What Determines Design & Fit-Out Costs in Dubai?

2.2 Landscape Design Alone

1. Layout & Mood Board – here we have the Concept behind the design, it includes the Material & Design mood board. 
2. 3D Design – consisting of 3D renders showing the exterior views of the complete landscape, including walkways, outdoor seating, used plants, and showcasing colours, suggested materials, lighting elements, main entrance gate and the exterior fence.
3. 2D Drawings – Drawings of the landscape and the fences, showing all design details and lighting points, and the top plan of the villa with a description of all materials and measurements.

2.3 Interior Design

1. Mood Board & Furniture Layout – this include the furniture layout, material mood board, & design mood board
2. 3D Design – here we propose 3D Designs for the required spaces. Renders per room showcasing the proposed materials, finishes, colours, furniture, lighting, and décor.
3. 2D Drawings – this consists of; Floor plan, Ceiling layout, Flooring layouts, Elevation layouts, Furniture layout

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The project scope requirements may also include: 

• 3D 360 Interior images

• 60 seconds walkthrough video for architecture & landscape 

• 60 seconds walkthrough video for 2 selected interior areas

• Site Visit

• Procurement Services

• Interior/Landscape Design BOQ

Where all three disciplines are required, they should be developed as one coordinated design vision rather than as isolated elements.

The architecture establishes the form, structure, and spatial framework of the property; the interior design develops the experience, functionality, and character of the internal spaces; and the landscape extends that design language into the external environment.

This integrated approach creates consistency throughout the project and provides a clearer foundation for accurate fit-out planning and execution.

Determinate 3: Timeline

Time has a price. The project timeline can significantly influence the overall design & fit-out cost.

Some projects allow for flexible scheduling, giving us more time to plan design development, procurement, coordinate teams, and execute the works efficiently. Others require immediate mobilization and priority execution to meet a strict handover date.

When a project must be fast-tracked, it may require additional manpower, extended working hours, expedited procurement, priority manufacturing, and tighter coordination. These requirements can have a significant impact on the overall project cost.

Simply put: the shorter the timeline, the greater the resources required to deliver on time.

Why Fit-Out Pricing Comes After the Design

One of the most common questions we receive is: “How much will the fit-out cost?”

The answer depends on something very important — the design must come first.

An accurate fit-out price cannot be established based on a concept or visual alone. The 2D technical drawings define exactly what will be built, including dimensions, layouts, quantities, finishes, details, and specifications. These drawings allow contractors and suppliers to calculate the actual scope of work and quantities required.

Material selection is equally important. The cost of marble, flooring, sanitary ware, lighting, joinery finishes, fabrics, and other materials can vary significantly depending on the selected brand, quality, specification, and finish.

Think of it simply:

Design → 2D Technical Drawings → Material Selection → Quantities & Specifications → Fit-Out Pricing

Once the drawings and material selections are finalized, the project can be properly measured, quantified, and priced.

Pricing before this stage is only an estimate. Pricing after it is based on what you are actually going to build.

So, How Much Will My Fit-Out Project Cost?

This brings us to one of the questions we hear most often: “How much will my project cost?” or “Will AED XXX be enough to complete my project turnkey?”

We generally avoid giving a fixed figure at the early stages. As explained above, fit-out cost is influenced by several factors — the final design, project dimensions and scope, material selections, level of customization, technical requirements, and the overall standard of finishes.

Until these elements are defined, any figure provided should be treated as a general budget indication rather than an accurate project cost.

That said, for projects ranging approximately from 400–800 sqm, we can use the following price ranges as a general starting point for budget planning only to give you a general idea.