SAS ITThe Most Expensive IT Mistake in Dubai: Cabling After the Walls Close
Re-cabling a finished office in Dubai costs 3 to 5x more than cabling during fit-out. Chasing cables through finished concrete, ceilings, and partitions requires cutting, patching, and repainting. Plan cabling before the office is built.
Timeline: When to Engage Your Cabling Contractor
| Stage | Action |
|---|---|
| Before design is finalised | Provide IT requirements to architect |
| During shop drawing stage | Agree cabling routes and cabinet locations |
| Before MEP sign-off | Have cable schedule approved |
| During fit-out (walls open) | Install containment and pull cables |
| After ceiling tiles are up | Terminate, test, and certify all points |
Do not wait until the fit-out is complete. Engage your IT and cabling team at the same time as your MEP contractor.
The Cabling Brief: What to Specify
Data Points: Minimum 2 data points per workstation. 4 points per desk cluster. Include all meeting rooms, server room, reception.
Standard: Cat6A for all new Dubai offices in 2026. Supports 10Gbps for the full 15 to 20-year building life.
Containment: PVC trunking or metal conduit through walls, cable trays above suspended ceilings, proper cable management in server cabinet.
Access Points: Pre-plan AP locations with 2 Cat6A points per AP location. APs require PoE from switches below — plan cable routes from switch cabinet to ceiling.
CCTV: Dedicate a separate containment run for CCTV cabling. Camera locations should be on the floor plan before cabling begins.
Telephone: If IP phones, they use Cat6A data points. If you need a dedicated receptionist desk with a PA system, plan for 4 data points at that position.
What to Demand in the Cabling Contract
1. Manufacturer-certified installation with warranty registration
2. Complete cable test reports (Fluke or Ideal) for every single point
3. Labelled patch panel and wall sockets matching a cable schedule document
4. Proper earthing and bonding
5. As-built drawings on completion
Server Cabinet Location
Server cabinet should be:
- Central to floor (minimises maximum cable run)
- In a lockable, ventilated room
- On a dedicated power circuit
- Near power distribution and network infrastructure
For multi-floor offices, one IDF (Intermediate Distribution Frame) cabinet per floor connected by fiber backbone to the main server room.
Budget Planning
| Office Size | Points (est.) | Cabling Budget (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 users, 1 floor | 40 to 60 points | 8,000 to 18,000 |
| 50 users, 1 floor | 100 to 130 points | 20,000 to 40,000 |
| 100 users, 2 floors | 200 to 250 points | 45,000 to 80,000 |
*Includes containment, labour, testing, and certification. Hardware (patch panels, switches) separate.*
SAS IT provides structured cabling design and installation for Dubai office fit-outs. Request a consultation | +971-526716178
*Related: Cat6 vs Cat6A vs Fiber Guide | Structured Cabling Dubai | Networking & Security Dubai*
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About the Author
Written by the SAS IT Team — the same engineers who design, install, and support the networking, security, and infrastructure work described on this site. SAS IT Services was founded on 22 February 2020 in Dubai and has since delivered 500+ projects for businesses across the UAE.
We are a certified technology partner for Fortinet, Cisco, and Microsoft, among 17 documented vendor partnerships spanning networking, cybersecurity, CCTV, and cloud infrastructure — credentials that inform the technical guidance in our articles.
Our work is independently rated 5.0 out of 5 from 17 verified Google Reviews. Every article is reviewed internally for technical accuracy before publishing and reflects practices we apply on real client deployments in Dubai and the UAE.
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