Office Fit Out Cost in Dubai per Square Metre (2026)
Office fit out in Dubai typically costs AED 300 to 1,500 per square metre, depending on how much the space already has and the level of finish you want. This guide explains the range, what pushes a project to the top of it, and how to budget for approvals and furniture.
- Typical office fit out: AED 300–1,500 per sqm. High-end and luxury interiors can reach AED 1,500–8,000+ per sqm.
- Starting from a bare shell costs more than refitting a Category A space.
- Glass partitions, MEP changes, joinery and ceilings drive most of the cost.
- Budget separately for furniture, IT/AV and any landlord or authority fees.
Office fit out cost per sqm in Dubai
| Level | Typical cost per sqm | What it usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| Light refit | Lower end of AED 300–1,500 | New flooring, painting, lighting, a few partitions |
| Standard Category B fit out | Middle of the range | Meeting rooms, glass partitions, pantry, ceilings, lighting, MEP adjustments |
| Premium fit out | Upper end of the range | Feature ceilings, bespoke joinery, acoustic treatment, extensive MEP |
| Luxury / executive | AED 1,500–8,000+ | Natural stone, bespoke finishes, high-end joinery |
* Indicative 2026 ranges. VAT (5%) applies. Furniture and IT are usually priced separately.
Worked example: a 200 sqm office
For a 200 sqm office, the typical range of AED 300–1,500 per sqm gives a budget between AED 60,000 for a light refit and AED 300,000 for a full Category B fit out with glass meeting rooms, a pantry and new ceilings and lighting. A detailed design and BOQ narrows this down to a fixed price.
What drives the cost
- Starting point: shell and core, Category A, or an existing office to refit. See Category A vs Category B explained.
- Partitions: glass partitions and doors cost more than gypsum walls.
- MEP: moving air-conditioning outlets, adding power and data, lighting design and any fire-system changes.
- Ceilings and acoustics: open ceilings, bulkheads and acoustic panels.
- Joinery: reception desks, storage walls, pantry units.
- Approvals: building NOC, authority fit out permit and, where fire systems change, Civil Defence approval.
Costs to budget for separately
- Loose furniture, chairs and workstations
- IT, network cabling, AV and security systems
- Landlord fit out deposits or fees, if your lease requires them
- Moving costs and any downtime
Staying in the office during the works? Read how to renovate an office without stopping your business.
How to get an accurate quote
Bring the floor plan, the landlord’s fit out guidelines and a list of rooms and headcount. With a site visit, our office fit out team can prepare a layout, 3D views and a fixed-price BOQ, so you can compare contractors on the same scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
Talk to an architect about your project
Planning a project in Dubai? Our architect visits your site for free and sends a fixed-price quotation with an itemised BOQ, usually within 48 hours.
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