If you’re planning an office move, refurbishment, or new lease, you’ll quickly come across the terms CAT A and CAT B. They’re used all the time and just as often misunderstood. Knowing the difference matters. It affects cost, responsibility, and how quickly your office can be moved in. Here’s a simple breakdown.
What is a CAT A Fit-Out?
A CAT A fit-out delivers a functional, neutral office shell ready for occupation, including:
- Raised access floors
- Suspended ceilings
- Basic lighting
- Mechanical and electrical services
- Fire detection and life-safety systems
- Toilets and core areas
What it doesn’t include is anything that reflects how your business actually works. Think of CAT A as the blank canvas.
What is a CAT B Fit-Out?
A CAT B fit-out turns that blank canvas into a fully functioning workplace designed specifically for your business. This is where design, culture, and functionality come into play, including:
- Space planning and workplace design
- Partitioning and meeting rooms
- Furniture, storage, and breakout areas
- Kitchens, tea points and collaboration zones
- Branding, finishes and signage
- IT integration and AV
CAT B is designed to create a space your team can move into and start working from immediately.
Do you always need both CAT A and CAT B?
In most cases, yes. A typical office project follows this route:
- CAT A delivers the core infrastructure
- CAT B adapts the space to suit the business
However, some projects combine elements of both, particularly refurbishments, reuse projects, or landlord CAT A+ schemes designed to speed up occupation.
Which One Should You Be Planning For?
If you’re:
- Leasing a new office → You’ll likely inherit a CAT A space and need a CAT B fit-out
- Moving into a pre-fitted space → You may only need CAT B adaptations
- Refurbishing an existing office → You could be dealing with a hybrid of both
- Understanding this early avoids scope creep, budget surprises, and programme delays.
CAT A gets you a space.
CAT B makes it work.
The most successful office projects are planned with both stages in mind from the start, even if they’re delivered separately. If you’re clear on the difference, you’re already ahead of most projects. For 25 years, Excel Business Environments has been designing, refurbishing, and fitting out workplaces across the UK, including offices, warehouses, retail, hospitality, sports facilities and specialist workspace environments. We’re CHAS Elite & Full Electrical Accredited, so compliance and safety are locked in from day one. Want to learn more, get in touch today.
