When it comes to office spaces, it’s not just about having a roof over your head, it’s about creating a place where productivity thrives, creativity flows, and employees feel inspired to do their best work.
That’s where office fit-outs come into play. Whether you’re starting with a blank canvas or looking to bring your brand to life, the right fit-out transforms commercial spaces into tailored professional environments where people love to work. At Consensus Workspace, we specialise in delivering bespoke Cat A, Cat A+ and Cat B office fit-outs, expertly designed to meet the unique demands of your business and sector.
But what’s the difference between these fit-outs, and how do you know which one’s right for your business? Let’s take a look…
What is a Cat A Office Fit-Out?
A Cat A office fit-out is all about creating a functional space ready for an incoming tenant to put their unique stamp on it. Think of it as the foundation of your office space creating a blank canvas. Typically delivered by landlords, Cat A fit-outs prepare a space for occupation but leave the final customisations to you.
Features of a Cat A fit-out:
- Flooring structure or raised access floor (sometimes carpeted)
- Suspended ceilings or other alternatives
- Basic / task lighting and electrical systems
- Air conditioning, heating, and ventilation (HVAC)
- Simple, painted walls and general finishes
- Essential fire safety measures
Cat A fit-outs are perfect for commercial spaces that need to appeal to a wide range of tenants or serve as a starting point for future bespoke designs. If your goal is to find a professional space that’s ready for you to make your own, a Cat A space is what you’re looking for.
What is a Cat A+ Office Fit-Out?
Enter Cat A+ fit-outs, a middle ground between Cat A and Cat B. Sometimes referred to as ‘plug and play’ solutions, these spaces are designed for flexibility and are often move-in ready. While this reduces design and fit-out costs and lead times for incoming tenants, this can sometimes be reflected in an increase in rent.
Features of a Cat A+ fit-out:
Everything you’d expect in Cat A, so flooring, lighting, HVAC etc, plus:
- Basic furnishings like desks, chairs, and storage
- Shared spaces designed for collaboration, such as meeting rooms and breakout areas
Landlords and developers love Cat A+ because it makes spaces market-ready, offering potential tenants an attractive and cost-effective solution that strikes a balance between customisation and functionality. CAT A+ fit-outs are also popular with coworking providers who want to offer tenants spaces that can be occupied immediately without the need for a costly CAT B fit-out.
What is a Cat B Office Fit-Out?
A Cat B office fit-out is where the magic happens! Cat B projects are all about personalisation, ensuring your office design reflects your brand identity and culture as well as operational needs.
Features of a Cat B fit-out:
- Bespoke office design tailored to your brand
- Furniture, fixtures, and fittings (everything from chairs to boardroom tables and cushions)
- Custom layout and partitioning for offices, meeting rooms, or collaborative areas
- Branding elements like logos, colour schemes, and signage
- Feature lighting, décor and planting to enhance the ambiance and aesthetics
Cat B is ideal for businesses wanting to create a unique space tailored specifically to the needs of their team and their business. Whether you’re a retail business looking to wow customers, or a corporate business wanting to provide an inspiring hub for your team, Cat B is the fit-out for you.
Cat A vs. Cat B Office Fit-Outs
Still not sure which fit-out suits your needs? Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Cat A Fit-Out | Cat A+ Fit-Out | Cat B Fit-Out |
| Purpose | Functional blank slate | Ready to use office space | Customised, branded workspace |
| Features | Basic infrastructure non operational | Cat A, plus basic furnishings and meeting spaces | Furniture, layout, and all fixtures and fittings |
| Cost | Investment to bring to market | Middle ground for those without a big budget | Higher cost due to bespoke design |
| Timeline | Quicker to complete for marketing but not functional to an end user | Usually completed as part of a landlord’s initial building work, so quicker for potential tenants | Longer for design and customisation (2 weeks+ depending on the size of your space) |
| Ideal for | Landlords, developers | Tenants wanting to move straight into a work-ready space | Occupants, businesses |
Tailored Fit-Outs for Every Industry
Every business is unique. Here’s how Consensus Workspace can help across different sectors:
Commercial Offices
Balance is key. Whether you’re refurbishing an existing space or moving into a new office, investing in a bespoke commercial fit-out which balances functionality with style can significantly enhance productivity, employee satisfaction and wellbeing, as well as improve sustainability and lower operational cost. Check out some of our recent CAT B work here.
Industrial Spaces
Practicality is king! A Cat A office fit-out ensures a clean, functional workspace which optimises space and has the infrastructure in place to support industrial operations. We work with companies of all sizes across the UK, and offer a range of services to suit any industrial fit-out requirement, large or small.
Education
Cat B fit-outs shine here. From student-friendly layouts to inspiring colour schemes, a tailored Cat B solution will transform your education facility into an exciting and engaging learning environment which inspires and empowers the next generation. If you’re looking for guidance on creating the perfect education environment, read our top tips.
Retail
First impressions count! How your store looks is crucial to success and involves so much more than stocking the right products. A Cat B fit-out transforms your retail space into an inviting destination that delivers a seamless and enjoyable in-store experience in order to increase footfall, ensure repeat visits and drive sales.
Leisure
Whether it’s a chic café or a bustling gym, a creative Cat B fit-out will make your venue a place people love to visit – and spend money in. Our team specialises in transforming leisure spaces into venues which deliver cutting-edge style as well maximum performance to ensure you are ready for business and always a first-choice destination.
Making the Right Choice with Consensus Workspace
Choosing the right fit-out isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a strategic decision that impacts productivity, employee satisfaction and ultimately your bottom line. At Consensus Workspace, we bring our expertise to the table, guiding you through every step of the process to deliver a space that truly works for your business.
Ready to bring your vision to life? Contact us today to explore how our Cat A, Cat B, and Cat A+ office fit-out services can transform your space and deliver tangible ROI for your business.