Quick answer: Fit out companies in Dubai design and build the interior of commercial and residential spaces – offices, shops, restaurants, villas and warehouses. In 2026, most commercial fit-outs in Dubai cost between AED 200 and AED 900 per sq ft, a basic warehouse upgrade can start from around AED 100 per sq ft, and a typical office takes 8–16 weeks including approvals. The best fit out companies in the UAE are licensed with the right authority, give an itemised BOQ, handle all permits and offer a written warranty.
A fit out company turns an empty or old space into a ready-to-use interior. Instead of hiring a designer, an MEP contractor, a carpenter and an approvals agent separately, you get one accountable team. Typical services include:
| Type | What You Get | Who Usually Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Shell & Core | Bare structure – walls, floor slab, main services to the unit | Tenant does a full build-out |
| Cat A | Basic ceilings, lighting, HVAC, fire systems and raised floors | Usually landlord |
| Cat B | Branded, ready-to-work interior – partitions, joinery, furniture, finishes | Usually tenant |
Fit-out cost in Dubai depends on the space type, the starting condition (shell & core costs more than Cat A), MEP scope, materials and approvals. These are typical 2026 market ranges:
| Project Type | Typical Cost (AED per sq ft) | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Office – budget Cat B | 180 – 300 | 4 – 8 weeks |
| Office – mid-range Cat B | 350 – 550 | 8 – 12 weeks |
| Office – premium | 600 – 900+ | 10 – 16 weeks |
| Retail (mall unit) | 350 – 700 | 6 – 12 weeks |
| Restaurant / café | 400 – 1,500+ | 10 – 16 weeks |
| Warehouse upgrade | From about 100 | 3 – 10 weeks |
What pushes the price up: new HVAC or electrical load, sprinkler changes, custom joinery, imported materials, night-only working rules in malls, and multiple authority approvals.
Warehouse renovation in Dubai means upgrading an existing industrial unit so it is safer, more efficient and compliant. Most projects are in industrial hubs such as Al Quoz, Ras Al Khor, Dubai Investments Park (DIP), Jebel Ali / JAFZA, Al Qusais and Dubai South. Common works include:
Important: Mezzanines, racking layouts and storage changes usually need Dubai Civil Defence approval because they affect sprinkler coverage, smoke control and escape routes. Read our full guides on warehouse renovation in Dubai and cold storage warehouse renovation, or view our warehouse renovation gallery.
Every fit-out starts with a landlord or developer NOC. After that, the permit authority depends on where your property is:
| Location | Main Fit-Out Authority |
|---|---|
| Dubai mainland (Business Bay, Al Quoz, DIP, Al Qusais) | Dubai Municipality (DM) |
| DDA free zones (Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Design District, Dubai Science Park) | Dubai Development Authority (DDA) |
| JAFZA, Jebel Ali and other PCFC areas | Trakhees |
| DIFC, DMCC, Dubai South, DAFZA | Their own free-zone authority |
| All commercial spaces | Dubai Civil Defence (fire & life safety), DEWA for power/water changes |
Restaurants also need Dubai Municipality Food Safety approval, and clinics need health authority approval. Other emirates – such as Abu Dhabi and Sharjah – have their own municipality and civil defence rules, so fit out companies in the UAE must be registered in the emirate where the work happens. Your fit-out contractor must be licensed and registered with the relevant authority to submit drawings. Learn more on our authority approvals page.
For more detail, read our commercial fit out process in Dubai.
Use this 8-point checklist before signing with any fit-out contractor:
Red flags: quotes far below others, large upfront payments, “no permit needed” for MEP or layout changes, and no written contract.
iPropmaintenance (Al Safwan Services LLC) is a Dubai-based fit-out and renovation company delivering office, retail, restaurant, residential and warehouse projects. We give you:
See our work: office projects, retail fit-outs, restaurant fit-outs and warehouse renovations, or explore our commercial fit-out services.
Most commercial fit-outs in Dubai cost AED 200 – 900 per sq ft in 2026. Budget offices start around AED 180, mall retail is about AED 350 – 700, and restaurants can exceed AED 1,500 per sq ft.
A small office takes about 4 – 8 weeks, and most mid-size offices take 8 – 16 weeks including approvals. Restaurants and larger projects can take longer.
Yes, for most works. Mezzanines, racking, MEP and fire system changes need authority approval (Dubai Municipality on the mainland, Trakhees in JAFZA) and usually a Dubai Civil Defence approval.
Cat A is a basic finished shell with ceilings, lighting, HVAC and fire systems. Cat B is the tenant’s ready-to-use interior with partitions, joinery, furniture and branding.
Yes, but each emirate and free zone has its own approval rules. Make sure the fit out company is registered with the authority where your project is located.
The right partner makes your fit-out faster, safer and more cost-effective. When comparing fit out companies in Dubai and fit out companies in the UAE – whether for an office, a shop or a warehouse renovation in Dubai – choose a licensed team with a transparent BOQ and proven approvals experience. Contact iProp Maintenance for a free site visit and quote.
