What Does a Dubai Apartment Renovation Actually Cost? A Transparent Budget Breakdown

17.08.2026

Apartment renovation cost in Dubai varies sharply by scope. A cosmetic refresh (paint, flooring, minor fixtures) typically runs AED 800–1,200 per sq.m on the open market. A full turnkey fit-out — design, works, materials, procurement, and project management — typically starts higher. At DH House, a Dubai-based renovation company working to German quality standards, studio and one-bedroom turnkey projects (40–60 sq.m) generally fall between AED 150,000 and 210,000+, over 6–10 weeks, before VAT.

This article breaks down apartment renovation cost in Dubai by line item: what quotes include, what they omit, and how to compare proposals fairly. For permits and NOC steps, see our complete apartment renovation guide.

Table of content:

What Drives Your Apartment Renovation Cost in Dubai
Line-Item Budget Breakdown
Partial Renovation vs Full Turnkey
Example Total Budgets by Apartment Size (Market Averages - Partial Works)
Hidden Costs Most Quotes Omit
Factors That Change the Final Bill
How to Compare Quotes Fairly
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion

What Drives Your Apartment Renovation Cost in Dubai

Three variables move the final bill more than any finish choice:

Scope. Paint and flooring sit at the low end. Kitchens, bathrooms, MEP changes, and layout alterations add separate budget lines — each may trigger new approvals.

Building rules. Towers in Marina, Downtown, or Creek Harbour often restrict working hours, require larger deposits, and limit structural changes. Access logistics (service lifts, parking) affect labour cost.

Quote structure. Lump-sum quotes hide exclusions. Itemised proposals make it easier to spot missing permit fees, waste disposal, or snagging — and explain why apartment renovation cost estimates vary by 30–50% for the same brief. DH House prepares a full itemised bill of quantities free of charge before any commitment, so you are comparing real line items, not a lump-sum guess.

Line-Item Budget Breakdown

Use this table as a checklist when reviewing quotes. Ranges are indicative at the time of writing and vary by scope, access, and material choice.

Work category	Typical range (AED)	Notes
Design and planning	100–200 / sq.m	General market range; DH House concept design plus 3D visualisation from 260/sq.m (technical design included in workflow)
Authority NOC and permits	500–7,000+	NOC from building management; DM or Trakhees permit by scope
Demolition and prep	60–150 / sq.m	Strip-out, protection, skip hire
Flooring	80–400 / sq.m	Tiles, engineered wood, or stone — supply and install
Painting	25–70 / sq.m	Includes prep; feature walls cost extra
Bathroom refurbishment	10,000–35,000 / unit	DH House bathroom-only range; market mid-high up to 55,000
Kitchen upgrade	6,000–60,000 / unit	DH House kitchen-only range; full kitchen+MEP often higher
Electrical works	90–200 / point	New points, DB upgrades, lighting circuits
Plumbing works	100–200 / point	Relocated feeds, mixers, drainage
Doors and joinery	2,500+ / item	Custom wardrobes add significantly
AC service or upgrade	2,500–8,000+	FCU servicing vs replacement

VAT at 5% applies to most construction services in the UAE and is often quoted separately.

Partial Renovation vs Full Turnkey

Market per-sq.m figures suit partial works. Full turnkey projects — the model DH House delivers from concept to handover — bundle design, procurement, installation, and project management into one budget. Finishing works are carried out by our own in-house team rather than layered subcontractors, so the same crew accountable for quality on day one is accountable for the snagging list on the last day - 12-month warranty is included.

Project type	Size	Typical duration	Indicative cost (AED)
Studio / 1-bed apartment	40–60 sq.m	6–10 weeks	150,000–210,000+
2-bedroom apartment	70–100 sq.m	8–14 weeks	170,000–280,000+
3-Bedroom Apartment / House	120–180 sq.m	12–20 weeks	230,000 – 350,000+
Single room refurbishment	15–25 sq.m	2–4 weeks	30,000–80,000

Source: DH House client workflow guide (indicative; confirmed in quotation after design sign-off). VAT excluded.

Example Total Budgets by Apartment Size (Market Averages - Partial Works)

These totals cover construction and finishes for partial upgrades — excluding full design, procurement, and project management:

Property type	Light refresh	Mid-range upgrade	High-end fit-out
Studio (~45 sq.m)	AED 36,000–54,000	AED 54,000–90,000	AED 90,000–160,000
1-bed (~70 sq.m)	AED 56,000–84,000	AED 84,000–140,000	AED 140,000–245,000
2-bed (~110 sq.m)	AED 88,000–132,000	AED 132,000–220,000	AED 220,000–385,000

Furnishing is a separate budget line: basic packages from AED 20,000; full fit-outs can exceed AED 150,000 depending on specification.

Hidden Costs Most Quotes Omit

When calculating apartment renovation cost in Dubai, allow for these commonly missed items:

● Building deposits — refundable security held by building management; typically AED 5,000–10,000 in Emaar and similar master-developer communities, from AED 3,000 in other towers

● Waste removal and skip hire — AED 1,500–5,000 depending on strip-out volume; DH House lists furniture removal at AED 1,000–3,000

● Temporary accommodation — if kitchen or bathroom works make the unit uninhabitable

● Permit and drawing delays — idle site costs if approvals or materials slip

● Post-handover snagging — punch-list fixes before final payment; DH House runs a multi-stage inspection before handover, plus 12 months of aftercare with one free revisit for minor adjustments

● Contingency — budget 10–15% for concealed defects (leaks, wiring, mould behind silicon)

In practice, hidden items and contingency together often add 8–15% on top of a contractor's base quote.

Factors That Change the Final Bill

Location. Waterfront and central towers may cost more due to access restrictions and tighter working windows.

Building age. Older stock may need MEP corrections before cosmetic work — a frequent driver of higher apartment renovation cost in Dubai than quotes assume.

Imported materials. European tiles, stone, and fittings can add 20–40% versus locally available alternatives, plus longer lead times. DH House flags extended lead times for custom and imported items at procurement stage.

Contractor classification. Dubai Municipality-registered contractors with the correct classification grade for your project value carry proper insurance and permit pathways. A lower quote from an unregistered operator is a compliance risk, not a saving.

Programme. Fast-track schedules typically command premium labour rates.

How to Compare Quotes Fairly

Request itemised proposals with the same scope assumptions

Confirm permits and NOC are included — or priced separately in writing

Check the contractor is registered with Dubai Municipality under the current contractor register (Law No. 7 of 2025)

Ask what is excluded: AC works, fire stopping, building protection, cleaning

Ask what happens after handover — snagging process, warranty length, and whether follow-up visits are included or billed separately

Agree a milestone payment schedule — DH House's 40% mobilisation deposit is tied to contract signature and immediate procurement launch, a concrete, verifiable trigger. Be wary of deposits of any size that are not tied to a specific, named milestone

Reserve contingency before comparing headline totals

If you want a turnkey quote that covers design through handover, review our renovation and fit-out services and ask for a line-item proposal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average apartment renovation cost in Dubai per sq.m?

For partial market works, most owner-occupied refurbishments fall between AED 800–2,000 per sq.m all-in. Full turnkey projects from design to procurement, management and handover including warranty typically start higher — AED 2,000-3,500 per sq.m.

What's included in a DH House quote that other contractors might charge separately?

Design, BOQ preparation, and NOC document prep are included at no extra cost before you commit to a contract. Finishing works are delivered by our own in-house team rather than subcontracted out, and every project includes a multi-stage quality inspection and 12 months of aftercare before final sign-off.

Does a renovation cost include permits?

Not always. Some quotes exclude NOC fees, municipality permits, and drawing costs. Confirm these before signing — they typically add AED 500–7,000+ depending on scope.

How long does renovation take?

Kitchen or bathroom only: one to three weeks on site. Light refreshes: four to eight weeks. Full turnkey apartment projects: six to fourteen weeks on site, plus two to four weeks for approvals beforehand.

Can I renovate while living abroad?

Yes — common for investors in Creek Harbour, Marina, or JLT. You need a licensed contractor, written approvals, and weekly photo reports. See our Creek Beach case study for a typical renovation upgrade.

How do I get an accurate renovation cost in Dubai before signing?

Ask for an itemised quote against a fixed scope document, confirm permit and NOC fees are included, and compare at least two Dubai Municipality-registered contractors.

How do I stop the budget from spiralling?

Use fixed-scope contracts, itemised variations for any change, and a named project manager. Never start strip-out without signed approvals and a written payment schedule.

Conclusion

Apartment renovation cost in Dubai depends on scope, building rules, and how transparent your quote is — not on a single price per sq.m found online. Build your budget from line items, add 10–15% contingency, and compare contractors on classification and inclusions, not headline price alone.

For the approval process, read the permits and costs guide. For a line-item quote on your unit, contact our team — we itemise every project before work starts. In addition to that DH House is based in Creek Harbour - we renovate in the community we live in and know the buildings from inside out.
Local to Creek Harbour? Neighbours get a special rate with us, so if you are planning a renovation in Creek Harbour, just mention it when you get in touch.

Author: DH House team