What Is Cat A, What Is Cat B—and Why Should Tenants Care?
Cat A typically refers to a landlord-delivered base building finish: raised floors, suspended ceilings, basic lighting, HVAC, and core electrical systems. The space looks polished—but it’s functionally empty.
Cat B is the tenant’s layer: partitioned meeting rooms, kitchens, branding, furniture, IT infrastructure. In short, everything needed for day-one operations.
For a clear visual breakdown of Cat A vs. Cat B, Oktra’s guide explains the difference in detail.
Why this matters:
When a space is delivered as Cat A, the tenant assumes responsibility for the Cat B fit-out—both in terms of cost and timeline. That can mean extra costs per square foot, and a 3–6 month build, depending on complexity. For tenants with headcount growth targets or inflexible relocation dates, that’s a high-risk variable.
What Corporate Tenants Are Asking Today
These are the five questions that consistently come up in tenant rep meetings:
- Is this space Cat A or Cat B?
- What’s included in the spec?
- What’s our expected fit-out budget?
- Can we customize the space if it’s already Cat B?
- How quickly can we be operational?
Every one of those questions touches on planning risk—and the lack of clear, visual answers slows down deals.
The Hidden Costs of Getting It Wrong
When tenants misunderstand the distinction between Cat A and Cat B, they often underestimate the scope, timeline, and cost of their fit-out. This misalignment can lead to project delays, rushed decisions, and unexpected capital expenditures—particularly when budgeting and planning timelines are based on assumptions rather than confirmed specs.
While the Cushman & Wakefield Office Fit-Out Cost Guide outlines cost benchmarks across UK cities, it’s critical for tenants to pair those figures with a clear understanding of what they’re walking into—Cat A or Cat B. The difference between a ready-to-go space and a raw shell can dramatically impact both cash flow and move-in dates.
Avoiding these missteps starts with visual clarity, early in the leasing process.
Where AI—and qbiq—Change the Equation
This is where AI comes in. Platforms like qbiq bring speed and clarity to the entire evaluation process. Tenants can instantly generate side-by-side Cat A and Cat B configurations—complete with layout plans, cost estimates, and 3D walkthroughs.
Instead of waiting weeks for a test fit, tenants and brokers get instant answers to the most important questions—backed by visual clarity.
Here’s what qbiq.ai delivers in 24 hours:
- Tailored Cat A and Cat B layouts
- 3D walkthroughs showing how each space functions
- Planning metrics: headcount, density, daylight access
- Side-by-side comparisons across multiple buildings
It doesn’t replace architects—it removes the bottlenecks that slow them down. It gives decision-makers a head start.
Bottom Line
Understanding the Cat A / Cat B distinction isn’t a detail—it’s a deal-shaping variable. The tenants who move fastest, negotiate smarter, and avoid six-figure surprises are the ones who bring data and clarity to the table early.
And now, they don’t have to wait weeks to get it.
