Short answer
Indicatively, a renovation in Dubai costs AED 60–110 per sq ft for a cosmetic refresh of an apartment, AED 150–275 for a full apartment renovation and AED 180–325 for a full villa renovation. Premium turnkey projects run from AED 300 to AED 700 per sq ft. The final price depends on the scope, the materials and the approvals your building or community requires.
- Cosmetic work (paint, floors, fixtures) is the cheapest; moving walls, wiring and plumbing roughly doubles the rate.
- A full renovation of a 1,200 sq ft apartment typically comes to about AED 180,000–330,000.
- Furniture, appliances, VAT and authority or community fees are usually priced separately.
- A fixed price in the contract, agreed after a site visit, protects you from the budget growing during the works.
Prices per square foot
Renovation in Dubai is priced per square foot of the area being renovated. These are the ranges we use for first estimates in 2026. They match our online calculator and are in line with ranges published by Dubai property portals and developers for the same year.
| Property | Cosmetic | Full renovation | Premium turnkey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment | AED 60–110 / sq ft | AED 150–275 / sq ft | AED 300–550 / sq ft |
| Villa or townhouse | AED 70–120 / sq ft | AED 180–325 / sq ft | AED 350–700 / sq ft |
| Office or commercial space | AED 90–160 / sq ft | AED 280–550 / sq ft | AED 600–1,100 / sq ft |
Interior design is priced separately: about AED 15–30 per sq ft for a concept, AED 35–70 for a full design project and AED 60–110 including author's supervision on site.
What each level includes
- Cosmetic: painting, new flooring over a sound base, new doors, light fittings, sanitaryware and kitchen fronts. No changes to walls, wiring or pipework.
- Full renovation: everything above plus a new layout, new wiring and plumbing, waterproofing in wet areas, false ceilings, new kitchen and bathrooms, and custom joinery.
- Premium turnkey: a design project, natural stone, large-format porcelain, made-to-measure furniture, smart lighting and climate control, and finishing details such as concealed doors and shadow gaps.
Worked examples
To turn a rate into a budget, multiply it by the area. Here are typical totals for common Dubai homes, before furniture and VAT.
| Home | Area | Scope | Indicative budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom apartment | 750 sq ft | Cosmetic refresh | AED 45,000–83,000 |
| Two-bedroom apartment | 1,200 sq ft | Full renovation | AED 180,000–330,000 |
| Three-bedroom townhouse | 2,500 sq ft | Full renovation | AED 450,000–813,000 |
| Five-bedroom villa | 5,000 sq ft | Premium turnkey | AED 1,750,000–3,500,000 |
What makes the price go up or down
- Condition of the property: a new handover needs finishing only; an older home may need stripping out, levelling and new utilities.
- Wet areas: kitchens and bathrooms are the most expensive square feet because of waterproofing, plumbing and tiling.
- Materials: large-format porcelain, natural stone and veneer cost several times more than standard tiles and paint.
- Custom joinery: wardrobes, kitchens and wall panels made to measure are a large share of a premium budget.
- Approvals: some communities and buildings require drawings, deposits and inspections, which add time and fees.
- Access and working hours: high-rise towers limit lift use and noisy work, which stretches the schedule.
How long it takes
Time on site depends on the level of work and the size of the home. Approvals and design come before the start date.
| Scope | Up to 1,000 sq ft | 1,000–3,000 sq ft | Over 3,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic | 3–5 weeks | 5–8 weeks | 8–12 weeks |
| Full renovation | 8–12 weeks | 12–18 weeks | 18–26 weeks |
| Premium turnkey | 12–16 weeks | 16–24 weeks | 24–36 weeks |
What is usually not in the estimate
- Loose furniture, curtains, decor and appliances, unless you ask us to supply them.
- VAT at 5%.
- Authority, developer and building management fees and refundable deposits.
- Changes to the agreed scope after the contract is signed.
At Elite Level the site visit, measurements and the detailed estimate are free, and the price and timeline are fixed in the contract.
Questions and answers
What is the average cost per square foot for renovation in Dubai?
For a full renovation, about AED 150–275 per sq ft for an apartment and AED 180–325 for a villa. Cosmetic work starts from about AED 60–70 per sq ft; premium projects go up to AED 550–700 per sq ft.
How much does it cost to renovate a villa in Dubai?
A full renovation of a 3,000 sq ft villa typically comes to AED 540,000–975,000. A cosmetic refresh of the same villa costs about AED 210,000–360,000, and a premium turnkey project AED 1,050,000–2,100,000.
Is it cheaper to renovate an apartment than a villa?
Per square foot, slightly: villas usually have more wet areas, outdoor spaces and technical systems. In total, an apartment costs much less because the area is smaller.
Can the price change during the works?
With a fixed-price contract it should not. The price can only change if you change the scope or the materials after signing, and that should be agreed in writing.
Sources
- Elite Level renovation cost calculator
- Property Finder: Renovation costs in Dubai (2026)
- Binghatti: Apartment renovation cost in Dubai (2026)
- Driven Properties: Dubai villa renovation cost and ROI (2026)
Fees, rules and timelines change; check the current requirements with your developer, building management and the relevant authority before you start.
