Design and construction: from concept to keys, on the client’s side
We select a licensed consultant and main contractor, obtain all permits and supervise construction on your behalf: budget, schedule, quality and safety.
Why you can’t just “bring your own team” here
Design and construction in Dubai are licensed activities. The engineering consultant handles submissions to Dubai Municipality, and the main contractor must hold a category matching the project’s scale, a staff of registered engineers and an HSE system.
Local crews and contractors are usually more cost-effective than bringing your own: they know the Dubai Building Code, suppliers and the approval process. Our job is to choose the right ones and supervise them.
Scope of work
01Design
- Selecting an engineering consultant
- Concept and architecture
- Detailed design and BOQ
- Value engineering without compromising the product
02Permits
- Building permit from Dubai Municipality
- Power and water — DEWA
- Civil Defence, telecom, district cooling
- Master developer NOC and design guidelines
- Completion certificate
03Construction
- Tender and main contractor vetting
- Schedule, budget, change orders
- Site supervision, quality control, HSE
- Escrow tranches by progress
- Acceptance, snagging and handover
Stages and timeline
Timelines are indicative: the exact schedule is fixed in the contract after the strategy session.
- Consultant
Selection of and contract with an engineering consultant.
2–4 weeks - Design
Concept, detailed design, BOQ.
3–6 mo. - Permits
DM, DEWA, Civil Defence, NOC.
2–4 mo. - Tender
Prequalification and selection of the general contractor.
1–2 mo. - Construction
Oversight through to completion and handover.
12–36 mo.
What you get
- Agreement with a licensed consultant
- Detailed design and BOQ
- Building permit and utility approvals
- General contractor agreement with performance security
- Monthly reports on budget, schedule and quality
- Completion certificate and handover
Roles and licences
Clear division of roles
We we act as the client’s representative: selecting participants, controlling budget, schedule and quality, and reporting to the owner.
Design and submissions are handled by a licensed engineering consultant; construction by a licensed general contractor. Permits are issued by Dubai Municipality, DEWA, Civil Defence and the master developer.
What it costs
Indicative pricing. The exact price is fixed in the estimate after the strategy session or Entry Blueprint.
| Service | What’s included | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Budget and tender | Cost plan, BOQ, tender and contractor vetting | from $15,000 |
| Permits and approvals | Building permit, DEWA, Civil Defence, NOC | from $25,000 by stage |
| Client’s representative | Site supervision, HSE, acceptance and handover | 1.5–3% of the construction budget |
Prices exclude 5% VAT, government fees and the services of licensed lawyers, consultants and contractors, which are paid under their own contracts. We do not guarantee decisions by banks or government authorities — we prepare the project so that risks are known in advance.
FAQ
Didn’t find your answer? Ask at the strategy session.
A benchmark for mid-rise residential is around AED 450–700 per sq ft excluding land, depending on class and finishes. An exact figure comes from a cost estimate for the specific project.
The concept, yes, but the detailed design must comply with the Dubai Building Code and be submitted by a licensed local consultant.
Buyers’ funds are held in escrow and released against verified progress. We reconcile the contractor’s progress certificates with actual work completed.
For a first project, usually not: it means a licence, a team of engineers and ongoing compliance. Your own company makes sense once you have a steady pipeline of projects.
What else your project will need
Let’s discuss your project in Dubai
Strategy session: 2–3 hours with experts, a review of budget, segment and entry route. $1,500 is credited towards the Entry Blueprint.