CAT A office fit out Manchester
Creating a market-ready office in Manchester starts with the right CAT A office fit-out.
Landlords, investors and companies trust us to transform empty shells into clean, compliant spaces that attract quality tenants and shorten void periods. From suspended ceilings and LED lighting to raised access floors and core services, we deliver the base infrastructure for occupiers to plug in and make the space their own.
Our Manchester CAT A office refurbishment service is designed around your asset strategy, budget and timescales. We coordinate all trades on site, manage health and safety, and ensure every element of the project meets current building regulations and British Standards. Whether you are refreshing tired space between lettings or preparing a new development for the market, we create a bright, flexible environment that showcases the full potential of your floor plates.
Our focus on efficient, energy-saving systems and durable finishes helps reduce operating costs and ongoing maintenance for you and your future tenants. The result is a high-performing, basic office infrastructure fit out in Manchester that is easy to view, easy to let, and ready for future CAT B customisation.
A CAT A office fit-out provides a functional but non-furnished workspace, typically delivered for landlords and property developers.
A typical CAT A fit-out includes:
Raised access flooring and basic floor finishes
Suspended ceilings
Lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
Mechanical, electrical and data infrastructure.
Fire alarms, sprinklers and basic security systems.
Completed core areas such as WCs and showers.
Basic decorations to walls and surfaces.
While CAT A prepares the base building, a CAT B fit-out is all about tailoring the space to a specific business and making it fully work-ready. It turns a shell and core into an operational environment with the essential services and finishes in place.
CAT B typically adds partitioning for offices and meeting rooms, reception and breakout spaces, kitchen and tea points, floor finishes, furniture, branding, signage and integrated technology so a team can start working from day one.
In short, CAT A delivers the compliant infrastructure; CAT B delivers the finished environment that the tenants actually occupy. From smart lighting control to modular partition systems, we help you make choices that support lower lifecycle costs and future flexibility for incoming tenants.
Your CAT A office fit-out checklist
Meeting Your Business Needs
We start by understanding your investment goals, target tenant profile and leasing strategy. This shapes the CAT A specification, from the quality of finishes to the level of flexibility built into the space.
Comprehensive Service
Our team provides end-to-end CAT A solutions for Manchester and beyond, including strip-out, partitions, ceilings, flooring, lighting, mechanical, electrical and data works, decorations and core area upgrades. We also coordinate any structural alterations, building fabric repairs and compliance required to bring the space up to modern standards.
Proven Track Record
We deliver CAT A and CAT B office fit-outs for all commercial buildings, from single-floor fit-outs to full-building refurbishments. Our portfolio showcases similar projects, testimonials, and references, so you can see how we have helped others de-risk their investments and let space faster.
Minimal Business Disruption]
Where space is part-occupied, or works must fit around existing tenants, we plan programmes and phasing to minimise disruption. This can include out-of-hours working, weekend shifts, and careful segregation of live areas, so building users can operate safely while the CAT A fit-out progresses.
Transparent Process
You receive a detailed proposal outlining scope, specifications, programme and costs before any works begin. Throughout the project, we provide regular updates, site meetings and progress reports, giving you full visibility and control with no hidden extras.
Quality & Compliance
All CAT A works are delivered in accordance with current building regulations, fire safety requirements, and health and safety standards. We also design and install systems to align with your building’s ESG commitments, from energy-efficient lighting and HVAC to low-VOC finishes.
Value Engineering
Our specialists constantly review specifications to identify cost-effective alternatives that maintain performance while staying within your budget. From smart lighting control to modular partition systems, we help you make choices that support lower lifecycle costs and future flexibility for incoming tenants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Fit Out Questions Answered
What is a Cat A fit out?
A Category A (Cat A) fit out provides the essential infrastructure that makes a commercial space functional but not yet personalised. It typically includes raised access floors, suspended ceilings, basic mechanical and electrical services, fire detection systems, internal surface finishes, and shared-area amenities. Cat A is often delivered by landlords to create a blank but operational canvas ready for tenant customisation. It ensures compliance with building regulations, energy performance standards, and safety requirements, but it does not include any tenant-specific design elements.
It differs from a Category B (Cat B) fit-out which transforms that blank CAT A canvas into a fully operational workplace tailored to the tenant’s brand, culture, and operational needs.
What does a typical Category A fit out include?
A Cat A fit out establishes the fundamental building services and finishes required to make a commercial space safe, compliant, and ready for tenant customisation. Cat A typically includes:
Raised access floors for cabling and power lines.
Suspended ceilings with grid and tile systems
Basic lighting (usually LED panels)
HVAC systems for heating, cooling, and ventilation
Fire alarms, smoke detectors, and emergency lighting
Basic internal finishes, such as painted walls and screeded floors
Core area amenities, including lifts, WCs, and lobbies
The purpose of Cat A is not to create a finished workplace but to deliver a compliant, functional shell that meets building regulations and provides a consistent baseline for incoming tenants. Many landlords offer Cat A+, a hybrid that includes some light Cat B elements such as tea points or small meeting rooms.
How long does a Cat A fit out typically take?
Timelines vary depending on building size, complexity, and procurement route, but there are reliable benchmarks. A Cat A fit out for a typical 10,000–20,000 sq ft commercial space usually takes 8–14 weeks. This could include stripping out, new mechanical and electrical systems, ceilings, floors, and compliance testing. Larger or more complex buildings, especially those requiring structural modifications or major service upgrades, may extend to 20+ weeks.
Pre-construction activities such as surveys, design development, and approvals can add 4–8 weeks before work begins on site. A realistic programme should include contingency for supply chain delays, landlord approvals, and commissioning.
How much does a Category A fit out cost?
Costs vary significantly based on location, specification, and building condition, but industry benchmarks provide useful guidance. A Cat A fit out typically ranges from £35–£65 per sq ft. This covers mechanical and electrical systems, ceilings, raised floors, fire safety installations, and basic finishes. Premium buildings or those requiring extensive service upgrades may exceed £70 per sq ft.
Prospective clients should also consider soft costs such as design fees, project management, surveys, building control approvals, and IT migration. These typically add 10–20% to the overall budget.
How do I decide if I need a Cat A or Cat B fit out?
The decision depends on your role, objectives, and the current condition of the space. Landlords typically commission Cat A fit outs to make vacant units market-ready. If you are a landlord seeking to attract tenants quickly, Cat A or Cat A+ creates a clean, compliant, and flexible environment that reduces onboarding time for tenants.
Tenants, on the other hand, almost always require a Cat B fit out because it aligns the space with their brand, culture, and operational needs.
Key considerations include:
Current condition of the space
Lease terms and landlord incentives
Brand and cultural requirements
Headcount and workflow patterns
Budget and timeline
Sustainability and energy-efficiency goals
We can help assess your needs, develop a space strategy, and determine the most cost-effective route.
We start by understanding your investment goals, target tenant profile and leasing strategy. This shapes the CAT A specification, from the quality of finishes to the level of flexibility built into the space.
We deliver fit-outs for all commercial buildings, from single floors to full refurbishments. Our portfolio showcases projects, testimonials and references so you can see how well we perform.
We outline the scope, specifications, programme and costs before any works begin. Throughout, we provide updates, site meetings and progress reports, giving you full visibility and control.
All CAT A works are delivered to current building regulations, fire safety requirements and health and safety standards that align with ESG commitments, from energy-efficient lighting to low-VOC finishes.
CAT A fit-outs for Manchester clients
A CAT A office fit-out in Manchester is the critical step between a bare shell and a space that tenants can confidently invest in. By delivering compliant infrastructure, modern services and a bright, flexible canvas, you make it easier for occupiers to visualise their future workplace and move quickly to CAT B design.
Our landlord-focused approach covers everything from early planning and value engineering through to project delivery and aftercare, all tailored to your building and target market. If you are looking to refresh existing floors, reposition a tired asset or complete a new development, we can provide a Manchester CAT A office fit-out that protects value and accelerates leasing.
