Register Sign in

Search
Designing Buildings Wiki
Put all construction industry knowledge in one place.
Integrated, collaborative, free.
Site info / tools Project plans Property Procedures Legislation Design Construction
Discuss
Edit this article
Last edited 13 Nov 2013
See full history
Fit out is a term used to describe the process of making interior spaces suitable for
occupation. It is often used in relation to office developments, where the base construction is
completed by the developer, and the final fit out by the occupant. The occupant will generally
be leasing space as a tenant from the developer / landlord.
Depending on the degree of completion of the building, and the interior specification required
by the occupant, fit outs can take a range of different forms:
Contents
1 Shell and core
2 Category A fit-out
3 Category B fit-out
4 Turnkey developments
Share
Follow us
Create an article
Related articles
Capital allowances.
Client commissioning.
Defects liability period.
First fix.
Handover to client.
Migration strategy.
Occupation.
Practical completion.
Rent free period.
Shell and core.
Soft landings.
Featured articles and news
Infrastructure Bill
Fit out
5 Find out more
5.1 Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Shell and core
Shell-and-core works will generally comprise the structure, cladding, base plant, completed
common areas and external works. It will include fitted-out main reception, lobbies,
staircases, toilets, lift shafts, basements, loading bays, car parking and so on.
Category A fit-out
Category A generally describes the level of fit out that tenant's own space is completed to by
the developer. There is no standard definition, but a category A fit out may include.
Raised floors and suspended ceilings.
Distribution of mechanical and electrical services.
Internal surface finishes.
Blinds.
If the tenant has very complex fit out requirements, this may impact on the category A fit out.
In this case, they may make a contribution to the costs of the category A fit out to ensure
that it meets their needs, and offset this against their own costs. This saves wasted time and
money modifying the category A fit out.
Category B fit-out
Category B completes the fit out of the internal space to the tenants requirements. This may
include:
Final finishes and branding.
Installation of offices.
Installation of specialist facilities in meeting rooms, board rooms conference rooms and so
on.
Fitting out reception areas.
Installation of specialist lighting.
Installation of ICT equipment.
Installation of audio visual equipment.
There's been a lot in the news about the new
Infrastructure Bill. In particular its impact on
fracking and the exemption of 'small sites' from the
zero-carbon homes standard. Find out what it
actually says...
MTH v EON
Construction lawyer Najma Dunnett reports on the
latest case to make clear that agreements can
include both absolute obligations and requirements
for reasonable skill and care. Beware which you
accept and the consequences for your professional
indemnity insurance.
Show your profile above your articles
Fit out of kitchen areas.
Installation of furniture.
The developer may make ask the tenant to carry out some of their more sensitive category A
works on their behalf during the category B fit out, when they may be less subject to damage.
The developer will pay the tenant a sum equivalent to the cost of the works had they carried
them out themselves.
Turnkey developments
A turnkey development provides the tenant with spaces that are fitted out by the developer so
that they are ready for use.
These categories do not have standard definitions, and so it is very important that contract
documentation sets out precisely what work is to be carried out and by who, rather than
relying on ambiguous short-hand terms.
An agreement to lease between landlord and tenant should clearly define:
What comprises the shell and core built by the developer, including space provision in
common areas for tenant equipment such as standby generators, extra chillers, or
uninterrupted power supply plant.
What constitutes category A fit out installed by the tenant but funded by the
developer/landlord.
What tenant equipment is to be installed in common areas.
Category A capital allowances might also be a factor in agreement to lease negotiations.
A rent-free period may be provided by the landlord as a notional contribution to the tenants fit
out. It not unusual for a tenant to start fitting out their areas before completion of the shell and
core works, although the rent-free period will be triggered by practical completion of the shell
and core works.
The tenants fit out may involve rectifying problems in the developer's works. In order to meet
the fit-out timetable these may be funded by the tenant who may then make a claim to
recover their costs.
Find out how to get your profile to appear above
articles you have written.
Newsletter (http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?
u=d574d9ea2afa87f3015d176f3&id=8f30ef0c66)
All about the new look for Designing Buildings
Wiki.
Designing Buildings Ltd. 2014 About Help Privacy Policy T&Cs Contact Feed Report Abuse Press
Submit Comment
Share
Find out more
Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Capital allowances.
Client commissioning.
Defects liability period.
First fix.
Handover to client.
Migration strategy.
Occupation.
Practical completion.
Rent free period.
Shell and core.
Soft landings.