What is Interior Fit Out? A Complete Guide

What is Interior Fit Out? A Complete Guide

Interior fit-out is the activity of preparing the interior space of a building for use. It involves all components such as flooring, ceilings, partitions, lighting etc to transform the space into a working building.

Interior fit-outs are necessary for domestic spaces as they increase comfort and lifestyle by customizing the layout and design according to personal requirements. In the business space, it can develop a customer-centric, brand-specific environment that can improve the customer experience. It can adapt the workspace in offices to current and future operational needs.

The blog answers the question ‘what is interior fitout?’ and covers the types of interior fit out and the steps involved in the fit out process.

What is interior fit out?

What are interior fitouts? They are essential changes that turn an empty building or room into a usable and functional space. It includes installing flooring, ceilings, lighting, partitions, furniture, and all the necessary elements to make the space ready for living or working.

You may think interior fit-out and interior design are the same. But they have differences. The major difference is that interior design focuses on planning the look, feel, and layout of a space while interior fit out focuses on the actual construction and installation work to make a space functional. Interior design usually comes first in the process and interior fit out often follows the interior designer’s plan. The former is more creative and design-oriented while the latter is more technical and construction-based. The main goal of interior fit-out is to make empty spaces usable, practical, and comfortable for their intended purpose.

Types of interior fit out

As we discussed ‘what are interior fitouts?’, let’s look at the three types of interior fit outs. They are:

Shell and core

This is the basic structure of a building handed over by the builder. Let’s consider office space. It includes external walls, concrete floors and a roof, but the interior space is completely empty. The space is empty without lighting, flooring, air conditioning, or ceilings. Basically, in the shell and core, you will need to do all the interiors yourself.

Category A fit-out

It is elementary interior work carried out to make the office space appear occupied. It possesses ceilings, suspended floors, lighting, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), electrical, and safety systems. But this setting lacks any personal or decorative like partitions, desks, or branding.

Category B fit-out

This is the last step of the fit-out, wherein the office area is completely customized to suit your requirements. It comprises partitions and cabins, furniture such as desks, chairs, and storage spaces, branding and signage, painting and decorative finishes on walls. In fact, everything is ready to start work.

Steps involved in the fit out process

Site inspection and planning

The team visits the site to understand the space, layout, and requirements. This helps you plan how the interiors should be done i.e., identify what’s possible and how the space can be best used.

Design development

Interior designers design layouts, drawings, and 3D visualizations that indicate what the completed space will be like. This includes space planning, selecting materials, and suggesting color schemes. It helps you in imagining the end product and ensures the design is appropriate for your requirements.

Budgeting and approvals

A full cost estimate is prepared, and permissions or approvals as necessary are secured before commencing the work. This ensures that the project stays within your budget and avoids legal or compliance issues in the future.

Construction and installation

This is the execution phase, where the actual work begins. Electrical and plumbing setup, HVAC and lighting installation, flooring, painting, and ceiling work, furniture and fixture installation are done as per the design.

Final touches and handover

Final touches to fixing, cleaning, and finishing details are done prior to handing over the ready-to-use space. This step makes all things shiny, working well and ready to use.

Conclusion

The answer to the question ‘what is interior fitout?’ is that it is the act of making a vacant or bare area an entirely operational and utilizable interior. It includes the necessary items such as floors, lighting, partitions, and furniture to prepare the area for normal usage. Effective fit outs optimize space utilization, improve company image, and boost worker comfort and productivity. It can contribute to the overall worth and attractiveness of the property, providing flexibility for future expansion or modification.

If you are planning a project, consider FJF Technical Services, the leading interior fitout company in Dubai. The organization, having over a decade’s experience, is well renowned for providing expert fit-out services in Dubai. They can be approached for commercial as well as residential installations. Their experienced workforce ensures that every project is successfully completed on time.