Commercial renovation Dubai: costs, permits and timelines
Commercial renovation Dubai means upgrading an existing workspace or shop so it is safe, branded and ready to trade. Monde handles offices, retail, F&B and hospitality with one licensed team, realistic AED budgets and a clean handover.
Why work with Monde
- UAE licensed main contractor
- 50+ in-house specialists
- Professional project management team
- Direct fit out experience across offices, retail, F&B and hospitality
- Google rating 5.0 from 3 verified reviews
For a site walk and a fixed programme, talk to Monde's renovation project managers.
What commercial renovation includes vs fit out
Commercial renovation is the wider upgrade of an existing commercial unit. It often covers layout changes, MEP works, fire safety and finishes. Fit out is the final stage that turns a shell or dated space into a branded workplace or shop. In Dubai, many owners treat commercial refurbishment Dubai as a combined process because older buildings need both.
Common scope items across a commercial renovation include:
- partition changes and acoustic walls
- ceiling replacement and lighting upgrades
- HVAC ducting and fresh air adjustments
- flooring and raised access floors
- fire rated doors and smoke detection
- pantry, washroom and accessible toilet upgrades
- data, power and security cabling
- painting, joinery and final finishes
A completed office or common area should look as good as the workspace itself. The hallway below shows what coordinated finishes, integrated cabinetry and lighting control can deliver.
Commercial renovation Dubai completed hallway with marble look wall panels, light wood doors and integrated cabinetry under linear LED ceiling lights" loading="lazy" decoding="async" /> A Monde commercial hallway with marble look panels and integrated display niches after a full refurbishment.
Commercial renovation cost Dubai by sector
In Dubai, commercial renovation cost ranges from AED 180 to AED 650 per sq ft depending on the sector, MEP scope and access conditions. Office spaces usually sit at the lower end, while F&B kitchen works and hospitality bathrooms push rates higher.
| Sector | Typical AED per sq ft | Main cost driver |
|---|---|---|
| Office | 180 to 350 | Cat A or Cat B, HVAC zones, ceiling scope |
| Retail | 220 to 450 | shopfront, lighting, security and flooring |
| F&B | 300 to 650 | kitchen exhaust, grease traps, drainage and gas |
| Hospitality | 280 to 550 | FF&E, bathrooms, acoustic treatment and finishes |
A 2,500 sq ft Business Bay office with a Cat B refresh can land between AED 450,000 and AED 875,000 excluding furniture and IT. An Al Quoz F&B unit with kitchen extraction rarely fits the same rate because drainage, exhaust and fire rated ducting add cost quickly. For a sector specific breakdown, see office renovation costs and timelines or the restaurant renovation permit and cost guide.
Cat A vs Cat B for office renovation Dubai
Cat A is the landlord's base build. It includes raised floors, suspended ceilings, shell and core MEP and shared washrooms. Cat B is the tenant specific fit out that adds meeting rooms, pantries, branding, lighting scenes and furniture.
For most tenants, office renovation Dubai starts after the Cat A handover. Monde often reviews shell and core defects before Cat B begins, because early snagging avoids rework behind finished walls and ceilings. The same logic applies to retail renovation Dubai, where the shopfront and shop lighting usually sit in the landlord shell while the sales floor and storage are tenant scope.
Monde's project managers hold a clear line between shell and tenant works. This matters when building management asks who is responsible for a specific MEP item.
I have seen the work and site coordination of Monde Arabian Building Contracting LLC, and I can say their team is professional and well organized. hayat Berhe, 5/5 Google review
DET, DEWA and RTA permit steps
Commercial renovation in Dubai needs the right approvals before work starts. A DET licensed contractor is the first requirement, followed by building owner NOC and authority sign off for structural, MEP or public access changes.
The typical sequence is:
- Appoint a DET licensed contractor and agree the scope, drawings and programme.
- Submit the drawings to the building owner or community management for NOC.
- Apply for a Dubai Municipality building permit if layout, structural or fire safety changes are planned.
- Get DEWA approval for power, water or HVAC load changes.
- Apply for RTA NOC if the work affects parking, delivery access or public right of way.
- Complete the works and close out with inspections and as built drawings.
Access is not the same everywhere. A Sheikh Zayed Road tower usually needs after hours delivery windows, while a ground floor unit in Deira may have daytime loading limits. Monde's site team plans this before pricing, not after.
Floor plans and MEP drawings are checked before each commercial renovation stage in Dubai.
Realistic timelines and disruption minimisation
A light office refresh can finish in 3 to 6 weeks. A full Cat B fit out or F&B renovation usually runs 10 to 16 weeks. Approvals, material lead times and building access rules cause most delays, not site labour.
Monde keeps work moving with 50+ in-house specialists and professional project managers. For running shops and restaurants, the team sequences noisy work after hours and seals dust barriers around trading areas.
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, 5/5 Google review
This is the kind of handover a retail or F&B client needs. You can browse Monde's office, retail and F&B renovation portfolio to see completed examples.
Frequently asked questions
How much does commercial renovation cost per square foot in Dubai?
For a standard office, expect AED 180 to AED 350 per sq ft. Retail runs AED 220 to AED 450 per sq ft, while F&B and hospitality often land between AED 300 and AED 650 per sq ft. MEP changes, night shift access and structural work push costs higher.
How long does a commercial renovation take in Dubai?
A light office refresh can take 3 to 6 weeks. Full Cat B fit out or F&B renovation usually takes 10 to 16 weeks. Approvals, material lead times and building access rules have the biggest impact on schedule.
What permits do I need for office renovation in Dubai?
You need a DET licensed contractor, a building owner NOC and often a Dubai Municipality building permit for layout or fire safety changes. DEWA approval is needed for power and water modifications. RTA NOC applies if work affects parking or public access.
What is the difference between Cat A and Cat B office fit out?
Cat A is the base build from the landlord, including raised floors, ceilings, shell and core MEP. Cat B is your branded space with meeting rooms, pantries, partitions and lighting. Monde can handle either, but Cat B is where the commercial renovation budget is usually controlled.
How do I choose a commercial renovation contractor in Dubai?
Check the contractor's UAE licence, in-house workforce and recent sector experience. Ask who manages the site and how changes are communicated. A fixed clear programme with named project managers avoids delays.
Can my business stay open during a retail renovation in Dubai?
Yes, phased works and night shifts can keep most retail shops running. For F&B and hospitality, temporary screens, dust barriers and off-peak shutdowns for MEP tie-ins are common. Monde plans the sequence around trading hours to reduce lost revenue.
