Commercial fit out Dubai: costs, process and timelines
A commercial fit out in Dubai converts a bare unit into a finished office, shop, restaurant or hospitality space that meets landlord, municipal and Civil Defence requirements. The process, cost and timeline vary by sector, so this guide sets out realistic AED figures and the approval steps before work starts.
Why work with Monde
We run commercial renovation and fit out projects across the UAE with our own site team, not a shifting panel of subcontracted crews.
- 50+ in-house specialists
- Licensed contracting company in the UAE
- Professional project managers
- Google rating 5 from 3 reviews
- Commercial fit out across the UAE
- Dedicated site coordination team
What a commercial fit out in Dubai covers
Most commercial fit out Dubai projects move through three stages: shell and core, Cat A, and Cat B.
A shell and core unit has the main structure and building services risers, but no internal partitions, ceilings or finished floors. Cat A brings the space to a landlord ready standard: suspended ceilings, raised floors, HVAC distribution, fire alarm loops, basic lighting and toilet cores. Cat B is the tenant work that makes the unit usable: layout partitions, meeting rooms, pantry, joinery, branded finishes, floor coverings, data and power points, feature lighting and furniture.
Typical scope at each stage:
- Shell and core: structure, facade, main risers, common areas and base toilets.
- Cat A: ceiling grid, floor screed or raised floor, AC ducting, fire detection and common lighting.
- Cat B: partitions, doors, glazing, kitchens, joinery, branding, IT, lighting design and furniture.
A retail unit in a Dubai mall has a stricter handover condition than an office in JLT, but the same Cat A to Cat B principle applies.
Commercial fit out cost Dubai: realistic AED ranges
Commercial fit out cost Dubai typically runs from AED 450 to AED 2,800 per square metre, with the final figure driven by sector, MEP density and finish level.
For commercial interior fit out Dubai pricing, the per square metre rate usually excludes permit fees, loose furniture, IT racks and landlord deposits.
- Office fit out Dubai: AED 650 to AED 1,400 per m² for a standard Cat B office. Premium DIFC grade can exceed AED 2,000 per m².
- Retail fit out Dubai: AED 800 to AED 2,200 per m² depending on display joinery, lighting and point of sale systems. See our retail fit out Dubai guide for mall-specific details.
- Restaurant fit out Dubai: AED 1,200 to AED 2,800 per m² because of kitchen equipment, grease management, extraction and Civil Defence requirements. Read the restaurant fit out Dubai guide before setting a budget.
- Light industrial or warehouse office zone: AED 450 to AED 800 per m² for floor coatings, racking, small office partitions and basic MEP.
Worked example: a 150 m² Cat B office in Business Bay at AED 850 per m² gives a base fit out budget of AED 127,500. Add AED 18,000 for permit drawings, authority fees and snagging, and the practical total is around AED 145,500 before loose furniture and IT.
Dropped ceiling and stone wall detailing in a Monde commercial fit out.
Permits and approvals for commercial fit out Dubai
A Dubai commercial fit out cannot start on site until the landlord NOC, municipality or free zone drawings, DET approval where applicable, and Civil Defence sign-off are in place.
- Landlord or building management NOC and fit out permit.
- Dubai Municipality or relevant free zone authority drawing submission through an approved engineering consultant.
- DET approval for retail, restaurant and hospitality units, including trade name and signage if needed.
- Dubai Civil Defence approval for fire alarm, emergency lighting, sprinkler systems and evacuation routes.
- Authority inspections for MEP, firefighting and final completion certificate.
The same approval logic applies in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, but review windows can differ by municipality.
Realistic timelines for office fit out Dubai and retail spaces
A standard office fit out Dubai takes 6 to 10 weeks from permit issue to handover, while restaurant and retail fit outs in Dubai typically need 10 to 16 weeks.
- Office fit out Dubai: 6 to 10 weeks for Cat B, depending on glazing and joinery.
- Retail fit out Dubai: 8 to 12 weeks, longer when the mall restricts working hours.
- Restaurant fit out Dubai: 10 to 16 weeks, driven by kitchen, drainage, grease trap and Civil Defence inspection.
- Hospitality back of house: 8 to 14 weeks depending on bar and servery equipment.
A Dubai Marina office at Cat B specification may run seven weeks, an Abu Dhabi unit with the same scope can add a few days for authority coordination, and a Sharjah project can add a week for municipality review.
Marble-look panels, wood doors and linear LED strips create a high-end commercial corridor.
How Monde keeps a Dubai commercial fit out on schedule and budget
Monde runs the build with a 50+ in-house workforce and licensed project managers, so approvals, material coordination and finishing stay under one roof.
We cover offices, retail, F&B and hospitality. Our team handles daily site supervision, deliveries, snagging and handover.
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, 5/5
This is the standard we hold on restaurant fit outs and office projects. See our commercial fit out portfolio for built examples, or get a free commercial fit out quote for a line item budget.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a commercial fit out cost in Dubai?
A standard Cat B office fit out in Dubai usually costs AED 650 to AED 1,400 per square metre. Retail and restaurant fit outs range higher from AED 800 to AED 2,800 per square metre because of MEP, joinery and kitchen works. The final price depends on existing landlord conditions, permit drawings and finish level.
How long does a commercial fit out take in Dubai?
A standard office fit out takes 6 to 10 weeks after permits are approved. Retail and restaurant projects usually take 10 to 16 weeks. Complex MEP, Civil Defence inspections and mall working-hour limits can extend the programme.
Do I need Dubai Municipality approval for a commercial fit out?
Yes. Most commercial fit outs need drawings submitted to Dubai Municipality or the relevant free zone authority through an approved consultant. Retail, restaurant and hospitality units also need DET and Civil Defence approvals before and during the work.
What is the difference between Cat A and Cat B fit out?
Cat A is the landlord finish that includes ceilings, floors, HVAC and base fire systems. Cat B is the tenant fit out that adds partitions, joinery, branding, lighting design, power and data points and furniture.
Can I stay open while my retail or restaurant unit is being fit out?
It depends on the landlord, mall rules and the work area. In most running retail units, the contractor must work at night or behind hoarding. Monde has handled fast programmes where the site was clean when they left.
