Office Fit-Out Cost in Dubai: 2026 Price Guide
A per-sqft number without a scope attached is close to meaningless. Here is what actually moves an office fit-out budget in Dubai.
26 January 2025 · 5 min read · K4 Fit-Out Studio
Office fit-out cost in Dubai is usually quoted as a per-square-foot range, but that range spans almost 4x between a basic Cat B office and a partner-grade headquarters fit-out. The number that matters is what is included, not the headline rate.
Indicative 2026 ranges
Budget-grade Cat B fit-out with standard partitions and carpet tile runs roughly AED 180-280/sqft. Mid-market fit-out with joinery reception, glazed meeting rooms and branded finishes runs AED 300-450/sqft. Executive or boutique HQ work with bespoke joinery and stone runs AED 500-800+/sqft. These are indicative market ranges, not a quotation.
- MEP and AV infrastructure, often 25-35% of total budget
- Bespoke joinery reception and meeting room furniture
- Landlord and authority NOC fees, usually excluded from contractor quotes
- IT cabling and access control, frequently a separate scope entirely
The line items budgets forget
Landlord NOC and utility deposit fees, fit-out insurance, snagging and defects liability retention, and IT/AV cabling are the four costs most first-time tenants discover only after signing a contractor quote that excluded them.
Getting an accurate number
A reliable estimate needs a fixed floor plan and a defined finish schedule, not a verbal brief. Our design team prices against drawings, not square footage alone, which is the only way to avoid the variation orders that inflate a lump-sum contract after signing.
Frequently asked
What's included in a typical office fit-out quote in Dubai?
Partitions, ceilings, flooring, lighting, basic joinery and paint. IT/AV, furniture and landlord fees are commonly excluded unless specified.
Is office fit-out cheaper in a free zone?
Not materially, approval fees differ by authority, but construction cost per sqft is driven by finish level and MEP, not jurisdiction.
How can I reduce office fit-out cost without cutting quality?
Standardise joinery details across meeting rooms, specify one flooring type throughout, and lock the design before tender to avoid variation costs.