Kitchen & Bathroom Renovation in Dubai

Kitchens and bathrooms are the two rooms that sell a home, define how it functions day to day, and cost the most per square foot to renovate. In Dubai, where many apartments and villas are now ten to fifteen years old, the original kitchens and bathrooms from the developer are showing their age — laminate counters peeling in the humidity, cabinet doors warping, tiles cracking, and plumbing fixtures corroding from the mineral-heavy water supply. Whether you are renovating to improve your own living experience, preparing a property for sale or rental, or simply tired of looking at that builder-grade kitchen from 2010, this guide covers what a kitchen or bathroom renovation in Dubai actually involves, what it realistically costs, how long it takes, and how to avoid the mistakes that turn what should be an exciting project into a frustrating ordeal.

Kitchen Renovation: Scope and Costs

Budget Kitchen Refresh: AED 15,000 to AED 35,000

A budget kitchen refresh involves updating the visible surfaces without changing the layout or moving any plumbing or electrical points. This typically includes replacing cabinet doors or resurfacing them with new laminate or vinyl wrap, installing a new countertop in quartz or engineered stone, replacing the backsplash with new tiles, updating the sink and tap, replacing the cooker hood, and repainting walls. This level of renovation works well when the existing cabinet carcasses and layout are sound, and you simply want a fresh, modern appearance. Cabinet door replacement or wrapping costs AED 4,000 to AED 10,000 depending on the kitchen size and the finish chosen. A new quartz countertop runs AED 3,000 to AED 8,000, with the price varying by colour, brand, and edge profile. Backsplash tiling costs AED 1,500 to AED 4,000 including materials and labour. The total for a budget refresh of a standard two-bedroom apartment kitchen is AED 15,000 to AED 35,000 and can be completed in one to two weeks.

Mid-Range Kitchen Renovation: AED 35,000 to AED 70,000

A mid-range renovation involves stripping out the existing kitchen entirely and installing new everything — cabinets, counters, tiles, lighting, plumbing, and appliances. This is the most popular level of kitchen renovation in Dubai, and it gives you the opportunity to improve the layout within the existing plumbing and electrical infrastructure. Good quality custom cabinets in MDF with a polyurethane or lacquer finish cost AED 12,000 to AED 25,000 for a standard apartment kitchen. Premium countertops in natural stone like Carrara marble or high-end quartz cost AED 6,000 to AED 15,000. New kitchen appliances — a built-in oven, hob, range hood, dishwasher, and refrigerator — add AED 8,000 to AED 25,000 depending on the brands selected. Popular choices in the mid-range include Bosch, Siemens, and Samsung. Floor-to-ceiling tiling costs AED 3,000 to AED 8,000. Electrical work for under-cabinet lighting, additional power outlets, and updated wiring adds AED 2,000 to AED 5,000. The total for a mid-range apartment kitchen renovation is AED 35,000 to AED 70,000 and takes three to six weeks.

Premium Kitchen Renovation: AED 70,000 to AED 120,000+

Premium kitchen renovations in Dubai involve imported cabinetry from European manufacturers like Nobilia, Häcker, or Poggenpohl, natural stone surfaces, premium appliances from Miele, Gaggenau, or Sub-Zero, custom lighting design, and often layout changes that require moving plumbing and electrical services. These projects are designed and managed by specialist kitchen design companies who create detailed 3D renders before any work begins, ensuring every element — from the pull-out pantry to the integrated wine cooler — is exactly as specified. Premium cabinet systems cost AED 25,000 to AED 60,000, with the upper end covering handle-less push-to-open systems with soft-close mechanisms and interior organisers. A Miele or Gaggenau appliance package for oven, hob, hood, dishwasher, and built-in microwave runs AED 25,000 to AED 50,000. Natural stone countertops in materials like Calacatta marble or Dekton cost AED 10,000 to AED 25,000. The total for a premium kitchen in a villa or large apartment ranges from AED 70,000 to well over AED 120,000 and takes six to twelve weeks.

Bathroom Renovation: Scope and Costs

Budget Bathroom Update: AED 8,000 to AED 15,000

A budget bathroom update focuses on replacing the most visible and worn elements without changing the layout. This includes replacing the vanity unit and basin, installing a new toilet, updating taps and the shower mixer, replacing the shower screen or curtain, re-grouting existing tiles, and fresh silicone sealant around the bathtub and shower tray. A decent quality vanity unit with basin costs AED 1,500 to AED 4,000. A new toilet costs AED 800 to AED 2,000. New taps and shower mixer cost AED 500 to AED 2,000. This level of renovation takes three to five days and costs AED 8,000 to AED 15,000 per bathroom, making it the most affordable way to noticeably improve a tired-looking bathroom.

Full Bathroom Renovation: AED 15,000 to AED 60,000

A full bathroom renovation strips the room back to the walls and rebuilds everything. This includes removing all existing tiles, fixtures, and fittings, waterproofing the floor and wet areas to current standards — this is a critical step that must be done correctly to prevent water damage to the floors below, applying new floor and wall tiles, installing a new shower tray or walk-in shower with proper drainage, fitting a new bathtub if desired, installing a new vanity, toilet, and all fixtures, updating electrical work for lighting, heated mirrors, and ventilation, and installing new accessories like towel rails, robe hooks, and storage. Tiles are the biggest variable in bathroom renovation costs. Budget porcelain tiles from local suppliers cost AED 30 to AED 80 per square metre. Mid-range imported tiles from Spanish or Italian manufacturers cost AED 100 to AED 250 per square metre. Premium designer tiles or natural stone cost AED 250 to AED 600 per square metre. Labour for tiling a standard bathroom costs AED 3,000 to AED 6,000. The waterproofing membrane and application costs AED 1,500 to AED 3,000 and is not negotiable — skipping or cheaping out on waterproofing is the single most expensive mistake you can make in a bathroom renovation, as a water leak can cause tens of thousands of dirhams in damage to the floor structure and the apartment below.

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Choosing a Renovation Contractor

What to Look For

The renovation contractor market in Dubai is enormous and wildly variable in quality. At one end, you have established fit-out companies with showrooms, design teams, and portfolios of completed projects. At the other end, you have individual handymen who advertise on social media and classify themselves as renovation contractors. The quality difference between these two extremes is vast, and the price difference is often not as large as you might expect. When choosing a contractor, verify their trade licence and check that their activity includes interior fit-out work. Ask for references from recent projects similar to yours in scope and budget — not just photos, but actual contact details of previous clients you can speak to. Visit a project they have in progress if possible, so you can see their workmanship firsthand rather than relying on portfolio photos that may have been taken by a professional photographer at flattering angles.

Getting and Comparing Quotes

Get at least three detailed quotes and compare them item by item. A proper renovation quote should break down the cost for each element — demolition, waterproofing, tiling, plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, fixtures, and finishes — rather than providing a single lump sum. A lump sum quote hides the margins and makes it impossible to compare apples to apples. When quotes vary significantly, it usually means the contractors are specifying different quality levels for materials. A quote of AED 25,000 for a bathroom renovation that another contractor quotes at AED 40,000 may be using budget tiles and fixtures where the higher quote specifies mid-range products. The only way to compare fairly is to have all three contractors quote against the same specification — the same tile brand and range, the same fixture models, the same scope of work.

Contracts and Payment Terms

Never start a renovation project without a signed contract that specifies the full scope of work with detailed specifications, total cost with an itemised breakdown, payment schedule tied to milestones rather than dates, expected start date and completion date with provisions for delays, warranty period for workmanship, and a process for handling variations. The standard payment structure for renovation projects in Dubai is 30 percent on signing, 30 percent at the midpoint when demolition is complete and new installations are underway, 30 percent on substantial completion, and 10 percent retention held for 30 to 60 days after handover. Never pay more than 30 percent upfront, and never pay the final retention until all snagging items have been addressed to your satisfaction.

Permits and Building Approvals

When You Need a Permit

For cosmetic renovations — replacing tiles, updating fixtures, and changing cabinets without moving any walls or altering the plumbing layout — no permit is generally required, though you should notify your building management. If your renovation involves any structural changes such as removing or adding a wall, relocating plumbing waste lines, changing the electrical distribution board, or altering the bathroom waterproofing, you will need approval from the building management and may require a permit from the relevant authority. In Dubai, this falls under Dubai Municipality or the relevant master developer depending on the community. Your contractor should handle the permit application, but you should verify this is included in their scope and budget — permit fees range from AED 500 to AED 3,000 and the approval process takes one to four weeks.

Building Management Requirements

Most apartment buildings in Dubai require you to submit a renovation plan to the building management before starting work. This includes details of what work will be done, the contractor's trade licence and insurance documents, a timeline for the works, and confirmation that the work will comply with building rules including noise restrictions. Many buildings restrict renovation work to weekdays only and specific hours, typically 9 AM to 5 PM. Violating these rules can result in fines and work stoppages. Some buildings also require a refundable deposit of AED 2,000 to AED 5,000 to cover any damage to common areas during the renovation. Your contractor should be familiar with these requirements and handle the submission on your behalf.

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Timeline Expectations

A realistic timeline for a mid-range kitchen renovation in a Dubai apartment is four to six weeks from demolition to completion. For a full bathroom renovation, three to four weeks per bathroom is standard. If you are renovating both a kitchen and a bathroom simultaneously with the same contractor, expect five to eight weeks total, as some work can overlap. These timelines assume that all materials have been selected and ordered before demolition begins — which is the single most important thing you can do to keep your project on schedule. If you start demolishing your kitchen before the new cabinets are ordered, you will have a gutted, unusable kitchen for the six to ten weeks it takes for custom cabinets to be manufactured and delivered. Order materials first, confirm delivery dates, and only then schedule demolition to begin a few days before the first materials arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renovate my kitchen while living in the apartment?

Yes, most people do, but it requires planning. You will lose access to your kitchen for one to three weeks during the most intensive phase of the renovation. Set up a temporary kitchen area in the living room with a microwave, electric kettle, portable induction hob, and a wash basin. Plan for more takeaway meals than usual. The dust and noise are the bigger inconveniences — renovation generates significant dust even with protective sheeting, and the noise from tiling and drilling can be disruptive. If you have young children or work from home, consider whether a short-term rental or hotel stay for the most intensive week of the project is worth the cost for your sanity.

How long do renovated kitchens and bathrooms last?

A well-executed renovation with good quality materials should last fifteen to twenty years before needing major work again. Quartz countertops are virtually indestructible. Good quality tiles and grout, properly installed, will last decades. The elements that wear first are typically cabinet hinges and drawer runners, which can be replaced individually, and silicone sealant in bathrooms, which should be replaced every three to five years as a maintenance task. Investing in better quality materials and skilled installation pays off over the long term — a budget renovation that needs redoing in seven years ends up costing more than a mid-range renovation that lasts twenty.

What is the biggest mistake people make in kitchen renovation?

Underestimating storage is the most common regret in kitchen renovations. People focus on aesthetics — the countertop material, the tile pattern, the appliance brands — and do not give enough thought to whether the new kitchen actually has enough drawer and cupboard space for their pots, pans, utensils, food items, and small appliances. Before finalising the design, make an inventory of everything you need to store in the kitchen. A good designer will plan the cabinet interiors with pull-out trays, corner carousels, built-in spice racks, and dedicated spaces for each category of item. The second most common mistake is choosing form over function — a beautiful open shelving concept that looks stunning in a photo collects dust within days in a Dubai kitchen.

Do I need to replace the waterproofing in a bathroom renovation?

If you are removing the existing floor tiles, yes — you must redo the waterproofing. The waterproofing membrane sits underneath the tiles, and removing tiles almost always damages it. Even if it appears intact, a fifteen-year-old waterproofing membrane has degraded and cannot be relied upon. The cost of a new waterproofing system for a standard bathroom is AED 1,500 to AED 3,000, which is a fraction of the cost of water damage to the ceiling of the apartment below if the waterproofing fails. Any contractor who tells you that the old waterproofing is fine and you do not need to replace it is cutting corners that could cost you dearly.