What is a commercial fit out?
29th November, 2023
A commercial design and fit out is the transformative way in which businesses bring their workspace, office, hospitality, and leisure space visions to reality.
Engaging DBSJ to be your commercial fit out partner
DBSJ is an exceptional commercial fit out partner for your business. Voted Fit Out Specialist Contractor of the Year at the 2024 Construction News Specialist Awards, we are proud of our exceptional reputation and the hard-earned success achieved along the way. Our integrated commercial design, fit out, shopfit and joinery approach uniquely enables us to provide an end-to-end partnership with customers.
Whether you need a commercial fit out of an empty space, or the transformation of an existing commercial unit, our commercial fit out projects are delivered on time, on budget and to the highest specification.
A commercial fit out practically and creatively converts interiors into spaces which match a business’ needs. The project considers how developers, employees or customers will need to use the premises, along with the branding specifications. Most commonly, commercial fit outs are timed with new leases, taking occupancy of new office buildings, or moving into new retail spaces (shopfits). Commercial fit outs may not always be extensive, and can require just the updating of features, including tea points, the reception area, or a change or update to branded elements. They can also involve more specialist needs, for instance structural projects including staircases and mezzanines.
It’s not just new offices or businesses either, with existing spaces often benefiting from fit outs looking to revitalise co-working areas, where there can be tangible benefits to helping boost employee productivity.
To get technical, there are two types of commercial fit outs: CAT A and CAT B. The former provides the essentials for a functional, but blank, canvas. The latter adds the finishes and features that make the space ready for use by the specific tenant.
Learn more about the difference between a CAT A and CAT B fit out.
The benefits of combining design & build for commercial fit outs
Combining design and build for commercial fit out projects offers significant advantages and ensures the smoothest project experience, not least improving efficiencies in cost and time. Working with specialists to envision your space ensures it will meet all your functional needs and maintains the integrity of your brand. Here are a number of other benefits:
Understanding the scope of the project
We know our expertise in managing complex projects from design through to fit out, shopfitting, and joinery gives our stakeholders consistency throughout the entire process, improving efficiencies, quality and cost effectiveness. Having worked on the design we are able to bring a full and detailed understanding the project’s scope, and therefore can advise and act always with your vision and goals at heart. Foremost, you can rely on our experience to proactively anticipate and mitigate potential issues, helping to avoid costly delays later.
No two projects are the same, so it is key to determine location, design, project timings and any restrictions and regulations before fitting out the shell and core.
The recommendation is to always start your office fit out journey as soon as possible, with plenty of time to plan accordingly. Keeping one integrated contractor throughout the entire process, like DBSJ, also limits the risk of miscommunication and time wasting – saving you more money in the long run.
Developing a comprehensive budget
With an early branded design for your space, our estimating team can create a detailed budget and explore additional value generation by offering a variety of cost options, including choices for finishes and materials.
Maintaining an efficient budget and timeline
We know this end-to-end approach establishes stakeholder confidence and demonstrates our professionalism and dedication to ensuring an exceptional ongoing customer experience.
A comprehensive budget aids in detailed project planning, helping to set realistic timelines and milestones, ensuring the project can progress smoothly and be completed on time and on budget.
Considering regulations and compliance early
A key project goal is to provide risk management and identify potential costs and financial risks early. It is important to manage your regulatory compliance, ensuring that the budget includes provisions for regulatory requirement.
There are a number of regulatory requirements that you must consider with your commercial fit out, including health & safety, fire, air-conditioning and electrical standards. It’s also key to note that before a space can be occupied, it may also need certification from a building control inspector too.
The project and build stage
A project’s success relies on experience and many of our team members, including our CEO and Operations Director, began as joinery apprentices and have grown into award-winning leaders in the interior fit-out industry. Combined with this experience, every project has a dedicated team throughout, ensuring consistency, accountability and that commitment to efficiency. This well-established expertise enables us to transform our clients’ ideas into reality, always ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with their brand vision.
Supporting you with your next commercial design and fit out projects
We take pride in our decades of collective experience working with some of the UK’s most respected brands. In the past 24 months, we have successfully delivered over 100 projects nationwide.
We would be delighted to assist you with your next project whether you are looking for an integrated commercial fit out partner or need have a specific requirement in mind.
Here are some guides for:
The ultimate guide to a cost-effective CAT B fit-out.
From concept to construction: how we turn your office vision into a buildable reality.
What is the difference between CAT A and CAT B fit out?
