Who gets the mall fit-out approval: the tenant or the contractor?
Either can appoint the consultant. The consultant stamps and submits the drawings; the tenant, contractor or brand can appoint us.
The short answer
Either can. The mall needs drawings stamped by a consultant, and the consultant submits to the mall, to DCD and to the authority where the mall needs one. The tenant, the fit-out contractor or the brand can appoint Structural Solutions as that consultant. The trade licence and tenancy contract come from the tenant; the drawings come from the contractor or from us.
Need the stamp?
Upload your fit-out drawings and trade licence. We stamp them as consultant and initiate the mall, authority and DCD approvals on your behalf.
Request a mall fit-out stamp →What you need to know
- Consultant stamp: Drawings stamped by a consultant, not by the fit-out contractor.
- Drawings: Architectural partitions and ceilings, MEP and fire safety.
- DCD: Every commercial fit-out change, including partitions, ceilings and any decoration update, needs Dubai Civil Defence (DCD) approval, a DCD final inspection and a completion certificate before the unit opens.
- Who appoints us: The fit-out contractor, the tenant or the brand.
Documents for the submission
- Trade licence and tenancy contract (lease or Ejari)
- Unit plan and the mall or landlord fit-out requirements
- Fit-out drawings: partitions, ceilings and finishes
- MEP and fire safety drawings
- Fit-out contractor details
Who does what
Step by step
We confirm the route for your unit before you start.
| Step | Approval route | Guides |
|---|---|---|
| Drawings and stamp Structural Solutions (consultant) | Partition, ceiling, MEP and fire safety drawings, stamped as consultant. | Which drawings? |
| Mall approval The mall | Reviews and approves the stamped drawings. | Mall or authority? |
| Authority permit (some malls) Consultant → DDA or Trakhees | For example DDA for Dubai Hills Mall, Trakhees for Nakheel malls and Atlantis. | Dubai Hills Mall Nakheel malls |
| DCD approval Structural Solutions → DCD | Fire and life safety approval, submitted by us as consultant. | DCD for mall fit-outs |
| Final inspection DCD and the mall | Final inspection and completion certificate before opening. | What DCD checks |
Questions
Related questions
Does the tenant need to sign anything?
The tenant provides the trade licence and tenancy contract for the submission.
Can the contractor manage the whole process?
Yes. The contractor can appoint us and coordinate with the tenant.
Who receives the approvals?
We share every approval with whoever appointed us and the tenant.
Do brands use one consultant for many stores?
Yes. We handle roll-outs mall by mall.
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