Home Renovation Cost In Dubai
Home renovation cost in Dubai ranges from AED 150 to AED 1,200 (USD 41 to USD 327) per square foot in 2026. A cosmetic refresh of a two bedroom apartment starts near AED 150,000 (USD 40,800), a mid range apartment renovation lands between AED 250,000 and AED 550,000 (USD 68,100 to USD 149,800), and a full villa renovation runs from AED 500,000 (USD 136,100) past AED 1.5 million (USD 408,400).
The spread is wide because renovation covers everything from repainting a hallway to stripping a villa back to blockwork. Dollar figures use the pegged rate of AED 3.6725 to USD 1.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Mid Range Rate: Mid range full renovations run AED 300 to AED 550 (USD 82 to USD 150) per sq ft. Cosmetic work starts near AED 150 (USD 41).
- Biggest Spend: Kitchens and bathrooms take roughly half of any Dubai budget.
- Apartment Premium: Apartments cost 15 to 25 percent more per sq ft than villas, because of tower access rules.
- Government Costs: Approvals, deposits and disposal add AED 8,000 to AED 30,000 (USD 2,180 to USD 8,170).
- Contingency: Hold 10 to 15 percent contingency. Concealed plumbing and old circuits break budgets.
- Renovate vs Buy: Renovating beats buying below about 15 percent of property value, since buying costs 6.5 to 8 percent in fees.
How Much Does Home Renovation Cost in Dubai?
A full home renovation in Dubai costs AED 55,000 to AED 3 million (USD 15,000 to USD 817,000) in 2026. Most owners land between AED 250,000 and AED 1 million (USD 68,100 to USD 272,300) including approvals and contingency.
Table 1: Renovation Cost by Property Type and Finish Level
| Property Type | Cosmetic AED (USD) | Mid Range AED (USD) | Premium to Luxury AED (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio (450 to 600 sq ft) | 55,000 to 95,000 (15,000 to 25,900) | 95,000 to 180,000 (25,900 to 49,000) | 180,000 to 350,000 (49,000 to 95,300) |
| 1 bed (750 to 950 sq ft) | 90,000 to 150,000 (24,500 to 40,800) | 150,000 to 320,000 (40,800 to 87,100) | 320,000 to 650,000 (87,100 to 177,000) |
| 2 bed (1,100 to 1,400 sq ft) | 150,000 to 250,000 (40,800 to 68,100) | 250,000 to 550,000 (68,100 to 149,800) | 550,000 to 1,100,000 (149,800 to 299,500) |
| 3 bed villa (2,200 to 2,800 sq ft) | 330,000 to 500,000 (89,900 to 136,100) | 500,000 to 1,000,000 (136,100 to 272,300) | 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 (272,300 to 544,600) |
| 4 bed villa (3,500 to 4,500 sq ft) | 500,000 to 800,000 (136,100 to 217,800) | 800,000 to 1,600,000 (217,800 to 435,700) | 1,600,000 to 3,000,000 (435,700 to 817,000) |
2026 Dubai pricing. Excludes furniture and decor.
What Affects Renovation Cost in Dubai
Scope, and Whether You Touch the Services
Cosmetic work stays on the surface. The moment drainage moves, a wall comes out or the distribution board changes, the job needs drawings, a consultant and an authority submission, adding 25 to 40 percent.
Specification, Lead Times and Site Access
Joinery fabricated in Al Quoz costs half of imported Italian cabinetry and arrives in three weeks, not twelve. Access matters as much: a villa takes a truck at the door, a fortieth floor apartment means booked lifts and staged deliveries.
Community and Approval Route
Mainland homes in Jumeirah deal directly with Dubai Municipality. Master community villas need a developer NOC first. Free zone districts route through the Dubai Development Authority instead. This is what stalls most projects, which is why an experienced interior design and fit-out team in Dubai maps approvals before pricing the work.
Renovation Cost per Square Foot
Renovation cost per square foot in Dubai is AED 150 to AED 300 (USD 41 to USD 82) for a cosmetic refresh, AED 300 to AED 550 (USD 82 to USD 150) for mid range, AED 550 to AED 850 (USD 150 to USD 231) for premium, and AED 850 to AED 1,500 (USD 231 to USD 409) for luxury.
Table 2: Cost per Square Foot by Finish Level
| Finish Level | Per sq ft AED (USD) | Per sq m AED (USD) | What the Rate Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | 150 to 300 (41 to 82) | 1,600 to 3,200 (436 to 871) | Paint, overlay, fixtures |
| Mid range | 300 to 550 (82 to 150) | 3,200 to 5,900 (871 to 1,607) | Kitchen, bathrooms, ceilings |
| Premium | 550 to 850 (150 to 231) | 5,900 to 9,150 (1,607 to 2,492) | Joinery, stone, layout changes |
| Luxury | 850 to 1,500+ (231 to 409) | 9,150 to 16,150+ (2,492 to 4,398) | Marble, European kitchens, rewire |
A 2,600 sq ft villa at AED 450 (USD 123) per sq ft comes to AED 1.17 million (USD 319,000) for every room, or AED 600,000 (USD 163,400) for the ground floor alone.
Renovation Cost by Room
Kitchens and bathrooms take 50 to 60 percent of a typical Dubai budget, and cabinetry alone is 35 to 45 percent of the kitchen figure.
Table 3: Cost by Room or Element
| Room or Element | Standard AED (USD) | Premium AED (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen, full | 45,000 to 90,000 (12,300 to 24,500) | 90,000 to 250,000+ (24,500 to 68,100) |
| Bathroom, full | 25,000 to 45,000 (6,800 to 12,300) | 45,000 to 120,000 (12,300 to 32,700) |
| Living and dining | 30,000 to 70,000 (8,200 to 19,100) | 70,000 to 180,000 (19,100 to 49,000) |
| Bedroom | 18,000 to 40,000 (4,900 to 10,900) | 40,000 to 90,000 (10,900 to 24,500) |
| Flooring, per sq ft | 35 to 90 (10 to 25) | 90 to 250 (25 to 68) |
| Painting, per sq ft | 8 to 14 (2 to 4) | 14 to 22 (4 to 6) |
| Ceiling and lighting, per sq ft | 55 to 95 (15 to 26) | 95 to 160 (26 to 44) |
| Joinery, per linear ft | 900 to 1,600 (245 to 436) | 1,600 to 3,000 (436 to 817) |
Our guides to kitchen renovation cost in Dubai and bathroom renovation cost in Dubai break those down further.
Apartment vs Villa Renovation Cost
Apartments cost more per square foot, villas more in total. A 1,200 sq ft apartment at mid range runs AED 360,000 to AED 660,000 (USD 98,000 to USD 179,700), a 3,000 sq ft villa at the same spec AED 900,000 to AED 1.65 million (USD 245,100 to USD 449,300).
The premium is logistics, not finishes: lift bookings, management hours, lobby protection and fire compartment rules. Expect 15 to 25 percent above the villa rate.
Table 4: Apartment vs Villa Factors
| Factor | Apartment | Villa |
|---|---|---|
| Rate per sq ft | AED 200 to 900 (USD 54 to 245) | AED 150 to 1,200 (USD 41 to 327) |
| Approval route | Owners association NOC, then authority permit for walls, wet areas or MEP | Developer NOC, then Municipality or Trakhees permit |
| Main cost driver | Access and working hours | Scale, services, external works |
| Typical duration | 4 to 14 weeks | 10 to 24 weeks |
Tower communities have their own rhythm. Across Dubai Marina, where we handle renovation and maintenance work regularly, most managements cap works to weekday hours and hold a deposit before tools reach site.
Hidden and Government Costs (DEWA, Permits, Waste)
Approvals, deposits and disposal add AED 8,000 to AED 30,000 (USD 2,180 to USD 8,170) to a permitted renovation. These are the lines missing from cheap quotes.
Table 5: Hidden and Government Costs
| Cost Item | 2026 Range AED (USD) | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Building or community NOC | 0 to 5,000 (0 to 1,360) | Most projects |
| Refundable security deposit | 2,000 to 20,000 (545 to 5,450) | Towers, master communities |
| Consultant drawings and stamping | 3,000 to 15,000 (820 to 4,090) | Permitted works |
| Authority modification permit | 500 to 5,000 (136 to 1,360) | Walls, wet areas, MEP |
| DEWA NOC and network modification | 1,000 to 6,000 (272 to 1,630) | Load increases, DB upgrades |
| Skip hire and disposal | 400 to 1,500 each (109 to 410) | Two to four per villa |
| Contingency | 10 to 15 percent | Always |
Permits come from Dubai Municipality’s Building Control and Building Permits Department (Dubai Municipality, Building Permit Procedures), and fees scale with the area modified. Unpermitted structural, wet area or services work risks a stop work order and reinstatement at your cost, and resurfaces at resale.
The Waste Line Nobody Budgets For
Dubai charges landfill gate fees by category. Clean inert rubble sits at a low per tonne rate, but a load contaminated with packaging or household rubbish is reclassified as municipal waste and charged several times higher.
Reactivating a disconnected supply costs a refundable AED 2,000 (USD 545) per apartment or AED 4,000 (USD 1,090) per villa (DEWA, Activation of Electricity and Water). Keeping the account live avoids it.
Sample Renovation Budgets
Table 6: Sample Budgets, Apartment and Villa
| Line Item | 1,250 sq ft 2 Bed Apartment, Mid Range AED (USD) | 3,000 sq ft 4 Bed Villa, Premium AED (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition and disposal | 22,000 (6,000) | 65,000 (17,700) |
| Kitchen | 78,000 (21,200) | 175,000 (47,700) |
| Bathrooms | 84,000 (22,900) | 240,000 (65,400) |
| Flooring | 62,000 (16,900) | 165,000 (44,900) |
| Ceilings, lighting, electrics | 55,000 (15,000) | 145,000 (39,500) |
| MEP, AC and plumbing | Included above | 120,000 (32,700) |
| Joinery and wardrobes | 48,000 (13,100) | 110,000 (30,000) |
| Painting and finishing | 21,000 (5,700) | 55,000 (15,000) |
| Approvals and permits | 12,000 (3,300) | 30,000 (8,200) |
| Contingency | 33,000 (9,000) | 95,000 (25,900) |
| Total | 415,000 (113,000) | 1,200,000 (326,800) |
| Rate per sq ft | 332 (90) | 400 (109) |
Kitchens and bathrooms should be about half the build cost. If approvals plus contingency fall under 10 percent, the quote is incomplete.
How Long Does a Renovation Take?
A full two bedroom apartment renovation in Dubai takes 8 to 14 weeks from approval to handover. A full villa takes 14 to 24 weeks, a villa with an extension 6 to 9 months.
Table 7: Timeline by Project Type
| Project | Approvals | On Site Works | Realistic Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single bathroom | 1 to 2 weeks | 2 to 4 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Kitchen only | 1 to 2 weeks | 3 to 6 weeks | 5 to 8 weeks |
| 2 bed apartment | 2 to 4 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks | 8 to 14 weeks |
| 3 to 4 bed villa | 3 to 6 weeks | 10 to 18 weeks | 14 to 24 weeks |
| Villa with extension | 6 to 12 weeks | 16 to 28 weeks | 6 to 9 months |
Procurement stretches timelines more than labour. Custom joinery takes four to eight weeks to fabricate, imported stone and appliances ten to fourteen. Order both when drawings freeze.
How to Save Money on Your Renovation
Leave the Wet Areas Where They Are
Keeping kitchen and bathroom drainage in position avoids new falls, waterproofing, screed rebuilds and often the permit, saving AED 40,000 to AED 120,000 (USD 10,900 to USD 32,700) on an apartment.
Freeze the Scope Before the First Hammer
Variations are the most expensive money in any renovation because they carry rework and idle labour. Changing a kitchen layout in week one costs a conversation, in week six five figures.
Compare Itemised Quotes, Never Totals
Ask every contractor to price the same written scope with quantities, brands and model numbers. A cheaper headline hides a thinner allowance. Our guide to renovating on a budget in Dubai covers the substitutions that cut cost without showing.
FAQs
How much does it cost to renovate a house in Dubai?
Renovating a house in Dubai costs AED 330,000 to AED 2 million (USD 89,900 to USD 544,600) for a three bedroom villa. Basic work sits near AED 150 (USD 41) per sq ft, mid range AED 450 (USD 123), luxury past AED 850 (USD 231), plus 10 to 15 percent contingency and AED 8,000 to AED 30,000 (USD 2,180 to USD 8,170) for approvals.
What is the average renovation cost per square foot in Dubai?
The average renovation cost per square foot in Dubai is AED 300 to AED 550 (USD 82 to USD 150) in 2026 for mid range work. Cosmetic refreshes run AED 150 to AED 300 (USD 41 to USD 82), premium to luxury AED 550 to AED 1,500 (USD 150 to USD 409). Apartments sit 15 to 25 percent above villas.
How much to renovate a 2-bedroom apartment in Dubai?
A two bedroom apartment renovation in Dubai costs AED 150,000 to AED 250,000 (USD 40,800 to USD 68,100) for a cosmetic refresh, AED 250,000 to AED 550,000 (USD 68,100 to USD 149,800) for mid range work with a new kitchen and bathrooms, and AED 550,000 (USD 149,800) upwards for premium. On a 1,250 sq ft unit, budget AED 415,000 (USD 113,000).
Is renovating cheaper than buying new in Dubai?
Usually yes, once transaction costs are counted. Buying carries a 4 percent Dubai Land Department transfer fee, trustee and registration charges, and 2 percent agency commission plus VAT on resale, roughly 6.5 to 8 percent of the price in cash (Dubai Land Department). On an AED 2.5 million (USD 680,900) home that is AED 165,000 to AED 200,000 (USD 44,900 to USD 54,500) in friction, before moving costs. If renovation costs under about 15 percent of property value and fixes layout or condition, renovating wins. If the problem is location, no budget fixes it.
Get a Free Renovation Quote
Every figure here is a planning range. Your real number comes from a site visit. We handle design, approvals and delivery under one contract through our interior design and fit-out service in Dubai. Send your floor plan and scope for a transparent estimate, the approval route for your property and a realistic timeline.
