Apartment Renovation Cost in Dubai: 2026 Price Ranges
As a rough guide in 2026, renovating an apartment in Dubai costs from about AED 60 per sq ft for a light cosmetic refresh to AED 500+ per sq ft for an extensive premium job. In whole-project terms, typical mid-range budgets run from roughly AED 60,000 for a studio to AED 385,000 for a large two-bedroom. These are typical ranges quoted in Dubai in 2026, not a quote for your home.
The spread is wide because the price depends far more on what you change than on the floor area. Below we break down what the money goes on, where the ranges come from and how to build a budget you can hold a contractor to.
What an apartment renovation costs per sq ft and per project
Per-square-foot figures are a useful first filter, but they mislead when kitchens, bathrooms and joinery take most of the budget. A small apartment with two wet rooms and a full set of wardrobes can cost more per sq ft than a large one with plain finishes.
- Light, cosmetic update: from about AED 60 per sq ft.
- Residential fit-out: economy AED 75–150, mid-range AED 150–275, luxury AED 275–400+ per sq ft.
- Extensive premium renovation: AED 500+ per sq ft.
Whole-project budgets are easier to plan with. As a rough guide for mid-range work: a studio AED 60,000–165,000, a one-bedroom AED 105,000–247,000, a two-bedroom AED 165,000–385,000. A targeted upgrade of a one- or two-bedroom apartment around a kitchen or bathroom typically sits at AED 60,000–180,000.
Do not compare quotes by price per sq ft alone. Ask for an itemised quote that lists demolition, plumbing, electrics, waterproofing, tiling, joinery and finishes separately. Only then can you see what one contractor has left out compared with another.
Where the money goes: typical ranges by item
Most of the budget sits in a few items. The ranges below are typical for Dubai in 2026 and depend on size, materials, how much is demolished and the building's access rules.
| Item | Typical range (AED) | What moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen, basic to mid-range | 20,000–120,000 | Cabinet type, worktop, appliances, layout changes |
| Kitchen, luxury | 120,000–250,000+ | Custom joinery, premium stone, integrated appliances |
| Bathroom, small to medium | 10,000–70,000 | Size, tile, fittings, moving plumbing points |
| Bathroom, high-end | 70,000–150,000+ | Large-format tile, walk-in shower, premium fittings |
| Built-in wardrobes | 1,200–3,500 per linear metre | Finish, internal fittings, doors |
| False ceiling with lighting | 5,000–30,000 | Area, number of light points, ceiling design |
| Painting, standard | 5–20 per sq ft | Wall condition, number of coats, paint grade |
| Permit fees, interior only | 1,500–2,500 | Scope of the works |
| Permit fees, with MEP changes | 2,500–4,000 | Plumbing, electrical or AC changes |
For deeper figures see our guides to kitchen renovation cost, bathroom renovation cost and built-in wardrobes.
Three typical cases
Refresh of a studio or 1BR
New paint, floors or a ceiling update, minimal plumbing changes. This sits at the lower end of the project ranges, from about AED 60,000 to 105,000 for a small unit, with joinery as the main variable.
Kitchen and bathroom upgrade
The wet rooms are stripped, waterproofed and re-tiled and the kitchen is replaced, with the rest left alone. A targeted upgrade like this typically falls within AED 60,000–180,000.
Full renovation of a 2BR
New layout details, electrics, plumbing, ceilings, floors, joinery and finishes throughout. Mid-range budgets typically run AED 165,000–385,000, and premium choices push beyond that.
Costs outside the contractor's quote
Several costs are easy to miss when you compare quotes.
- Building deposit. Most Dubai buildings ask for a refundable deposit before work starts. Sources quote anywhere from AED 2,000 to 30,000, and each building sets its own figure, so ask your building management.
- NOC fee. A developer NOC fee is typically AED 1,000–5,000.
- Permit fees. See the table above. Details are in our guide to renovation permit fees.
- VAT. Construction and fit-out services carry 5% VAT, which appears on the invoice. Check whether a quote is shown with or without it.
- Design. Layout, working drawings and visualisation are a separate line if you want them done properly before work starts.
How to build a budget that holds
- Define the scope. List what changes: floors, kitchen, bathrooms, ceilings, joinery. Mark what stays.
- Survey on site. Measurements, photographs and the state of pipes and wiring remove most surprises. Walls and wet areas often hide problems.
- Choose materials early. Tile, stone and cabinets drive the total. Imported materials can take 6–12 weeks to arrive, so decide before the contract.
- Get an itemised quote. Each trade is a line, with quantities and units, and the price and timeline are fixed in the contract.
- Add a reserve and the fees. Set aside the deposit, NOC and permit fees, VAT, and a margin for choices you may change.
- Check the payment stages. Write them into the contract and tie them to finished work, not to dates.
Our guide to renovation contracts lists the clauses worth checking before you sign.
Time, approvals and the rules of your building
As a rough guide, a studio or one-bedroom takes about 6–10 weeks on site, and a two- or three-bedroom apartment 8–16 weeks. Our guide on how long a renovation takes goes through the stages.
In Dubai apartments, the facility manager, owners' association or developer must approve the work before noisy or intrusive works start, typically within 7–14 days. Permits are typically needed for wet-area or plumbing changes, electrical and AC work and major layout changes. Unapproved work can mean fines, stop-work orders and forced reinstatement. We prepare and submit the documents for the building NOC and, where needed, authority approvals. See what a NOC is for the process. If you rent, you also need written landlord consent: tenant renovation rules explain it.
Where budgets go wrong
The biggest overruns come from three places: skipping the survey and discovering the pipes afterwards, changing finishes mid-project and cutting waterproofing to save money. Wet areas should be waterproofed and flood-tested for 24 hours before tile goes down, and hidden works photographed before they are covered. It is a small line in the quote and an expensive one to repair. More in common renovation mistakes.
Plan an apartment renovation in Dubai around scope, not area. Budget AED 60,000–180,000 for a kitchen or bathroom upgrade and AED 165,000–385,000 for a full two-bedroom, then add deposit, NOC, permit and VAT. Insist on an itemised quote with a fixed price and timeline.
Get a fixed quote for your apartment
We visit, measure, photograph and discuss your brief and budget, then send an itemised quote with price and timeline fixed in the contract. See also our apartment renovation service and how we price.
Book a site surveyFAQ
How much does it cost to renovate a 1-bedroom apartment in Dubai?
As a rough guide in 2026, a mid-range one-bedroom renovation typically costs AED 105,000–247,000. A targeted upgrade of a kitchen or bathroom sits lower, around AED 60,000–180,000. The final figure depends on size, materials and how much plumbing and electrics change.
Is the building deposit included in the renovation price?
Usually not. The refundable deposit is set by each building and sources quote anything from AED 2,000 to 30,000. Ask your building management and keep it in your budget separately.
Does VAT apply to apartment renovation in Dubai?
Construction and fit-out services are standard-rated at the UAE VAT rate of 5%, shown on the contractor's invoice. Always check whether a quote is shown with or without VAT.
How long does an apartment renovation take in Dubai?
Typically about 6–10 weeks on site for a studio or one-bedroom and 8–16 weeks for a two- or three-bedroom. Building NOC approval often adds 7–14 days, and imported materials can take 6–12 weeks to arrive.