We all know Dubai to be a city of culture and architecture. There are skyscrapers to waterfront villas to high-rise luxury apartments everywhere. If you live in Dubai, you might have noticed that there is renovation going on everywhere the entire year. Even your neighbors might be remodeling their kitchen or knocking down walls to create brighter, open space. You might think that it is time for you to get renovation yourself. But there is problem, a home renovation is Dubai is not as simple as you think. It’s not like you call a handyman and start the renovation work. It’s a proper system and today we will be telling you all about it. Here is a home renovation Dubai 2025 guide with costs, permits, and timelines.
Why Renovate in Dubai Right Now?
Properties in Dubai are its strongest suite with the real-estate market growing each year. They homes are upgraded by each buyer for better return on their capital. This makes home renovation not just a strong suit for living comfortable but also to boost the value of your property for better resale or rental value. When your home has a modern kitchen, a fresh new flooring, or that extra bathroom, it will set your property apart in a competitive market.
One other reason that it makes sense to have home renovation in 2025 in Dubai is that lifestyle changes. Families now want much more living space with an open-plan layout or remote workers need home offices. All these and many other shifts are creating a frenzy for the home renovation projects in Dubai for 2025.
Factors You Need To Consider When Getting Home Renovation Dubai 2025
As we have said earlier, there are many things that you need to consider for home renovation in Dubai. There are permissions, NOCs, timelines, exact costs and more. Today we will be telling you in detail about all of these, so you can make a better budget planning for these office renovations.
Step 1: Get Permits & NOCs
Before you get to the renovation with start of pulling of flooring tiles, you are going to need to pass some legal permits. Dubai is quite stitch when it comes to renovation works, there are clear rules for do’s and don’ts. This include getting permissions, approvals, and NOCs from the following authorities.
1.Dubai Municipality (DM)
The first approval for construction work comes from the Dubai Municipality. This institution oversees the permits for renovations and modifications of homes. If you are planning to upgrade the plumbing, change the electrical layouts, or are about to move the walls, you need the DM permit. Only a registered contractor or a consultant can apply for the permit. The waiting period is around 5 to 14 working days. You have to submit the entire drawings, the scope of work, details about the contractor, and the fees.
2.Developer or Community Approval (NOC)
Some of the master-class communities in Dubai, like DAMAC, Nakheel, or Emarr will require you to get an NOC (no objection certificate). This will ensure that your renovation aligns with their community guidelines. The minor renovation works, like flooring or kitchen cabinets, result in a 1 to 2 week NOC, whereas major renovations, like structural changes, get a 3 to 5 week NOC. The developer might also charge a refundable security deposit fee. It will be returned after renovations are approved and an inspection afterwards.
3.DEWA (Dubai Electricity & Water Authority)
Are you planning to upgrade your kitchen with high-tech kitchen utilities, or perhaps you are looking to add more ACs? If either is the case, you will need the DEWA approvals for this additional load capacity. Submission for approval will require you to present technical details for wiring and power distribution.
4.DDA or Trakhees (Jurisdiction Specific)
If you have a home that comes in a free zone or a coastal jurisdiction, you are going to need approvals from DDA (Dubai Development Authority) and Trakhees. DDA is fast to grant approvals, taking only 2 working days with proper documents. Approvals from Trakhees are mostly given for villa projects; it takes around 4 to 6 weeks to get approval.
Step 2: What It Will Cost in 2025
The question that any homeowner, whether of an apartment or a villa, asks about their renovation project. The answer is, ‘’It Depends’’. The renovation costs in Dubai are calculated by per square foot, but the cost can increase with finishes, materials, and the design changes you need.
The benchmark for the renovation cost in 2025 for an apartment or villa is almost the same.
(i) If you are looking to get a cosmetic refresh for your property like with light painting, changing lights, polishing floors, or simple carpentry work, it will cost about AED 50 to AED 150/ sq. ft. This is mostly carried out by landlords who are looking to refresh their place before renting it out.
(ii) A mid-range home renovation can cost in the range of AED 100 to AED 300/ sq. ft. This includes new flooring, kitchen upgrade, bathroom makeover, getting built-in wardrobes, and some minor layout changes. This is mostly done for villas of large families or modern apartment owners.
(iii) Lastly is the full-package home renovation for both villas and apartments. These start from AED 200 to AED 400/ sq. ft. and upwards. These will include major structural changes, rewiring, new plumbing systems, HVAC zoning, and custom carpentry works.
These are just the initial price estimates that include the normal-grade materials and labor costs. This budget doesn’t include the cost for the imported items or any luxury finishes like marble or Smart Home systems. Anything custom for home renovation in Dubai can add significantly to the overall budget.
Step 3: Know Clear Timelines
Like everything else about Home renovation in Dubai, people are going to underestimate the time it takes for the project. A Typical home renovation project is a 6-step job with each one having its own separate timeline.
- First is the concept and planning for the renovation, including site surveys, contractor consultation, and early budgeting. The time it takes for this stage is about 1 to 3 weeks.
- The second stage is designing and drawing for floor plans, 3D modelling, MEP layouts, and material selections. All this can take another 2 to 6 weeks.
- With the initial setup defined, the stage for approvals and NOCs comes. With all the relevant authorities included, it can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks easily.
- Material procurement is another major time consumer in home renovation projects. Getting tiles, cabinetry, fixtures, and appliances, all this can take 1 to 4 weeks, given there are no supply chain delays.
- With everything else sorted, it’s time for the renovation work. A simple renovation work takes around 2 to 4 weeks, a mid-range renovation takes 4 to 10 weeks, and a full-scale one takes 3 to 6 months.
- The last stage of the renovation project is all about final inspection and handover. We are talking about inspections from the developer, closing of the NOC, and the release of security deposits. This usually takes only about 1 to 2 weeks.
Step 4: Avoid The Common Pitfalls
Despite the fact that you are an experienced homeowner, you can still make mistakes with the complex system in Dubai. There are some major pitfalls that every homeowner must avoid.
- Always get you NOC, especially in case of high-end communities like Nakheel and Emaar. They will stop the work midway.
- Never make the mistake of getting home renovations from an unregistered contractor. Dubai authorities only allow licensed companies to submit approvals.
- You must never forget to get approval for DEWA, in fact, you need the approval for the electrical load upgrades before you start the work.
- Always submit proper and complete documentation for approvals. A missing drawing or unclear project guideline can result in weeks on delay.
Final Word
When you are about to get home renovation in Dubai, you might feel like it’s a maze of permits, approvals, and fees. Yes, it is true to some extent but when you get the right planning done, all of this is manageable. The key here is to plan early, hire a register renovation company, plan budget realistically, and expect the delays. Everything done right, a home renovation can change the look, feel, and the value of your property in Dubai.
