Cat B office fit out Dubai: cost, scope, timeline
A Cat B office fit out in Dubai turns a shell and core or Cat A space into a finished, branded office with partitions, ceilings, lighting, MEP works and furniture. Monde completes this as a licensed fit-out contractor with its own workforce, typically in 6 to 10 weeks.
Why work with Monde
- Licensed UAE fit-out contractor with direct in-house delivery
- 50+ specialists under Monde's own licence
- Project managers leading every commercial fit-out
- Office, retail, F&B and hospitality fit-out experience
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Cat A vs Cat B vs shell and core fit out Dubai
In Dubai, shell and core is the base building envelope. Cat A is the landlord ready condition. Cat B is the occupier fit out that creates a working office.
| Stage | What it includes | Who usually delivers it | | Shell and core | Structural frame, lobby, toilets, fire stairs, main risers, capped MEP points | Developer | | Cat A | Raised floors, suspended ceiling, basic lighting, HVAC distribution, common areas | Landlord | | Cat B | Partitions, meeting rooms, kitchen, finishes, furniture, branding, IT | Tenant contractor |
Cat A gives you a raised floor, suspended ceiling, basic lighting and MEP distribution. It does not give you private offices, meeting rooms or a finished kitchen. Cat B layers the space planning and finishes on top. That is where most of the tenant cost and time sits. Many tenants sign a lease in a shell and core building in Business Bay and then appoint a contractor for Cat B works. The Cat A vs Cat B fit out difference matters because the starting point changes the scope and the budget.
What a Cat B office fit out includes in Dubai
A Cat B office fit out in Dubai covers everything from internal partitions to the furniture your team uses on day one.
- Glazed and solid partitions for offices and meeting rooms
- Suspended gypsum ceilings with recessed lighting and cove details
- Raised access floors or polished screed with carpet and vinyl finishes
- MEP modifications including power, data, HVAC zoning and fresh air
- Pantry, reception, breakout areas, joinery and acoustic panels
- Furniture, IT cabling, security, branding and final access control
office fit out Dubai project" loading="lazy" decoding="async" /> Ceiling, cove lighting and wall finishes are installed before furniture and IT.
In Dubai, civil defence, fire alarm, emergency lighting and sprinkler modifications are part of a compliant Cat B fit out. Monde plans these in the fit out package rather than treating them as add-ons. A clear bill of quantities helps. If a proposal is a lump sum with no scope schedule, ask for a room by room breakdown.
Cat B office fit out cost Dubai: a 200 sqm worked example
In 2026, a standard Dubai Cat B office fit out costs between AED 900 and AED 1,800 per square metre. Premium and specialised fit outs can run above AED 2,500 per square metre.
Take a 200 square metre office in Business Bay. At AED 1,300 per square metre, the base fit out is AED 260,000 excluding VAT.
- Base Cat B works: AED 260,000 at AED 1,300 per square metre
- Furniture and IT: AED 60,000 to AED 120,000
- Joinery and branding: AED 40,000 to AED 80,000
- Total typical range: AED 360,000 to AED 460,000 excluding VAT
Key cost drivers are the number of enclosed offices, acoustic glass, pantry spec, fresh air load, and whether the existing MEP is in good condition. DEWA and chiller point changes also affect cost. Abu Dhabi and Sharjah can be slightly lower for shell and core conversions, while high-rise office towers in Dubai may add out-of-hours work and logistics charges. For a broader breakdown see our Dubai office fit-out cost guide.
Permits and approvals for Cat B office fit out Dubai
In Dubai, a Cat B fit out usually requires landlord NOC, Dubai Municipality approval and Dubai Civil Defence clearance before occupation.
- Confirm your lease, Ejari and landlord NOC.
- Engage a licensed contractor to prepare detailed drawings and calculations.
- Submit interior works drawings to Dubai Municipality.
- Obtain Dubai Civil Defence approval for fire alarm, sprinklers and emergency lighting.
- Coordinate MEP connections and metering with DEWA through the building management.
- Complete inspections and hand over with as-built drawings and test certificates.
Your DET trade licence does not need a new economic activity just for a fit out, but the premises address must match the approved office. For regulated or F&B activity, additional authority approvals may apply.
Completed Cat B office fit out with integrated lighting, stone finishes and large windows.
Licensed office fit out contractor Dubai: what to check
Choose a licensed fit out contractor with its own site team and a project manager, not a broker that subcontracts everything.
Monde operates with 50+ specialists under its own licence, led by professional project managers. That reduces coordination gaps on partitions, ceiling, MEP and joinery. You can review Monde's office fit-out portfolio before shortlisting.
The site was clean when they left. We needed them fast on a running job. They finished the renovation on time. Good work from start to end. Davranbek Tashbayev, Google review, 5/5
Typical Cat B office fit out timeline in the UAE
- Weeks 1 to 2: design freeze, Dubai Municipality and DCD submissions, procurement
- Weeks 3 to 5: partitions, suspended ceilings, raised floors, MEP first fix
- Weeks 6 to 8: lighting, painting, joinery, flooring, HVAC balancing, second fix
- Weeks 9 to 10: furniture installation, snagging, inspection and handover
Ask for a UAE trade licence, direct labour cards and a site engineer. Confirm who owns the workers. Ask what happens if an approval is delayed. For a wider scope see our Dubai office renovation guide or request a Cat B office fit-out quote from Monde.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Cat A and Cat B fit out?
A Cat A fit out is the landlord ready shell with raised floors, suspended ceiling, basic lighting and MEP distribution. A Cat B fit out is the tenant fit out with partitions, meeting rooms, finishes, furniture and branding. Cat B turns the usable shell into the final working office.
How much does a Cat B office fit out cost in Dubai per square metre?
A standard Dubai Cat B office fit out usually costs AED 900 to AED 1,800 per square metre in 2026. Premium or heavily serviced spaces can exceed AED 2,500 per square metre. Furniture, IT, joinery and branding are often quoted separately.
How long does a Cat B office fit out take in Dubai?
A typical Cat B office fit out in Dubai takes 6 to 10 weeks from design freeze to handover. Approvals, MEP complexity, joinery and landlord access can extend the programme. Larger or high spec spaces may take 12 weeks or more.
Do I need Dubai Municipality approval for a Cat B fit out?
Yes. Most Cat B fit outs need Dubai Municipality approval for interior works and Dubai Civil Defence clearance for fire safety systems. Your contractor should also secure the landlord NOC and coordinate DEWA and chiller connections.
What is included in a shell and core office in Dubai?
Shell and core usually includes the structural frame, lobby, toilets, fire stairs, main risers and capped MEP points. It does not include ceilings, finished floors, partitions, lighting or a usable office. A Cat B contractor completes those works.
Can Monde handle office fit outs outside Dubai in the UAE?
Yes. Monde delivers commercial renovation and fit-out across the United Arab Emirates. The team can manage office fit out projects in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other emirates under the same licence and workforce.
