Kitchen Renovation Cost in Dubai: Budget to Premium
As a rough guide in 2026, a kitchen renovation in a Dubai apartment typically runs from AED 20,000–50,000 for a basic job, AED 50,000–120,000 for mid-range, and AED 120,000–250,000+ for luxury. Villa kitchens sit higher because they are larger and more complex. These are typical ranges quoted in Dubai, not our prices.
The spread is wide because "kitchen renovation" can mean new doors and a worktop, or a full strip-out with new plumbing, electrics, floor, cabinets and appliances. Below we show what the money goes on and how to place your own kitchen in the range.
Typical kitchen renovation prices in Dubai, 2026
Market guides quote a few overlapping scales. At the bottom end, a straightforward update can start at around AED 15,000. At the top, custom cabinetry with premium appliances goes beyond AED 120,000. The table below gives the typical ranges for apartments and villas.
| Kitchen type | Level | Typical range, AED |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment | Basic | 20,000–50,000 |
| Apartment | Mid-range | 50,000–120,000 |
| Apartment | Luxury | 120,000–250,000+ |
| Villa | Basic | 45,000–80,000 |
| Villa | Mid-range | 80,000–150,000 |
| Villa | Luxury | 150,000–250,000+ |
| Porcelain floor tile, supply only | Per sq m | 60–180 |
| Tile laying labour | Per sq m | from about 50 |
Another guide puts villa kitchens at AED 80,000–200,000, which shows how much the scope and finish matter. Ranges also differ between sources, so treat any single figure as a starting point. VAT of 5% is shown on the contractor's invoice, so check whether a quote includes it.
What the money is spent on
In most kitchens the cost sits in a few places:
- Cabinets and joinery. Usually the largest line. Modular units cost far less than made-to-measure ones. We compare the options in custom, modular or IKEA kitchen cabinets.
- Worktop and splashback. Quartz, granite and porcelain differ widely in price; see quartz countertop prices per linear metre.
- Appliances. From basic built-in sets to premium brands, this line alone can double a budget.
- Floor and wall finishes. Porcelain is the usual choice in a hot, humid climate. Price it per sq m and ask whether laying is included.
- Plumbing, electrics and lighting. Moving the sink, adding sockets for appliances or new circuits adds labour and sometimes permits.
- Demolition, waste removal and protection. Often missing from rough estimates.
Three typical cases
Refresh, same layout
New cabinet fronts or modular units, a new worktop, splashback, paint and lighting. Plumbing and electrics stay where they are. This usually falls in the basic range, AED 20,000–50,000 for an apartment.
Full renovation, new finishes
Strip-out, new floor, cabinets, worktop, appliances and lighting, with some electrical and plumbing changes. This is the mid-range, typically AED 50,000–120,000 in an apartment.
Layout change and bespoke joinery
Moved walls or services, an island, custom cabinetry made to drawings, premium appliances. In an apartment this reaches AED 120,000–250,000+, and a large villa kitchen can go beyond it.
What pushes the price up or down
Size matters, but less than the specification. A small kitchen with custom cabinets and stone can cost more than a large one with modular units. Moving the sink or opening the kitchen to the living room adds services work; our note on the open kitchen covers what that involves.
Building rules also affect the total. Plumbing reconfiguration and electrical changes typically need approval from the building's management or owners' association, and some buildings ask for a refundable deposit. The deposit figures quoted range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dirhams, and the developer NOC fee is typically AED 1,000–5,000. Each building sets its own figure, so check before you budget. See what a NOC is and when you need one.
Ask for an itemised quote that lists cabinets, worktop, appliances, tiles, plumbing, electrics, permits and waste removal on separate lines. A single total makes two quotes impossible to compare, and gaps tend to turn into extras later.
How to fix your kitchen budget in five steps
- Decide the scope. Refresh, full renovation or layout change. This sets the range more than any other choice.
- Choose the cabinet route. Modular, semi-custom or fully bespoke, and the worktop material.
- List appliances. Decide which you keep and which you replace, with their dimensions before cabinets are drawn.
- Survey and measure. We visit, measure, photograph and discuss the brief and budget, then check what the building will approve.
- Get an itemised quote. Price and timeline go into the contract, and nothing is added beyond the quote.
A kitchen is also easier to judge before work starts if you can see it. Our design team can produce visualisations on photos of your own room. Before you sign, read common kitchen renovation mistakes and the contract clauses that protect you.
Where the budget gets lost
Hidden pipes and cables are the usual source of surprises, which is why we photograph them before they are covered. Wet areas behind the sink are waterproofed. Imported materials can take weeks to ship, so late choices of tiles or stone cost time rather than money. Fix finishes early and the quote holds.
If the kitchen is part of a bigger project, compare with the figures in how much it costs to renovate an apartment in Dubai.
Plan on AED 20,000–50,000 for a basic update, AED 50,000–120,000 for a full mid-range kitchen, and more for bespoke work. Decide scope and cabinet type first, confirm the building's rules, and insist on an itemised quote with a fixed price.
Get a fixed quote for your kitchen
We survey the space, discuss your budget and give you an itemised quote with price and timeline fixed in the contract. See our kitchen renovation service or how pricing works.
Plan your kitchenFAQ
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Dubai?
As a rough guide in 2026, an apartment kitchen typically costs AED 20,000–50,000 for a basic job, AED 50,000–120,000 mid-range and AED 120,000–250,000+ for luxury. The final figure depends on scope, cabinets, worktop and appliances.
Is a villa kitchen more expensive than an apartment kitchen?
Usually yes. Typical villa ranges are AED 45,000–80,000 basic, AED 80,000–150,000 mid-range and AED 150,000–250,000+ luxury, because villa kitchens are larger and often involve more services work.
Do I need approval to renovate my kitchen?
Often yes if you change plumbing or electrics. Apartments typically need building management or owners' association approval, and villas need the master developer's NOC. We prepare and submit the documents for the building NOC.
Does the quote include VAT?
Construction and fit-out services are standard-rated at 5% VAT, shown on the contractor's invoice. Always ask whether a quoted total includes it so you can compare quotes fairly.