Office fit out cost in Dubai: 2026 price guide
Dubai office fit out costs typically run AED 350 to AED 1,200 per square metre depending on specification. A basic Cat A refresh sits at the lower end while a high-spec Cat B fit out with custom joinery and IT works moves closer to the top.
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What does office fit out cost in Dubai include?
An office fit out cost per sqm Dubai quote usually bundles design, MEP works, partitions, ceilings, flooring, furniture and authority approval fees. The exact split depends on whether the space is shell and core or already has a Cat A base build.
A typical Dubai fit out budget has three cost blocks. Design and approvals take 5 to 8 percent. Build works including MEP, partitions, ceilings and flooring take 60 to 70 percent. Furniture, IT and move management take the remaining 25 to 35 percent.
For a 300 square metre office in Business Bay, a mid-spec Cat B fit out at AED 800 per sqm gives a total of AED 240,000. That figure covers partitions, two meeting rooms, a tea point, feature lighting and a basic AV package before furniture.
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Cat A vs Cat B office fit out cost
Cat A is the landlord provision and usually costs less per square metre. Cat B is the tenant fit out and includes everything your team uses day to day.
| Fit out level | Typical cost per sqm in Dubai | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Cat A | AED 250 to 450 | raised floors, suspended ceilings, basic lighting, HVAC, fire systems |
| Cat B basic | AED 500 to 850 | partitions, doors, tea point, simple finishes |
| Cat B high spec | AED 850 to 1,500 | brand-led joinery, meeting rooms, acoustic treatments, IT rooms |
A Cat A shell in Jumeirah Lakes Towers often costs around AED 350 per sqm to bring to landlord handover standard. A Cat B fit out for a 15-person consultancy in DIFC can reach AED 1,200 per sqm once you add acoustic glazing and a dedicated boardroom.
See our office fit-out projects to compare how different scopes translate into finished workspaces.
Five cost drivers that move the price
The biggest office fit out price Dubai variables are MEP, partitions, ceilings, flooring, furniture and permits. Each can move your total by 10 to 20 percent.
MEP and HVAC
DEWA connection, electrical distribution, and chilled water or split AC works make up the largest technical cost. A small 100 sqm office might pay AED 35,000 to AED 60,000 for MEP adjustments. A larger open plan floor with high cooling load can exceed AED 150,000.
Partitions and ceilings
Gypsum partitions cost less than glazed partitions. A single-glazed meeting room partition in Dubai usually lands between AED 900 and AED 1,400 per linear metre installed.
Flooring
Carpet tiles are common for open plan areas at AED 90 to AED 180 per sqm. Vinyl plank works well in collaboration zones at AED 110 to AED 220 per sqm. Raised access floors, if not already part of the shell, add AED 180 to AED 300 per sqm.
Furniture and IT
Furniture often gets underestimated. A 20-person office can spend AED 40,000 on decent task chairs and desks. Add meeting tables, lounge pieces and monitor arms and that figure doubles quickly.
Permits and approvals
Dubai fit outs need the relevant free zone or Dubai Municipality approvals, fire and civil defence sign off, and DEWA connection updates. Budget AED 5,000 to AED 15,000 for straightforward office work. More complex spaces with kitchen extract or server rooms cost more.
How long does an office fit out take and what does speed cost?
Most office fit outs in Dubai run 6 to 14 weeks from mobilisation to handover. A faster programme usually adds 10 to 18 percent to the total office fit out cost Dubai figure because you need more labour, evening shifts or parallel procurement.
A 500 sqm office in Abu Dhabi with a normal 10-week programme might cost AED 500,000. Compressing the same scope into 6 weeks can push it to AED 560,000 or more. In Abu Dhabi, material delivery and authority inspections rarely differ much from Dubai, but labour scheduling in newer areas can add one or two weeks.
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.
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Our team plans a week by week sequence.
- Lock the design, MEP drawings and authority submissions.
- Strip or prepare the base build and set up site safety.
- Run MEP first fix, partitions, ceilings and flooring in sequence.
- Install furniture, IT and final finishes.
- Complete snagging, DEWA checks and handover.
Our in-house specialists handle finishes in-house, which keeps quality consistent.
Office fit out cost in Abu Dhabi vs Dubai
Office fit out cost Abu Dhabi pricing is close to Dubai but not identical. Most Abu Dhabi office fit outs fall within AED 500 to AED 1,300 per sqm depending on the building and authority requirements.
In Dubai, free zone and mainland offices sometimes follow different approval routes. In Abu Dhabi, sectors like Al Maryah Island or Khalifa Park often require additional life safety reviews, which can add AED 8,000 to AED 15,000 in consultant fees. Prices for labour are similar, but delivery windows in Abu Dhabi can be one or two days longer.
For a reliable benchmark, request an office fit-out quote with your floor plate, headcount and target handover date. We work across the UAE and can advise on the most economical approval route.
If you want to compare different scopes, read our fit-out cost guides or start with our office fit out Dubai services.
Frequently asked questions
How much does office fit out cost in Dubai?
A typical Dubai office fit out costs AED 350 to AED 1,200 per square metre. A basic Cat A office may sit at the lower end while a branded Cat B workspace with meeting rooms and custom joinery can reach AED 1,500 per sqm.
What is Cat A and Cat B in office fit out?
Cat A is the base landlord provision that includes ceilings, lighting, HVAC and fire systems. Cat B is the tenant specific fit out that adds partitions, flooring, meeting rooms, kitchen and furniture. Cat B normally costs more because it includes the finishes your team actually uses.
How much does an office fit out cost per sqm in Dubai?
Expect AED 250 to 450 per sqm for Cat A works and AED 500 to 1,500 per sqm for Cat B works. The final rate depends on ceiling type, partition system, MEP load and furniture specification.
How long does an office fit out take in Dubai?
Most office fit out projects in Dubai run 6 to 14 weeks. Fast track programmes can finish in 4 to 5 weeks but usually add 10 to 18 percent to the total cost.
Do I need permits for an office fit out in Dubai?
Yes. Office fit outs need approval from the relevant free zone or Dubai Municipality, fire and civil defence sign off, and DEWA connection updates where electrical changes happen. Budget AED 5,000 to AED 15,000 for straightforward office work.
Is office fit out cheaper in Abu Dhabi than Dubai?
Rates are very close. Abu Dhabi office fit outs usually fall between AED 500 and AED 1,300 per sqm. Some Abu Dhabi authority reviews add AED 8,000 to AED 15,000 in consultant fees, so total pricing often matches Dubai.
