An office fit out is one of the largest single investments most businesses make in their workplace. Get it right and you end up with a space that supports your people and reflects how you work. Get it wrong and you are dealing with overspend, delays, and a finished office that does not function the way you intended.
If you are a Nottingham business planning a fit out, whether that is moving into a new space, upgrading your current one, or working through a lease event, this guide covers what you need to know before you commit.
What Is an Office Fit Out?
A fit out is the process of turning a shell or base-build commercial space into a finished, functional workplace. In most cases, a landlord will deliver a space to Cat A standard, meaning the structural shell is complete, basic mechanical and electrical services are installed, but the interior is empty and generic.
The fit out is then everything that follows: partitions, meeting rooms, flooring, ceilings, lighting design, furniture, technology infrastructure, and the branded or aesthetic finishes that make the space yours. This is typically called a Cat B fit out.
Cat A, Cat A+ and Cat B: What Is the Difference?
Cat A is the base build the landlord provides. It covers the structural envelope, raised floors, suspended ceilings, basic heating and cooling, and power distribution to the floor. It is not a usable office. It is the blank canvas.
Cat A+ is an increasingly common option in the Nottingham market, particularly in newer city centre developments. The landlord goes further than Cat A, delivering a space that is partially fitted and furnished to a flexible standard, ideal for businesses on shorter leases or those that want to move in quickly.
Cat B is your actual office. It covers everything that turns the Cat A shell into a workplace built around how your business operates: internal layout, meeting rooms, breakout areas, kitchen and welfare, AV and data, furniture, and brand. For most businesses taking a new lease in Nottingham, the Cat B fit out is their project to manage and fund.
How Much Does an Office Fit Out Cost?
Cost is the question every business asks first, and the honest answer is that it varies. Specification, building condition, and complexity all have a significant effect on the final figure.
Based on our project experience, Cat B fit out costs typically run from £45 to £65 per square foot at a low specification, £65 to £90 per square foot for a medium finish, and £90 to £130 or more for a high specification. Cat A fit out work typically falls between £60 and £80 per square foot. Cat A+ generally runs from £75 to £95 per square foot.
These are typical ranges across our UK project portfolio, not Nottingham-specific estimates. The final number depends on the condition of the space you are taking, the complexity of your brief, and how much of the Cat A infrastructure you can reuse.
How Long Does a Nottingham Office Fit Out Take?
For a standard Cat B fit out, most businesses should plan for eight to sixteen weeks on site. This sits within a broader programme that typically includes four to six weeks for design, technical planning, and procurement before works begin.
The most common cause of delays is starting the process too late. Engaging a fit-out partner at the point of signing your heads of terms, rather than at lease commencement, gives you the maximum amount of time to design, procure, and build before your move-in date.
Office Refurbishment vs Full Fit Out
Not every project needs a full fit out from scratch. If you are already in an existing Nottingham office that no longer serves your business well, a targeted office refurbishment can deliver significant improvements in how the space looks, feels, and functions, often at lower cost and with less disruption than a full relocation and refit.
The right choice depends on the condition of your current space, the length of your remaining lease, and the gap between what you have and what you need. We help businesses across the East Midlands work through that decision before committing to a course of action.
Choosing an Office Fit Out Partner in Nottingham
The partner you choose matters as much as the specification. A strong fit-out team should be able to take your project from initial brief through to completed workplace, managing design, procurement, and construction under one roof.
Look for demonstrable experience in commercial Cat B fit outs, a clear process for developing your brief before design begins, and references from comparable projects. A single point of accountability across design and build makes the process significantly simpler.
If you are planning a Nottingham office fit out and want to talk through your options, our team can support you from brief through to handover.
