FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

We know that planning a commercial fit-out or office redesign raises plenty of questions. Below, we have answered the ones we hear most often. If there is anything else you would like to know, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

What services does District Four Design offer?

District Four Design is a full-service commercial interior design and fit-out company. We offer a complete range of services to take your project from initial concept through to final handover, all managed under one roof.

Our core services include:

• Office interior design and space planning
• CAT A and CAT B fit-out
• Design and build
• Furniture specification, supply, and installation
• Sustainable office design
• Workplace consultancy and strategy
• Hospitality interior design (restaurants, bars, hotels)
• Refurbishment and refresh projects
• Branding and signage integration

By offering design, build, and furnish as an integrated service, we give you a single point of contact and a seamless experience from start to finish. This removes the complexity of managing multiple suppliers and ensures that the original design vision is maintained throughout the build.

Where are you based?

We have two offices. Our headquarters are in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, where most of our team is based. We also have a London office, giving us a strong presence in the capital and across the South East.

Having offices in both locations means we can serve clients across the UK efficiently while maintaining the close, hands-on relationships that set us apart. Our Doncaster base gives us excellent reach across the North, the Midlands, and Yorkshire, while our London presence keeps us connected to the capital’s fast-moving commercial property market.

What is an office fit-out?

An office fit-out is the process of transforming an empty or existing commercial space into a fully functional, designed workplace. It covers everything from the internal layout and partitioning through to the furniture, lighting, technology, and finishes that make the space ready for your team to move in and work.

A fit-out goes beyond simple decoration. It involves careful space planning, mechanical and electrical considerations, data and power infrastructure, acoustic treatment, and the selection of materials and furnishings that support your working culture and brand identity.

Fit-outs can range from a straightforward refresh of an existing office to a complete strip-out and rebuild of a bare shell. The scope depends on the condition of the space and what you need it to achieve.

What is the difference between CAT A and CAT B fit-out?

CAT A (Category A) fit-out brings a commercial space up to a basic, ready-to-occupy standard. It typically includes raised floors, suspended ceilings, basic mechanical and electrical services, fire detection and suppression, and a standard finish to common areas. CAT A work is usually completed by the landlord or developer and creates a blank canvas for tenants.

CAT B (Category B) fit-out is where the space is customised to suit a specific occupier. This is the stage where the interior design really comes to life. CAT B includes partitioning and room layouts, bespoke joinery, branded finishes, furniture, kitchen and breakout areas, meeting rooms, AV and technology installations, and all the details that make the space uniquely yours.

In simple terms, CAT A gives you the shell. CAT B makes it your workplace. Most businesses commissioning a fit-out are focused on the CAT B stage, and this is where District Four Design excels.

How much does an office fit-out cost?

The cost of an office fit-out varies significantly depending on the scope, specification, and complexity of the project. As a rough guide:

• CAT A fit-out: typically ranges from around £40 to £55 per square foot
• CAT B fit-out: typically ranges from around £65 to £140+ per square foot

The wide range in CAT B costs reflects the variety of specifications involved. A straightforward open-plan office with standard finishes will sit at the lower end, while a high-specification workspace with bespoke joinery, premium materials, advanced AV installations, and specialist areas will naturally cost more.

We always recommend starting with a conversation rather than a budget figure. Once we understand your requirements, we can provide realistic cost guidance tailored to your project. We work transparently and can help you prioritise spend where it will have the greatest impact on your people and your brand.

How long does an office fit-out take?

Timescales depend on the size and complexity of your project. As a general guide:

• Small office fit-outs (up to 3,000 sq ft): typically 4 to 8 weeks on site
• Medium projects (3,000 to 10,000 sq ft): typically 8 to 14 weeks on site
• Large projects (10,000+ sq ft): typically 14 to 24 weeks or more on site

These timescales cover the construction phase. You should also allow time before that for design development, planning, procurement, and any necessary approvals, which can add anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks depending on the project.

We manage programmes carefully and communicate timelines clearly from the outset. If you have a fixed move-in date, let us know early and we will plan the entire project around it.

Do you work with businesses of all sizes?

Yes. We work with growing SMEs, established mid-market companies, and large corporate organisations. The size of your business matters far less to us than the ambition behind your project.

Some of our most rewarding projects have been with smaller businesses making their first significant investment in a proper workspace. Equally, we have delivered complex, multi-phase projects for larger organisations with exacting standards and tight timelines.

Whatever your size, you get the same level of attention, creativity, and commitment from our team. We scale our approach to suit the project, not the other way around.

Can you help with hospitality projects?

Absolutely. While workplace design is a core part of what we do, we have significant experience across the hospitality sector. We design and deliver interiors for restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and leisure venues.

Hospitality design demands a particular understanding of customer flow, atmosphere, and brand experience. Guests need to feel something the moment they walk in, and every material, light fitting, and layout decision contributes to that feeling. Our experience across both workplace and hospitality sectors gives us a broader creative toolkit and a deeper understanding of how interior design shapes human behaviour.

If you are opening a new venue, refreshing an existing space, or rolling out a concept across multiple sites, we would love to hear from you.

What areas do you cover?

We work across the whole of the UK. With offices in Doncaster and London, we are well positioned to serve clients in Yorkshire, the North East, the North West, the Midlands, London, and the South East. We regularly deliver projects further afield too.

Our project management approach means we can operate effectively regardless of location. We have established relationships with trusted contractors and suppliers across the country, ensuring consistent quality wherever your project is based.

How do I get started?

Getting started is straightforward. Simply get in touch with us by phone, email, or through the contact form on our website. We will arrange an initial conversation to understand your project, your timescales, and your objectives.

There is no obligation at this stage. We find that an informal chat is the best way to explore whether we are the right fit for each other. From there, we can arrange a site visit, discuss your brief in more detail, and put together an initial proposal.

Whether you are at the very start of your journey or already have detailed plans, we are happy to pick up the conversation wherever you are. The sooner we are involved, the more value we can add, but it is never too late to bring in the right team.