Office Fit-Out Scope in Dubai: What to Include Before Requesting Quotes

Describe how the workplace will operate

Start with people and activities. Record the expected headcount, visitor numbers and working patterns.

Identify the spaces the business needs: focused work areas, meeting rooms, private offices, reception, storage, pantry facilities and spaces for confidential calls.

Explain which needs are essential and which could change as the business grows. This helps the design team test layouts against practical priorities.

Establish what exists

Gather available premises drawings, tenancy information and the landlord’s fit-out manual. Arrange an appropriate site review to understand the existing condition and the information that still needs verification.

Clarify which partitions, ceilings, finishes and services are intended to remain. If existing elements will be reused, define any assessment or refurbishment required before they are included in the scope.

Photographs help communicate the starting condition, but they do not replace coordinated surveys and drawings.

Define the boundaries of the quotation

Ask for clear inclusions and exclusions across the main work packages:

• Space planning and design documentation.
• Partitions, doors, ceilings and flooring.
• Electrical, lighting and other building services.
• Data cabling, audiovisual systems and access control.
• Joinery, pantry equipment and signage.
• Furniture, window treatments and accessories.
• Approvals coordination, testing and handover.

For specialist systems, identify who designs, supplies, installs and commissions each element. This is especially useful when the client appoints separate IT or security providers.

Address building coordination early

Ask who will coordinate submissions, landlord comments, access arrangements and the relevant approval process. Requirements depend on the premises, location and proposed work.

The office fit-out approvals guide provides a starting point for that discussion. Confirm the current requirements for the specific premises with the responsible parties.

Record programme assumptions such as access dates, permitted working hours, client decisions and long-lead purchases.

Specify the handover

Define the documents, demonstrations and outstanding-work process expected at completion. Depending on the agreed scope, this may include warranties, operating information, relevant drawings and a snagging schedule.

Assign responsibility for closing outstanding items and agree how completion will be recorded. A clear handover brief helps the business understand what it will receive and who to contact afterwards.

Common questions

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• Understand approvals coordination
• Coordinate project delivery
• Explore the fit-out approach