The difference between Cat A, Cat B and Cat C office fit out

What is "shell & core"?

Before diving into the specifics of the Cat A, Cat B, and Cat C fit outs, let's address the term "shell and core."

A shell and core office space refers to the basic, raw structure of a building. It typically involves an empty space with no internal finishes or services, providing only the structural elements like walls, floors, and ceilings. The space is often handed over to a tenant or developer as the starting point for any fit out work.

Taking the building back to 'shell and core’ means you’re dealing with a property that has no mechanical or electrical services — no lighting, heating, or plumbing, and no partitions or finishes. This is the blank canvas that enables future fit out work to transform the space into a usable office environment.

What is a Cat A office fit out?

A Category A fit out is the first major step in transforming a shell-and-core building into a fully functional office space. A Cat A fit out focuses on installing essential systems and services that make the space operational, but it doesn’t yet address the finer details such as furniture, branding, or customised design features.

In a Cat A office fit out, the space will typically include elements like HVAC systems, lighting, fire alarms, raised access flooring, and suspended ceilings. At this stage, the building will be functional and ready for the next step—transforming it into a personalised, branded workplace through a Cat B fit out.

Typical features of a Cat A office fit out

• Mechanical and electrical services
• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
• Lighting
• Fire alarms and smoke detection
• Raised access flooring
• Suspended ceilings

Is a Cat A fit out right for me?

A Cat A fit out is ideal for landlords or businesses that want to lease office spaces without adding specific branding or furnishings. This type of fit out is typically used by landlords who want to offer a blank slate for tenants to customise. Additionally, companies that want the flexibility to carry out their own fit out or who have not yet decided on the specific needs of their workplace can benefit from a Cat A space.

For companies or landlords that are uncertain about their office requirements, a Cat A fit out provides the flexibility to adapt the space as needed without committing to specific design choices upfront.

What is a Cat B office fit out?

A Cat B office fit out takes a Cat A space and transforms it into a fully functional, personalised office. This is where the true customisation happens, with the office space being tailored to the specific needs of the tenant or business. A Cat B fit out is all about functionality, aesthetics, and brand identity. It involves everything from partitioning walls to the installation of furniture and data systems, turning an empty space into a working office.

The Cat B fit out will be managed by the tenant in partnership with a design and build expert like Peldon Rose, and while it can be done after a Cat A fit out, some businesses opt to complete both stages concurrently for efficiency and cost savings.

Typical features of a Cat B office fit out

• Partitions (walls, doors, rooms, breakout spaces)
• Tea points and kitchens
• Furniture and desking
• AV and data systems
• Graphics and branding elements
• Carpet tiles and flooring
• Storage solutions like lockers

Is a Cat B fit out right for me?

A Cat B fit out is ideal for businesses that require a fully functioning and branded workspace. This includes companies that want to incorporate their brand’s identity into their office design through custom furniture, logos, and colour schemes. It's also well-suited for companies that have specific space needs, such as creating collaborative areas or private meeting rooms, based on the nature of their work.

Conducting a workplace analysis can help clarify your specific requirements, ensuring that your Cat B fit out aligns with your business goals. By gathering data about employee behaviour and needs, you can design a space that optimises productivity, collaboration, and employee wellbeing.

Our in-house mechanical and electrical team can also assess the property before any work begins, ensuring that your building is up to code and that any necessary alterations are identified early on—helping you save time and money.

What is a Cat A+ office fit out?

The Cat A+ fit out is an innovative offering that combines the basic functionality of a Cat A fit out with some elements of a Cat B fit out. It includes all the standard features of a Cat A fit out—such as lighting, HVAC, and basic flooring—but also adds some light customisations, like soft furnishings, tea points, or additional workspace features, creating a "Ready to Work" environment.

This offering is becoming increasingly popular among forward-thinking landlords who want to attract tenants with minimal additional investment. A Cat A+ office fit out provides businesses with a fully operational space that they can easily move into and personalise further with minimal effort.

Typical features of a Cat A+ office fit out

• Tea points and kitchens
• Furniture and desking
• Carpet tiles and flooring
• Storage solutions like lockers

Is a Cat A+ fit out right for me?

A Cat A+ fit out is a great option for landlords who want to offer tenants a move-in ready office space. It's also well-suited for co-working spaces or businesses looking for an efficient and flexible space without requiring major customisation. The combination of Cat A functionality with soft branding elements allows tenants to quickly establish their identity in a space while maintaining flexibility.

What is a Cat C office fit out?

A Cat C office fit out goes beyond both Cat A and Cat B. It is highly tailored to the specific needs of a business and involves further customisation based on the nature of the company. A Cat C fit out typically comes after the office has been completed with a Cat B fit out, evolving the space with highly specialised equipment or design elements to meet the unique demands of the tenant.

This type of fit out is often used by businesses with very specific workspace requirements, such as tech companies, fashion brands, or creative studios, which need custom-built spaces like laboratories, photo studios, or high-tech workstations.

Typical features of a Cat C office fit out

• Specialised equipment and furniture
• Specialised lighting
• Custom-built spaces (e.g., labs, photo studios, changing rooms)
• New tech integrations
• Additional design elements tailored to the brand or function

Is a Cat C fit out right for me?

A Cat C fit out is perfect for companies with very specific needs regarding their office space. Businesses in sectors like technology, education, creative industries, or healthcare may require custom spaces designed to suit their operations. A Cat C fit out also caters to brands that prioritise unique design elements to enhance their identity.

To conclude

When planning your office fit out, it’s crucial to evaluate your company’s needs, goals, and budget to determine which type of fit out is best for you. Whether you are a landlord looking to offer a ready-to-occupy space, or a business needing a highly customised office environment, understanding the differences between a Cat A, Cat B, Cat A+, and Cat C fit out can help you make the right choice.

If you're unsure about which fit out is right for your business, Peldon Rose’s expert team can guide you through the process and help you create a space that meets your unique needs.

Contact us to start your office transformation journey today.