Northwest & nationwide office fit out contractors
We design and build commercial office spaces that perform — on budget, on time, every time. Cat A and Cat B fit outs delivered by our own in-house team, from Manchester and the Northwest to anywhere in the UK.
About our office service
Design Business Interiors is a specialist office fit out contractor based in Wigan, serving businesses across Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Leeds and the wider UK. As part of the Philbin Office Group — established in 1966 — we bring over half a century of commercial interiors experience to every project we take on.
We are not a broker. We do not subcontract your design to a third party and manage from a distance. Our in-house team of qualified designers, project managers and construction professionals takes your office from empty space to fully operational environment — under one roof, with one point of contact throughout.
Whether you are relocating to a new office, refurbishing your existing workspace, or expanding into a new site, we deliver Cat A and Cat B office fit outs that are built to your brief, your brand and your budget.
A complete, end-to-end office fit out service. From the first design concept to the day your team walks through the door — everything is handled by us.
We start with your brief — how many people, how you work, what your brand stands for. From there our designers produce detailed layouts, 3D visuals and full construction packages before a single nail is driven.
Taking a base-build shell to a lettable standard. Raised floors, suspended ceilings, mechanical and electrical services, basic WC facilities and decoration — ready for a Cat B fit out or direct occupation.
The full transformation. Partitioning, bespoke joinery, feature walls, branded environments, kitchen and breakout areas, AV and data infrastructure, furniture specification and installation. Sign the lease. Open the doors.
Transforming an existing workspace without the disruption of a full relocation. We work in phased programmes where needed, keeping your business operational while the fit out progresses around you.
With unrivalled buying power built over 60 years, we specify and procure furniture, storage and equipment at highly competitive prices — without compromising on quality or design integrity.
Dedicated project management from kick-off to handover. Automatic scheduling, regular progress reporting and a single point of accountability — so you always know exactly where your project stands.
Understanding the specification
A Cat A fit out takes a raw base-build space to a basic, functional and lettable condition. It is typically carried out by a landlord or developer before a tenant moves in. The result is a neutral, functional shell ready for a tenant's own Cat B customisation.
A Cat B fit out takes a Cat A shell and transforms it into a fully operational, branded workplace. This is where the real character of your office is created — tailored entirely to how your business works, looks and feels.
Not sure which you need? Most businesses coming to us for a new office require a Cat B fit out — taking a space that is already at Cat A standard and making it their own. If you are a landlord or developer preparing a building for letting, we can advise on and deliver the Cat A specification too. Call us on 01942 246 000 and we will talk you through it.
How we work
We visit your site, understand your brief and talk through budget, timeline and specification. Free, no obligation.
Our in-house designers produce space plans, 3D visuals and a detailed specification — all presented before any costs are committed.
A fixed-price cost plan and detailed build programme. No surprises. You know exactly what you will pay and when you will be in.
Our construction team delivers the fit out to programme. Fully SMSTS and CSCS compliant, building regulation compliant throughout.
Snagging, sign-off and handover. We have delivered every project on time. Your team moves in. Done.
Who we work with
We work with businesses of all sizes across a wide range of commercial sectors — from growing SMEs taking their first leased office to national organisations rolling out a new workplace standard across multiple sites.
Accountancy, legal and financial firms requiring polished, client-facing environments that convey authority and trust.
Agile, collaborative workplaces with flexible zones, breakout spaces and integrated AV and data infrastructure.
Compliant, efficient office environments for clinical and administrative teams, with welfare and accessibility at the forefront.
Practical, durable office fit outs attached to or integrated with industrial and warehouse environments.
Cost-efficient, purpose-built spaces for schools, academies and public bodies — delivered to tight public procurement standards.
Consistent rollout of a workspace standard across multiple locations — managed from a single point of contact throughout.
Where we work
Our headquarters is Wigan, in the heart of the Northwest of England — giving us fast, cost-effective access to Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Bolton, Warrington and the surrounding region. The Northwest is our home ground, and we have delivered more office fit outs across this region than anywhere else.
But we are not a regional contractor. We have delivered commercial office fit outs in London, Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, Bristol and across Scotland. If your project is anywhere in the UK, we have the team and the logistics to deliver it on time and on budget.
Looking for an office fit out contractor in Manchester? Based in Liverpool and searching for a fit out company? Planning a refurbishment in Leeds or London? Get in touch — we would be glad to discuss your project.
Why choose us
We have delivered every single project on time. Not almost every project — every one. We understand that your lease start, your staff move-in date, and your business continuity depend on us hitting the programme. We do not miss it.
No outsourced drawings. No waiting on a third-party architect. Our qualified in-house designers produce layouts, 3D visualisations and full construction packages — meaning faster turnarounds, cleaner communication and complete accountability.
As part of the Philbin Office Group, established in 1966, we have built unrivalled relationships with manufacturers and suppliers. That means we can guarantee competitive pricing on furniture, materials and equipment without ever compromising the specification.
We issue a fixed-price cost plan before work begins. By controlling the specification from design through to procurement, we are able to guarantee the final account — no unexpected costs, no variations without your approval.
You will have a dedicated project manager throughout. One number to call. One person responsible for design, build, procurement, programme and handover. No confusion about who is accountable — it is always us.
Fully insured. SMSTS and CSCS compliant. Every project is delivered in full compliance with current building regulations, health and safety legislation and fire safety requirements — so you can occupy with complete confidence.
Common questions
Office fit out costs vary significantly depending on specification, size and location. As a rough guide, a Cat B office fit out in the UK typically ranges from £40 to £100 per square foot, depending on the quality of finishes and the complexity of the brief. A Cat A fit out will generally be lower. We provide a detailed, fixed-price cost plan once we have visited your site and understood the brief — so you know exactly what you are committing to before any work begins. Contact us for a free consultation.
The timeline depends on the size and complexity of the project. A straightforward Cat B fit out of 2,000–5,000 sq ft typically takes 6–12 weeks on site. Larger or more complex projects — multi-floor, phased programmes, or significant Cat A works — may take longer. We will produce a detailed build programme at the outset and commit to it. We have never missed a handover date.
Yes — we deliver office fit outs across the UK. While our base and much of our office work is in Manchester, Liverpool, Wigan, Preston and the Northwest, we have also completed commercial fit outs in London, Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Bristol, Newcastle and Scotland. If you have a project anywhere in the UK, get in touch and we will let you know how we can help.
Yes. For office refurbishment projects where a full relocation is not practical, we design phased build programmes that allow your team to continue working while we carry out the fit out in sections. We manage noise, dust, access routes and welfare facilities carefully — minimising disruption to your business throughout.
Yes. We offer a complete turnkey service including furniture specification and procurement, AV and data infrastructure, branded graphics and signage. Everything is specified, procured and installed by our team — giving you a single point of accountability and avoiding the coordination headaches of managing multiple contractors.
Absolutely. Every project we deliver is fully compliant with current building regulations, fire safety legislation, Part M accessibility requirements and CDM regulations. Our site teams are SMSTS and CSCS certified and we carry full contractor insurance on every project. You will receive all relevant compliance documentation at handover.
Whether you are planning a Cat B office fit out in Manchester, a refurbishment in London, or a multi-site rollout across the UK, Design Business Interiors will deliver it on time, on budget and to specification. Talk to us — the consultation is free.