How Much Does an Office Fit-Out Cost in Dubai? A Detailed Guide
A Detailed Guide on the cost of Office Fit-out Cost
Cost is one of the most vital aspects of any business and one of the most complex questions that is asked by any business. Especially in Dubai, world-class luxury finishing and high-quality compliance comes at a premium, increasing the expenses. Regardless of the luxurious finishing and high standards, cost is a major factor. If you are planning to refurbish your office, there is a guide to help you understand overhead costs, budget constraints and price ranges.
What Does “Office Fit-Out” Mean?
An office fit-out refers to the process of making interior space suitable for occupation. From bare shell or core (just the structural shell) to fully furnished, branded, functional workspace. It usually includes:
Partitioning (walls, cubicles, meeting rooms)
Flooring and ceilings
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing work (MEP)
Lighting, HVAC
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE)
Branding, finishes, often decorative elements
Sometimes, technology, acoustic work, and wellness elements
Fit-outs often are categorized (in many markets including Dubai) as Cat A, Cat B, or Turnkey / High-Spec.
Cat A: Basic finishes, lighting, ceilings, MEP, but minimal customization.
Cat B: More complete: partitions, furniture, design elements.
High-Spec / Luxury / Bespoke / Turnkey: Full service, premium materials, brand identity, custom furniture, etc.
Typical Cost Ranges for Office Fit-Outs in Dubai / UAE:
| Level / Specification | Approximate Cost in Dubai / UAE | What’s Included / Examples |
|---|---|---|
|
Basic / Cat A |
~ AED 200-400 per sq.ft |
Basic infrastructure: lighting, ceilings, floors, MEP, etc. Minimal customization. |
|
Mid-Range / Cat B |
~ AED 450-800 per sq.ft |
More finished, branded look, partitions, better finishes, furniture and décor. |
|
High-End / Luxury / Specialized |
AED 800-1,500+ per sq.ft (for very high specification, bespoke work) |
Premium materials, custom furniture, high design complexity, brand identity, etc. |
Office interior design costs more broadly range, depending on scope, from AED 200 to AED 1,000 per square meter according to design service firms.
What Drives the Cost of Office Interiors / Fit-Outs
To plan wisely, you need to know what factors most influence the final price. Here are the key levers and cost drivers.
Level of Finish / Material Quality
Premium materials (e.g. natural stone, glass, hardwood, high end fabrics), custom furniture, imported finishes, specialty lighting all increase cost significantly versus standard modular furniture, acrylic/glass partitions, basic finishes.Design Complexity
More complicated layouts, multiple meeting rooms, bespoke cabinetry, artistic or branded features, acoustic requirements, tech / AV integration or smart office features add both design cost and construction cost.Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment (FFE)
Furniture is not trivial—it can often be 10-25% or more of your fit-out budget depending on how high quality or customised it is.Size and Scale
Larger spaces often benefit from economies of scale, but also increase absolute costs. However, small spaces with high spec finishes can be disproportionately expensive per square foot/meter.Location
Offices in prime districts (e.g. DIFC, Dubai Marina, Downtown) tend to have higher rents, also higher logistic, permit, and sometimes labour costs. Travel of materials, ease of access etc. matters.Regulatory, Permits, Approvals
In Dubai, depending on whether it’s free zone, whether you need special municipality or authority approvals, landlord NOCs, etc., you may incur fees and extra time. Delays often translate into extra cost.Timeline / Urgency
Tight schedule often adds cost (overtime labour, expedited shipping, etc.).Sustainability / Smart Office Features
If you want environmentally friendly materials (recycled, low VOC, etc.), certifications (LEED etc.), or IoT/automation, these all add up. While they may increase upfront cost, sometimes they reduce operating cost long term.
Rough Budget Examples
To help you visualise, here are some hypothetical examples:
Small office (100 m² / about 1,076 sq.ft), basic finish, moderate furniture, minimal branding, in a non-prime area: you might be looking at somewhere between AED 200-400 per sq.ft → total ~ AED 20,000-40,000 or more depending on scope.
Medium office (500 m² / ~5,380 sq.ft), mid-range finish, partitions, decent furniture etc., maybe somewhere in the AED 450-800 per sq.ft range → could total AED 225,000-400,000+.
Large office or premium / branded fit-out (say 1,000 m² / ~10,760 sq.ft), high specification finishes, custom branding, smart features, high end FFE: costs could exceed AED 800-1,500 per sq.ft → many millions AED depending on exact features.
Note: when switching between per sq.ft and per sq.m, keep conversion in mind (1 sq.m ≈ 10.764 sq.ft).
You can convert from sq.m to sq.ft Here
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
When budgeting, clients often forget or underestimate some of the “non-obvious” costs. These can blow the budget if not carefully planned.
Utility relocations, structural adjustments (if the shell has existing limitations).
Permits / authority approvals, local regulations, landlord approvals / NOCs.
Consultant fees: designers, engineers, project management.
Architectural / design modifications or changes during execution.
Import fees or shipping for bespoke items, delays.
VAT / taxes / duties.
Maintenance considerations: durability of materials, future replacement, cleaning.
Contingency (~5-15% is common) for unforeseen issues.
What You Should Budget When Planning an Office Interior / Fit-Out in Dubai
Here are some practical tips to help you set a realistic budget, avoid surprises, and get a workspace you’re happy with.
Define Your Requirements Clearly Upfront
What level of finish do you need? What furniture? How much branding? Do you need tech/AV? Do you need flexible or fixed layouts? These decisions early on help control cost.Get Multiple Quotes
From contractors, interior designers, furniture suppliers. Compare what’s included (some quotes may seem cheap but omit key items).Include a Contingency
Usually 5-15%. For unexpected delays, changes, or hidden problems.Consider Phased Work
If budget is tight, you may do core parts now, and upgrade finishes or non-essentials later.Material & Finish Spec Choice
Choosing locally available standard materials / modular furniture will save money compared to imported luxury finishes.Project Management / Design Management
Good planning and supervision saves money in the long run. Mistakes or delays are costly.Legal / Approvals / Regulations
Factor in time and cost for permits, landlord approvals, municipality approvals etc.
