Office Fit-out in Dubai

A typical office fit-out includes space planning, partition construction, flooring, ceilings, lighting, MEP coordination, data cabling, joinery, reception and branding elements, and authority approvals. The exact scope depends on whether the project is a light CAT A refurbishment, a standard CAT B build-out, or a full turnkey fit-out including furniture and final handover.

Office fit-out costs in Dubai typically range from AED 200 to AED 450 per square foot for a light CAT A refurbishment, AED 400 to AED 800 per square foot for a standard CAT B fit-out, and AED 800 to AED 1,500 or more per square foot for a premium or turnkey project. Costs also vary by location, with prime districts like DIFC and Downtown Dubai running higher than areas like JLT or Dubai Internet City at the same specification level. We provide a detailed, itemized quote once we understand your space and requirements.

Timelines depend on scope and building requirements. A light refurbishment typically takes four to six weeks, a standard CAT B fit-out usually runs six to ten weeks, and a full turnkey project with custom joinery and extensive MEP work can take ten to sixteen weeks. We provide a realistic schedule during the planning stage that accounts for authority approval timelines.

Look at their portfolio for commercial projects similar in scale to yours, ask how they manage authority approvals, and get an itemized quote broken down by trade rather than a single lump-sum number. Confirm their track record on handover deadlines, since a delayed office fit-out directly affects your business operations.

 Links to Links delivers premium and luxury office fit-out in Dubai, covering bespoke joinery, branded reception design, and high-end finishes for corporate clients who want their workspace to reflect their brand standards. We’re happy to share relevant examples from our commercial portfolio.

Confirm whether the quote is itemized and covers authority approvals, ask about their experience with your specific building or free zone, and get clarity on the payment schedule and project timeline before signing anything. It’s also worth asking how they plan to minimize disruption if any part of your business needs to remain operational during the work.

For a small office under 1,000 square feet, total fit-out costs commonly range from AED 60,000 to AED 200,000 depending on specification level and the extent of partition, joinery, and MEP work involved. Per square foot, small offices sometimes carry a slightly higher rate than larger spaces due to fixed project overheads like permits and mobilization. We can provide a specific estimate once we understand your space and requirements.

Start by defining your headcount, department needs, and must-have spaces like meeting rooms and breakout areas, then set a realistic budget range before speaking with contractors. Get at least three quotes for the same defined scope, confirm who’s managing authority approvals, and build in extra time for permit processing, since this is one of the most commonly underestimated parts of the timeline.

A modern office fit-out in Dubai typically includes flexible, activity-based layouts, biophilic elements like natural materials and greenery, integrated technology for meeting rooms, acoustic treatment for open-plan areas, and a branded reception that makes a strong impression on clients and visitors.

Get at least three quotes for the same clearly defined scope of work, and compare what’s actually included rather than the headline number alone. Check whether authority approvals, furniture, and IT infrastructure coordination are part of the quote, and ask each company how they’ve handled projects with a similar handover deadline to yours. Among the top 10 fit out companies in Dubai, the ones worth shortlisting are the ones willing to put every inclusion in writing before you sign.