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Best-in-Class Refurbishment for Commercial Real Estate

The gap between prime and secondary office space is widening. Occupiers are walking from substandard assets. 40% now physically can’t lease space with gas due to ESG commitments. Non-compliant buildings are already trading at brown discounts of nearly 30% on rent according to Knight Frank. For landlords, office refurbishment is no longer optional.

Refurbishment is the lever that closes that gap. Done right, it doesn’t just protect value. It creates it.

Vantage is a specialist commercial office refurbishment contractor delivering Cat A, Cat A+ and Cat B fit-outs across the UK for institutional landlords, property funds and occupiers. We act as Principal Contractor across the full scope: design, cost management and delivery under a single contract, at a fixed price, designed around your IRR from day one.

The results speak for themselves. Rental uplifts of up to 46%. EPC A certification from £48 per square foot. All delivered on occupied assets without disrupting a single tenant.

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office refurbishment

Our Services

  • We deliver tailored Cat B fit-outs for institutional landlords and occupiers across the UK, creating high-performance workspaces that attract and retain best-in-class tenants. Every scheme is designed around your leasing strategy and budget from day one, eliminating the design and value-engineering loops that waste time and erode returns.Completed Cat B schemes have delivered rental uplifts of up to 46% at fit-out costs from £48 per square foot, with EPC A certification included where required. All works are delivered on occupied assets with no disruption to existing tenants.

    Discuss your project
  • We deliver Cat A and Cat A+ landlord refurbishments that reposition assets for the modern occupier market. Every scheme is fully electric, EPC compliant and designed to attract best-in-class tenants from day one.

    Completed Cat A schemes have delivered rental uplifts of up to 43% at fit-out costs from £71 per square foot, including full mechanical and electrical upgrades, VRF, LED lighting, WC refurbishment and lobby transformation. All delivered on occupied assets without disrupting existing tenants.

    Discuss your project
  • We deliver shell and core works that prepare commercial assets for incoming occupier fit-out. Services include strip-out, light demolition and demise creation, all managed as Principal Contractor with full health and safety accountability.

    Our shell and core programmes are designed to minimise void periods and get your asset to market faster, protecting IRR and reducing the cost of carry between tenancies.

    Discuss your project
  • Best-in-class tenants expect more than just office space. Gyms, business lounges, end-of-trip facilities, roof terraces and breakout zones are increasingly the difference between a fast lease and a prolonged void.

    We design and deliver building amenity schemes that directly improve leasing velocity and rental performance. Recent schemes include business lounge and wellness transformations at Optima Glasgow and One Citygate Newcastle, both delivered for institutional landlord clients in live occupied assets.

    Discuss your project

Why Choose Vantage for your Office Refurbishment

We design to your IRR Every scheme starts with your commercial goals, not a design concept. We reverse-engineer the right specification, scope and budget from the returns your asset needs to deliver. No wasted design fees, no value-engineering loops, no surprises.

Fixed price, full scope We act as Principal Contractor across design, cost management and delivery under a single contract. You get one point of accountability, a fixed price agreed before works begin, and no fragmented supply chain passing risk between consultants and contractors.

We work with your consultants We operate openly alongside your existing advisors, whether that is a trusted cost consultant, project manager or asset manager. Our pricing, methodology and specifications are fully transparent and independently verifiable. Your experts can interrogate everything we do.

Delivered on occupied assets Every project we deliver is programmed around live tenanted buildings. Minimal disruption is not an aspiration, it is a requirement. Our clients include institutional landlords and property funds managing occupied multi-asset UK portfolios.

 


 

Office Refurbishment Frequently Asked Questions

What is a commercial office refurbishment contractor? A commercial office refurbishment contractor designs and delivers fit-out and refurbishment works to existing commercial office buildings. This includes Cat A, Cat A+ and Cat B fit-outs, shell and core works, building amenity and mechanical and electrical upgrades. Unlike a consultant who produces a strategy, a contractor physically delivers the works on site and is accountable for the outcome.

What is the difference between Cat A and Cat B office refurbishment? Cat A refurbishment prepares a space for a new tenant, typically including raised access flooring, suspended ceilings, mechanical and electrical systems, LED lighting and WC refurbishment. The space is delivered as a blank canvas ready for tenant fit-out. Cat B takes the space further, delivering a fully fitted, ready to occupy environment including furniture, meeting rooms, kitchen, joinery and brand-led design. Vantage delivers both for institutional landlords and occupiers across the UK.

How much does a commercial office refurbishment cost? Costs vary depending on scope and specification. Across completed Vantage projects, Cat A refurbishments have been delivered from £71 per square foot and Cat B from £48 per square foot including EPC A certification. Every scheme is priced on a fixed cost basis following an initial assessment, so there are no surprises once works begin.

How long does a commercial office refurbishment take? This depends on the scope and size of the project. Smaller Cat B schemes can be completed in eight to twelve weeks. Larger Cat A programmes across multiple floors typically run for four to six months. Vantage programmes all works around occupied buildings to minimise disruption to existing tenants.

Do you work on occupied commercial buildings? Yes. All of our refurbishment projects are delivered in occupied, tenanted buildings. We programme works specifically to minimise disruption and manage all health and safety obligations as Principal Contractor.

What areas of the UK do you cover for office refurbishment? We deliver commercial office refurbishment across the whole of mainland UK, with offices in London and Manchester. Completed projects include schemes in Newcastle, Leeds, Glasgow, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Salford and London.

Can you deliver EPC A certified office refurbishment? Yes. We design and deliver fully electric, EPC A certified refurbishments as standard across our Cat A and Cat B schemes. Completed EPC A certified projects include Soapworks Manchester and One Citygate Newcastle. EPC A certification is included within our fixed price scope where required.

Related News and Insights

9 April 2026

Behind the Scenes at Citygate

We’re currently behind the scenes filming new content in our newly refurbished space - and we couldn’t resist sharing a sneak peek!

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31 March 2026

Energy Project Secured in Central London

We’re pleased to have been instructed to deliver metering works at prestigious client building in central London. Our scope includes the installation of a replacement metering system, designed to enhance energy visibility and improve overall building performance.

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18 March 2026

Optima Transformation Underway

Great to see strong progress on site at our Optima project as works continue to move forward. The team has been making excellent headway, with multiple elements of the refurbishment now taking shape...

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11 March 2026

Design Stage Secured for Transformational 68,000sqft Refurbishment

We’re delighted to be appointed to deliver RIBA Stage 3 design for CAT A fit-out works to Block A at Soapworks in Salford, continuing our involvement in the building’s ongoing evolution and growing workspace offer.

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9 March 2026

Up to 50% Reduction in Energy Costs.. What Would That Do for Your NOI?

Watch our latest video to learn more about how Vantage can help you reduce your energy consumption. Most investors focus on rent to improve NOI. But a major income leak is often energy performance.

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4 March 2026

At MIPIM this year? Let’s catch up

We’re heading to MIPIM next week!

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3 March 2026

One Citygate, Newcastle – Project Completion

We’re proud to announce the successful completion of our 25,000 sq ft futureproofing refurbishment at One Citygate in Newcastle upon Tyne.

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25 February 2026

Meet our Site Manager – Henry Nwankwo

Meet Henry Nwankwo who is managing our Optima Project in Glasgow.

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24 February 2026

Does your building have an EPC rating of C or below?

EPC A space doesn’t just meet compliance — it drives performance. Across live schemes, we’re seeing a 46% rental uplift following EPC-led repositioning.

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18 February 2026

Vantage Welcomes Fiona Chatham

We’re delighted to welcome Fiona Chatham to Vantage as our new Business Support and Operations Coordinator.

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17 February 2026

Practial Completion Achieved 12 Greek Street

We’re pleased to announce the completion of our multi-floor refurbishment at 12 Greek Street, a landmark workspace in the heart of Leeds’ prime business district.

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17 February 2026

Make Every Pound of CapEx Work Harder

Your budget isn’t a constraint — it’s the number that makes the deal work. Too many projects waste months cycling through design and value-engineering that could’ve been avoided. Cost and time drift. Impact gets diluted.

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11 February 2026

Vantage Awarded Double Design Appointment at Soapworks

We’re delighted to be appointed to deliver RIBA Stage 4 design works across two suites at Soapworks, continuing our involvement in the building’s evolution and growing workspace portfolio. 

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10 February 2026

Vantage Welcomes Adrian Fairless as Contracts Manager

We’re pleased to welcome Adrian, who has joined the team as Contracts Manager. 

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10 February 2026

Project Update: Optima Building, Glasgow

Works are progressing well at the Optima Building (58 Robertson Street). Existing timber structures have been cleared to make way for the new Amenity Lounge, with M&E first fix and raised access floor installations now underway across the lounge and CAT A office spaces.

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5 February 2026

Project Throwback: Soapworks Solar Installation

Continuing our solar theme this week, we’re spotlighting one of Vantage’s standout 2024 projects at Soapworks - a great example of how the right feasibility insight and delivery team can unlock serious on-site energy potential.

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4 February 2026

Sue Smethurst joins the Vantage team

We’re delighted to welcome Sue Smethurst to the Vantage team as Finance Manager, based in our Manchester office.

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3 February 2026

Solar…Are you missing the bigger picture?

Solar isn’t just an ESG upgrade, it’s an NOI lever. Too often, solar is judged only on energy savings, whilst its real impact on rents, lease velocity, and capital value is overlooked.

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29 January 2026

Mark Priestley promoted to Project Director

We’re pleased to announce the promotion of Mark Priestley to Project Director. Mark has been an integral part of the Vantage team since joining the business in 2024, consistently demonstrating strong leadership, technical expertise, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes for our clients.

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office refurbishment
27 January 2026

Vantage Appointed to deliver a new Business Lounge at Optima Building

Vantage has been appointed to deliver a new Business Lounge at Optima Building on behalf of the Landlord. The new amenity will introduce a high-quality breakout environment, providing occupiers with a more comfortable and relaxed space to meet with colleagues and visitors in informal surroundings.

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14 October 2025

Vantage Appointed for Multi-Floor Refurbishment at 12 Greek Street, Leeds

Vantage has been appointed to deliver a major multi-floor refurbishment at 12 Greek Street - a landmark workspace in the heart of Leeds’ business district. The project will see three fully fitted Cat A+ suites transformed with a new brand-led design concept, bringing contemporary sophistication to one of the city’s most sought-after office locations.

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13 October 2025

The Cheapest Way to EPC A – Explained

Most landlords are being sold retrofit plans based on high-level estimates. The result? Strategies that look good on paper, but collapse once real install costs and supply chain realities kick in. Our latest video breaks down a smarter way forward.....

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7 October 2025

We’re Launching a Futureproof Video Series

We're launching a short video series all about our approach to futureproofing commercial real estate. See how Vantage solves the biggest issues facing UK real estate right now - from EPC compliance and decarbonisation, to unlocking value through retrofit.

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1 October 2025

The Futureproof Assessment. How Does Your Building Stack Up?

The Futureproof Assessment. A free 2-minute tool that benchmarks your buildings providing a clear, data-driven benchmark of asset performance - highlighting how individual buildings measure up against both current market requirements and evolving occupier demand. 

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1 September 2025

Vantage Awarded Major Futureproofing Scheme in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

We're delighted to announce that Vantage has been awarded a major 25,000sqft futureproofing refurbishment across multiple floors of Newcastle's 'One Citygate' to provide fully electric EPC A spaces, wellness suites and roof level amenity areas.

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20 July 2025

Vantage Awarded Fit-Out of Midnight Club’s London HQ

We're delighted to announce that Vantage has been awarded the CAT B refurbishment of The Midnight Club's London HQ. TMC, who are the team behind well-known Adidas Orignals video productions for Leo Messi and Jude Bellingham to name just a few, are taking on additional space in Zetland House, Old Street.

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15 May 2025

Practical Completion achieved at Optima, Glasgow

We're delighted to announce practical completion was achieved for our Landlord WC refurbishment at Optima Glasgow yesterday, on behalf of client, Britannia Invest A/S.

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6 May 2025

Practical Completion achieved at Morgan Quarter, Cardiff

We’re pleased to announce that practical completion has been achieved on our 39-41 St Mary's Street refurbishment project in Cardiff, delivered on behalf of our client, APAM.

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1 May 2025

+91% capital value uplift confirmed for retrofitted properties | Part 3 of Knight Frank series

Knight Frank publish final report in their “Meeting the Commercial Property Retrofit Challenge” series with strong data supporting the business case for retrofit and refurbishment.

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28 April 2025

Practical Completion achieved at One City Square, Leeds

We're delighted to announce practical completion was achieved for our Landlord CAT A refurbishment at One City Square yesterday, on behalf of client, Britannia Invest A/S.

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13 February 2025

UK average office occupancy hits highest level since lockdown started

CoStar report that recent data from Remit Consulting indicates that UK office occupancy rates have reached their highest levels since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the week ending January 31, 2025, the average occupancy rate was 37.1%, surpassing the previous peak of 35.9% recorded in March 2024.

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12 February 2025

Practical Completion at Arlington Business Park, Reading

We're delighted to announce practical completion for our Solar installation at Arlington Business Park in Reading following a 4 week programme of works on site.

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23 January 2025

Works start on our Grade II Listed Building Refurbishment in Cardiff

Works are finally underway our Grade II listed building refurbishment in Cardiff, following successful planning and heritage applications in the later part of 2024. Working directly for landlords GMPF, we are undertaking a shell and core refurbishment in readiness for an incoming F&B tenant, with planned completion end of Q1 2025.

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6 January 2025

Second stage of Net Zero Consultancy Services awarded at 1CS

As part of our ongoing sustainability consultancy work with the landlord at 1CS, we have been commissioned to undertake a detailed review of the suitability of a centralised heat pump as potential zero carbon replacement for the in-situ gas fired boilers currently feeding a 4-pipe fan coil system to office floors.

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1 January 2025

Rhiannon Flynn joins Vantage as Management Accountant

We are delighted to announce that Rhiannon Flynn joins our growing team from 1st January from sister company APAM. Rhiannon will be based in our Manchester office and responsible for our financial management and accounting going forwards.

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19 December 2024

Practical Completion at Mander Shopping Centre

We're delighted to announce the early practical completion for our demise creation works at Mander Shopping Centre, Wolverhampton following a 10 week programme of works on site.

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1 November 2024

Vantage awarded major Fit-out in central Leeds

We're delighted to announce we have been awarded a 10,000sqft landlord CAT A refurbishment on the fourth floor of one of Leeds primary business addresses - One City Square.

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1 November 2024

Karl Watson joins Vantage as Head of Project Delivery

Karl joins the team with extensive experience in project and construction management and he will provide strategic direction and leadership for our construction division, setting objectives and policies to guide our project delivery and business growth.

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28 October 2024

Vantage awarded Sub-metering works at One City Square, Leeds

We are pleased to announce that we have been awarded sub-metering works at One City Square, Leeds. This is a one week project duration where the team will

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25 October 2024

Practical Completion at The Arches, Leicester

We are delighted to announce that our PV Installation project at The Arches in Leicester has achieved Practical Completion a week ahead of schedule and exactly on budget - huge thanks to all the project stakeholder group and our on-site delivery team for making this project a success, completing the site installation in just 4 weeks.

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25 October 2024

Knight Frank publish latest report in Retrofit Series

Knight Frank provided an in-depth exploration of the commercial property retrofit challenge, with an emphasis on the costs and benefits of improving energy efficiency and sustainability in UK office buildings.

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22 October 2024

Vantage awarded Office Refurbishment at Soapworks, Manchester

Vantage are delighted to have been awarded a further project at Soapworks in Salford, working with clients GMPF and our architectural partners at AXI to create a cutting edge 5000sqft plug & play office suite.

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27 August 2024

Vantage awarded Shell & Core Works at Morgan Quarter, Cardiff

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7 August 2024

Vantage awarded PV installation at The Arches, Leicester

We are delighted to to be awarded PV installation at The Arches, Leicester. This is a 5 week project working directly for the Asset Owners CRIM (Catella).

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1 August 2024

Vantage awarded PV Installation at Arlington Business Park

Planning approval received for our new solar scheme at Arlington Park in Reading. We shall be installing a new 190Wp PV system across the three 1400 building on behalf of overall client, Capitaland.

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1 July 2024

Sally Butler joins as Project Coordinator

We are thrilled to welcome Sally Butler to the Vantage team as Project Co-ordinator where she will be supporting the Manging Director and the Project Management team.

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1 May 2024

Mark Priestley joins as Associate Director

We are thrilled to welcome Mark Priestley to the Vantage team where he joins as Associate Director.

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30 April 2024

Vantage awarded Occupier Fit-out at Citygate, Newcastle

We are delighted to be awarded Occupier Fit-out at Citygate, Newcastle.

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22 April 2024

Building Analytics Report Commissioned for One City Square, Leeds

Commissioned report will detail current energy intensity baseline, plant and equipment condition reporting, operational energy review, fossil fuel removal strategy, costed asset enhancement strategy and green building certification suitability.

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4 April 2024

Vantage awarded 4500sqft Fit-Out Works at Mainpoint, Edinburgh

We were so pleased to work with Innov8 Property Solutions on our recent solar project at Soapworks in Salford. Soapworks now benefits from a 380kWp rooftop solar installation, making use of available flat roof space to provide clean on-site energy generation – and the best bit, it pays for itself in just four years!

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21 February 2024

Our Turn-Key Process for Delivering Net Zero Buildings

Vantage is seeking an enthusiastic Project Surveyorto join our team. We are specifically looking for an individual with pre-construction experience, able to efficiently price and tender construction works across M&E and Fit our disciplines throughout the UK...

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21 February 2024

Practical Completion
 at Chantry Place

Our PV installation project at Chantry Place Shopping Centre, Norwich achieved practical completion in November. The new 230kWp PV array was delivered on schedule despite the team having to contend with Storm Babet and Storm Ciaran during a busy five week delivery programme...

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21 February 2024

Vantage recruiting
 for Project Surveyor

Vantage is seeking an enthusiastic Project Surveyorto join our team. We are specifically looking for an individual with pre-construction experience, able to efficiently price and tender construction works across M&E and Fit our disciplines throughout the UK...

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21 February 2024

Client Testimonial for Soapworks PV Projects

We were so pleased to work with Innov8 Property Solutions on our recent solar project at Soapworks in Salford. Soapworks now benefits from a 380kWp rooftop solar installation, making use of available flat roof space to provide clean on-site energy generation – and the best bit, it pays for itself in just four years!

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21 February 2024

Vantage Awarded Solar Installation at Mander Centre

Vantage is seeking an enthusiastic Project Surveyorto join our team. We are specifically looking for an individual with pre-construction experience, able to efficiently price and tender construction works across M&E and Fit our disciplines throughout the UK...

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