Turnkey construction

Turnkey construction in the United Arab Emirates

Updated 31 October 2026

A turnkey villa in the United Arab Emirates costs about AED 1,200 to AED 1,800 per square foot for a standard finish, and AED 1,800 to AED 2,500 for a premium one. Quotes are usually per square foot, and one square metre is about 10.8 square feet, so convert your floor area before you compare. Get current quotes on BlaBlaPrice with your building type and floor area.

Licences and contractor checks

A contractor needs a licence for building work. A construction licence on Dubai mainland typically costs AED 28,000 to AED 35,000 in the first year, according to a 2026 guide, and a building contracting licence fee on the Abu Dhabi mainland starts from AED 1,000. Ask the contractor for the licence number and the classification it holds before you sign, and check that the contract covers design, procurement, construction and handover, as a turnkey contract does.

Season and when to build

Summers are very hot from May to September, so outdoor concrete, roofing and rendering are easier to plan for the mild winter from November to March. Ask the contractor to show which stages fall in the summer months, and allow for the heat in the timetable.

What the price depends on

Turnkey pricing depends on the building type, the gross floor area, the specification grade, the location and the contract structure, so give the same details to each contractor. Also state the wall material, the plot, the utilities and the deadline. A turnkey fit-out and a design-and-build contract differ in who carries the risk if the design changes, so ask who pays for changes before you agree a price.

To compare contractors in one place, write your request on BlaBlaPrice in your own words, with plans or a photo if you have them. The AI asks for the missing details such as the plot, floor area and budget, looks through sellers' websites and price lists in the UAE, and shows the prices and businesses it found. Contractors registered on BlaBlaPrice reply in the chat with their price, terms and timing, and your contacts stay hidden until you choose to share them. For design first, see design and planning.