Compare fitted, shell-and-core and serviced offices in Dubai. Check licensing, fit-out costs, parking and lease terms before you sign.
Before signing an office lease in Dubai, confirm that the address and premises suit your business activity and licence. Then compare what each office will cost to occupy in the first year, including any fit-out work, parking and utilities that the rent leaves out.
Can you use the office address for your trade licence?
Confirm the exact premises with the relevant licensing authority before committing. Invest in Dubai lists a site lease contract among the requirements for a normal trade licence. If your company is registered in a free zone, ask that authority whether it accepts the proposed address and type of workspace. Get the unit number and proposed lease details from the leasing team so the authority can assess the specific premises. Invest in Dubai’s trade licence service · Dubai company setup options
What comes with a fitted, shell-and-core or serviced office?
| Office type | What to confirm at the viewing |
|---|---|
| Fitted office | Which partitions, fixtures, cabling and furnishings are included, and whether the existing layout works for your team. |
| Shell-and-core office | The cost and timing of the work needed before occupation, who obtains approvals, and when rent starts. |
| Serviced office | What the rate covers, including furniture, internet, meeting rooms, reception, visitor access and any usage limits. |
How do you compare the real cost of two offices?
Ask each leasing team to quote the same items in writing. Separate annual rent and recurring charges from one-off costs such as furniture, fit-out and moving. Track refundable deposits separately as cash needed upfront. Confirm whether VAT applies to the quoted amounts and how parking, utilities and cooling are billed.
Check the practical details in person. Walk from visitor parking or public transport to reception, test mobile reception inside the unit, and ask about after-hours access. If the layout needs work, find out how much time you have for approvals and installation before your planned opening.
When you enquire, share your business activity, headcount, target move-in date and fit-out preference. Those details help the Arenco leasing team identify offices worth viewing. Browse Arenco offices for rent in Dubai
