A mall store of 100–300 m² in Riyadh takes Artline 10–13 weeks from signature to handover when the design is new: a site visit, design, the mall's approval, the build, mostly at night, and handover. The build is rarely what moves the date. The mall's design approval is: our planning allows 2–4 weeks for one that comes back late.
How long does a mall store fit-out take in Riyadh?
10–13 weeks from signature to handover, for a 100–300 m² store with a new design. The stages overlap: design and the mall's approval run into each other, and the build starts the day the approval arrives. That is why the total is shorter than the stages added up.
| Stage | Weeks | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Site visit and survey | 1 week | The unit measured, the mall's fit-out manual read, services and tie-in points located. |
| Design | 2–3 weeks | Layout, shopfront, lighting, fire and MEP drawn to the brand manual and the mall's rules. |
| Mall approval and permits | 3–5 weeks | The design file submitted; comments answered; the no-objection letter; the municipal and civil defence steps. |
| Build | 6–8 weeks | Hoarding up; partitions, MEP, fire, ceilings, floors, joinery and shopfront, much of it after the mall closes. |
| Handover | 1 week | Snags closed, systems tested with the mall, the handover file delivered. |
Why does the mall's approval decide the date?
Because nothing happens on site without it, and the mall works to its own calendar. The fit-out team reviews the design against its manual, returns comments, and reviews again. A file that goes in incomplete comes back with comments, and each round costs a week or two. The cure is dull: read the manual before drawing, and submit a complete file the first time.
What does a mall ask for before work starts?
- A design file to its fit-out manual: layouts, shopfront elevations, ceiling, lighting, MEP and fire drawings, material samples.
- The mall's approval, usually a no-objection letter, before any work on site.
- The contractor's insurance and, often, a fit-out deposit held against damage.
- Work permits for the site team, a method statement, and the hours noisy work is allowed.
- Tie-ins to the mall's fire alarm, sprinklers and HVAC, witnessed by its own engineers.
The retail page shows who carries each step on our projects.
Why is mall work done at night?
Malls keep noisy and dusty work away from open hours, and deliveries to their service routes. Cutting, drilling and heavy deliveries move to the hours after closing. We plan a night-heavy build at about 20% longer than a daytime one, and price it that way from the start rather than discovering it on the first night.
What moves the date?
- The mall's approval running late. We allow 2–4 weeks.
- Imported finishes. Stone, fittings or brand fixtures ordered from abroad: 4–8 weeks if they are ordered late, which is why long-lead items are ordered the week the design is approved.
- A design change after pricing. Every change reopens the mall's approval as well as the price.
- Ramadan. Shorter working hours and a slower approval cycle add about 2 weeks.
One thing moves it the other way. When the brand arrives with a design already approved by its own team, the design stage shortens by about 2 weeks.
Questions owners ask
Can we start on site before the mall approves the design?
No. Work on site starts with the approval. Long-lead items can be ordered at risk once the design is settled, which is often the best use of the approval weeks.
Does the lease's fit-out period cover the whole programme?
Check it against the programme before signing the lease. Landlords often grant a fit-out period; if it is shorter than the programme, the rent starts before the shop opens.
Can you build to an international brand's manual?
Yes. The manual is read before the first line is drawn and followed to the letter; where it conflicts with the mall's rules, both are resolved in the design file, not on site.
How long does a street-front shop take compared with a mall unit?
Usually less: no mall approval cycle and no night-only work. The municipal and civil defence steps stay the same.
