Most kitchen renovations in Dubai cost AED 30,000 to AED 120,000. A mid-range job — new cabinets, quartz countertop and tiling in the same footprint — runs AED 35,000 to AED 75,000. A cosmetic refresh starts at AED 8,000; moving walls and plumbing pushes past AED 120,000. Cabinetry alone is 30–50% of the total.
⚡ Quick Summary
- Most Dubai kitchen renovations land between AED 30,000 and AED 120,000
- Mid-range, same footprint: AED 35,000–75,000. Cosmetic refresh: AED 8,000–35,000
- Cabinetry alone is 30–50% of total cost; cabinets and countertops together reach 55–65%
- Hidden costs add 15–30% to most original quotes (NOC fees, gas approvals, lift bookings, temporary kitchen setup)
- The #1 scam in Dubai kitchens: "Italian quality" cabinets that aren't actually from Italy — always demand brand names + model numbers in writing
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Dubai by scope and size?
What moves a Dubai kitchen price is scope first and size second, so here are both — separately, because they are two different cuts of the same market and multiplying them together invents prices nobody quotes. This first table is the scope ladder: what you get at each finish level, same footprint unless the row says otherwise.
The second table is the size envelope. Each band spans every finish level at that size, from a cosmetic refresh at the floor to a full remodel at the ceiling — so never read the floor of a size band as a mid-range price.
Cabinetry is what swings the total. Cabinets alone are 30–50% of a Dubai kitchen budget, and cabinets plus countertops together reach 55–65% — which is why two quotes for the identical kitchen can differ by tens of thousands on the cabinet line alone. Modular units run AED 8,000–18,000, semi-custom AED 18,000–40,000, and custom joinery AED 40,000–100,000+.
Every price on this page was re-checked on 23 September 2026 against five independent Dubai renovation sources — Bestimate, Yalla Renovation, Renovate UAE, Fixit Dubai and K Estates — plus published cost breakdowns from First Unicorn Interiors, NAK Interior and Sierra. Where they disagree we publish the band the majority supports, never the average. Figures exclude the 5% VAT a licensed contractor adds.
What should be included in a Dubai kitchen renovation quote?
A complete kitchen renovation quote in Dubai should itemise these line items separately. The single biggest source of overcharging in Dubai kitchens is bundled pricing — one flat number that hides 30%+ markup.
💡 The hidden truth about kitchen quotes
The cheapest total quote is almost never the cheapest kitchen. Contractors compete by hiding 25–40% of the work in "extras" that surface mid-project. The honest contractor quotes higher upfront because they've already accounted for everything. Always ask for an itemised quote before signing — if a contractor refuses or insists on a flat "I'll know once we start" number, walk away. Kitchens are too expensive for ambiguity.
What hidden costs get added to a Dubai kitchen renovation?
Kitchen renovations in Dubai are notorious for "extras" that appear after the work begins. Dubai kitchen extras typically add 15–30% to the original quote. Ask about every one of these upfront.
- Building NOC and approval fees (apartments). AED 500–3,000. Most Dubai apartment buildings require formal renovation approval. Some buildings restrict kitchen demolition to specific weekday hours, adding labour days.
- Gas line modification approval. If your kitchen has a gas hob being moved or upgraded, building management and DEWA approval is needed. Adds AED 500–2,000.
- Appliance disposal. Removing old fridges, dishwashers, and ovens through licensed handlers. Often AED 200–800 per appliance, sometimes hidden in "demolition".
- Waterproofing under stone countertops. Critical for natural stone and often skipped. AED 800–2,000. Without it, countertops stain or crack within 2 years.
- Custom cabinet template fees. If you're going custom, the joiner needs to template your kitchen before production. AED 1,000–3,000, usually deducted from the final cabinet price — but only if you actually order from them.
- Service lift booking fees. Apartment buildings charge AED 200–1,000 per lift booking for material delivery. Custom kitchens require 5–8 deliveries.
- Snagging and final adjustments. Cabinet alignment, drawer slide adjustments, silicone re-application. Cheap contractors charge for these as "extras"; reputable ones include 30 days of snagging in the quote.
- Temporary kitchen setup. Kitchen renovations take 4–10 weeks. You need a backup cooking arrangement (microwave, induction hob, washing dishes in a bathroom). Some homeowners spend AED 3,000–8,000 on takeaway during the project.
⚠️ The biggest mistake Dubai homeowners make
Most homeowners focus on the cabinet style and forget that cabinetry is 30–50% of the entire budget. Picking the wrong cabinet brand or skipping the brand verification step is how 80% of kitchen renovation disputes start. "Italian quality" cabinets that arrive from China six weeks later is the most expensive lesson in Dubai's renovation market.
Red flags: signs you're being overcharged or scammed
Kitchen renovations are the highest-value home service category in Dubai, which means the worst contractor scams concentrate here. Watch for these patterns.
Does a kitchen renovation cost more in a Dubai villa or apartment?
Apartment kitchens are often more expensive per square metre than villa kitchens despite being smaller. Reasons:
- Building NOC and approval fees
- Restricted working hours (typically 9am–5pm, no weekends)
- Service lift coordination and per-delivery charges
- Stricter waterproofing requirements (kitchen leaks damage units below)
- Limited delivery access for large items (countertop slabs, full cabinets)
Villa kitchens usually have lower cost per square metre but higher total cost because of size. Villa kitchen renovations also frequently include:
- Wall removal for open-plan layouts (structural engineer fees: AED 2,000–8,000)
- Dubai Municipality permits for structural changes
- Larger appliance budgets (American-size fridges, double ovens, wine fridges)
- Island installations (AED 15,000–80,000+ standalone cost)
- Outdoor kitchen extensions for villa gardens (additional AED 30,000–150,000)
How long does a kitchen renovation take in Dubai?
For a standard mid-range kitchen renovation, expect 4–8 weeks from demolition to final snagging. Small refreshes can finish in 2–3 weeks. Custom kitchens with imported cabinetry take 8–14 weeks because cabinet lead times alone are 6–10 weeks for European brands.
⚠️ Anything quoted under 3 weeks for a full renovation is either a basic refresh, or a contractor cutting corners on drying times, sequencing, and waterproofing. Wet silicone and incomplete electrical sealing cause the most-reported kitchen problems within the first 12 months of completion.
If you're importing cabinets or specifying custom joinery, factor in an additional 4–8 weeks of lead time before demolition can even start. Plan kitchen renovations 3–4 months before you want them complete.
How do I get a fair kitchen renovation quote in Dubai?
Before signing with any contractor, do this:
✅ Pre-signing checklist
- Get three written, itemised quotes. All three should follow the line-item structure above and include written timelines with milestones.
- Verify the trade license. Ask for the DED license number and confirm it on the Dubai DED website.
- Ask for recent kitchen project photos with addresses or building names. Generic Pinterest photos are not portfolio — real work is.
- Confirm cabinet brands and model numbers in writing. Vague "Italian quality" descriptions are scam territory.
- Lock the payment schedule. Maximum 40% deposit, milestone-based after that.
- Confirm building approval scope. If apartments, the contractor should handle NOC application as part of their service.
- Check the warranty. Minimum 12 months on workmanship for kitchen cabinets and countertops. Manufacturer warranties on appliances are separate.
Skip this entire process and use verified contractors instead. TaskRight matches you with verified renovation companies in Dubai who provide written quotes within fair market range, real warranties, and proper building approvals — every job, every time.
Should I replace or refurbish my existing kitchen cabinets in Dubai?
Refurbish if the carcasses are sound, replace them if they are not. Re-wrapping or repainting existing cabinet doors and changing the handles is a cosmetic refresh at AED 8,000–35,000 in Dubai, while full cabinet replacement puts the job in the mid-range band at AED 35,000–75,000. The deciding test is physical, not financial: open a door and look at the box behind it.
Refurbishing wins when the carcasses are square, the hinges still hold and the layout already works — you get a new-looking kitchen for roughly a quarter of the price. Replacing wins when the boxes are water-damaged at the base, the doors no longer line up, or you want a different layout, because wrapping a failing carcass buys two years and then you pay for the whole job again. A Dubai kitchen that has been leaking under the sink is the most common case where refurbishing is false economy.
Do you need a permit to renovate a kitchen in Dubai?
Pure cosmetic work in a Dubai kitchen — repainting, re-wrapping cabinets, swapping a like-for-like tap, replacing a backsplash — generally needs no government permit. The moment you touch the layout, the plumbing or the electrics you cross into permit territory and also need a DEWA modification NOC. Regardless of scope, almost every Dubai building or community requires a developer or building-management NOC before work starts, typically AED 500–3,000.
Dubai is not one permitting body, and submitting to the wrong authority gets the application rejected outright. This table shows which authority governs which areas.
A good renovation company handles the whole chain for you — building NOC, DEWA and the right authority. If a contractor says “no permit needed” for a job that clearly moves plumbing or walls, walk away: that is how homeowners end up with an unlicensed job, a stop-work order and a lost security deposit. When all three approvals are required, budget 6 to 10 weeks of paperwork in Dubai before demolition starts.
How TaskRight helps
If you'd rather skip the vetting work, TaskRight verifies every renovation contractor in Dubai — trade license, customer reviews, project history, cabinet brand authorisation — so you only see ones worth hiring. AI-matched to your specific kitchen project in under 60 seconds. Zero commission, so you pay contractors directly at fair market rates without platform markup.
You see profiles, ratings, past projects, and credentials before you choose. You decide who enters your home. That's the difference between TaskRight and lead-broker platforms that send your number to whoever pays the most.
👉 Find verified kitchen renovation companies in Dubai →
TaskRight is a verified, zero-commission home services platform in the UAE. Every kitchen contractor we match you with has a verified UAE trade licence, and they pay no commission on the job — so nothing is padded into your quote to cover a platform fee.
Last updated: September 2026
Frequently asked questions
How much does a small kitchen renovation cost in Dubai?
A small apartment kitchen in Dubai of around 6–10 square metres costs AED 15,000–50,000 across every finish level. Within that, a cosmetic refresh runs AED 8,000–35,000 and a mid-range renovation with full cabinet replacement runs AED 35,000–75,000. Cabinetry drives most of that gap.
Is kitchen renovation cheaper in apartments or villas?
Per square metre, villa kitchens are usually cheaper than apartment kitchens because of building approval fees, lift access charges, and restricted working hours in apartments. Total cost is higher in villas because villa kitchens are larger and often involve structural changes like wall removal or island installation.
Do I need building approval for kitchen renovation in Dubai?
Yes for apartments — virtually every Dubai apartment building requires a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for kitchen renovation, especially if plumbing or gas lines are being moved. Fees range from AED 500 to AED 3,000. For villas, structural changes (wall removal, island installation requiring water/gas) typically need Dubai Municipality permits.
How long does a kitchen renovation take in Dubai?
A standard mid-range kitchen renovation takes 4–8 weeks from demolition to snagging. Small refreshes can finish in 2–3 weeks. Custom kitchens with imported European cabinetry take 8–14 weeks total because cabinet lead times alone are 6–10 weeks. Plan 3–4 months ahead if you're going custom.
What's the most expensive part of a kitchen renovation?
Cabinetry is consistently the largest single line item, accounting for 30–50% of total kitchen renovation cost in Dubai. Custom joinery runs AED 40,000–100,000+ on its own. Appliances are typically the second largest cost (15–30% of total) if you're upgrading to premium integrated brands.
Can I save money by buying my own appliances?
Sometimes. Buying directly from authorised dealers can undercut contractor markup, especially on premium brands. However, you lose the contractor's warranty coverage on supply, and any installation issues with self-purchased appliances may not be covered. For mid-range appliances, contractor sourcing is usually the safer bet. For premium brands (Miele, Gaggenau, Sub-Zero), self-sourcing through authorised UAE dealers often makes financial sense.
Should I replace or refurbish my existing kitchen cabinets?
Refurbish the cabinets in your Dubai kitchen when the carcasses are square and undamaged — re-wrapping the doors and changing the handles sits in the AED 8,000–35,000 cosmetic refresh band. Replace them when the boxes are water-damaged, the doors no longer align, or you are changing the layout, which moves the job into the AED 35,000–75,000 mid-range band.
Who pays for kitchen renovation — landlord or tenant in Dubai?
Under standard Dubai tenancy contracts, the landlord is responsible for major kitchen repairs (broken appliances, plumbing failures, structural issues). Tenants generally cannot renovate without written landlord permission, even at their own cost. Some tenancy agreements explicitly prohibit kitchen modifications. Disputes can be filed with the Rental Disputes Centre. Always check your specific contract before commissioning any work.
Related reading:
- Bathroom Renovation Cost in Dubai 2026 - Full Price Guide
- How to Choose a Renovation Company in Dubai - 2026 Hiring Guide
- Red Flag: When Your Renovation Contractor Demands 70% Upfront
- Find verified renovation contractors in Dubai →
- Home Renovation in Dubai: Best Companies, Costs & How to Choose
- Apartment Renovation Cost in Dubai The Honest Price Guide for Flats
- Villa Renovation Cost in Dubai 2026 - Full Price Guide
