What Is an Office Fit Out?
An Office Fit Out transforms vacant spaces into functional branded workplaces. It’s one of the most significant investments your business will make in its physical space.
Done well, it lifts productivity, reflects your brand, and makes the day-to-day easier for everyone in the room. Done poorly, it costs more to fix than it did to build.
Types of Office Fit Outs
1. Shell and Core The most basic starting point. Raw concrete and metal frame of a building that is weather-proofed but otherwise empty. There are no services such as lighting, flooring, or air conditioning installed yet.
2. Category A Cat A provides a functional but bare space, with basic finishes like flooring, suspended ceilings, lighting, HVAC, and fire detection in place. There are no partitions, meeting rooms, or furniture, it's essentially a blank canvas ready for a tenant to build on.
3. Category A+ Cat A+ sits between Cat A and Cat B, offering a "plug and play" space that typically includes meeting rooms, workstations, fitted kitchens, and IT infrastructure. Branding and personalisation are left to the tenant, but they can move in and start working almost immediately.
4. Category B Cat B is a fully finished, move-in-ready office tailored to the specific requirements of the tenant, including layout, furniture, reception areas, branding, AV, and IT. It's the most common type of fit out, designed to reflect the business's identity and support how the team works day to day.
About Office Fit Outs in Auckland
35% of all businesses in New Zealand are located in Auckland.
Auckland is home to 229,770 businesses.
In the CBD alone, 2,680 businesses operate across more than 1.47 million square metres of office space. (Source: Stats NZ Business Demography Statistics, February 2025)
Costs range from $800 to $5,500 NZD per square metre according to our survey of 10 fit out companies in the Auckland area.
All work needs to comply with NZS 4121:2001 Design for Access and Mobility and leave 900mm of clear floor space around desks.
Each region of Auckland has its own character and set of challenges to be aware of.
Servicing Auckland and Surrounds
Agile Office Furniture is based in the North Shore and have completed projects across the wider region, including:
- Auckland CBD – The CBD moves fast, and its older building stock demands a professional touch to compete for talent. Tight floor plates and heritage constraints mean smart space planning is needed to make every square metre count.
- Ponsonby – Its lower-density streetscape and strong neighbourhood character call for furnishings that feel considered and on-trend. Getting the aesthetic right matters as staff and clients alike notice when a workspace feels out of place.
- Grey Lynn – Has a creative edge perfect for industrial-chic design, with polished concrete floors, high stud ceilings, and exposed beams sitting alongside the suburb's bohemian personality.
- Parnell – Well-established and home to many tech, advertising, PR, and architectural firms. The mix of heritage buildings and refined streetscapes means projects benefit from a polished, detail-oriented approach.
- Mount Wellington – A practical, well-connected hub with easy motorway access, it suits businesses that prioritise function and logistics. The area's warehouse and commercial stock offer excellent bones for modern, open-plan setups.
- Newmarket – High-rise office towers and refurbished character villas on the same street, it has it all. This means fit out requirements can differ significantly from one building to the next, and local knowledge goes a long way.
- Orakei – Its offices often have high stud ceilings, generous natural light, and scenic harbour views, all assets worth designing around. Projects here benefit from layouts that maximise the connection between workspace and outlook.
- Mount Eden – Many commercial spaces here carry a distinctive "New York loft" feel, with exposed brick, steel beams, and polished concrete floors. Setups that lean into these features rather than covering them up produce the best results.
- Point Chevalier – Point Chev offers a nice mix of boutique, high-character village premises alongside newer, modern commercial developments. Projects here need to be adaptable, respecting heritage where it exists and delivering a sharp, contemporary finish where it doesn't.
- West Harbour – Spans everything from renovated character spaces to modern, high-spec commercial and industrial units. The suburb's variety makes it a strong option for businesses at different stages of growth, each with their own requirements.
- Birkenhead – Has seen a notable shift toward high-specification, Grade A, sustainable workspaces aimed at attracting modern professional services firms. Fit outs here are increasingly focused on wellness, flexibility, and environmental performance.
- North Shore – Continues to attract businesses seeking modern, flexible, and sustainable premises in a well-connected, amenity-rich environment. The area's newer commercial buildings are well-suited to contemporary fit outs that prioritise collaboration, natural light, and long-term adaptability.
What’s Included in Our Office Fit-Out
Acquisition Support: Site survey of the proposed space, including existing utilities and layout.
Cost Budgeting: Preliminary design review against budget requirements. Product substitution options if the budget looks stretched. PC sums for consultants and building consent. Value engineering options throughout.
Preliminary Design: Design element review with input on detail, junctions, and consent requirements. Consultant recommendations based on project scope.
Warranties: One-year warranty on workmanship. O&M manuals available on request. All installed products covered by manufacturer warranty up to 15 years.
