Interior design or interior fit-out: what you are actually paying for
In Dubai the words "design", "fit-out" and "decoration" are used loosely, which makes quotations hard to compare. This guide separates them so you know what you are buying.
Key takeaways
- Interior design produces the plan: layouts, finishes, lighting and drawings. Fit-out is the construction that builds it.
- In commercial property, Cat A fit-out prepares a space for any tenant. Cat B fit-out is the tenant-specific interior.
- Design-and-build gives one point of responsibility. Separate contracts give independent checks but more coordination.
Interior design
Interior design decides how a space looks and works. A designer typically delivers:
- space planning and furniture layouts,
- ceiling and lighting plans,
- material and finish selections,
- 3D visualisations so you can approve the look,
- construction drawings and specifications for the builder.
The output is information. Nothing is built yet.
Interior fit-out
Fit-out is the construction work that turns that information into a finished space. A fit-out contractor builds partitions and ceilings, installs electrical and sanitary fittings, and applies the floor, wall and ceiling finishes. On commercial projects it also includes coordinating with building management and the relevant authorities.
Shell and core, Cat A and Cat B
These terms come up in offices and commercial buildings:
- Shell and core: the structure, facade, lifts and main building services, with unfinished internal space.
- Category A (Cat A): a basic, usable finish suitable for any tenant, usually including ceilings, basic lighting, AC distribution and raised floors in offices.
- Category B (Cat B): the tenant's own interior: rooms, meeting spaces, reception, branding and specific finishes.
Residential projects rarely use these labels, but the idea is the same: what is already there, and what you are adding.
Design-and-build or separate contracts
Design-and-build means one company designs and constructs. You get one point of responsibility, and designs are checked for buildability from the start. This is how Al Adwaar works.
Separate contracts mean you appoint a designer and then tender the construction. You get an independent designer reviewing the contractor's work, at the cost of more coordination and a longer process.
Neither is always better. Large projects with a consultant often use separate contracts. Villas and smaller commercial spaces often benefit from design-and-build.
How to compare quotations
When comparing offers, check that each one:
- lists the same scope, room by room,
- names the materials and board types, not just "gypsum works",
- states what is excluded, such as furniture, appliances or approvals,
- includes a programme and payment schedule.
Read our quotation checklist for what to prepare before you ask for prices.