Interior Design FAQ Dubai
Answers to the questions clients ask most before starting a project with RNM Interiors — costs, timelines, approvals, materials, joinery, and how our process works.
RNM Interiors is a Dubai-based interior design and fit-out company offering six integrated services: interior design, design and build, turnkey fit-out contracting, interior space planning, furniture manufacturing, and joinery works. We operate across residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors throughout Dubai and the UAE.
Both — and often together. We can provide interior design only (concept and documentation for your own contractor), fit-out only (executing a design produced by others), or a complete design and build service where our team handles everything from brief to handover under one contract. Many clients choose the full design and build route because it eliminates the coordination gap between designer and contractor.
We work across residential projects — villas, apartments, and penthouses across Dubai — and commercial projects including offices, retail environments, restaurants, cafés, hotels, and healthcare facilities. Project sizes range from standalone joinery packages (single wardrobe or kitchen) to full design and build contracts for 10,000+ sq ft commercial spaces.
Yes. We operate our own joinery and furniture manufacturing workshop in Dubai. All joinery and custom furniture is designed, manufactured, and installed by our own team — nothing is subcontracted to third-party workshops. This gives us direct quality control at every stage and means on-site adjustments happen quickly because the installing team built the piece.
Yes. RNM Interiors is familiar with the fit-out guidelines and NOC processes for EMAAR, Nakheel, and Meraas developments. We manage the full NOC submission process in-house — identifying requirements at the consultation stage so that authority submissions are made without delays. See our About page for our full credentials.
Yes. The initial consultation is completely free — we visit your property or meet at our studio, discuss your brief, assess the site, and give you an honest overview of approach and indicative costs with no obligation to proceed. Book your free consultation here.
Our primary market is Dubai, but we regularly work in Abu Dhabi and selected GCC markets — particularly for commercial and hospitality clients. Contact us to discuss your specific location.
Yes. We regularly manage projects for clients based outside Dubai — weekly video calls, progress photo reports, and our project management system keep you informed at every stage. Key approvals (concept selection, material sign-off, snagging) can be handled remotely. We recommend being present for the final snagging walkthrough if possible.
Interior design fees in Dubai typically range from AED 45 to AED 120 per sq ft for a full design package covering concept, material direction, and contractor-ready documentation. Space planning only starts from AED 5,000. A complete design and build package (design + fit-out combined) typically ranges from AED 350 to AED 900 per sq ft. See our full 2026 pricing guide.
A full villa fit-out in Dubai typically costs between AED 350 and AED 900 per sq ft depending on specification grade. A standard 5,000 sq ft villa fit-out at mid-range specification would typically fall in the AED 1.5M – 2.5M range. Luxury specification with imported stone, solid timber joinery, and high-end hardware will push this significantly higher. We provide a fixed-price proposal after a free site survey.
Category B office fit-out in Dubai (fully finished, ready to occupy) typically costs AED 250–550 per sq ft. A 2,000 sq ft office would typically range from AED 500,000 to AED 1,100,000 for a complete fit-out including partitions, joinery, MEP finishing, and lighting. DIFC and premium locations trend toward the higher end.
Joinery in Dubai typically ranges from AED 300 to AED 1,400 per linear metre depending on material specification, design complexity, and hardware quality. Painted MDF joinery sits at the lower end; lacquered cabinetry with solid timber elements and premium Blum or Hettich hardware sits at the higher end. We provide a fully itemised fixed-price quote after shop drawing approval.
We issue a fully itemised fixed-price proposal before any work begins — the number you agree at the start is the number on the final invoice. If you request changes to scope during the project, these are managed through a formal change order process: we document the change, its cost, and its programme impact, and issue a change order for your approval before executing anything.
Our fixed-price proposals are fully itemised by trade. Items that are typically pass-through costs (billed at actual cost with no markup) include:
- Dubai Municipality drawing submission fees
- Developer NOC application fees (EMAAR, Nakheel, Meraas)
- DEWA permit fees for MEP works
- Structural engineer or MEP consultant fees (where required)
These are identified and disclosed during the consultation stage — not as surprises after signing.
Payments are milestone-based and tied to project stages. A typical structure: 30% on contract signing, 30% on Authority approval, 30% on practical completion, and 10% on snagging sign-off. The exact schedule is agreed in writing before the project begins. We do not request payment before the milestone it relates to is achieved.
For design-only projects our minimum fee is AED 15,000. For fit-out and joinery projects our minimum contract value is AED 50,000. For standalone joinery items — a single wardrobe, kitchen unit, or custom furniture piece — we take on smaller commissions. Contact us to discuss your specific scope.
Timeline depends on project scope. A typical apartment renovation runs 10–16 weeks from consultation to handover. A full villa interior design and fit-out typically takes 20–36 weeks. Commercial office fit-out projects typically take 12–20 weeks. Authority approval timelines are the main variable — we run procurement and joinery manufacturing in parallel to minimise this impact.
Our process runs six stages — see the full detail on our Process page. In brief:
- Stage 1: Consultation & brief — free, no obligation
- Stage 2: Concept design & fixed-price cost plan
- Stage 3: Full design development & documentation
- Stage 4: Authority approvals & material procurement
- Stage 5: Construction & installation
- Stage 6: Snagging, handover & 6-month aftercare
You have one named project manager from consultation through to handover. They lead the site survey, run design reviews, manage authority submissions, oversee construction, and conduct the snagging walkthrough with you. One number, one email — throughout the entire project.
Changes during construction (variations) are managed through a formal change order process. We document the requested change, its cost impact, and its programme impact — then issue a change order for your approval before executing anything. No variation is implemented without written sign-off.
Before handover, we conduct our own internal snagging inspection — identifying and resolving every item before you walk through. We then do a joint walkthrough with you, document anything remaining on a formal snagging list, and resolve everything within an agreed timeframe before final sign-off and balance payment.
The 6-month aftercare period covers any defects in materials or workmanship that emerge after handover — joinery adjustments, finish touch-ups, hardware issues, and any items that need attention once the space is in use. Our team also visits the property at the 3-month mark for a proactive check. It does not cover damage caused by the client or third-party modifications.
We employ our own designers, fit-out team, and joinery craftsmen. All joinery and furniture is manufactured and installed by our own workshop team. For highly specialist trades (e.g. specialist stone installation, bespoke metalwork) we use approved specialist contractors — but these are managed by our project manager and subject to our quality standards.
Our availability varies depending on our project pipeline at the time of enquiry. We will give you an honest start date at the consultation stage. For urgent projects we can often accommodate faster starts — discuss your timeline with us when you get in touch.
It depends on the scope. Joinery works that do not involve structural or MEP changes typically do not require a separate Authority permit. However, if the scope includes MEP modifications, structural changes, or the creation/removal of rooms or walls, Dubai Municipality drawings and a permit are required. We assess permit requirements for every project during the consultation stage.
A developer NOC (No Objection Certificate) is required when carrying out fit-out or renovation works in properties managed by a master developer — EMAAR, Nakheel, Meraas, DIFC, and others. The NOC is the developer's confirmation that your fit-out plans comply with their design guidelines. Without it, you risk being required to reverse the works. We manage NOC submissions in-house on every project that requires one.
Dubai Municipality fit-out permit approval typically takes 2–4 weeks for straightforward residential projects and 4–8 weeks for commercial projects or those requiring structural engineer sign-off. We submit as early in the process as possible and track approval status actively. We also run material procurement and joinery production in parallel to avoid programme delays while awaiting permits.
We handle the full NOC submission process in-house — producing the required drawings, preparing the application, submitting to the developer, and managing all correspondence until approval is received. The client provides ownership documents (title deed, passport copy) and pays any developer fees at actual cost with no markup.
DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) approval is required for electrical modifications that affect the main distribution board, new sub-panels, or significant changes to the electrical layout. As a DEWA-approved contractor, RNM can carry out DEWA-notifiable electrical works in-house — no separate MEP contractor is required for standard fit-out electrical changes.
Yes. We have experience working within DIFC's regulatory environment — including DIFCA fit-out permits and DIFC Authority compliance requirements for office and retail fit-outs. Free zone fit-out requirements vary by zone — we assess the specific requirements at the consultation stage for any free zone project.
Joinery refers to workshop-manufactured timber products — fitted kitchens, wardrobes, wall panelling, and architectural millwork — produced off-site and installed as finished pieces. Carpentry typically refers to on-site timber work such as framing, stud walls, and structural timber elements. RNM specialises in joinery — precision workshop manufacturing and professional site installation.
Standard residential joinery — fitted kitchens and wardrobes — typically takes 3–5 weeks from shop drawing sign-off to installation. Larger projects including full villa joinery packages and commercial millwork typically take 5–8 weeks. We can accommodate tighter timelines for urgent projects — discuss your programme requirements with us at the outset.
Yes. We regularly produce additional pieces to match existing cabinetry — whether matching a timber species, lacquer colour, profile detail, or hardware style. We visit the site, take physical finish samples where needed, and produce approval samples before manufacturing begins. Matching existing joinery takes slightly longer due to the finish-matching and approval process.
We both manufacture and install. Our installation team delivers and fits every piece of joinery we produce — the same craftsmen who built it. We never supply flat-pack components for third-party installation. This ensures the fit is correct, the finish stays protected during installation, and any on-site adjustments happen quickly because the installing team built the piece.
Yes. Commercial joinery is a significant part of our work — reception desks, office workstations, boardroom tables, hotel furniture, restaurant millwork, and retail display joinery. Our in-house manufacturing capability means we produce multiple identical pieces consistently for commercial projects and meet tight installation schedules within live fit-out programmes.
Custom joinery typically refers to built-in, fixed elements — kitchen units, wardrobes, wall panelling, and architectural joinery designed and manufactured to fit a specific space. Bespoke furniture refers to freestanding pieces — tables, chairs, sofas, and case goods — designed and manufactured to a specific brief. RNM produces both, and many projects combine built-in joinery with coordinating bespoke loose furniture.
We specify European-grade hardware as standard — Blum, Hettich, and Grass are our most commonly specified brands for hinges, drawer systems, and lift mechanisms. These brands are specified for their durability and performance in Dubai's climate, and carry long manufacturer warranties. We can also accommodate client hardware preferences on request.
Yes. We have experience producing furniture packages for hospitality projects — hotel room FF&E, restaurant banquette seating, bar counters, and custom millwork at scale. Our workshop is set up for repetitive production of identical pieces to exact specifications, with consistent quality across all units. Contact us to discuss your project scope and timeline.
For Dubai's air-conditioned interiors we recommend kiln-dried solid timber species with proven dimensional stability — oak and walnut are our most specified options. We avoid species prone to movement under air-conditioning cycling. For high-moisture areas such as bathrooms and utility rooms, we use moisture-resistant MDF substrates and appropriate sealing systems. All material specifications account for Dubai's climate from the outset.
Painted finishes (typically applied to MDF substrate) use water-based or solvent-based paint systems and provide a solid colour with good durability at a lower cost. Lacquered finishes use a catalysed lacquer system that provides superior hardness, depth of colour, and resistance to scratching, moisture, and UV — making them more suitable for high-use areas like kitchens. Lacquered cabinetry costs more but performs significantly better over time.
Yes. We source stone and marble through our supplier network — including direct from Italian, Spanish, and Turkish quarries for large quantities. If you have a specific stone in mind, we can source it directly or identify the closest available alternative. We always recommend reviewing actual stone slabs (not just samples) before committing to large surface areas.
Outdoor and semi-outdoor areas in Dubai present significant challenges — UV exposure, extreme heat, and humidity variation. We specify materials explicitly rated for outdoor use in the UAE climate: UV-stable composite decking, porcelain tiles rated for outdoor use, marine-grade finishes for timber, and powder-coated aluminium or stainless steel for metalwork. We do not apply indoor specifications to outdoor environments.
Yes. At the concept and design development stage we present physical material samples — timber veneers, lacquer colour chips, stone samples, fabric swatches, and hardware samples. For joinery, we produce a finish approval sample before manufacturing begins. No production starts without written material sign-off.
Yes. We can source FSC-certified timber species through our supplier network on request. Sustainable timber sourcing is available for clients who require it — please specify this requirement at the briefing stage so we can confirm availability and any cost implications for your preferred species.