The Turnkey Process | Design Code

Consultation

We review your brief, budget range and site or shell-and-core condition, and confirm whether the timeline you have in mind is realistic before any design work starts.

Design

Concept, spatial planning and material selection are resolved into 3D renders and MEP-coordinated drawings — not just a mood board, but a set the site can actually build from.

Approvals

Drawings are submitted and followed through with the relevant authorities — Dubai Municipality, Civil Defence, DEWA, and landlord or building management where applicable — so the site never stalls on paperwork.

Build

One team coordinates every trade on site against a single schedule and a single budget. No chasing sub-contractors, no finger-pointing between designer and builder.

Handover

Snagging is closed out, styling is complete, and you receive the keys — with the built space matching the drawing we started from.

Two Ways to Build

Turnkey Design-Build vs. Traditional Fit-Out

If you already have a designer or architect, we can still execute — but here's why most clients choose to put design and build under one contract.

Turnkey Design-Build

One contract, one point of accountability
Design and construction teams coordinate daily, not through a chain of consultants
Approvals managed by the same team that drew the drawings
Budget fixed early and held throughout
Typically faster, fewer redesigns mid-build

Traditional Fit-Out

Separate design consultant and fit-out contractor
Design intent can be lost or reinterpreted on site
Client carries the coordination risk between parties
Change orders often renegotiated between two firms
Can suit clients who want an independent design authorship

FAQ

Questions we get asked most

How long does a typical fit-out take?

It depends on scope and sector. A furnished apartment can run 6 weeks concept-to-handover; a large office HQ or villa can run 12–16 weeks. We confirm a realistic timeline at the Consultation stage, before design work starts.

Can you work with a design we already have?

Yes — see the Design-Build vs. Traditional comparison above. We can execute an external design, though we'll flag anything that affects approvals, budget or buildability before we start.

Do you handle Municipality, Civil Defence and DEWA approvals yourselves?

Yes, this is managed as part of the Approvals stage of every project. See our Approvals Guide for which authority applies to which project type.

Is there a warranty or maintenance period after handover?

[Placeholder] Confirm your actual Defect Liability Period and any Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) offering here before publishing — this is a common question from commercial clients specifically.

Do you manufacture joinery in-house, or outsource it?

Custom joinery is coordinated through our procurement function — see Capabilities for the current manufacturing setup. Confirm exact in-house vs. partner-workshop split before publishing, as this is a strong trust signal for commercial procurement teams.

Which areas of the UAE do you cover?

[Placeholder] Confirm coverage — e.g. Dubai only, or Dubai plus Abu Dhabi / Sharjah — before publishing.

We manage the complexity. You get the keys.