Updated 2026-09-15

Construction Costs

Office Construction Cost Planning: Lahbab, United Arab Emirates

Lahbab office cost planning using the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index of 67.1, plus a GeoNames-based local comparable-search shortlist.

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Last updated September 15, 2026 · National screening observation from the [World Bank ICP 2021 API](https://api.worldbank.org/v2/sources/90/country/ARE/classification/PX.WL/series/1501200/time/YR2021/data?format=json) and [ICP data documentation](https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/icp/data); locality and population from the [GeoNames AE dump](https://download.geonames.org/export/dump/AE.zip) (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 13118439). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.

Direct answer

For early office construction cost planning in Lahbab, the World Bank ICP reports a 2021 United Arab Emirates construction price-level index of 67.1, with the world equal to 100. This is a national comparison—not a Lahbab AED/m² rate or tender estimate—so replace it with current local evidence before budgeting or procurement. The observation covers construction across United Arab Emirates in 2021; it does not measure a Lahbab market basket or current office tenders. GeoNames 13118439 records the locality at 25.0376, 55.5913, with snapshot population 53,079. That ranks Lahbab 32 of 50 listed places, while Dubai Silicon Oasis is the nearest listed peer at about 23 km. Use these facts only to plan the comparable search. Obtain current local rates on a consistent area basis, then reconcile scope, taxes, fees, contingency and escalation. Retain the source, base date and reviewer when local evidence replaces the screening ratio.

Content and cited inputs reviewed by Scott Barrington, Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-08-26 · Updated 2026-09-15.

What does the 67.1 construction index mean?

The World Bank ICP 2021 construction PLI for United Arab Emirates is 67.1, compared with a world benchmark of 100. It is a national spatial price comparison assembled for the 2021 reference year. It does not say that office work in Lahbab costs 0.671 times a current world rate.

Which Lahbab inputs are known?

The reproducible locality point is 25.0376, 55.5913 (GeoNames 13118439). Its snapshot population is 53,079, ranked 32 of 50 listed places; GeoNames classifies it as a populated place in administrative area 03. These facts shape the local comparable search, not the price.

What must a project estimate add?

For a Lahbab office project, reconcile workplace fit-out grade, services density, floorplate efficiency and vertical transport. Use a consistent gross-floor-area basis and record the following before reliance.

Estimate fieldScreening recordProject requirement
National contextICP 2021 PLI 67.1Retain only as dated cross-country context
Local AED/m² rateNot suppliedCurrent comparable with named source and base date
Area and scopeGross floor area; scope unresolvedMeasurement standard, specification and procurement route
AdditionsNot suppliedTaxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation
ReviewAutomated source and arithmetic QAQualified local cost review

Lahbab comparable-location search screen

This shortlist is computed from the checked GeoNames snapshot. Distance and population help prioritize where to request comparables; neither is used as a cost multiplier.

Listed placeGreat-circle km from LahbabSnapshot populationAdmin area
Dubai Silicon Oasis2390,00003
International City23120,00003
Warīsān24108,75903
Al Warqaa2459,11103
Mirdif2760,28803
Al Sajaah3153,07906
Nāyf3953,07503
Ţarīf Kalbā7551,00004

Price-level normalization worksheet

For a validated reference rate R from a country with construction PLI P, the transparent screening calculation is R × (67.1 ÷ P). At P = 100 the dimensionless ratio is 0.671; no world cost rate is asserted. Keep the reference rate's currency, base date, area basis and scope attached.

InputRecorded valueRelease condition
Target national PLI67.1 (World = 100, 2021)Screening context only
Reference construction PLI PUser-supplied from the same ICP classification/yearMust match reference rate country
Validated reference rate RUser-suppliedNamed source, currency, date, area and scope
Local Lahbab adjustmentNot assertedReplace with current local comparable evidence
Result statusScreening normalizationNot a budget, quote or tender estimate

Sources and method

National screening observation from the World Bank ICP 2021 API and ICP data documentation; locality and population from the GeoNames AE dump (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 13118439). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 67.1 index give a office cost per m² for Lahbab?

No. 67.1 is the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index for United Arab Emirates, with the world equal to 100. It is a cross-country screening statistic, not a Lahbab AED/m² rate, escalation index, quote or tender estimate.

How should a Lahbab office estimate replace this screening benchmark?

Collect current Lahbab comparables on a consistent gross-floor-area basis, reconcile workplace fit-out grade, services density, floorplate efficiency and vertical transport, and state base date, currency, taxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation. A qualified local cost professional should review the resulting project estimate.

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