Commercial Fit-Out Checklist for Dubai: From Pre-Lease to Handover

Commercial Fit-Out Checklist for Dubai: From Pre-Lease to Handover

Plus One Interiors is recognized for its proven expertise in Dubai’s commercial fit-out sector, delivering retail, office, and other commercial spaces with precision, creativity, and reliability. With deep local knowledge and a turnkey approach, the company guides clients through every stage of the fit-out process, from planning and approvals to execution and handover.

A well-planned commercial fit-out can transform an empty unit into a space that reflects your brand and supports business operations. In Dubai, where authority regulations and building requirements are highly specific, having a trusted local partner like Plus One Interiors ensures clarity, compliance, and quality at every step.

Pre-Lease Considerations (Before You Sign)

Why this matters: Lease terms directly impact what you can build, how quickly you can build it, and what reinstatement may be required at the end.

Checklist

• Review landlord fit-out guidelines, reinstatement clauses, and access rules.

• Align lease dates with realistic design, approval, and construction timelines.

• Confirm base-build vs. tenant works (ceilings, partitions, and MEP services).

• Map early functional needs (reception, display, workstations, storage) to confirm the chosen unit is suitable.

Planning & Design Phase

At this stage, Plus One Interiors brings ideas to life with 2D layouts, 3D perspectives, and immersive visualizations that give clients a clear understanding of their future space. This reduces revisions, aligns stakeholders, and ensures every detail is accounted for before construction begins.

Checklist

• Finalize 2D layouts for circulation, adjacencies, and service access.

• Approve 3D perspectives/visualizations for finishes, lighting, and furniture.

• Confirm brand expression (materials, signage, colors) and functional requirements (display zones, collaboration areas, storage).

Budgeting & Approvals (Dubai-Specific)

With local authority processes and building management requirements, budgeting and approvals are critical. Plus One Interiors supports clients with material compliance reviews and manages submissions to relevant Dubai authorities, including Dubai Municipality, DCD, DSO, DDA, and Trakhees.

Checklist

• Develop a cost plan broken down by package (civil works, MEP, finishes, joinery, furniture).

• Validate material specifications for durability and compliance.

• Prepare and submit required drawings/documents for authority approvals and landlord NOCs.

Execution & Construction

Plus One Interiors delivers turnkey project management, coordinating procurement, trades, logistics, and quality control. The focus is on transforming approved designs into reality while maintaining efficiency and on-time delivery.

Checklist

• Confirm mobilization, HSSE protocols, and reporting cadence.

• Track milestones: demolition (if needed), partitions, MEP works, ceilings, flooring, painting, and fixtures.

• Ensure site execution matches approved 3D visuals.

• Conduct staged inspections to maintain quality and reduce rework.

Furniture Design & Supply

Commercial spaces often require more than off-the-shelf solutions. Plus One Interiors specializes in joinery and custom, made-to-measure furniture designed to match both functionality and brand identity.

Checklist

• Approve shop drawings and material samples for counters, storage, and displays.

• Validate ergonomics, clearances, and cable management in 3D models.

• Plan deliveries to align with site readiness and avoid handling issues.

Handover & Post-Project Support

A project is only complete when it’s fully operational. Plus One Interiors ensures a smooth transition with comprehensive snagging, inspections, and handover documentation, so clients can move in with confidence.

Checklist

• Conduct multi-trade snagging (finishes, MEP, joinery, fixtures).

• Provide as-built drawings, warranties, and O&M manuals.

• Organize a soft opening/user orientation to test functionality and workflows.

Quick Reference: End-to-End Checklist

• Pre-Lease → Review clauses, reinstatement, and access requirements.

• Design & Visualize → Approve 2D layouts and 3D perspectives/visualizations.

• Budget & Approvals → Set budget, review materials, secure authority and landlord approvals.

• Execution → Manage site works, milestones, and quality control.

• Furniture → Approve and install made-to-measure joinery and custom furniture.

• Handover → Complete snagging, deliver documentation, and orient users.

Why Choose Plus One Interiors

• Commercial expertise: Specialist in retail, office, and commercial fit-outs.

• Design clarity: 2D layouts, 3D perspectives, and immersive visuals ensure accuracy.

• Turnkey delivery: One partner from concept to completion with quality assurance.

• Local knowledge: Hands-on experience with Dubai authority processes and regulations.

Ready to Plan Your Commercial Fit-Out?

Plus One Interiors takes you from pre-lease to handover with clarity, compliance, and craftsmanship so your business can open doors on time, in a space designed for success. With our experience and local expertise, clients benefit from a fit-out journey that ensures clarity in design, compliance in approvals, quality in execution, and assurance in timely completion.