Most model-making companies in Dubai will not answer this question until you send them a full set of drawings. We think that is unhelpful. If you are planning a sales centre, an exhibition stand, or an authority submission, you need a budget figure long before you have chosen a supplier.
So here is an honest explanation of what an architectural scale model costs in Dubai, what makes the price move up or down, and what we need from you to give you a real quote.
One caveat before we start: every model is made to order, so the ranges below are guidance, not a price list. A small, simple model and a large illuminated masterplan sit at completely different ends of the scale.
The short answer
A scale model can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars for a small, simple study model to tens of thousands of dollars for a large, fully detailed, illuminated masterplan model. Most commercial projects we build fall somewhere in the middle of that range.
That is a wide span, and the reason is simple: two models of the same physical size can differ in price by several times depending on how much detail, lighting, and finishing work goes into them.
What drives the price
Seven things decide what a model costs. In rough order of impact:
| Factor | Effect on price | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Physical size | Very high | A larger model needs more material, more structure, a bigger base, and far more hours. |
| Level of detail | Very high | Simple massing blocks are quick. Individual windows, balconies, railings, trees and street furniture multiply the hours. |
| Lighting | High | Internal LED lighting, lit facades and lit landscaping add wiring, testing and design time. |
| Interiors | High | Visible interior floors and fit-out detail effectively mean building a second model inside the first. |
| Scale chosen | Medium | A tighter scale on the same plot means a bigger model. See our technologies & scale guide. |
| Landscaping | Medium | Trees, water features, pathways and cars are individually placed by hand. |
| Deadline | Medium | A compressed timeline means overtime and parallel working. |
Typical ranges by model type
These are broad bands based on the work we most commonly quote. Treat them as a starting point for budgeting, not a fixed price.
| Model type | Typical size | Budget band |
|---|---|---|
| Small study or concept model | Up to around 0.5 m | Lowest band — hundreds of dollars |
| Single villa or building model | Around 0.5 m to 1 m | Low to mid band |
| Tower or high-rise model | Around 1 m to 2 m | Mid band |
| Trade show or display model | Varies with stand size | Mid band, higher if illuminated |
| Masterplan or community model | 2 m and above | Upper band — can reach 50,000 USD |
| Large illuminated masterplan | 3 m and above | Highest band — can reach above one million dollars |
What makes a model cost more than expected
Three things surprise clients most often.
The first is lighting. A model that looks impressive in a photograph is usually lit, and lighting is not a small addition. It changes how the model is built from the beginning, because the wiring has to be planned before anything is assembled.
The second is interior detail. Asking for visible interiors on a tower model means building and finishing every floor you can see into. It is one of the largest single cost decisions you can make.
The third is the deadline. A model that would comfortably take six weeks can usually be delivered faster, but compressing the schedule means more people working on it at once and often overtime. If you have flexibility on the date, you will get a better price.
What makes a model cost less
If your budget is fixed, there are sensible ways to bring the cost down without ending up with something that looks cheap.
- Choose a wider scale. A 1:500 masterplan model is far less expensive than the same development at 1:200.
- Simplify the surroundings. Neighbouring buildings can be plain massing blocks rather than detailed.
- Skip lighting, or light only the hero building rather than the whole scheme.
- Give us a realistic deadline rather than a rushed one.
- Use a simpler base and acrylic cover rather than a custom-built display case.
What we need to give you a real quote
We can usually give you a budget figure within one working day if you send us the following:
- Site plan and floor plans, in CAD or PDF.
- Elevations or a 3D file if you have one.
- The plot size, or the overall dimensions of the development.
- Where the model will be displayed, and any size limit for that space.
- Whether you need lighting, visible interiors, or a display case.
- Your deadline.
If you do not have all of this yet, send what you have. We can give you an indicative range from a site plan and a deadline alone.
Does the cheapest quote save you money?
Not always, and it is worth understanding why the numbers differ.
Two quotes for the same model can differ significantly because of what is included. Some quotes exclude the display case, delivery and installation, or on-site assembly. Some assume simplified surroundings where you were expecting detail. Before comparing two numbers, check that both cover the same scope: the scale, the level of detail on neighbouring buildings, lighting, the base and cover, delivery, and installation.
A model that arrives late for an exhibition, or that photographs badly at a launch event, costs far more than the difference between two quotes.
Frequently asked questions
Do you charge for a quote?
No. Quotes are free, and we would rather tell you early if your budget and your expectations do not match.
Do you need full drawings to start?
Not for a budget figure. A site plan and your deadline are enough for an indicative range. We need complete drawings before production starts.
Can you work to a fixed budget?
Usually yes. Tell us the number and we will tell you honestly what is achievable at that level and what we would recommend leaving out.
Do you deliver and install?
Yes, across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE. Large models are delivered in sections and assembled on site.
Get a price for your project
Send us your site plan and your deadline and we will come back with a realistic budget range, not a vague answer. If your project is still at an early stage, we are happy to talk through the options before you commit to anything.
For a shorter overview of architectural model making cost in Dubai, see our companion page — or request a quote directly below.
