So, you’re moving out of your current office space and relocating to a new one. You’re stuck with deciding which office fit out to opt for and how to go about it. Wait…office ‘fit out’…what’s that, you ask? Its ok, we understand that you’ve probably never heard of this jargon before. Let’s first understand fit out meaning and what does the term ‘fit out’ actually means before we dive into the topic in detail.
The procedure of developing design and construction within a space is called ‘fit out’. Now, the two most commonly used kinds of office fit out are Cat A and Cat B fit out. Of course, ‘cat’ here means category while Cat A fit out and Cat B fit out are classed as different categories of fit out, with each differing in their own way. Each fit out category has its own variables.
As the best fitout company in Dubai, we know exactly how office fit outs empower enterprises to use spaces more practically and make good use of them. And in our 10+ years of experience and having worked on 500+ projects, we’ve transformed large offices with small units. We’ve changed the entire office space by eliminating the less used spaces with more storage space. That’s what primarily an office fit out does – it solves a lot of your problems.
A lot of people get confused when the terms Cat A and Cat B fit out are thrown at them by interior designers. So it’s best to fully understand both the categories, what they bring to the table and what differentiates them from each other before you choose to go with one. We decide to simplify the concepts behind these terms Cat B office fit out and Cat A office fit out and explain both in detail.
What is a Cat A Fit Out?
A cat A fit out is the kind that is more frequently chosen by property owners or property managers whose tenants opt for add a personal touch and customize the space as per their office requirements. In the interior designing industry, a cat A fit out is also referred to as a blank canvas, as it’s an empty, blank space. Basically, a category A fit out is chosen for commercial purposes which meets the specific requirements for the tenant(s).
It could be a large space for an enterprise or a hospital. Cat A fit out is the foundation or basic layer of an office. It includes key interior components like safety installations, floors and ceilings. That’s why it’s referred to as a blank canvas because the tenant can decorate the office space according to their wishes and requirements. Basically, cat A office fit out is the foundation structure for a cat B fit out.
In much simpler terms, when a property owner or a property manager gives the tenants or the buyer of a proper and functioning office space that can easily be transformed according to their specific requirements, it’s a cat A fit out. This is an office space that is a general structure, a skeleton, of a working space but isn’t quite ready to be moved in and start operations. It’s basically a space that has raised flooring and ceilings that are slightly suspended.
Category A fit out has all the key electrical and mechanical components installed as well as lighting and air conditioning systems. However, there are no office space partitions, carpets or floor coverings. It lacks furniture or decorations, no office partitions or divided office spaces. The tenants or the buyer can move in and decorate the space according to their needs and wants.
What is a Cat B Fit Out?
A cat B office fit out means that a tenant or a buyer can move in without wasting any time and start their business operations in a workspace that has been designed according to their requirements. The best thing about a cat B office fit out is that the client and refurbishment contractor are in direct contact with each other on this project.
This allows the company’s core identity – such as signage, fascia, company logos and other key elements of personalization can be taken into account while design the interior of the office space. Customized elements like the number of seating, desks, private offices, meeting / board rooms, washrooms, kitchens etc. can be decided and started work on early.
So, like we discussed above, cat B fit out is an upgrade on the cat A fit out, which serves as the base of a fully functioning office space. Cat B fit out adds more to the skeleton, or basic structure, of the office space. It adds a network of IT infrastructure, company’s brand aesthetic elements, electrical equipment that can range from lighting solutions on a large scale, to video and audio elements.
It also includes customized interior elements such as wall paneling, fans, air conditioning, meeting and break rooms etc. Cat B fit out is a visual representation of the tenant’s or buyer’s vision.
This office fit out offers the end product to every solution. The tenant can add decorative lighting solutions, as per the requirement or identity of the brand. The aesthetic of the workspace is added during the cat B fit out, again, with the buyer’s or tenants personal touch. Office workstations, partitions, customized office spaces and even reception areas are also included in this fit out.
Cat A vs Cat B Fit Out – What’s the Difference?
So, THIS is an easy way of understanding Cat A and Cat B fit out and the differences between the two. We’ve already discussed and elaborated both Cat A and Cat B fit out in detail. Now, let’s see what key differences separate them…
| Aspect | Category A (Cat A) Fit-Out | Category B (Cat B) Fit-Out |
| Purpose | Provides a blank canvas for future tenants to customize according to their needs. | Delivers a fully-finished, move-in ready workspace designed according to the client’s requirements. |
| Typical Client | Landlords preparing space for future tenants. | Tenants seeking a customized, ready-to-use office space. |
| Level of Finish | Basic finish – safe but not work-ready. | Complete finish – ready for immediate occupation and use. |
| Included Elements | Raised floors, painted perimeter walls, suspended ceilings, basic mechanical & electrical services, lighting, HVAC. | All Cat A elements + internal partitions, personalized furniture, branded decor, specialized lighting, custom M&E. |
| Exclusions | No internal partitions, private offices, storage, floor coverings, or furniture. | Nothing essential excluded. Includes reception, meeting rooms, kitchen, breakout spaces, and all workplace essentials. |
| Design Approach | Standardized – not personalized to any specific tenant. | Highly personalized – incorporates company culture, branding, and specific workplace needs. |
| Customization | Minimal – intended for further tenant fit-out. | Maximum – everything from layout to finishes and furniture is customized. |
| Workplace Readiness | Not work-ready – further fit-out required by the tenant. | Fully work-ready – tenant can move in and start operations immediately. |
Cat A and Cat B Fit Out – What Suits You?
We hope you’ve now grown accustomed to the terms Cat A fit out and Cat B fit out without going into a tailspin. Both these office fitouts have their own purpose, key elements and differing objectives. It’s up to you how to utilize which type. Nowadays, a whole host of interior designing companies are specializing in both these fitouts.
But, if you’re looking for the best and most trusted interior design company Dubai, then contact Reliable Interior Design today as we’ve got an experience of 20+ years, with 300+ clients, 20+ top-notch interior designers and having worked on 4,500+ projects, winning 4 prestigious awards as well. We promise to give you the right fitout for your company’s requirements.
