Office Fit Out Cost Dubai: 2026 Guide with Real AED Prices
A typical office fit out in Dubai costs between AED 80 and AED 300 per square foot depending on whether you need a shell-and-core finish or a fully fitted workspace. Below, we share current AED price ranges, a detailed trade-by-trade breakdown, and exactly how Monde’s direct workforce delivers these projects without subcontractor markups.
Why work with Monde
- 50+ in-house specialists on our own visa
- UAE trade licence and full insurance cover
- Dedicated project manager on every project
- Turnkey fit-out across offices, retail, F&B, hospitality
- Proven track record of clean, on-time delivery
Talk to Monde commercial fit-out contractors Dubai for a fixed-price quote on your next project.
Average office fit out cost per square foot in Dubai
In 2026, a Cat A fit out in a standard commercial building typically costs AED 80 to AED 120 per sq ft, while a fully finished Cat B fit out ranges from AED 150 to AED 300 per sq ft. The gap reflects the jump from a landlord’s base build to a tenant’s custom workspace.
| Fit Out Category | What’s Included | Cost Range (AED/sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Cat A (landlord’s base build) | Raised floors, suspended ceilings, basic MEP, fire safety, shell-and-core lockers | 80–120 |
| Cat B (tenant’s workspace) | Partition walls, doors, floor finishes, joinery, lighting, furniture, branding, IT | 150–300 |
A 2,000 sq ft office in a Grade A building in Business Bay fitted to Cat B standard would typically land between AED 300,000 and AED 600,000 depending on joinery and furniture specification.
office fit out cost Dubai" loading="lazy" decoding="async" /> Caption: A fully finished Cat B office reception delivered within budget in Dubai Marina.
Office fit out cost breakdown by trade
Understanding where your dirhams go helps you prioritise spending. Here is a typical trade-by-trade breakdown for a mid-range Cat B fit out in Dubai.
- MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing): AED 25–40/sq ft
- Partition walls (drywall, glazed): AED 30–50/sq ft
- Flooring (LVT, carpet tiles, raised access): AED 20–35/sq ft
- False ceilings and lighting: AED 20–30/sq ft
- Joinery (reception desks, pantries, storage): AED 30–60/sq ft
- Furniture (desks, chairs, meeting tables): AED 40–80/sq ft (heavily variable)
- IT and AV cabling: AED 10–15/sq ft
For a 1,500 sq ft office in JLT, a typical Cat B package with MEP, partitions, floor, and basic joinery might run AED 180,000 to AED 225,000 before furniture. Actual costs depend on the existing shell condition and your design brief.
What makes your office fit out budget go up or down?
Size is the biggest cost-driver, but building grade and free-zone requirements can swing your budget by 15–30%. A high-spec office in DIFC will always cost more per square foot than a simple open-plan layout in Al Quoz.
DIFC, for example, enforces its own fire and life safety codes that go beyond Dubai Municipality standards. A fit out there can add AED 15–25 per sq ft to the MEP scope. We recently priced a 2,200 sq ft office in DIFC where the mandatory DCD compliance added roughly AED 22 per sq ft.
DMCC tenants face a similar layer of NOC approvals, often extending the design phase by a week. By contrast, a creative warehouse conversion in Al Quoz without raised floors or suspended ceilings can cost as little as AED 110 per sq ft for a Cat B finish.
For a deeper look at how fit-out compares with renovation, see our office renovation cost breakdown.
How Monde’s in-house team controls fit out costs
Many Dubai fit out contractors rely heavily on subcontractors, each adding their margin. Monde’s 50+ directly employed specialists eliminate that markup chain. Supervisors and skilled tradesmen are on our visa, under our licence, and led by a professional project manager who coordinates all trades.
By keeping everything in-house, we typically save clients 10–15% compared to layered subcontracting. The workflow also stays tighter—less missed work leads to fewer variations and delays.
“The site was clean when they left. We needed them fast on a running job. They finished the renovation on time.” — Davranbek Tashbayev, 5/5
“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. They understand site conditions, client requirements, material coordination, and execution.” — hayat Berhe, 5/5
Caption: Our 50+ in-house team managing MEP rough-in directly, cutting out subcontractor markups on office fit out costs.
For a complete walkthrough of how we deliver from design to handover, read our full office fit-out process guide.
Timeline and cost: why speed saves money
A fit out that drags on costs more than just the contractor’s time. You pay for temporary workspace, lost productivity, and delayed revenue. Keeping the programme tight protects your budget.
Our typical Cat B fit-out timeline for a 2,000 sq ft office in Dubai:
- Space planning and design finalisation (2–3 weeks)
- Authority approvals (DM, DMCC, or DIFC) (1–2 weeks)
- MEP rough-in and test (3–4 weeks)
- Partitions, ceilings, and drywall (2–3 weeks)
- Flooring, joinery installation, and painting (2–3 weeks)
- Final finishes, furniture, and snagging (1–2 weeks)
Total: 10–16 weeks. Monde’s in-house team often completes in 10–12 weeks by overlapping trades safely—reducing the client’s bridging costs. A two-month overrun on a small office can easily mean an extra AED 20,000 in rented temporary space.
As client Davranbek Tashbayev noted, Monde “finished the renovation on time”, which kept his business running without interruption.
Compare this with the wider commercial fit-out timeline in our article on commercial fit-out costs across sectors.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an office fit out cost per square foot in Dubai?
Cat A fit outs typically cost AED 80–120 per sq ft, while Cat B ranges from AED 150 to AED 300 per sq ft. The final price depends on the level of joinery, furniture, and building grade. Always request a site survey for an accurate price.
What is the difference between Cat A and Cat B fit out costs?
Cat A covers the landlord’s base build—ceilings, floors, and basic MEP—and costs AED 80–120/sq ft. Cat B is the tenant’s full workspace fit out, including partitions, finishes, furniture, and IT, costing AED 150–300/sq ft. The jump reflects much higher specification and customisation.
What factors most affect office fit out costs in Dubai?
Total area, building grade, and free-zone authority requirements are the biggest drivers. A DIFC fit out can add AED 20/sq ft due to stricter fire codes. Design complexity, bespoke joinery, and furniture choices also swing the budget significantly.
How long does a typical office fit out take in Dubai?
For a 2,000 sq ft Cat B office, expect 10 to 14 weeks from design freeze to handover. Authority approvals, MEP works, and joinery fabrication are the longest lead items. Monde’s in-house team can reduce the timeline by overlapping trades safely.
Do Dubai free zones like DMCC or DIFC require special fit out approvals?
Yes. DMCC, DIFC, and other free zones have their own building control and fire safety approvals separate from Dubai Municipality. The process typically adds 1–2 weeks and can increase MEP costs by 10–15% due to specific standards. Your fit out contractor must be familiar with these requirements to avoid penalties.
How can I reduce my office fit out costs in Dubai?
Choose a Cat A building that already has raised floors and ceilings. Keep partition changes minimal, use standard finishes, and plan furniture procurement early. Working with a contractor that has an in-house workforce, like Monde, also avoids subcontractor margins that typically add 10–20%.
