Planning your Dubai home while living abroad

Prepare a useful first brief

Share the property type, location, available floor plans and the expected handover status. Explain whether it will be your main home, a second home or a property for someone else to use. These details affect the practical decisions more than a long collection of inspiration images.

Include your preferred move-in date and budget range. List the furniture you want to bring with you and the rooms that matter most. Identify who will make the final decisions if more than one person is involved.

• Available plans and photographs, including any developer specifications.
• The rooms and work you want included, plus items to retain.
• Storage, family, work and entertaining requirements.
• A small set of references showing your preferred style.
• Contact details for the person coordinating access to the property.

What can start before handover?

The design conversation, initial layouts and material direction can begin using the information available. La Villa can start design and drawings before keys are received.

Final dimensions, the condition of the property and installation details still need checking. Treat a developer plan as a starting reference until the team can confirm the site. Agree which decisions can proceed and which remain dependent on access or approvals.

Make remote approvals easy to follow

Use one agreed record for approved drawings, materials and changes. A video call is useful for discussing a decision, but follow it with the specific drawing or selection that has been approved.

Ask how updates will be shared, who owns each decision and when your response is needed. La Villa coordinates overseas clients through video calls and WhatsApp with one project manager as the point of contact.

Allow for samples, furniture and delivery

Screens are useful for reviewing a direction, but colours and textures can look different in person. Agree how physical samples will be reviewed and how final selections will be recorded.

Confirm lead times for the chosen furniture and joinery, including production, shipping and installation. Keep these connected to the site programme rather than treating furniture as a separate last-minute task.

Plan the final walkthrough

Agree how completion will be reviewed if you cannot attend in person. Decide who will represent you, how outstanding items will be recorded and what documents or care instructions you should receive.

A concept book can help you begin the discussion, but it does not replace a coordinated project. Share the direction you like, then develop it into a property-specific layout, specification and delivery plan with the team.