How Much Does Home Renovation Cost in Dubai in 2026? (Full Price Guide)
Most home renovations in Dubai fall somewhere between AED 120 and AED 350 per square foot (roughly AED 1,300 to AED 3,800 per square metre), depending on the property type, the condition it’s in, and the finish level you choose. A small apartment refresh can cost under AED 60,000, while a full villa renovation with structural changes can run past AED 500,000. The only way to know your real number is an itemised quotation based on your actual scope of work, but the ranges below will get you close enough to plan a realistic budget.
Renovation cost in Dubai isn’t one number because no two properties start from the same place. Whether you search for it as home renovation cost in Dubai or house renovation cost in Dubai, the answer depends on the same things. A 1 bedroom apartment in a ten year old building with worn flooring needs a different scope than a villa where you’re moving walls and redoing the MEP works. This guide breaks the cost down by property type, by room, and by finish level, and explains where the money actually goes, so you’re not just looking at a range with no context behind it.
What Actually Determines Home Renovation Cost Dubai Wide
Four things drive most of the variation you’ll see between one quotation and another.
1. Scope of work
A repaint and refresh is a different job from ripping out a kitchen or reconfiguring a layout. The wider the scope, the more labour, material, and coordination it needs.
2. Level of finish
Standard materials (ceramic tiles, laminate flooring, standard sanitaryware) cost less than premium or luxury finishes (porcelain tiles, natural stone, marble, quartz countertops, custom carpentry). The same floor plan can cost twice as much depending purely on what you specify.
3. Property size and existing condition
Cost scales with built up area, but a property in poor condition, with old wiring, leaking plumbing, or damaged flooring, often costs more to renovate than a similar sized property that’s just outdated. The contractor has to fix problems before the visible finish work even starts.
4. Approvals and structural changes
Anything involving layout changes, structural modifications, or MEP work (plumbing, electrical, air conditioning) usually needs authority approvals, which adds both time and cost that a simple cosmetic job doesn’t carry.
Home Renovation Cost Per Square Foot and Per Square Metre in Dubai
This is the fastest way to compare quotations, since contractors price differently depending on total floor area.
| Finish Level | Cost per Square Foot (AED) | Cost per Square Metre (AED) | What’s Typically Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic / Standard | 110 to 190 | 1,200 to 2,000 | Painting, standard tiles or laminate flooring, basic fixtures, minor repairs |
| Mid Range | 190 to 325 | 2,000 to 3,500 | Full flooring replacement, kitchen and bathroom upgrades, standard joinery, upgraded lighting |
| Premium / Luxury | 325 to 560 | 3,500 to 6,000 | Porcelain tiles or natural stone, custom carpentry, false ceilings, premium sanitaryware, layout changes |
| Ultra Luxury / Bespoke | 560+ | 6,000+ | Fully customised interior design, imported materials, extensive joinery, no fixed ceiling on cost |
These are general market ranges, not a quote. Two properties at the same finish level can still land differently depending on site access, how much demolition is needed, and how customised the design is.
Renovation Cost by Property Type
Total project cost naturally scales with built up area and layout complexity.
| Property Type | Typical Size Range | Approximate Total Renovation Cost (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio apartment | 400 to 600 sq ft | 45,000 to 90,000 |
| 1 bedroom apartment | 700 to 1,000 sq ft | 65,000 to 160,000 |
| 2 bedroom apartment | 1,100 to 1,600 sq ft | 100,000 to 250,000 |
| 3 bedroom apartment | 1,700 to 2,400 sq ft | 150,000 to 350,000 |
| Townhouse | 2,000 to 3,500 sq ft | 220,000 to 500,000 |
| 4 bedroom villa | 3,500 to 6,000 sq ft | 350,000 to 900,000+ |
Villas and townhouses cost more per project not just because of size but because they usually involve outdoor areas, more structural options, and more authority approvals than an apartment inside a residential community with shared building systems.
Renovation Cost by Room
If you’re renovating in stages rather than doing the whole property at once, room level costs help you plan.
Kitchen
AED 20,000 to 70,000+. This is usually the most expensive single room because it combines cabinetry, plumbing, electrical work, and often a full layout change. Kitchen cabinetry, quartz countertops, and appliance relocation all add to the range.
Bathroom
AED 10,000 to 30,000+. Cost depends heavily on whether you’re keeping the existing plumbing layout or moving fixtures, since relocating a shower or toilet means new waterproofing and pipework, not just new tiles.
Living room
AED 15,000 to 50,000. Flooring, painting, lighting, and a false ceiling make up most of this. Custom joinery or built in storage pushes it higher.
Bedroom / Master bedroom
AED 8,000 to 40,000. A standard bedroom refresh is on the lower end. A master bedroom with custom wardrobes and built in storage sits at the higher end.
What You’re Actually Paying For
A renovation quotation isn’t just materials plus labour. A proper itemised estimate usually separates these costs.
- Material cost (tiles, flooring, cabinetry, fixtures, paint)
- Labour cost (installation, carpentry, MEP works)
- Project management (coordinating trades, site supervision, scheduling)
- Site preparation and waste removal
- Finishing work (painting, joinery details, lighting installation)
- A contingency budget for unexpected repairs
That last one matters more than people expect. Once walls or flooring are opened up, it’s common to find issues that weren’t visible before, such as old plumbing, damp, or wiring that doesn’t meet current standards. A contractor who’s honest with you will flag this as a possibility upfront rather than let it become a surprise mid project.
Authority Approvals and Compliance Costs in Dubai
Not every renovation needs approval, but several common ones do. If your project involves structural modifications, layout changes, or MEP work, you’ll typically need sign off from Dubai Municipality, and if you’re in a managed community or building, a developer NOC as well. DEWA involvement usually applies when electrical or water connections are being altered, not just when fixtures are replaced like for like.
This isn’t just paperwork. Skipping required approvals on structural or MEP changes can mean redoing work later, delays at handover, or issues if you sell the property down the line. It’s worth asking any contractor upfront whether your specific scope requires approval, and building that time into your project duration rather than assuming it will be quick.
How to Get a Quotation You Can Actually Compare
Renovation quotes in Dubai vary a lot between contractors, and price alone doesn’t tell you why. Before comparing numbers, check that each quotation covers the same scope of work: same materials, same rooms, same level of finish. A quote that looks 30% cheaper is often missing something, such as waste removal, project management, or a full material specification, that shows up later as an additional expense. This applies whether you’re getting quotes for a single room job or a full turnkey renovation covering design, materials, and execution under one contract.
A few practical things worth asking for in any contractor quotation:
- A written, itemised estimate rather than one lump sum
- Clear material specification (brand or grade, not just “tiles” or “flooring”)
- Whether authority approvals and their timelines are included
- A stated allowance for contingency or unexpected repairs
- Expected project duration with realistic milestones
Setting a Realistic Renovation Budget
Start with your renovation priorities, not a target number. Deciding what actually needs to change, a worn kitchen, outdated bathrooms, a poor layout, before deciding what you want to spend, usually leads to a better outcome than picking a budget first and trying to fit everything into it.
It also helps to think past the renovation itself. Quality versus budget isn’t just about how it looks on handover day, it affects long term maintenance too. Standard materials in high traffic areas may need replacing again sooner, which can cost more over several years than paying slightly more upfront for durable finishes in the rooms that get the most use.
FAQs
How much does home renovation cost per square foot in Dubai?
Most projects fall between AED 110 and AED 560 per square foot depending on finish level, from basic cosmetic work at the low end to fully customised luxury interiors at the high end.
Is renovation cost per square metre different from cost per square foot?
It’s the same total cost, just expressed in a different unit. Since one square metre is larger than one square foot, the per square metre figure is a bigger number for the same project, roughly 10.76 times the per square foot rate.
Is house renovation cost in Dubai the same as home renovation cost?
Yes. House renovation and home renovation refer to the same type of project in Dubai. Cost depends on the property, whether it’s an apartment, townhouse, or villa, not on which term is used.
Do I need approval to renovate my apartment in Dubai?
Cosmetic work like painting or replacing flooring usually doesn’t need approval. Structural changes, layout changes, or MEP work typically require Dubai Municipality approval, and in many buildings, a developer NOC as well.
How long does a home renovation take in Dubai?
A single room can take one to three weeks. A full apartment renovation typically takes six to ten weeks, and a full villa renovation with structural work can take three to six months, depending on scope and approval timelines.
What’s usually the most expensive part of a home renovation?
Kitchens tend to cost the most per room because they combine cabinetry, plumbing, electrical work, and often a layout change, all in one space.
Can I renovate in phases instead of all at once?
Yes. Many owners renovate room by room to manage cash flow. It’s worth telling your contractor upfront if you’re planning phases, since some site preparation and project management costs are more efficient done once rather than repeated per phase.
Before You Get a Quote
Every renovation in Dubai is priced around the same core variables: scope, size, condition, and finish. The ranges above give you a realistic starting point, but the only number that matters for your project is the one built around your actual property and your actual priorities. Getting two or three itemised quotes based on the same scope of work, whether from a single specialist or a turnkey renovation contractor, is still the most reliable way to know what your renovation will really cost.