MEP works typically represent 25-40% of a total fit-out budget in Riyadh, with the proportion higher for healthcare and hospitality projects (specialized equipment, kitchen requirements) and lower for straightforward office fit-outs with standard capacity needs.
Because MEP is largely hidden once a project is complete, clients sometimes underestimate its share of the budget relative to visible finishes.
What Drives MEP Cost
System capacity requirements (electrical load, HVAC tonnage), the number of specialized systems required (fire suppression, medical gas for healthcare, kitchen ventilation for hospitality), and compliance-driven requirements all move MEP cost more than finish-level choices do.
MEP Cost by Sector
Standard office fit-outs typically see MEP at 25-30% of budget; retail slightly less; hospitality and healthcare, with specialized kitchen or clinical MEP requirements, often reach 35-40% or more.
Why MEP Shouldn't Be the Place to Cut Costs
Reducing MEP scope to save budget — undersizing electrical capacity, skipping proper ventilation — creates problems that are far more expensive to fix after occupancy than to address correctly during initial construction.
Getting an Accurate MEP Estimate
MEP costing depends heavily on the specific systems and capacity required, which is why a site survey and clear brief (headcount, equipment list, sector requirements) produces a far more accurate number than a generic percentage estimate.
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Typically 25-40%, varying by sector — healthcare and hospitality trend toward the higher end.
Generally no — MEP shortcuts (undersized electrical, inadequate ventilation) tend to cause expensive problems after occupancy.