Office Fit Out Dubai: Costs, Permits, Timelines
Office fit out Dubai work in 2026 typically costs AED 700 to AED 2,200 per square metre depending on zone, Cat A or Cat B scope and specification. Monde delivers the full package through UAE approvals, in-house specialists and professional project managers so you get a fixed quote and a clear handover date.
Why work with Monde
- 50+ in-house specialists
- Own UAE trade licence
- Professional project managers
- Offices, retail, F&B and hospitality fit-out
- UAE-wide commercial renovation
- 5-star Google rating from 3 reviews
What an office fit out includes in Dubai
A Dubai office fit out moves a shell unit to a working space. Cat A covers base building works, while Cat B covers the branded, furnished office your team uses.
Cat A scope usually includes raised floors, suspended ceilings, mechanical and electrical services, fire alarms, shared washrooms and lobby finishes. Cat B scope includes partitions, doors, flooring, ceilings, lighting, kitchen, meeting rooms, IT containment, joinery, furniture and branding.
For most tenants in Dubai, the bigger cost and design decisions sit in the Cat B phase. That is why a clear brief on meeting rooms, phone booths, pantry and storage should come before pricing. Good commercial interior design Dubai starts with how the space will be used, not just how it looks. A DIFC office may also need landlord compliance on ceiling grid and life safety. See the Cat B office fit-out process and costs if you are planning a branded workspace.
Office fit out cost Dubai by zone and specification
For office fit out cost Dubai, most Cat B projects land between AED 900 and AED 2,200 per square metre. Cat A work often lands from AED 600 to AED 1,400 per square metre.
Current benchmark ranges by zone:
- DIFC Grade A shell: AED 1,800 to AED 2,400 per sqm for Cat B plus landlord compliance
- Business Bay mid-rise shell: AED 1,100 to AED 1,800 per sqm for Cat B
- Dubai Internet City fitted shell: AED 900 to AED 1,500 per sqm for Cat B
A 300 sq m Cat B office fit out in Business Bay at AED 1,500 per sqm lands near AED 450,000 before furniture, IT and loose items. At a DIFC address, the same shell could run above AED 600,000 because of higher mechanical, acoustic and access requirements.
Bespoke media wall joinery shows the in-house finishing standard Monde applies to office fit out Dubai projects.
For comparison outside Dubai, see commercial fit-out pricing in Abu Dhabi.
DED, DEWA and Dubai Municipality approvals
Most legal office fit out Dubai projects need landlord NOC, building management approval, Dubai Municipality or DED permits for partitioning and fit-out, and DEWA approval for any electrical or water changes.
Follow this order:
- Confirm the lease and Ejari, then obtain a landlord NOC.
- Appoint an engineer or licensed contractor to prepare drawings and material schedules.
- Submit to building management and the relevant authorities: Dubai Municipality for partitioning and structural items, DED for trade activity requirements, and DEWA for electrical and water changes.
- Display the approved permit on site before any works start.
- Complete the works, request inspections, and obtain the completion or NOC needed for handover.
Free zone offices in Dubai Internet City usually add landlord approval from the zone operator. Ask for this early because building management can take five to ten working days.
Realistic timelines by office size
A small 100 to 200 sq m Cat B office in Dubai can be ready in 3 to 5 weeks. Larger offices or major office renovation Dubai work usually need 8 to 14 weeks.
Timeline bands are useful for planning:
- 50 to 150 sqm: 2 to 4 weeks
- 150 to 400 sqm: 4 to 7 weeks
- 400 to 1,000 sqm: 7 to 12 weeks
- 1,000 sqm and above: 12 weeks or more depending on MEP and authority inspections
Timing shifts when the project includes office renovation Dubai rather than a shell fit-out. Existing occupied floors may need phased works, weekend shifts and additional protection. See office renovation costs and timelines in Dubai for that comparison.
How Monde delivers office interior fit out Dubai
Monde runs office interior fit out Dubai projects with a 50+ in-house workforce under our own UAE trade licence. Professional project managers control permits, suppliers and daily site sign-off.
We use our own joinery, painting, MEP and finishing crews instead of relying fully on subcontractors. That keeps the sequence predictable and makes the final clean-up clear. A running project can stay on time because the site manager and procurement are inside the same company.
In-house cabinetry and finishing from Monde, the same team that delivers Cat B office fit out Dubai packages.
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
For a fixed price and a clear permit list, get a fixed office fit-out quote and send your floor plan and approximate move-in date.
Frequently asked questions
How much does office fit out cost in Dubai per square metre?
Most Cat B office fit out Dubai projects range from AED 900 to AED 2,200 per square metre. Cat A work usually starts around AED 600 per square metre. The final rate depends on the zone, ceiling and MEP condition, joinery volume, furniture and brand specification.
How long does an office fit out take in Dubai?
A 100 to 200 sq m Cat B office can be completed in 3 to 5 weeks. Offices from 400 to 1,000 sqm usually need 7 to 12 weeks. Authority approvals, long lead joinery and landlord inspections can add one to three weeks.
Do I need Dubai Municipality approval for an office fit out?
Most office fit out Dubai projects need building management approval, landlord NOC, and Dubai Municipality or DED permits for partitioning and structural changes. DEWA approval is required for any electrical or water changes. Your contractor should manage these steps before site works begin.
What is the difference between Cat A and Cat B office fit out in Dubai?
Cat A is the base building shell with raised floors, suspended ceilings, MEP, fire alarms and shared washrooms. Cat B is the branded, functional workspace with partitions, doors, meeting rooms, kitchen, joinery, furniture, lighting and IT. Most tenants focus their budget on Cat B because it is the space their team uses daily.
How do I choose an office fit out contractor in Dubai?
Check that the contractor works under their own UAE trade licence and has an in-house workforce. Ask for a fixed quote, a permit list and a programme with milestone inspections. A strong contractor will also show recent completed projects and be clear about what is excluded from the price.
How much does office renovation cost in Dubai compared with a new fit out?
Office renovation Dubai often costs AED 800 to AED 1,800 per square metre, but the range is wide because existing MEP and finishes may need upgrades. A new Cat B fit-out is usually easier to price because the shell condition is known. Temporary protection, weekend work and phased handover can add cost to renovation projects.
