minimal internal finishes
  
• Fire safety and smoke alarms

Cat A spaces are often seen as blank canvases for designers, as they are not fully habitable and require additional work to become functional for specific business needs.

What is a Cat B Fit-Out?

A Cat B fit-out takes the basic structure provided by a Cat A and adds the finishing fixtures and details needed to create a fully operational workspace. At London Building Contractors, our skilled teams can help your business transition smoothly by tailoring the Cat B fit-out to your specific objectives.

Key features of a Cat B fit-out:

• Furniture and workstations
• Fully completed areas like kitchens, meeting rooms, and IT setups
• Partitions and doors
• Flooring and carpeting
  
• Enhanced lighting and other systems
• Branded materials that capture your business ethos

Cat B fit-outs are ideal for businesses looking to create a customised, ready-to-use workspace that reflects their brand and operational needs.

What is Cat A+?
With the rise of co-working spaces in London, there’s also a growing demand for Cat A+ fit-outs. Cat A+ combines elements from both Cat A and Cat B fit-outs, offering a flexible, partially finished space that appeals to a broader audience.

While Cat B projects are often geared towards businesses building an entire setup from scratch, Cat A+ provides a balanced solution that allows landlords to maintain flexibility and appeal to a wider range of tenants without the full commitment of a Cat B fit-out.

Whether you’re looking for a simple, blank slate to design from scratch with a Cat A fit-out, or you need a fully customized and branded workspace with a Cat B fit-out, London Building Contractors has the expertise to bring your vision to life.

Ready to transform your commercial space? Contact us today to discuss your project and discover how we can tailor our services to meet your business needs.

Photo by Colin Watts on Unsplash