Turnkey renovation

Turnkey renovation in the UAE: costs, permits and timing

Updated 31 October 2026

A turnkey renovation in the UAE costs about AED 300 to AED 600 per sq ft for a light refresh and AED 600 to AED 900 per sq ft for a medium project, while a small villa refresh starts from about AED 100,000. Send your floor area and scope in a BlaBlaPrice request to receive offers for your own property.

Permits, deposits and building rules

Renovation inside a community or a building usually needs a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the developer or the community. These cost about AED 2,000 to AED 5,000 plus a refundable security deposit of AED 5,000 to AED 20,000. Dubai Municipality or Trakhees permits are also part of the process. A contractor's construction licence on the Dubai mainland is quoted at AED 28,000 to AED 35,000 in the first year, and buildings set rules for working hours, lift use, noise and waste.

When to schedule the work

Summer runs from May to September with very high temperatures, so heavy external work and sealing paints are best planned for the mild season from November to March. Air-conditioning and water lines are often better finished before the hottest months. Ask the contractor for a timeline that sets the start and finish dates in writing.

How the price is built here

Some offers quote per square foot and others per square metre, so ask for the area in both units before you compare them. Luxury finishes raise the price fast, and one high-end estimate says it can exceed AED 700 per square foot. Work is done across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and Al Ain, and each emirate sets its own approvals, so ask the contractor which authority applies to your property.

What to write in your request

List the site address, the floor area in square metres, the type of renovation (cosmetic, mid-range or full), the materials you prefer, whether you need design planning, and your deadline and budget. Add whether the property is a villa or an apartment, and whether you want the contractor to handle the approvals.

Describe the property, the rooms and your budget in your own words in a BlaBlaPrice chat, and add a photo of the space if it helps. Free for buyers. The AI asks for missing details such as area and approvals, then looks through contractors' websites and price lists in the UAE and shows the prices and businesses it finds. Registered sellers reply in the chat with their price, timeline and terms, and your contact details stay hidden until you choose to exchange them. See design and planning or finishing work, or create a request.