Common Fit-Out Terms Every Client Should Know

Starting a fit-out project but lost in the jargon? You’re not alone. With terms like "Cat B", "FF&E", and "practical completion" thrown around, it’s easy to feel out of your depth. In fact, 3 in 5 clients admit to nodding along without fully understanding what's being discussed.

In this guide, we break down the most common fit-out terms in plain English so you can speak the language, ask the right questions and stay in control from day one. Let’s simplify the process together.

What Is a Fit-Out?

A fit-out refers to the process of transforming an interior space into a functional environment tailored to its intended use. 

It typically begins with an empty shell, such as a new office, retail shop or commercial unit, and includes everything from flooring and walls to lighting, joinery, and furniture. Unlike renovations, which involve altering existing spaces, a fit-out builds from a blank canvas.

There are different types of fit-outs depending on the level of work required. For example, Category A provides the basics, such as ceilings and services, while Category B includes personalised finishes, layouts, and branded elements. 

Fit-outs are common in commercial construction, especially when tenants lease new spaces and need them customised to their needs.

At ROMAAC Joinery, we specialise in fit-outs that combine functionality, aesthetics, and quality craftsmanship, ensuring every detail reflects your brand, workflow and vision for the space.

Essential Fit-Out Terms Explained

Fit-out speak doesn’t need to feel like a foreign language. Here’s a simple breakdown of terms every client should know.

1. Joinery

Joinery refers to custom-made timber elements built to suit a specific space. This includes cabinets, shelving, wardrobes, and reception counters. It plays a huge role in both functionality and design. Good joinery improves storage, layout, and finishes. 

At Romaac Joinery, we specialise in crafting durable, stylish solutions tailored to your needs. Joinery is what gives a space its structure, detail, and personality beyond flat-pack or modular furniture options.

2. FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment)

FF&E includes all non-permanent items placed into the space after construction. These include items such as desks, chairs, shelving, and freestanding cabinetry. Fixtures are built-in elements, such as lighting or plumbing fittings, while equipment encompasses technology or appliances. 

FF&E is crucial to the appearance, ambience, and functionality of your finished space. Selecting high-quality pieces ensures both comfort and optimal performance. Clients often underestimate its impact, but it completes the fit-out both practically and visually.

3. Category A (Cat A) Fit-Out

A Category A fit-out is the landlord’s responsibility and includes basic finishes such as suspended ceilings, lighting, fire systems, and flooring. 

It makes the space usable but not personalised. There are no partitions, furniture or branding. This finish is common in new commercial buildings and allows tenants to customise the layout through a separate Category B fit-out, which comes later in the process.

4. Category B (Cat B) Fit-Out

This is the tenant-specific stage, where the space is tailored to suit the business's needs. It includes everything from room partitions and branded signage to bespoke joinery and ergonomic furniture. 

Cat B creates a functional, stylish environment for staff and visitors. ROMAAC Joinery often comes in at this point to deliver quality finishes that reflect the company’s identity and operational workflow requirements.

5. Mezzanine

A mezzanine is a partial floor built between two main floors of a space, often open and overlooking the level below. It maximises vertical space without the cost of a full extension. Mezzanines are great for storage, extra offices, or lounge areas. 

They must adhere to building codes for safety and accessibility. Businesses often use mezzanines to add square metres efficiently within warehouses, showrooms, or double-height retail fit-outs.

6. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning)

HVAC systems regulate indoor climate by providing heating, cooling, and fresh air. In fit-outs, they must be planned early to suit the layout. Proper HVAC placement improves energy efficiency and comfort. It also affects ceiling space and access panels. 

Commercial fit-outs often require ducted systems, while smaller spaces may use split systems. A good HVAC design ensures year-round usability and comfort for staff, clients, or tenants using the space.

7. Shop Drawings

Shop drawings are detailed plans produced after design approval that guide the manufacturing and installation processes. They show exact measurements, materials, finishes, and construction methods. 

Joiners, builders, and subcontractors use these to ensure every piece fits perfectly. Accurate shop drawings prevent errors, delays, and rework during the fit-out process. They serve as a reference for on-site quality checks. Clients should always review and sign off on these before production begins.

8. RCP (Reflected Ceiling Plan)

An RCP is a drawing that shows what you would see if you looked up at the ceiling in a mirror. It details lighting placement, vents, bulkheads, and sprinklers. RCPs are crucial for coordination between trades.

They help electricians, HVAC technicians, and builders work without clashes. It’s especially important in commercial fit-outs with feature ceilings or integrated lighting. This plan ensures everything above the ceiling line is functional and aligned.

9. Punch List

A punch list is a checklist of items that need to be completed, fixed, or adjusted before the project is officially handed over. It’s created after the final walkthrough.

This list may include touch-ups, faulty fittings, or missing details. Both the client and contractor review it together. Completing every item ensures the project is delivered to the expected quality. It’s the final step before declaring your fit-out complete and ready for use.

10. Skirting

Skirting is a timber or laminate board installed where the wall meets the floor. It hides gaps, protects the wall base, and adds a neat finish. Skirtings are available in various profiles and heights to complement the room’s design. 

Though often overlooked, they’re essential to the visual quality of a joinery fit-out. They also protect against scuffs from vacuuming or mopping. Skirting helps transition between materials while adding subtle detail.

11. Turnkey Project

A turnkey project means everything is handled by your fit-out contractor from start to finish, including design, construction, and handover. When completed, the space is ready for immediate use. 

It saves clients time and effort by eliminating the need to manage multiple suppliers. This approach is popular in commercial fit-outs. It ensures smoother coordination, cost control, and accountability. At Romaac Joinery, we’re proud to deliver seamless turnkey solutions tailored to your goals.

12. Shell and Core

This refers to the fundamental structure of a building, encompassing the concrete shell, core walls, and essential services such as lifts and stairwells. It is the stage preceding any tenant-specific interior work. 

Shell and core provide the foundation, while the fit-out adds the personality. Clients need to know this term when leasing new commercial spaces or negotiating build-to-suit responsibilities.

Common Confusions: Industry Terms vs Everyday Use

Some fit-out terms may sound familiar but have a very different meaning on site. Here’s what clients often mix up, and how to tell.

1. Fit-Out vs Renovation

A renovation usually involves altering an existing structure, like knocking down walls or changing layouts. A fit-out focuses on transforming a space into a functional one. It includes finishes like flooring, lighting, partitioning, and joinery. 

Fit-outs are common in commercial and retail spaces, where the base building is untouched. Understanding the difference helps you engage the right professionals and set expectations for timelines, costs, and compliance requirements.

2. Bespoke Joinery vs Off-the-Shelf Furniture

Bespoke joinery refers to custom-built elements designed for a specific space, like wardrobes or feature walls. Off-the-shelf furniture is mass-produced and bought ready-made from stores. 

While off-the-shelf options may be cheaper and faster, they often lack precision in fit and finish. Bespoke joinery delivers a tailored design, higher-quality materials, and a more efficient use of space. It’s ideal when you want something long-lasting, unique, and ideally suited to your layout.

3. Turnkey vs Partial Fit-Out

A turnkey fit-out means everything is completed and ready to use from day one, including finishes, joinery, and final touches. A partial fit-out may leave some aspects, like furniture, signage, or appliances, for the client to manage. 

While turnkey is more convenient and streamlined, partial fit-outs offer flexibility and staged budgeting. Choosing between the two depends on your timeline, hands-on preference, and whether you want to manage suppliers yourself.

4. Joinery vs Carpentry

Joinery and carpentry are both timber trades, but they serve different purposes. Joinery involves creating custom elements in a workshop, such as cabinetry or shelving. Carpentry typically involves on-site work, including the handling of structural timber such as framing, flooring, or roof trusses. 

Joinery focuses more on detail and finish, whereas carpentry is primarily concerned with function and structural support. At Romaac Joinery, we specialise in detailed joinery, bringing craftsmanship and precision to every built-in element.

How Romaac Joinery Keeps Clients in the Loop

At ROMAAC Joinery, clear and consistent communication is the foundation of every successful project. We understand that fit-outs can feel overwhelming, especially with unfamiliar terms and moving parts. That is why we prioritise keeping clients informed every step of the way.

From the initial consultation to final handover, we provide regular updates, clear timelines and transparent reporting. Our team guides clients through the planning, approval, and material selection process to ensure there are no surprises. We also assign a dedicated project manager who serves as your direct point of contact throughout the journey.

We make technical language easy to understand and provide visual aids where necessary to enhance clarity and comprehension. Whether it's through email, site visits, or project meetings, we ensure that you are never left guessing. 

Our goal is to give you peace of mind, reduce stress and deliver joinery that meets both your expectations and timeframe. With ROMAAC, collaboration is not a feature; it is a guarantee.

Speak the Language of Fit-Outs with Confidence

Understanding fit-out terms doesn’t just make you sound savvy; it helps your project run smoother from start to finish. No more nodding along or second-guessing what your builder means. 

At Romaac Joinery, we speak your language and explain every step clearly. Ready to kick off your fit-out with confidence? Get in touch with our team today and let’s build something brilliant together.

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