International Construction Cost Survey 2010–11

Dubai and Abu Dhabi

With Dubai particularly impacted by the global downturn, much of the focus for construction within the UAE
has turned to Abu Dhabi. Construction costs are now well down from the levels experienced in 2008 when
the construction sector was booming. However, a stronger oil price and high projected levels of export
demand for gas are providing an incentive for new energy infrastructure projects. Whilst Dubai experienced
weaker construction conditions in 2010 after a period of over construction, the sector is slowly starting to
recover. However, prospects in Abu Dhabi are much more positive. A number of new projects focusing on
government, leisure, residential and tourism are underway or in the planning stage.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi – International Building Costs per m2 of internal area
2008 2009 mid 2010 mid 2010
AED AED AED USD
Residential
Individual detached house medium standard 7,500 7,000 6,500 1,770
Individual detached house prestige 9,500 9,250 9,000 2,450
Townhouses medium standard 7,500 6,525 5,550 1,511
Apartments private medium density 7,000 6,500 6,000 1,634
Apartments high rise 9,000 8,500 8,000 2,178
Aged care/affordable units 5,720 5,340 4,960 1,350
Commercial
Offices – business park 5,300 4,800 4,550 1,239
CBD Offices – up to 20 floors medium 6,000 5,750 5,500 1,498
CBD Offices – prestige 8,000 7,500 7,000 1,906
Warehouses
Warehouse/factory units – basic 6,000 5,250 4,500 1,225
Large warehouse distribution centre 5,500 4,750 4,000 1,089
High-tech factory/laboratory 7,625 6,875 6,125 1,667
Retail
Large shopping centre including mall 8,000 7,500 7,000 1,906
Neighbourhood including supermarket 8,500 8,000 7,500 2,042
Prestige car showroom 10,200 9,600 9,000 2,450
Hotels
Three star travellers 10,000 9,750 9,500 2,586
Five star luxury 13,000 12,750 12,500 3,403
Resort style 15,000 15,000 15,000 4,084
Hospitals
Day centre 7,000 6,500 6,000 1,634
Regional hospital 8,500 8,000 7,500 2,042
General hospital 9,000 8,500 8,000 2,178
Schools
Primary and secondary 7,000 6,500 6,000 1,634
University 7,800 7,300 6,800 1,851
Carparks
Multi-storey above ground 3,500 3,500 3,500 953
Multi-storey below ground 4,500 4,500 4,500 1,225
Airports
Airport terminal 8,000 7,500 7,000 1,906

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 Dubai and Abu Dhabi – Costs of Labour (including overheads)
2010 2010
AED USD
Group 1 Tradesman – eg, plumber, electrician 30 8
Group 2 Tradesman – eg, carpenter, bricklayer 30 8
Group 3 Tradesman – eg, carpet layer, tiler, plasterer 28 8
General labourer 15 4
Site foreman 75 20

Dubai and Abu Dhabi – Costs of Materials

Concrete 30 mpa (m3) (1,500m3 job) 350 92
Reinforcement bar 16mm (tonne) (120 tonne job) 3,000 817
Concrete block (400 x 200) per 1,000 (>10,000 block job) 3,500 953
Standard brick per 1,000 – –
Structural steel beams (tonne) (>100 tonne job) 5,500 1,498
Glass pane 6mm (m2) – –
Softwood timber for framing 100mm x 50mm (m) 90 25
13mm Plasterboard (m2) 10 3
Emulsion paint (litre) – –
Copper pipe 15mm (m) (>1,000m job) – –
Copper cable (m) (3C + E, 2.5mm PVC) (>100,000m job) – –

Dubai and Abu Dhabi – Key Trades (excluding preliminaries and builders’ margins)
Excavate basement (m3) (1,800m3 job) 35 10
Excavate footings (m) 35 10
Concrete in slab (m3) (1,500m3 job) 500 136
Reinforcement in beams (tonne) 3,750 1,021
Formwork to soffit of slab (m2) 100 27
Blockwork in wall (m2) (10,000 block job) 125 34
Structural steel beams (tonne) 13,000 3,540
Pre-cast concrete wall (m2) 650 177
Curtain wall glazing incl support system (m2) (1,000m2 job) 1,800 490
Plasterboard 13mm thick to stud wall (m2) (3,000m2 job) 150 41
Single solid core door incl frame and hardware (no) (50 door job) 4,000 1,089
Painting to walls primer + 2 coats (m2) 15 4
Ceramic tiling (m2) (1,000m2 job) 225 61
Vinyl flooring to wet areas (m2) (500m2 job) 125 34
Carpet medium tufted (m2) (4,500m2 job) 300 82
Lighting installation (m2) (>5,000m2 job) 150 41
Copper pipe 15mm to wall (m) (>1,000m job) 55 15
Fire sprinklers (per m2) (5,000m2 job) 100 27
Air conditioning incl main plant (m2) (>5,000m2 job) 650 177

Dubai and Abu Dhabi – Major Projects

USD
Khalifa City 40 billion
Yas Island 39 billion
Saadiyat Island 28 billion
Masdar City 22 billion
Damac Heights 1.5 billion

making the difference

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