One of the first questions every client asks: "How much does interior design cost in Dubai?" The honest answer is — it depends on scope, finish level, and project type. But here are real market ranges for 2026, based on 1,000+ projects delivered since 2005.
Interior Design Fees: The Two Models
Model 1: Design-Only Fees
If you hire a design firm (no construction), fees typically follow one of these structures:
| Fee Model | Rate | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Per square metre | AED 50–200/sqm | Space planning, material selection, drawings, 3D visualization, project management during design |
| Percentage of project cost | 8–15% of total build budget | Full design service, site supervision (typically limited) |
| Fixed project fee | AED 20,000–200,000+ | Depends on scope and complexity |
Example: A 500 sqm DIFC office at AED 100/sqm design fee = AED 50,000 for full design service.
Model 2: Turnkey (Design + Build) All-Inclusive
A turnkey interior design and fit-out company provides one price for everything — design, approvals, construction, furniture, and handover.
| Project Type | Price Range (AED/sqm) | Typical Total |
|---|---|---|
| Standard corporate office | 1,200–1,600/sqm | AED 600,000–1,600,000 for 500–1,000 sqm |
| Premium corporate office | 1,800–2,500/sqm | AED 900,000–2,500,000 for 500–1,000 sqm |
| Hospitality (hotels) | 2,000–4,000/sqm | Dependent on room count |
| Restaurant / F&B | 2,000–4,000/sqm | AED 400,000–2,000,000 |
| Retail store | 1,500–2,500/sqm | AED 200,000–1,250,000 |
| Luxury residential villa | 2,000–4,000/sqm | AED 1,000,000–6,000,000 |
| Healthcare / Clinic | 1,800–3,000/sqm | AED 500,000–1,500,000 |
All figures are all-inclusive turnkey costs (design + approvals + construction + FF&E) for the Dubai market in 2026.
What Drives Cost in Dubai Interior Design
1. Location (The Single Biggest Variable)
| Location | Cost Premium vs. Baseline |
|---|---|
| DIFC | +20–30% (stricter compliance, premium finish expectations) |
| Downtown Dubai | +10–15% |
| Business Bay | Baseline |
| DMCC / JLT | -5–10% |
| Dubai South | -10–20% |
| Al Quoz / Industrial | -15–25% |
2. Finish Level
| Grade | Description | Cost Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Standard commercial | System furniture, basic finishes, open-plan | Baseline |
| Premium | Custom joinery, branded finishes, feature lighting | +30–50% |
| Luxury | Designer furniture, bespoke millwork, imported stone, integrated AV | +100–200% |
3. MEP Complexity
Spaces with high MEP requirements cost significantly more:
- Standard office — minimal MEP modifications
- Meeting-heavy office — additional HVAC zones, AV infrastructure: +10–15%
- Restaurant with kitchen — hood exhaust, grease traps, gas supply, three-phase power: +25–40%
- Clinic with medical equipment — specialized electrical, medical gases, HEPA filtration: +20–35%
- Data centre / server room — dedicated cooling, fire suppression, raised flooring: +40–60%
4. Timeline
Fast-track projects require:
- Overtime labour premiums (15–25% on labour)
- Expedited authority approval fees
- Air freight for materials instead of sea freight
- Parallel workstreams requiring more supervision
Hidden Costs Most Clients Miss
| Hidden Cost | How Much | Why It Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Authority approval fees | AED 10,000–50,000 | DM, DCD, DEWA submission and inspection fees |
| Variation orders | 5–15% of project cost | Scope changes during construction (avoidable with good design) |
| MEP upgrades | AED 50,000–200,000+ | Existing building systems insufficient for your needs |
| Late design changes | 10–25% premium | Changing finishes or layouts after construction starts |
| Furniture assembly | 5–10% of FF&E cost | Often excluded from furniture quotes |
| Post-handover snags | 1–3% of project cost | Minor fixes after move-in |
A good turnkey contractor includes all regulatory fees and minimizes variation orders through thorough pre-construction design.
How to Budget for Your Dubai Interior Design Project
Step 1: Define Scope Clearly
- How many square metres?
- What finish level?
- Any special MEP requirements (kitchen, server room, medical equipment)?
- What's the timeline?
Step 2: Get a Design Fee Estimate
- Budget AED 50–150/sqm for design-only
- Turnkey pricing should be AED 1,200–2,500/sqm all-inclusive
Step 3: Add Contingency
- 10% for standard projects
- 15–20% for complex projects (restaurants, clinics, hospitality)
- 5% for renovation of existing fitted spaces
Step 4: Get Multiple Quotes
Compare turnkey packages — not just prices. The cheapest quote often has the most exclusions.
What AED 1,500/sqm Actually Gets You (Real Case Study)
Project: 800 sqm corporate office in Business Bay
Budget: AED 1,200,000 (turnkey)
Included items:
- Full space planning and interior design with 3D visualization
- DM and Civil Defence approvals
- All partition walls, ceilings, and flooring
- Full MEP works (HVAC, electrical, lighting, data)
- Custom joinery (reception desk, boardroom cabinetry, pantry)
- System furniture for 60 workstations
- Meeting room AV equipment
- IT infrastructure cabling
- Project management and site supervision
- Furniture delivery and installation
Not included:
- Client's IT hardware (computers, monitors, servers)
- Loose decorative items (art, plants)
- Post-handover office supplies
Frequently Asked Questions
Is turnkey more expensive than traditional design + separate contractor?
No — turnkey is typically 10–15% less expensive when you account for design-build coordination, fewer variation orders, and faster delivery timelines.
What is AV Design International's minimum project size?
Our minimum project size is $250,000 (approximately AED 920,000), reflecting our focus on premium commercial, hospitality, and healthcare projects.
How accurate are turnkey estimates?
A good turnkey estimate based on a site survey and detailed scope should be within 5–10% of final cost. Estimates based on sqm rates without scope details are less reliable.
Do prices change if I want imported materials?
Yes. Specifying Italian marble, German kitchen fittings, or custom-designed furniture from European suppliers adds to both material cost and lead time. Turnkey pricing adjusts accordingly.
About the author: Sheen Dcruz is the Founder of AV Design International, a full-service architecture and interior design firm with 21+ years of experience and 1,000+ completed projects. Pricing data is compiled from actual Dubai project costs 2025–2026.
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