In Dubai office leasing, two phrases decide most of your budget: Category A and Category B. Understanding the difference stops you paying twice — or under-budgeting for the space you actually want.
Category A — the base build
Category A brings a bare shell to a usable standard: raised floors or screed, basic ceilings, fire and life-safety provision, and base services distribution. Many Dubai landlords hand over a Cat A space.
Category B — your space
Category B is the company-specific layer on top: layout, partitions, meeting rooms, finishes, joinery, branding and integrated services. This is where your identity and the way your team works take shape.
Why the distinction matters for budget
- If the landlord hands over Cat A, your spend is mostly Cat B.
- A “shell and core” unit needs Cat A first — a bigger budget line.
- Comparing contractor quotes only works when everyone prices the same category.
How SADEED helps
SADEED confirms exactly what the landlord has handed over, then prices the real scope so there are no surprises later — one contract across design, build and approvals.
Not sure what your landlord handed over?