What is a Cat A+ office fit-out?
A Cat A+ fit-out, also referred to as a Category A Plus fit out, is a complete office redesign and fit-out typically undertaken by the landlord and designed so that a business can move in and start working immediately. A Cat A+ offers all the functional aspects of a Cat B fit out, such as fully fitted kitchens, breakout areas, meeting rooms and office furniture, with the key difference being that the tenant is not responsible for sourcing or funding the works themselves. A Cat A+ fit-out is designed for immediate occupation. These office types are often called 'plug-and-play' offices, meaning they are fully equipped and ready for businesses to commence their operations from day one.
Why should I choose a Cat A+ fit-out?
Cat A+ spaces are ideal for businesses seeking flexibility, speed, and simplicity. A Cat A+ fit out is perfect if a company is looking for an office space that's well-designed and ready to use. The main appeal for this office fit-out type is the ready-to-use office space and it will appeal to businesses who do not want to deal with the costs or complexities of managing a full fit-out themselves.
Since all office furnishings and facilities are already in place, a Cat A+ fit-out means your team can move in and start working immediately, with desks, meeting rooms, kitchen facilities and connectivity already in place. This can be particularly appealing for both established and growing businesses, those with project-based teams, or companies looking for efficient short-term flexibility.
By choosing a Category A Plus fit-out, businesses can expect to move into a professional, thoughtfully designed workspace with minimal hassle, often on more agile lease terms than a traditional office. This makes Cat A+ office fit-outs an appealing solution, offering both convenience, functionality, and aesthetic appeal - all with no upfront capital outlay or delays.
What does a Cat A+ fit-out include?
Typically, a Cat A+ office fit-out will have almost everything that business requires to move its team into the workplace and begin operations immediately.
With a Cat A+ fit-out, you can expect:
- Desks, chairs, and meeting room furniture
- Fully fitted kitchen or tea point
- High-speed internet and connectivity
- Breakout spaces and soft seating
- Reception area (if applicable)
- Decoration and lighting
- Cleaning and facilities management (in some cases)
How does a Cat A+ fit-out different from Cat A and Cat B?
We have covered the difference between a Cat A and Cat B fit out before, but how does a Cat A+ differ?
Cat A fit out: This is a basic interior fit-out and essentially a blank canvas. Incoming tenants have the flexibility to turn it into a workplace of their own.
Cat B fit out: A bespoke fit-out completed by the tenant, including furniture, layout design, and branding.
Cat A+ fit out: usually commissioned by landlords as a way to provide a functional office that tenants can move into and start using straight away, with only minimal tweaks needed.
To find out which one is right for you, read our article: A Guide To Office Fit-Outs.
Who are Cat A+ fit-outs suitable for?
Cat A+ fit-outs are ideal for startups, scale-ups, project teams, or companies looking for short-term or flexible leases. It's also an excellent solution for businesses that want to avoid the complexity of managing a full office fit-out.
A great example of a Cat A+ fit-out is our project with Lamron Estates and Royal London Asset Management at their redeveloped Space building in Woking. The brief was to create a high-quality, fully equipped amenity offering that would be ready to occupy from day one.
We delivered a Cat A+ solution that included meeting rooms, collaborative areas, and a premium design finish – all ready for immediate use. The result is a plug-and-play workspace that offers flexibility, functionality, and minimal hassle for incoming tenants.
