The Difference Between Office Fitout & Refurbishment

Companies grow and change over time. It is not uncommon for them to need updating or to move to new locations. You might be interested in learning more about the terminology used in the industry if you are thinking of moving or renovating your office space. Although they may seem like the same thing, the terms “office fit out” and “office refurbishment” actually refer to two different things.

Continue reading to find out more about the differences and how they can help you and your business.

What is Office Fit Out? 

The general term office fit-out refers to any work related to ensuring that an office's interior space is functional. The fit-out stage is similar to the preparation stage. This is where the office space will be transformed into a safe environment for employees and you.

Fit-out is the preparation of the blank canvas which will eventually turn into a fully functional and refurbished office. Not only does the fit-out include the office space, but also the preparation of areas like stairways or car parking. If you are moving your office to a new building, an office fit-out might be necessary.

Different types of office fit-out:

There are many steps involved in making a building safe and suitable for work. Therefore, you may need to choose from a variety of Office fit-outs depending on where your building is in development. One company may only offer one type of fitout while others will offer the entire package.

Shell & Core This type of fit-out involves getting the building's basic structure ready for use. A Shell & Core fitout means that the building structure is already assembled and constructed by construction teams. They have only constructed the shell of the building. A shell & core fit-out prepares the space for full use by adding basic mechanical and electrical work.

Category A:

 The next step after shell and core is a Category A fit-out. This is where complex electrical and mechanical work are added such as lighting. During the Category, A process raised access flooring and suspended ceilings can be fitted, along with toilets, fire detection systems, and air conditioning units. The space is now functional and ready for furnishing.

Category B:

This type of fit-out is very similar to office refurbishment. Here, final details like furniture and interior design techniques are taken into consideration. The only difference is that the term 'Category A Fit Out' refers to interior design, furniture and finer details that are added to spaces that don't have them.

What is Office Refurbishment?

 Refurbishment of office space is required when it has been used for a while but the company feels that it needs to be modernized and redesigned. Although the original Category B fit-out may have been functional at the time but companies' needs can change.

Businesses may find it necessary to upgrade their workspaces. This is another reason to consider general wear and tear since furniture and surfaces can get damaged over time.

A office remodel can also include new additions such as ergonomic furniture. This includes the redecoration of the interior, including painting and finishing surfaces. Other services offered by office refurbishment companies can make your refurbishment projects more successful.

These could include space optimization techniques, designing your workplace in a way that encourages flexibility and agility. Your office workspace might need the expertise of office refurbishment specialists to achieve greater success.