A feasibility study in Dubai costs what its scope demands. A light market scan for a small venture runs in the low thousands of dirhams. A standard study for a mid sized project commonly runs from around AED 15,000 to AED 50,000. A bank ready or investor grade study with primary research and full financial modelling runs well above AED 75,000. The right question is not what it costs, but what decision it has to support.
Cost by tier
| Tier | Typical market range | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Market scan | Low thousands of AED | Small local venture, quick go or no go |
| Standard study | AED 15,000 to AED 50,000 | Mid sized project, internal decision |
| Investor or bank grade | AED 75,000 and above | Loan application, investor raise, large capital commitment |
These are market observations, not a GCI price list. Quotes vary by sector, data availability and whether primary research is required.
What drives the price
- Primary research. Field surveys, mystery shopping and expert interviews cost more than desk research, and are often what a bank or investor wants.
- Financial depth. A full model with sensitivity cases and a funded break even analysis takes more work than a single base case.
- Regulatory complexity. A regulated sector, for example healthcare or education, needs a licensing path mapped to named authorities.
- Sector data. Where reliable market data is scarce, the analyst builds the numbers from the ground up, which raises the cost.
What a credible study must contain
Price is only meaningful against scope. A study worth commissioning covers all of the following, with sources on the numbers:
- Market demand, sized with cited data.
- Competitor set and pricing analysis.
- The regulatory and licensing path, mapped to the issuing authority.
- Capital expenditure and operating cost build.
- A revenue model with every assumption stated.
- Cash flow, break even and a funding requirement.
- Sensitivity or scenario cases, not a single optimistic line.
- A clear recommendation, with the conditions that would change it.
If a quote is low because it drops primary research and sensitivity analysis, it costs less because it proves less. For a small decision that is fine. For a loan or a raise, it will not survive scrutiny.
Where GCI fits
A feasibility study asks whether a venture is viable. Gulf Commercial Insights sits next to that question with a conviction screen on a specific deal or thesis. The engine tests the plan against its strongest counter-arguments and returns a source-graded verdict, with every quantitative claim tagged VERIFIED, ESTIMATED or REPORTED, so you can see what is evidenced and what is assumed before you commission a full study or commit capital. We are a technology and research firm, not a DFSA-regulated financial services firm.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a feasibility study cost in Dubai?
Cost tracks scope. A light market scan for a small venture typically runs in the low thousands of dirhams. A standard business feasibility study for a mid sized project commonly runs from around AED 15,000 to AED 50,000. A bank ready or investor grade study with detailed financial modelling and primary research can run well above AED 75,000. The number that matters is what the study must prove, not the headline price.
What should a feasibility study include?
A credible study covers market demand with sourced data, a competitor and pricing analysis, a regulatory and licensing path, a capital expenditure and operating cost build, a revenue model with stated assumptions, a cash flow and break even analysis, sensitivity or scenario cases, and a clear recommendation. If any of these is missing or unsourced, the study is a brochure, not a decision tool.
Is a low-cost feasibility study worth it?
A low cost study is worth it only if its scope matches the decision. For a small local venture, a focused market scan can be enough. For a bank loan, an investor raise, or a large capital commitment, a light study that skips primary research and sensitivity analysis will not hold up under scrutiny and can cost far more than it saved. Match the depth to the size of the decision.
What is the difference between a feasibility study and due diligence?
A feasibility study asks whether a new venture or project is viable before it exists. Due diligence verifies an existing business or deal before you buy it. They use similar financial tools but answer different questions. A greenfield project needs a feasibility study. An acquisition needs due diligence, and often a feasibility view of the growth plan on top.
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