Let’s be honest: these days, an office isn’t just a place to plug in your laptop and hope for decent coffee. It’s your brand. It tells your customers and staff who you are, what you stand for, and how you like to get things done. Get the space right, and your team thrives. Get it wrong, and no amount of free fruit will save you.
That’s where a proper fit-out comes in. Done well, it turns a blank canvas into a place people actually want to work. Think smarter layouts, better lighting, carefully chosen colours and textures — and a little bit of design magic that brings your brand to life.
In this guide, we’re going to demystify the world of office fit-outs. We will even unpack those cryptic labels like Shell & Core, Cat A, Cat B, and the elusive Cat A+. (Spoiler Alert: There are no actual LOL cats involved.) You’ll also find out why the right fit-out can make a big difference to your business — and how Furnify, experts in Cat B fit-outs, can help you make it happen.
But first things first...
What Is an Office Fit-Out, Anyway?
An office fit-out is the bit where a plain, empty space gets turned into somewhere that actually works. It’s where you go from “concrete box” to “functional, fully kitted-out workplace.” That means sorting the lighting, the power, the air conditioning—but also the furniture, layout, finishes and feel.
This isn’t a lick of paint and a shuffle of desks. We call that a refurbishment. A fit-out is a full transformation, tailored to how your business operates and what your people need to do their best work. The end result? A space that looks good, works brilliantly, and feels like you.
So… What’s With All the Categories?
If you’ve been scoping out new offices, chances are you’ve heard terms like Shell & Core, Cat A, Cat A+, and Cat B thrown around like confetti. Sounds fancy. Feels confusing.
And yeah — if a guy in a hi-vis vest with a clipboard starts using them in every other sentence, you might be tempted to throw him out the window. (Please don’t.)
The truth is, these categories are just shorthand for how finished a space is when you get your hands on it. There’s no legislation that governs universal rulebook, so what’s included can vary — but the general gist goes like this:
- Shell & Core is the bare bones: walls, floors, ceilings, and not much else.
- Cat A adds the basics — lighting, ceilings, and maybe some heating or cooling. It looks clean but isn’t ready to move into.
- Cat A+ tries to bridge the gap — think of it as a semi-furnished Airbnb. Kind of ready, but not quite yours.
- Cat B is where the magic happens. That’s your custom layout, your brand colours, your meeting rooms and breakout spaces — built just for you.
Still with us? Good. Now let’s dig into the details — and figure out which fit-out is the right fit for you.
Shell and Core Fit-Out
The Shell and Core stage refers to the initial phase of building preparation. This is the base building. Developers or landlords may expect calls in equal parts from corporations looking for a clean slate, and Indy filmmakers looking for a “desolate concrete construction site” for their micro-budget zombie horror.
At this point, the building’s basic structure is complete. You’ll have finished common areas like lobbies and stairwells, and cladding on the outside of the building will be done. The inside is a different story. It will be unfinished and unusable. There will be no installed services like lighting or air conditioning. And lift shafts may be perilous pits of doom… i.e. No elevators. A Shell and Core space is the bare foundation. Everything else is still to be decided.
Some landlords may choose to include fire-safety measures like sprinklers in the Shell and Core to protect the integrity of their building, especially if separate organisations use different floors instead of a single tenant for the entire building. However, since tech-based organization often have need for specialised fire-suppression systems that do not use water, a shell and core may simply come with a centrally located water and power connection on each floor, and nothing else.
Key Elements:
- Building structure like floors, stairs, elevators shafts
- Exterior finishes
- Essential services like power, water and central plumbing connections
- Common areas such as reception, lobbies, and circulation spaces
Cat A Fit-Out
A Cat A fit-out takes the Shell and Core stage a step further by adding basic operational elements. It makes things functional with mechanical and electrical services. You can expect cooling and heating, raised floors, suspended ceilings, and essential fire protection systems. Essentially, a Cat A is finished blank canvas, ready for further personalization.
When you rent a Cat A office space, the lease contract will likely include a dilapidation clause. This will tell you, the tenant, to return the space to its original condition when the lease ends. The Cat A fit-out state is what this clause refers to, and any dilapidation costs is the responsibility of the tenant.
Key Elements:
- Raised access floors
- Basic suspended ceilings
- Lighting and air conditioning
- Basic fire detection systems
- Finished internal walls and lift lobbies
Cat A+ Fit-Out
Cat A+ fit-outs are plug-and-play spaces. Think of it as a mid-level solution between Cat A and Cat B. Usually done by landlords, Cat A fit-outs provide a fully operational workspace. Tenants can usually move in immediately with minimal adjustments. While Cat A+ spaces include furniture and basic facilities, tenants can add personal touches like branding.
Cat A+ is landlords’ response to a growing need for start-ups and SME’s to be able to hit the ground running without the time and initial overheads of setting up an office space. Although the investment from the side of the developer or landlord is much higher, Cat A+ fit-outs often help landlords to find tenants faster.
Key Elements:
- Partitioning for meeting rooms and offices
- Furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E)
- Desks and collaboration spaces
- Kitchens and breakout areas
- Power, data, air conditioning, and lighting
Cat B Fit-Out
A Cat B fit-out is where your personality as an organisation is expressed. Cat B fit-outs is the final stage of office customization giving you a fully operational and branded workspace. This is where your specific needs, work styles, and preferences are built into your physical space. Cat B fit-outs are all about bringing the tenant’s vision to life, complete with specialized lighting, IT infrastructure, decor, and bespoke furnishings.
A professional Cat B fit-out puts your space to work. On one level, a Cat B fit-out reflects your company culture, and it ensures that your operational needs are met. An expert Cat B fit-out, however, accomplishes far more. It creates functional spaces for different modes of work that supports your employees in their creative and work processes. It manages the flow of people and provides areas for collaboration, and also for concentration without distraction. A great Cat B fit out can even convince top talent that your company is the place where they want to further their career.
Key Elements:
- Partitions and doors
- Floor finishes
- Office pods and phone booths
- Specialist lighting and facilities
- Cafés, tea points, and kitchen areas
- Furniture and branded material
- Artwork and décor
Why a Great Fit-Out is Essential for Business Success
An office fit-out is a strategic decision that impacts how your business works. It’s how your team feels when they walk through the door. It’s the message your space sends to clients, partners, and future employees.
Done right, a good fit-out quietly guides your business in all the right ways. Here's how:
1. It helps your team do their best work
People aren’t robots. The right ergonomic chair matters. So does natural light, a quiet spot to focus, and enough meeting rooms that don’t double as storage closets. When the space is set up with real people in mind, productivity goes up — and stress goes down.
2. It shapes your company culture
Office design isn’t just about what looks good—it’s about how people connect. Breakout lounges spark conversation and creativity. Private sofa dens offer space to think. A well-balanced layout supports both collaboration and deep focus. Your office should reflect the way you work.
3. It makes your brand feel real
Anyone can talk about values. But when someone walks into your space and instantly gets who you are? That’s brand magic. Your office is your brand made tangible. It tells a story about your values and your brand goals. A bespoke fit-out helps you tell that story clearly, confidently, and with style.
4. It helps you hire (and keep) great people
Top talent has options. If your workspace looks like the strewn wreckage of the Death Star, don’t be surprised when candidates don’t call back. But an office that feels inspiring, that puts people-first, and even has a touch of greenery? That’s a space people want to be part of.
5. It makes the right impression
Let’s not pretend businesspeople aren’t judgy. Looks matter. When a client steps into your office, they don’t just see desks and chairs. They are sizing you up and getting a feel for you. Are you professional? Do you pay attention to detail? What is your vision? A strong first impression can win trust before the first handshake.
Furnify: Your Cat B Fit-Out Specialists
Our services go way beyond selling desk. At Furnify, we specialise in Cat B fit-outs. We turn blank office spaces into thoughtful, functional, stylish environments that reflect who you are and how you work.
Why Choose Furnify?
We know what we’re doing
We’ve been doing this for years. From tech start-ups to established firms, we deliver spaces that work. No fluff. No drama. Just clever design and solid delivery.
We design around you
Your business is not like anyone else’s. So why should your office be? We take the time to understand your team, your culture, and how you work. Then we create a space that matches your needs and ambitions.
We handle everything with end-to-end service
From first ideas to final walkthrough, we manage the full process. That means less stress for you — and a better end result all round.
We think ahead
Design trends move fast, and workplace best practices are always evolving. At Furnify, we keep up. We blend timeless design with forward-thinking technologies, so your office doesn’t just work today, it keeps working tomorrow.
A fit-out isn’t just about transforming a space. It’s about setting your business up for success. Now that you understand the different categories of office fit-outs, put your knowledge to work. Boost your productivity. Celebrate your brand and tell people who you are. Grow your culture. It’s all in the space you create.
Whether you’re stepping into a brand-new office or breathing life into a tired space, Furnify is here to help you create something that truly fits.
Ready to build the office your business deserves? Let’s chat.