August 28, 2026
Apartment Renovation Dubai
WE DO Interior Design & Fit-Out provides complete apartment renovation services in Dubai, including kitchen and bathroom remodeling, flooring, electrical and plumbing works (MEP), and custom joinery for studios, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom apartments. With 11+ years of experience in the construction industry and 250+ completed projects, our team manages renovation work from planning and approvals through construction and handover across areas such as Business Bay, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah.
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Apartment Renovation Dubai Services We Provide
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Ready to plan your Apartment renovation? Contact WE DO for a free site visit and itemized quote.
Why Dubai Apartment Owners Choose WE DO
Plenty of contractors can quote a price. Fewer put it all under one roof, in writing, backed by a track record you can actually check; that's the gap this apartment renovation company in Dubai owners keep running into when they compare quotes.
- ISO 45001:2018, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 9001:2015 certified, formal safety, environmental, and quality management systems, not just a claim
- DED-registered, with 250+ completed projects across residential and commercial categories in Dubai
- Design, approvals, and construction under one contract, no subcontractor handoffs to manage yourself
- Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2026 winner
- Fixed-price, written contracts with staged payments, never full payment upfront
Key Facts
- 11+ years of hands-on industry experience, 250+ completed projects across residential and commercial categories in Dubai
- ISO 45001:2018, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 9001:2015 certified; Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2026 winner
- Completed apartment renovations in Business Bay, Dubai Marina, Dubai Hills, Palm Jumeirah, and Madinat Jumeirah Living
- In-house team handles design, approvals, and construction under one contract, no subcontractor handoffs
- DED-registered interior fit-out contractor
- Comprehensive fit-outs average around AED 80-150 per sq ft, or approximately AED 40,000-300,000+ overall; these are approximate market ranges, not fixed prices
- Based in Jabel Ali Industrial, Dubai, serving communities across the city
Who This Page Is For
- Owners planning a renovation before moving in or re-letting the unit
- Landlords preparing an apartment for new tenants or to raise rental value
- Tenants who want to know what they're allowed to renovate in a rented unit
- Buyers of older or outdated apartments assessing renovation scope before or after purchase
Materials & Finishes We Work With
- Flooring: Large-sized porcelain floor tiles, engineered wood, and SPC (rigid vinyl) floor
- Counters: Quartz and granite for kitchens and bathrooms
- Furniture & joinery: MDF with laminate or acrylic finishes, or wood veneer options depending on the design and specification
- Finishes on walls: Low-VOC paint that is suitable for the climate of Dubai
- Bathroom surfaces: Ceramic and porcelain tiles on a waterproof layer
- Hardware: Soft-close hinges and drawer runners will be installed in every cabinet
Exact brands and finish options are confirmed with you during the design stage, based on your budget and preferences.
Get In Touch With Us
Ready to plan your Apartment renovation? Contact WE DO for a free site visit and itemized quote.
Do You Need Approval to Renovate Your Apartment in Dubai?
Almost every apartment renovation NOC Dubai project needs some form of approval before work starts; the main exception is purely cosmetic work, like repainting in a similar tone. Two approvals typically apply, and they are not the same thing.
Building Management & Municipality Approvals
Your building or community management, Emaar, Nakheel, DAMAC, and others, each run their own process, issuing a No Objection Certificate for renovation work, usually alongside a refundable security deposit. Depending on the scope of work, additional approvals or submissions to the relevant authorities may be required.
Renovating a Rented Apartment
If you are a tenant, you must obtain written consent from the landlord for any renovations along with consent from the building management; otherwise, one alone is not sufficient. Rental agreements may restrict structural alterations, so tenants should review their agreement and obtain written permission before starting work. Therefore, it would be better to look at the agreement first.
What's Included in a Full Apartment Renovation in Dubai
Apartment renovation Dubai-wide is construction-level work, changing what a space is physically made of, not just how it looks. That's different from styling or furniture placement, which doesn't touch walls, floors, or systems. WE DO is the top interior design company in Dubai, scoping every renovation into four categories, priced and scheduled separately, so nothing gets bundled into a vague "full renovation" quote.
Looking for furniture, decor, and styling only, with no construction work? See our apartment interior design service instead.
Kitchen Renovation: Cabinetry, Countertops & Electric Cooking Layouts
Kitchen renovation Dubai includes things like installing new cabinets or refinishing them, improving countertops and backsplashes, appliance arrangement, and repositioning of the sink, cooker, and electrical points when the kitchen layout has to be altered.
Full detail: kitchen renovation in Dubai
Kitchen Refacing vs. Kitchen Replacement
Kitchen remodeling may not always be needed for all kitchens; it all depends on whether the current cabinets are still in good condition.
| Factor | Kitchen Refacing | Kitchen Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| What changes | Doors, drawer fronts, hardware, and countertop | Entire cabinet boxes, layout, and countertop |
| Layout changes | Not possible; sink and appliance positions stay fixed | Possible, full layout redesign |
| Typical timeline | A few days to around 1 week | 2-4 weeks, as part of the wider renovation |
| Best suited to | Cabinet boxes still structurally sound, layout works fine | Water-damaged boxes, or the layout needs to change |
| Relative cost | Lower | Higher |
A site visit tells you which one your kitchen actually needs: refacing a box that's warped from water damage just delays the real fix.
Bathroom Renovation: Waterproofing, Re-Tiling & Fixture Upgrades
Bathroom renovation apartment Dubai projects include total tiling and waterproofing, as well as replacement of sanitaryware and fixtures and modifications like changing a tub into a shower. The waterproofing is checked before the tiling process, which is the most often overlooked process by unlicensed renovators and the most costly one to correct later.
Flooring, Electrical & Plumbing: The Work Behind the Walls
The floor finishes will be installed by laying porcelain floor tiles, engineered hardwood floor, or SPC/Vinyl floor planks. Both electrical and plumbing works will be pre-installed prior to wall installation since it would be much easier and cheaper to move them around.
Built-In Joinery & Custom Wardrobes: Built for Your Layout
Bespoke wardrobes, TV units, and storage walls, measured and built for your required apartment rather than off-the-shelf. Usually the last trade on site, once flooring and paint are done.
Apartment Renovation Cost in Dubai
WE DO's comprehensive apartment renovation cost in Dubai averages around AED 80 to AED 150 per square foot, or approximately AED 40,000 to AED 300,000+ overall, depending on the unit's size, scope of work, and level of customization. These are approximate market ranges based on typical projects, not a fixed price for any specific apartment. As a general guide by unit size:
| Unit Size (approx.) | Approximate Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Studio (~500 sq ft) | around AED 40,000 – 75,000 |
| 1-Bedroom (~800 sq ft) | around AED 65,000 – 120,000 |
| 2-Bedroom (~1,200 sq ft) | around AED 95,000 – 180,000 |
| 3-Bedroom+ (~2,000 sq ft) | around AED 160,000 – 300,000+ |
This table applies your AED 80-150/sq ft rate to typical Dubai unit sizes; the sq ft figures are illustrative, not a confirmed measurement of any specific unit. Make sure you get a solid quote that's put into writing according to the real measurements of your apartment. The degree of customization, the use of imported products, change of layouts, and better joinery make a project fall into the upper price range; simple scopes lie in the lower part of the spectrum.
Registered Fit-Out Company vs. Hiring Separate Tradespeople Yourself
Both types of renovation process operate in Dubai: either through one registered company that handles everything, or by the owner hiring the painter, electrician, and carpenter individually to reduce the cost of markup. Hiring separate trades can sometimes reduce the initial contractor markup, but it also means you are responsible for coordinating schedules, quality and different warranties. This is the core question behind how to choose an apartment renovation company in Dubai owners keep coming back to.
| Factor | Registered Fit-Out Company (WE DO) | Hiring Separate Tradespeople Yourself |
|---|---|---|
| Accountability | One contract, one point of contact | You coordinate and are liable for each trade separately |
| Contract | Written, itemized, fixed-price | Often verbal or informal per tradesperson |
| Payment structure | Staged against milestones | Frequently full or majority payment upfront per trade |
| Approvals & NOC | Handled in-house as part of the project | Usually falls to you to arrange separately |
| Warranty | Workmanship warranty in writing | Rarely offered, and hard to enforce across multiple parties |
| Portfolio verification | Real, named completed projects | Often no verifiable track record |
| Project management | Single schedule, single team | You manage sequencing and scheduling conflicts yourself |
Before you hire anyone, five questions separate a registered company from a risk:
- Do they hold a valid DED trade license? A registered company will show it without hesitation.
- Is payment staged, not upfront? A fair structure ties payment to milestones: site start, mid-project, completion.
- Is there a written, itemized contract? Scope, materials, and price belong on paper.
- Can they show real, completed projects?Renders and mood boards aren't proof of past work.
- What does the warranty cover, and how long does it last? Get the terms in writing.
WE DO answers all five: DED-registered, staged payments, written fixed-price contracts, a real project portfolio across Business Bay, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah, and a workmanship warranty in writing.
Five Mistakes Apartment Owners Make Before Renovating
- Skipping approvals before work starts: Structural, electrical, or plumbing changes without a building management NOC and sometimes Dubai Municipality approval risk fines and can force completed work to be undone.
- Choosing the cheapest quote without checking the basics: A very low quote should prompt you to check exactly what is included, whether the company is properly registered, and whether important work such as waterproofing, MEP, and approvals has been included.
- Paying the full amount upfront: In case of non-performance by a contractor, once he has been paid fully, there is no bargaining power left. Milestone-based payment keeps all things balanced.
- Rushing bathroom or kitchen construction without waterproofing: This is the one step that is usually skipped due to saving time and is the hardest thing to undo after tiling has been done.
- Relying on old floor plan or brochure measurements instead of the actual unit: As-built dimensions can differ from the original brochure; especially in older buildings, cabinetry ordered against the wrong measurements has to be remade.
WE DO's process is built to avoid all five: DED-registered, written fixed-price contracts, staged payments, waterproofing inspected before any tiling, and every measurement confirmed on-site before production starts.
Apartment Renovation Trends in Dubai
A few directions keep showing up across current apartment renovation trends in Dubai, from Business Bay towers to Dubai Marina waterfront units.
Open-Plan Kitchen Conversions
Removing the wall or pass-through from the closed kitchen to the living space is the most common renovation request in Dubai flats, as traditionally the kitchen was constructed as an independent room in such properties.
Walk-In Shower Conversions
The installation of a walk-in shower and glass partition in place of the existing bath-and-shower combination is an ongoing request when renovating bathrooms, particularly those that still have their existing bathtubs installed on take-over.
Smart-Home Wiring at Renovation Stage
These elements of lighting controls, climate controls, and security locking systems are increasingly becoming part of the MEP design process and not additions after the design because installation of additional cables after the wall coverings is considerably expensive.
Warm, Neutral Material Palettes
Beige, warm white and taupe shades with textured wood and stone are the most popular choice at the moment for renovations, as they look good on camera when marketing for sale or rental, and age well compared to something more trendy.
Home Office & Flex Room Conversions
Converting a spare bedroom or underused space into a home office is now a common option for apartment owners working from home.
Built-In Joinery Over Freestanding Furniture
Custom, built-to-the-wall wardrobes and storage are increasingly chosen over freestanding furniture, since they make better use of an apartment's smaller footprint than a villa has to work with.
Contemporary Dubai Apartment Trends Built to Perfection
Our Apartment Renovation Process, From Site Visit to Handover
Every WE DO apartment renovation project follows seven stages, from the initial site inspection through approvals, construction, snagging, and handover. Skipping steps, starting demolition before approvals are confirmed, for example, is the most common cause of delays and disputes in Dubai renovation projects.
Step 1: Site Visit & Consultation – The first step is a site visit where we inspect and measure the apartment and discuss your requirements and budget. This is even more important in the case of older apartments, where we differentiate between what is just cosmetic and what is related to the structure. The visit will be complimentary after you decide to go with WE DO.
Step 2: Design & 3D Preview – Layout, materials, and finishes are finalized and visualized before any work begins, so you're approving a clear picture of the finished apartment, not an abstract description. Changes at this stage are quick and free; changes after materials are ordered aren't.
Step 3: Approvals & NOC – We handle building management documentation and Dubai Municipality submissions where required, on your behalf. This runs in parallel with design finalization rather than waiting for it to finish, since approvals, not construction itself, are the most common source of delay on a Dubai renovation.
Step 4: Demolition & Preparation – The old finishings will be stripped away from the site, and precautions will be taken for dust protection in addition to protecting neighboring units, which is an issue that needs to be considered in apartments and not in villas for the simple reason that sharing walls and corridors is a concern here.
Step 5: MEP & Structural Work – Electrical, plumbing, and any layout changes are done before walls get sealed up. Poorly coordinated electrical or plumbing work can become costly to correct once tiling and cabinetry are installed.
Step 6: Finishes & Joinery – Flooring, painting, tiling, and cabinetry are all fitted. Joinery will always be the last trade on the building site because wardrobes, TV units, and storage items are measured up and fitted after everything else has been done.
Step 7: Final Inspection & Handover – A full snagging walkthrough covers every room before keys go back to you, and your workmanship warranty begins from this date. Any items flagged during snagging are corrected before the project is considered complete, not left as a follow-up.
| Apartment Size | Typical Scope | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | Cosmetic to standard | 3-5 weeks |
| 1-Bedroom | Standard to full | 6-9 weeks |
| 2-Bedroom | Standard to full | 8-12 weeks |
| 3-Bedroom+ | Full renovation | 10-16 weeks |
Projects involving imported materials or custom joinery with long lead times can extend beyond these ranges, confirmed once material selections are locked in. This apartment renovation timeline Dubai guide is a starting point, not a fixed promise.
Cosmetic Renovation vs. Full Renovation: Which Do You Need?
Not every apartment needs a full renovation; sometimes a cosmetic refresh is the right call, and knowing the difference upfront saves both time and budget.
| Factor | Cosmetic Renovation | Full Renovation |
|---|---|---|
| What's involved | Paint, flooring refresh, fixture and lighting swaps | Layout changes, structural work, kitchen & bathroom remodeling, MEP |
| Approvals needed | Usually none | Building management NOC, sometimes Dubai Municipality |
| Typical timeline | 1-3 weeks | 6-16 weeks, depending on size |
| Typical cost | Approximately AED 40,000-75,000 | Approximately AED 150,000-300,000+ |
| Best for | A well-maintained apartment before re-renting or moving in | Outdated units, a layout that no longer works, or post-handover units needing structural upgrades |
Testimonials
"Incredible transformation of my apartment near Dubai Marina by We Do Interior Design & fit-out. Stylish, functional, and exactly as I envisioned. Their staff is very professional and creative. I highly recommend them for anyone seeking the best renovation services in Dubai!"
"Working with WE DO Interior Design & Fitout for our apartment renovation in Palm Jumeirah was an exceptional experience. They exceeded our expectations with their professionalism and aesthetic vision. If you're looking for a trusted team for apartment renovations or interior design services across Dubai, this is the company to rely on."
Visit Us
Get Your Free Apartment Renovation Quote
WE DO Interior Design & Fit-Out
Dubai - X4RG+39W Jabel Ali, Jabel Ali Industrial 1 - Dubai
Phone/WhatsApp: +971588075603 | Email: info@wedointerior.ae
Ready to plan your apartment renovation? Contact WE DO for a free site visit and itemized quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of apartment renovation in Dubai?
The estimated cost of the complete apartment renovation service provided by WE DO varies from about AED 80-150 per square foot, or approximately AED 40,000-AED 300,000+. This price is based on the size of the apartment as well as the complexity of work involved.
Which is the best apartment renovation company in Dubai?
The best company will be DED registered and provide you with a fixed price contract. In addition, it will pay the contractor according to the completion of each stage of work and not ask for total payment before work begins. It will have some actual examples of its completed apartment renovation projects in Dubai.
How long does apartment renovation take in Dubai?
A studio takes 3-5 weeks, 1-bedroom 6-9 weeks, 2-bedroom 8-12 weeks and full renovation including structural changes or custom joinery could take 16 weeks or even more. The delays are usually caused not by construction but by getting approvals.
Do I need approval to renovate my apartment in Dubai?
Yes, in almost every case. Cosmetic work like repainting rarely needs approval, but kitchen and bathroom remodeling, layout changes, and electrical or plumbing work require a building management NOC, and sometimes Dubai Municipality approval too. A registered renovation company handles this documentation for you.
Can I renovate an apartment I'm renting in Dubai?
Without written approval from your landlord, along with building management's approval, you must have both approvals, not one of the two. Even with permission from your landlord, most typical tenancy agreements forbid structural alterations. Make sure you have your landlord's written approval prior to any renovations.
What is the difference between apartment renovation and apartment interior design?
Apartments' renovation is structural construction: remodeling of the kitchen and bathrooms, installation of floors, electricity, plumbing, and layout alterations. Interior design is decorating with furniture and fixtures within the already constructed layout, without altering walls or systems. In many cases, both renovations are needed: you renovate and then design interiors.
Am I allowed to live in the apartment during the renovation process?
Yes, if it's only interior or single room renovation, but if you need a complete renovation including kitchen, bathrooms, or structures, most landlords prefer to move out for the duration of the renovation because of noise, dust, and safety reasons.
How do I know if a renovation contractor in Dubai is trustworthy?
Check for a valid DED trade license, a written itemized contract, staged rather than upfront payment, and verifiable completed projects rather than renders alone. A written workmanship warranty is yet another indication of reliability.
Is it worth renovating my apartment before renting it out in Dubai?
Yes, for the most part, a renovated apartment would be easier to rent out and would command a higher rental price. It is important to prioritize kitchen and bathroom renovation since these elements would matter the most for your future tenant. You should schedule renovation work between tenancies not to interfere with the existing tenant's comfort.
I have an older apartment that has not been renovated since handover, where do I begin?
It is necessary to conduct a site inspection to differentiate structural elements from cosmetic items (wiring, plumbing, waterproofing vs paint and fixtures) because even if everything looks fine, there may be a need to upgrade some elements (electricity and plumbing). This is what we offer in our consultation service and you get a quotation that is based on your particular case.