Ask ten different contractors in Dubai what custom joinery or a fit-out costs, and you'll likely get ten different numbers — because the honest answer is that it depends entirely on what you specify. As a starting point: fitted joinery typically runs AED 600–4,000 per linear metre, bespoke furniture pieces range from AED 1,500 to AED 60,000+ depending on scale and complexity, and a full interior fit-out generally costs AED 150–900+ per square foot. This guide breaks down exactly where your project is likely to fall in those ranges, what pushes a price up or down, and how our factory-first process at Petra Wooden Industries keeps that number predictable from quotation to handover.
How Much Does Custom Joinery Cost in Dubai?
Custom joinery in Dubai — fitted wardrobes, kitchen cabinetry, wall panelling, and architectural woodwork — typically costs AED 600 to AED 4,000 per linear metre, installed. The wide range exists because "joinery" covers everything from a basic laminate wardrobe to a hand-finished veneer library wall with concealed lighting and brass inlay.
- Standard laminate/MFC wardrobes & cabinetry: AED 600–1,200 per linear metre
- Mid-range veneer with soft-close hardware: AED 1,200–2,200 per linear metre
- High-end lacquer, exotic veneer, branded hardware (Blum, Hafele): AED 2,200–4,000+ per linear metre
How Much Does Bespoke Furniture Cost in Dubai?
A single bespoke furniture piece in Dubai can cost anywhere from AED 1,500 to AED 60,000 or more — the price is driven far more by size, material, and finish than by the fact that it's custom-made.
- Small accent pieces (bedside tables, side tables): AED 1,500–4,000
- Mid-size pieces (dining tables for 6–8, sideboards, credenzas): AED 6,000–18,000
- Large or statement pieces (reception desks, boardroom tables, hotel lobby consoles): AED 18,000–60,000+
How Much Does a Fit-Out Cost in Dubai?
A complete interior fit-out in Dubai — villa, apartment, office, or retail unit — typically costs AED 150 to AED 900+ per square foot, depending on finish tier. Hotel projects are usually priced per key (per room) rather than per square foot, typically AED 15,000–60,000+ per key for FF&E alone.
- Basic / shell-and-core fit-out: AED 150–250 per sq ft
- Mid-range / standard trade fit-out: AED 250–450 per sq ft
- High-end / luxury bespoke fit-out: AED 450–900+ per sq ft
At a Glance: Indicative Pricing by Category
| Category | Unit | Indicative Range | What Moves the Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fitted Joinery (wardrobes, cabinetry, panelling) | Per linear metre | AED 600 – 4,000 | Finish grade, hardware brand, veneer complexity |
| Kitchen Cabinetry | Per linear metre | AED 1,000 – 6,000 | Material grade, soft-close/lift mechanisms, worktop |
| Bespoke Furniture Piece | Per piece | AED 1,500 – 60,000+ | Size, material, upholstery, one-off vs. batch |
| Full Interior Fit-Out | Per sq ft | AED 150 – 900+ | Finish tier, MEP scope, joinery density |
| Hotel Room FF&E | Per key | AED 15,000 – 60,000+ | Star rating, casegood spec, soft furnishings |
Indicative figures for early budgeting only. Your final quotation depends on a review of your drawings and specifications.
What Actually Drives the Price?
Within every range above, the same eight factors decide whether your project lands at the bottom or the top.
- Material grade & species: Solid timber vs. veneer vs. laminate changes the cost per linear metre substantially — before any design work is added.
- Hardware specification: Branded soft-close hinges and lift systems (Blum, Hafele) cost more upfront than generic equivalents, and fail far less often.
- Finish & lacquer system: A hand-sprayed, multi-coat lacquer finish costs more than a single-coat factory finish — and shows it for longer.
- Design complexity: Curves, mitred joints, book-matched veneer, and concealed hardware all add production hours that a straight panel doesn't need.
- Volume & repeatability: A 200-unit hotel order carries a lower per-unit cost than a one-off piece, once shop drawings are approved and production is running.
- Site conditions & access: A high-rise installation with restricted lift access and working hours costs more to deliver and fit than ground-floor access.
- Programme & lead time: Compressing a normal 6-week production run into 3 weeks adds cost through overtime and resequencing other clients' work.
- Project management & coordination: Multi-trade projects that need close coordination with other contractors carry a management cost a single-trade order doesn't.
How Petra's Factory-First Process Affects Your Cost
Two structural choices in how Petra operates keep your quoted price close to your final invoice: no subcontracting, and no minimum order.
In-house production across wood, metal, and fabric removes the markup layers that come with subcontracting each trade separately. Shop-drawing sign-off before production begins removes the single biggest cause of budget overruns: mid-production changes.
Because there's no minimum order size, a single custom piece is priced with the same rigour as a 400-unit hotel package — factory-direct pricing either way. We also work to trade pricing and NDA-covered confidentiality where a project requires it, a practice that goes back to our founding in 2001.
How to Get an Accurate Quote
The fastest way to move from a rough range to a firm number is to give us four things: your drawings, your material and finish preferences, your quantities, and your target handover date.
Share your drawings or specifications
Even early-stage drawings help — AED figures firm up fast once dimensions are known.
We review, and arrange a site visit if needed
Confirms access, structural conditions, and floor levels before we price anything.
You receive an itemised quotation
Delivered within 3–5 working days, broken down by item so you can see exactly what drives the total.
Shop drawings are approved before production
The number you sign off on is the number you pay — no surprise variations mid-build.
For a full breakdown of what to prepare before you contact a contractor, see our guide: How to Brief Your Joinery Contractor →
Is Custom Always More Expensive Than Ready-Made?
Upfront, yes — ready-made furniture is almost always cheaper to purchase. Over the life of a trade project, not necessarily. Ready-made pieces carry hidden costs — replacements, modifications, and batch-to-batch inconsistency — that accumulate over time and narrow the cost gap.
We cover this trade-off in detail in Custom Furniture vs. Ready-Made →
The Bottom Line
There's no single number for what joinery, furniture, or a fit-out costs in Dubai — but there is a reliable range, and now you know what moves you within it. The fastest way to turn a range into a number you can put in a budget is to send us your drawings or your brief.