How to Plan a Renovation Budget in Dubai
Most renovation overruns in Dubai come from three things: an unclear scope, changes made during the works and costs nobody listed at the start. This guide shows how to build a realistic budget before you sign anything.
- Decide the scope room by room before asking for quotes.
- Add 5% VAT, design fees, approvals and furniture to the construction price.
- Keep a contingency for things hidden behind walls and floors.
- A fixed-price quotation with an itemised BOQ is the best protection against surprises.
Step 1: define the scope
List every room and what you want done there: replace, refresh or leave as is. Mark the must-haves and the nice-to-haves. The clearer the list, the more accurate every quotation will be.
Step 2: use realistic price ranges
| Item | Typical range (2026) |
|---|---|
| Bathroom | AED 15,000–60,000+ |
| Kitchen | AED 40,000–120,000 |
| Studio / 1-bed / 2-bed apartment | AED 30,000–80,000 / 60,000–150,000 / 100,000–250,000 |
| Partial / full villa | AED 120,000–350,000 / 350,000–800,000+ |
| Office fit out | AED 300–1,500 per sqm |
| Interior design only | AED 8,000–80,000+ |
For details see the villa, apartment, kitchen and bathroom cost guides.
Step 3: add the costs people forget
- VAT at 5% on the contract value
- Design and drawings, if not included in the contract
- Approvals: building NOC deposits, authority permits and any consultant fees for structural changes
- Furniture, curtains and appliances, if not in the contract
- Temporary accommodation or storage if you move out
- Contingency for issues found once walls and floors are opened
Step 4: protect the budget
- Ask for a fixed price with an itemised BOQ, not a lump sum on one line.
- Approve the design, materials and samples before work starts.
- Agree in writing that any change is priced and approved before it is carried out.
- Link payments to completed stages. See how to choose a renovation contractor.
The most expensive part of a renovation
In most homes it is the kitchen and bathrooms, because they combine cabinetry or sanitaryware, tiling, waterproofing and plumbing and electrical work. Structural changes and MEP upgrades can cost even more, but they are often invisible. That is why it pays to decide early which layout changes are really worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Talk to an architect about your project
Planning a project in Dubai? Our architect visits your site for free and sends a fixed-price quotation with an itemised BOQ, usually within 48 hours.
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