Cat B Office Fit Out Dubai: Costs and Process
A Cat B office fit out in Dubai turns a base building Cat A space into a finished workplace with meeting rooms, pantry, lighting, flooring and furniture. Budget roughly AED 1,800 to AED 3,500 per square metre and plan for a four to eight week build programme after approvals.
Why work with Monde
- In-house workforce of 50+ specialists
- Own UAE contracting licence
- Professional project managers on every job
- Commercial renovation and fit-out across all UAE
- Google rating 5 from 3 client reviews
- Direct WhatsApp and phone support
Call or WhatsApp +971544941092 for a scope review. For the full service list, see Monde's commercial fit-out services.
Cat A vs Cat B fit out in Dubai
Cat A is the landlord shell and base services. Cat B is the tenant specific fit out that makes the space ready for daily work.
A Cat A space in a Dubai office building usually includes raised floors, a suspended ceiling grid, base mechanical and electrical services, fire protection and common area finishes. It looks nearly complete but is not ready for your team. A Cat B fit out adds walls, doors, meeting rooms, pantry, floor finishes, lighting, data, audio visual, furniture, branding and acoustic treatment.
| Scope | Cat A | Cat B |
|---|---|---|
| Ceiling | Base grid | Finished ceiling and lighting |
| MEP | Landlord distribution | Final outlets and adjustments |
| Partitions | Minimum or none | Meeting rooms and private offices |
| Flooring | Base or temporary | Final carpet, tile or vinyl |
| Furniture | Not included | Desks, chairs, storage and pantry |
What a Cat B office fit out includes
A complete Cat B scope covers partitions, suspended ceilings, MEP modifications, flooring, glazing, joinery and furniture. The scope changes with the office layout and building rules.
- Partition systems for meeting rooms, offices and focus rooms
- Suspended ceilings with acoustic panels and integrated lighting
- MEP adjustments for power, data, HVAC and fire protection
- Final flooring such as carpet tiles, vinyl or porcelain
- Glazed partitions and internal doors
- Pantry, breakout joinery, reception desk and furniture
office fit out Dubai project." loading="lazy" decoding="async" /> Custom joinery and lighting control from a Monde interior. The same site team runs Cat B office fit out Dubai programmes.
A complete Cat B fit out also includes protection, cleaning and handover documentation.
Cat B fit out cost Dubai: real AED figures
In Dubai, Cat B fit out costs typically range from AED 1,800 to AED 3,500 per sqm. The final figure depends on MEP density, partition types, joinery, ceiling design and furniture.
A 3,000 sq ft office in Business Bay at AED 2,400 per sqm would cost about AED 720,000 before loose furniture. A smaller 800 sq ft office in JLT with a simple meeting room and pantry can sit between AED 220,000 and AED 260,000, or roughly AED 2,750 to AED 3,250 per sqm. More meeting rooms and glass partitions push costs up. Standard carpet tile and linear lighting keep costs controlled.
office fit out Dubai project." loading="lazy" decoding="async" /> Precision joinery and premium finishes from Monde. This standard carries into glazing, millwork and feature finishes in Cat B office fit out Dubai works.
For a fixed price based on your drawings, request a fixed Cat B fit-out quote.
Timeline and approvals for a Dubai office fit out
A typical Cat B fit out in Dubai takes four to eight weeks after permits. Approval lead time can add one to three weeks.
- Confirm the lease, survey the space and test the Cat A condition.
- Prepare layout, MEP and reflected ceiling drawings.
- Submit the landlord NOC, Dubai Municipality or free zone authority package.
- Mobilise, protect common areas and set up site safety.
- Run MEP first fix, partitions and ceilings.
- Complete flooring, joinery, glazing, decoration and commissioning.
- Hand over with cleaning, testing and documentation.
Free zones such as DIFC, DMCC and Dubai Internet City often require their own permits and site rules. A contractor with UAE delivery experience should manage both landlord and authority approvals.
How to choose a Cat B office fit out contractor in the UAE
Look for a contractor with its own workforce, a valid UAE licence, professional project managers and a clean site record. These points reduce risk on a running office floor.
"The site was clean when they left." Davranbek Tashbayev, 5/5
That matters when one floor stays occupied during the build. Monde uses an in-house workforce of 50+ specialists and assigns professional project managers to each job. Ask for fixed pricing, a clear exclusions list and completed examples. You can view completed Dubai office fit-outs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Cat B office fit out cost in Dubai?
In 2026, most Cat B office fit outs in Dubai cost between AED 1,800 and AED 3,500 per sqm. A 1,000 sq ft office can range from AED 180,000 to AED 350,000, while a 5,000 sq ft floor can range from AED 900,000 to AED 1.75 million. Furniture, IT and consultant fees are usually priced separately.
What is the difference between Cat A and Cat B fit out?
Cat A is the base building condition provided by the landlord. It typically includes raised floors, suspended ceilings, base MEP and common area finishes. Cat B is the tenant fit out that adds walls, meeting rooms, pantry, final flooring, furniture and branding.
How long does a Cat B office fit out take in Dubai?
Most Cat B office fit outs in Dubai take four to eight weeks after permits are issued. A small 1,000 sq ft office may take three to four weeks. Larger floors above 10,000 sq ft can take eight to twelve weeks depending on joinery and MEP changes.
Do I need landlord or Dubai Municipality approval for a Cat B fit out in Dubai?
Yes. You usually need a landlord NOC first, then authority submissions through Dubai Municipality, the relevant free zone authority or both. Fire, life safety and MEP drawings are often part of the package. Your contractor should coordinate these approvals before site work begins.
Can I fit out an office in a Dubai free zone?
Yes. DIFC, DMCC, JLT and Dubai Internet City each have their own fit out permit process and site rules. The landlord and free zone authority normally review the drawings and issue clearances. Monde prepares the required submissions and coordinates with the building team.
How do I choose a Cat B office fit out contractor in Dubai?
Check that the contractor holds a UAE licence, uses its own workforce and assigns a project manager. Ask for fixed pricing, a clear exclusions list and completed office projects. A clean site record and direct communication also reduce risk during the build.
