BUDGETARY PLANNING FOR CONTRACTORS
LED Display Cost Per Square Meter — UAE 2026 Guide
Comprehensive LED display pricing guide for UAE contractors. Hardware costs by pixel pitch, total project cost breakdown, and budgetary estimation tool. Updated for 2026 market conditions.
Hardware Cost by Pixel Pitch
UAE MARKET PRICING — 2026
| PIXEL PITCH | TECHNOLOGY | PRICE / SQM | APPLICATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| P0.7 - P0.9 | COB | $8,000 - $20,000 | Boardroom, control room, luxury lobby |
| P1.2 | COB / MiP | $4,000 - $8,000 | Corporate lobby, retail flagship, broadcast |
| P1.5 | MiP / SMD | $2,500 - $5,000 | Hotel lobby, meeting room, showroom |
| P1.9 | MiP / SMD | $1,800 - $3,500 | Conference, retail, reception |
| P2.5 | SMD | $1,200 - $2,500 | Mall atrium, ballroom, indoor general |
| P3.9 | SMD | $800 - $1,800 | Rental event, large format indoor |
| P4.8 - P6 | SMD Outdoor | $500 - $1,500 | Outdoor billboard, stadium, facade |
| P8 - P10 | SMD Outdoor | $300 - $900 | Highway billboard, rooftop, long distance |
Hardware costs only. Multiply by 1.3-1.4x for total installed project cost. Prices vary by brand, quantity, and project timeline.
Project Cost Breakdown
| ITEM | % OF BUDGET | INCLUDES |
|---|---|---|
| LED Display Modules | 45-55% | Cabinets, modules, power supplies |
| Video Processing | 8-12% | Novastar/Colorlight processors, sending cards |
| Mounting Structure | 8-12% | Steel frame, brackets, ground supports |
| Cabling & Power | 5-8% | Signal cables, power distribution, DB board |
| Installation Labour | 10-15% | Rigging, assembly, alignment, commissioning |
| Content System (CMS) | 3-5% | Playback hardware, software license |
| Spare Parts | 3-5% | Modules, power supplies, cables (2-year stock) |
Common Questions
LED display hardware costs range from $300/sqm (P10 outdoor) to $20,000/sqm (P0.7 COB). The most commonly specified indoor displays (P1.5-P2.5) cost $1,500-$5,000/sqm. Add 25-40% for processing, structure, installation, and commissioning to get total project cost.
Key factors: pixel pitch (smaller = more expensive), technology (COB > MiP > SMD), brand, quantity, indoor vs outdoor rating, front vs rear service, and project timeline. Rush orders and small quantities carry premiums of 10-20%.
Multiply hardware cost by 1.3-1.4x for total installed cost. This covers: video processing (10-15%), mounting structure (8-12%), cabling (5-8%), installation labour (10-15%), CMS (3-5%), and spare parts (3-5%). For outdoor installations, add an additional 10-15% for weatherproofing and structural engineering.
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