Office Fit Out Cost in Dubai (2026 Guide) – Pricing, Timeline & What Affects Your Budget
The average office fit out cost in Dubai in 2026 ranges from AED 350–1,500 per sq.ft, depending on design complexity, MEP upgrades, materials, joinery, IT infrastructure, and authority approvals (DCD, DEWA, DMCC, DIFC). High end corporate offices and branded workspaces fall between AED 900–1,500 per sq.ft, with timelines of 8–16 weeks for full delivery.
What Is an Office Fit Out in Dubai?
An office fit out is the complete transformation of an empty or semi finished commercial space into a fully functional workplace. It includes partitions, flooring, ceilings, lighting, MEP systems, AC layout, fire safety, joinery, furniture, and branding elements required to make the office ready for daily operations.
Dubai categories fit-out projects into:
- Shell & Core Fit Out – Full build out from zero
- CAT A Fit Out – Basic finishing + MEP
- CAT B Fit Out – Customized interiors, branding, joinery, and workstations
Office Fit Out Cost in Dubai in 2026
Average Office Fit Out Costs (AED per sq.ft)
| Fit Out Type | Cost Range (AED/sq.ft) | Typical Use |
| Basic / Functional | 350 – 550 | Small offices, startups, administrative workspaces |
| Mid-Range Corporate | 550 – 900 | Consulting firms, agencies, SMEs |
| Premium Corporate | 900 – 1,200 | Law firms, financial institutions, HQ offices |
| Luxury / High-End | 1,200 – 1,500+ | Executive suites, multinational HQs, branded offices |
Budget Example for a 2,000 sq.ft Office
- Basic: AED 700,000 – 1,100,000
- High-End: AED 2,200,000 – 3,000,000+
What Affects Office Fit Out Cost in Dubai?
Project Scope & Fit Out Category
- Shell & Core = highest cost
- CAT A = flooring + ceilings + MEP
- CAT B = full customization (most common for corporate clients)
MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) Requirements
This is usually 40–55% of the total budget.
Includes:
- AC ducting and distribution
- Firefighting (DCD code compliant)
- Emergency lighting
- Power distribution (DB upgrades)
- Plumbing for washrooms/pantries
Joinery & Custom Furniture
High end offices often require:
- Reception desks
- Boardroom tables
- Executive room joinery
- Coffee stations
- Acoustic wall panels
Custom joinery significantly increases cost due to materials like oak veneer, walnut, marble, HPL, acoustic fabric panels, and branded hardware.
Materials & Finishes
Premium flooring, wall cladding, and ceilings can raise the cost by 20–40%.
Common luxury materials:
- Natural stone
- Premium carpet tiles
- Fluted panels
- Acoustic ceilings
- LED architectural lighting
IT & Tech Infrastructure
Includes:
- Structured cabling
- Server room setup
- CCTV
- Access control system
- Smart lighting system
Authority Approvals
Depending on the building zone:
- DCD (Dubai Civil Defense)
- DEWA
- DMCC
- DIFC
- DED
- Dubai Municipality
- Trakhees
Approval fees + mandatory modifications impact cost.
Brand & Corporate Standards
Global companies follow strict:
- Branding guidelines
- Standard furniture specs
- Sustainability requirements
- Acoustic performance
Office Fit Out Timeline in Dubai
| Phase | Duration | What Happens |
| Concept Design | 1–2 weeks | Layouts, mood boards, zoning |
| Detailed Drawings & Approvals | 1–3 weeks | MEP drawings, DCD drawings, landlord approvals |
| Fit Out Execution | 6–12 weeks | Construction + joinery + MEP |
| Snagging & Handover | 1 week | Testing, commissioning, cleanup |
Total Duration: 8–16 Weeks
Luxury offices or large corporate floors can extend to 20–24 weeks.
Office Fit Out Cost Breakdown
| Component | Approx. % of Budget |
| MEP Works | 40–55% |
| Joinery + Furniture | 20–30% |
| Flooring + Ceilings + Walls | 10–15% |
| Lighting + Electrical | 10–15% |
| IT Infrastructure | 5–10% |
| Approvals & Fees | 2–5% |
Shell & Core vs. CAT A vs. CAT B — Which Is Best for 2026?
Shell & Core
Ideal for large corporate users wanting full customization.
CAT A
Suitable for landlords preparing the space for leasing.
CAT B
Most relevant for clients hiring RadyInterior.
Includes:
- Layout planning
- Custom joinery
- Finishes
- Branding
- Workstation planning
How to Reduce Office Fit Out Costs Without Sacrificing Quality
- Use modular partitions instead of full gypsum walls
- Choose commercial carpet tiles instead of premium stone
- Keep existing MEP infrastructure
- Avoid unnecessary structural changes
- Select smart lighting instead of decorative fixtures
Why Companies Invest in High End Office Fit Out in Dubai
A well designed office impacts:
- Productivity
- Employee retention
- Brand perception
- Client experience
- Workspace health (acoustics, lighting, comfort)
Why Choose RadyInterior for Office Fit Out in Dubai?
RadyInterior delivers:
- Full turnkey interior fit out
- Commercial grade MEP expertise
- Fast track project delivery
- Executive level design for corporate clients
- Compliance with Dubai authority standards
- High quality joinery + bespoke furniture
- 3D visualization + detailed planning
FAQS
Between AED 350–1,500 per sq.ft, depending on quality, MEP, materials, and approvals.
Most projects take 8–16 weeks, including approvals and handover.
MEP works, custom joinery, premium materials, and authority approvals.
Yes — DCD, DEWA, landlord approvals, and sometimes DMCC/DIFC/Trakhees depending on the location.
Layout planning, flooring, ceilings, partitions, joinery, lighting, MEP adjustments, IT setup, and branding.
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