By Bill Anderson, FCCA, Chief Executive Officer, Assetica — 2026-06-19
What an independent business valuation actually costs in Dubai and the UAE, what drives the fee up or down, and why the cost is almost always small next to the value at stake.
Four factors move the price most: the size and complexity of the business (a single SME versus a multi-entity group); the purpose (an internal estimate versus a court, FTA or due-diligence-grade report); the quality of documentation (clean audited accounts speed the work); and the depth of methodology (a full DCF with scenarios versus a multiple cross-check).
Any firm quoting a flat fee before seeing the business is guessing, and you pay for that guess in an inflated price or a thin report. Reputable valuers scope the engagement first, confirming purpose, entities, standard of value and documentation, then quote, usually after a short free initial consultation.
Judge valuation cost against the value at stake: the sale price, the equity in a buy-out, a tax position the FTA could challenge, a Golden Visa application or a bank facility. Underspending and ending up with a report a buyer, court or authority rejects is the genuinely expensive outcome.
How much does a business valuation cost in Dubai?
It depends on the size and complexity of the business, the purpose of the report, and the documentation required. Focused SME valuations cost considerably less than litigation or multi-entity engagements. Reputable firms quote after a short initial consultation rather than from a fixed price list.
Why will no one give me a price upfront?
Because a valuation is scoped to its purpose. A flat fee quoted before understanding your business usually means an inflated price or a report too thin for the job. A quick consultation lets a valuer scope and quote accurately.
Is a cheaper valuation a false economy?
Often yes. A low-cost report that a buyer, court, bank or the GDRFA rejects costs far more in delay and re-work than a properly scoped valuation. Judge cost against the value at stake.