The kitchen is typically the most expensive room to renovate per square metre in any Dubai apartment or villa. It concentrates more trades, joinery, plumbing, electrical, tiling, and fitting, in a small area than any other space. A bathroom comes close, but kitchens tend to be larger and involve more expensive custom components.
This guide breaks down kitchen renovation costs in Dubai by individual component, cabinet finish type, and overall kitchen size. It also covers what questions to ask contractors, what is typically included or excluded in kitchen renovation quotes, and how to plan a realistic budget.
Quick Cost Summary: Dubai Kitchen Renovation 2026
Basic Refresh
AED 25,000–45,000
small kitchen, PVC cabinets
Full Renovation
AED 70,000–130,000
medium kitchen, lacquer + quartz
Premium / Luxury
AED 180,000–350,000+
large kitchen, marble + Italian cabinets
Kitchen Renovation Cost by Component
Understanding each component helps you decide where to invest and where to economise. Cabinets and countertops typically account for 60–75% of the total kitchen renovation budget.
Custom Kitchen Cabinets
Basic
AED 8,000 – 18,000
Mid-Range
AED 18,000 – 40,000
Premium
AED 40,000 – 100,000+
The single largest cost in any kitchen renovation. PVC-coated MDF is the entry level; lacquered MDF is mid-range; solid wood or Italian lacquer is premium. Cabinet count, linear meterage, and hardware brand all affect price significantly.
Countertops
Basic
AED 3,000 – 8,000
Mid-Range
AED 8,000 – 20,000
Premium
AED 20,000 – 60,000+
Quartz (engineered stone) is the most popular mid-range choice in Dubai: durable, heat-resistant, and available in many colours. Natural marble countertops push costs higher but are increasingly popular in Dubai luxury kitchens. Porcelain slabs are a good mid-to-premium option.
Tiling (Floor & Splashback)
Basic
AED 2,500 – 6,000
Mid-Range
AED 6,000 – 14,000
Premium
AED 14,000 – 35,000+
Porcelain floor tiles are the standard. Large-format tiles (60×60 or 80×80) cost more in both material and labour. A full-height marble splashback in a large kitchen can easily cost AED 15,000+ on its own.
Plumbing & Electrical
Basic
AED 2,000 – 5,000
Mid-Range
AED 5,000 – 12,000
Premium
AED 12,000 – 25,000+
If the layout is not changing, plumbing costs are modest: reconnecting a sink and dishwasher. Relocating the sink, adding an island with plumbing, or rewiring for additional appliances adds significantly. Underfloor heating is a premium addition.
Appliances
Basic
AED 5,000 – 15,000
Mid-Range
AED 15,000 – 40,000
Premium
AED 40,000 – 120,000+
Not always included in renovation quotes, so clarify upfront. Mid-range includes brands like Bosch, Siemens, and Electrolux. Premium covers Miele, Gaggenau, Sub-Zero, and integrated/concealed appliance solutions.
Demolition & Preparation
Basic
AED 1,500 – 4,000
Mid-Range
AED 4,000 – 8,000
Premium
AED 8,000 – 15,000
Stripping out old cabinets, tiles, and surfaces. Structural changes, such as removing a wall to open a kitchen to a living area, add significantly and may require building permits.
Painting & Finishing
Basic
AED 800 – 2,000
Mid-Range
AED 2,000 – 5,000
Premium
AED 5,000 – 12,000
Ceiling, walls, and touch-ups. Premium finishes include limewash, textured plaster, or designer paint finishes.
Total Cost by Kitchen Size
These figures cover a complete kitchen renovation including cabinets, countertops, tiling, plumbing, and electrical. Appliances are excluded unless noted.
| Kitchen Size | Basic | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small kitchen (5–8 sqm) | AED 25,000 – 45,000 | AED 45,000 – 85,000 | AED 85,000 – 160,000+ |
| Medium kitchen (8–14 sqm) | AED 40,000 – 70,000 | AED 70,000 – 130,000 | AED 130,000 – 250,000+ |
| Large kitchen (14–20 sqm) | AED 60,000 – 100,000 | AED 100,000 – 180,000 | AED 180,000 – 350,000+ |
| Open-plan with island (20+ sqm) | AED 90,000 – 150,000 | AED 150,000 – 280,000 | AED 280,000 – 550,000+ |
Estimates based on Dubai market rates for 2026. Excludes appliances. Contact Renovel for a project-specific quote.
Full AED Cost Breakdown: Size × Finish Tier
This is the table most people are looking for. It maps every kitchen size against four finish tiers, budget, mid, premium, and luxury, so you can find your likely total at a glance. The linear-metre figure is the approximate run of cabinetry each size carries, which is what drives the quote.
| Kitchen Size | Cabinetry Run | Budget | Mid | Premium | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small galley (5–8 sqm) | 4–6 linear m | AED 22,000–38,000 | AED 40,000–75,000 | AED 80,000–140,000 | AED 140,000–220,000+ |
| Standard L or U (8–14 sqm) | 6–9 linear m | AED 38,000–65,000 | AED 70,000–120,000 | AED 130,000–230,000 | AED 240,000–380,000+ |
| Large / island (14–20+ sqm) | 9–14 linear m | AED 60,000–100,000 | AED 110,000–190,000 | AED 200,000–360,000 | AED 380,000–650,000+ |
What separates the tiers is almost entirely the cabinetry rate per linear metre and the countertop rate per sqm. The table below shows the rates behind each tier so you can see where your budget lands.
| Tier | Cabinetry / linear m | Worktop / sqm | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | AED 700–1,000 / linear m | AED 150–350 / sqm | Melamine/PVC cabinets, engineered quartz offcuts, local granite, flat-pack carcasses. |
| Mid | AED 1,000–1,800 / linear m | AED 350–650 / sqm | Matt-lacquer MDF, soft-close hardware, full-slab quartz, porcelain floor. |
| Premium | AED 1,800–3,000 / linear m | AED 650–1,100 / sqm | Solid wood or imported carcasses, Italian marble or Dekton, integrated appliances. |
| Luxury | AED 3,000–6,500 / linear m | AED 1,100–2,500 / sqm | German/Italian handleless systems (SieMatic, Poliform), bookmatched marble, concealed appliances. |
Rates reflect Dubai market pricing for 2026, supplied and installed. Excludes appliances unless stated.
Cabinet Finish Guide: What to Choose for Dubai
Cabinets are the biggest variable in any kitchen renovation budget. The finish you choose affects both cost and how the kitchen will look and perform long-term. Dubai's climate, with high humidity in summer and strong air conditioning, affects how different finishes age.
| Finish | Approx. Cost | Durability | Look |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVC-coated MDF | AED 450–700 / linear m | Good | Clean, functional |
| Melamine / Laminate | AED 500–900 / linear m | Good | Wide range of colours and textures |
| Lacquered MDF (matt) | AED 900–1,600 / linear m | Very good | Smooth, premium, most popular in Dubai |
| Lacquered MDF (gloss) | AED 1,000–1,800 / linear m | Very good | High-gloss, contemporary |
| Solid wood | AED 1,800–3,500 / linear m | Excellent | Natural, warm, timeless |
| Italian lacquer | AED 2,500–5,000+ / linear m | Excellent | Ultra-premium, designer kitchen look |
Countertop Cost Guide: Quartz vs Granite vs Marble vs Porcelain
After cabinetry, the worktop is the second biggest spend and the choice most people agonise over. Prices below are AED per sqm supplied and installed. Note that fabrication (cutting, edging, sink cut-outs) adds a further AED 120–250 per linear metre on top of the slab rate, and cutting plus transport can add 20–40% beyond the raw material cost.
| Material | Cost / sqm | Heat | Upkeep | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineered quartz | AED 350–850 / sqm | Good | Very low | The default choice in Dubai. Non-porous, no sealing, huge colour range (Caesarstone, Silestone, local brands). |
| Granite | AED 180–500 / sqm | Excellent | Low | Best heat resistance of any worktop. Local and imported slabs widely stocked. Needs occasional sealing. |
| Natural marble | AED 250–900+ / sqm | Good | High | Luxury look but porous: stains and etches from acids (lemon, wine). Needs sealing. Italian Calacatta sits at the top. |
| Porcelain slab | AED 400–1,100 / sqm | Excellent | Very low | Ultra-thin, UV-stable, scratch and heat resistant. Dekton and Neolith are the premium names, ideal for islands. |
Marble and granite pricing per Dubai stone-supplier rates 2026; quartz and porcelain per current Dubai fit-out quotes.
Component-by-Component Cost Drivers
Beyond cabinets and worktops, these are the line items that decide whether a quote lands at the bottom or top of its tier. Every figure is supplied and installed at Dubai 2026 rates.
| Item | Cost Range | What moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinetry (per linear metre) | AED 700–6,500 / linear m | Largest single line. Flat-pack imported from AED 800; custom in-house joinery AED 1,800–3,500; German/Italian systems AED 3,000+. |
| Countertop fabrication | AED 120–250 / linear m | Cutting, edging and templating charged on top of the slab material rate. Sink cut-outs and mitred edges add cost. |
| Sink & mixer tap | AED 800–6,000 | Local stainless from AED 800; Franke/Blanco undermount plus a quality pull-out mixer AED 2,500–6,000. |
| Backsplash | AED 1,500–12,000 | Ceramic subway tile at the low end; full-height stone or slab-matched splashback at the top. |
| Flooring (porcelain) | AED 80–150 / sqm | Installed. Large-format 60×60 or 80×80 tiles cost more in material and labour; natural stone AED 200–400 / sqm. |
| Appliances (set) | AED 8,000–80,000+ | Bosch/Siemens set AED 15,000–25,000; Miele/Gaggenau AED 40,000–80,000. Often excluded from renovation quotes. |
| Electrical moves | AED 2,000–8,000 | New points, hob circuit, under-cabinet lighting. Relocating points beyond the existing layout pushes the top of the range. |
| Plumbing moves | AED 3,000–15,000 | Reconnecting a sink is modest; relocating the sink or plumbing an island runs AED 5,000–15,000. |
| Gas connection change | AED 3,000–8,000 | Moving or adding a gas point needs a certified contractor and building/DM approval before work starts. |
| Demolition & disposal | AED 1,500–8,000 | Strip-out of old units, tiles and worktops plus skip and municipality disposal fees. |
Cost Drivers Unique to Dubai
Two kitchens of identical size can differ by AED 100,000 in Dubai, and the reasons are usually local. These are the factors that do not show up in a generic online calculator:
- Imported vs local cabinetry. A local custom kitchen runs AED 1,000–1,800 per linear metre. Imported German and Italian systems (SieMatic, Poliform, Boffi) add 5% customs duty, international freight, currency exposure, and 8–12 week lead times, pushing them to AED 3,000–6,500+ per linear metre. The build quality gap is smaller than the price gap, so imported is a design and brand decision, not a durability one.
- Chilled water and district cooling. Many Dubai towers run on district cooling (Empower, Emirates Central Cooling) rather than individual AC. You cannot freely relocate FCU or chilled-water lines that cross a kitchen ceiling, and any move usually needs the FM and the cooling provider to sign off, which adds time and cost to open-plan layouts.
- Building NOC for plumbing and gas. Apartment towers restrict wet-area and gas changes tightly. Moving a sink, adding an island with plumbing, or relocating a gas point all trigger a building NOC plus a Dubai Municipality permit, and gas work must be done by a certified contractor. Budget AED 3,000–8,000 and one to three weeks of lead time for a gas change alone.
- Slab structural limits. Many apartments sit on post-tension slabs where you cannot core-drill freely for new drainage falls. This can force a raised floor plinth for an island sink, adding cost that a villa on a conventional slab would not incur.
- Working-hours and access rules. Most Dubai FMs restrict renovation hours (typically 8am to 6pm, no weekends or Ramadan afternoons), require material movement through service lifts only, and hold a refundable deposit. These rules stretch timelines and, indirectly, labour cost.
Realistic Timeline and the NOC / Permit Process
A standard Dubai kitchen renovation with no structural change runs 4 to 6 weeks on site, with the custom cabinetry built off-site in parallel. The single most common cause of delay is the approval stage, so start it early. Here is a realistic phase-by-phase timeline.
| Phase | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NOC & permit approval | 1–3 weeks | Runs before site work. Building FM NOC plus Dubai Municipality permit for any MEP or wet-area change. |
| Demolition & strip-out | 2–4 days | Old cabinets, worktops, tiles and flooring removed and disposed. |
| First-fix plumbing & electrical | 3–6 days | Moving points, running the hob circuit, rough-in for the sink and appliances. |
| Tiling & flooring | 4–7 days | Floor tiles and any wall tiling, then curing time before fitting. |
| Cabinet manufacture (concurrent) | 3–5 weeks | Custom joinery is built off-site while the room is prepared, so it overlaps the earlier phases. |
| Cabinet & appliance install | 3–5 days | Carcasses, doors, and appliances fitted and levelled. |
| Countertop template & fit | 5–10 days | Templated after cabinets are in, then fabricated and installed. Backsplash follows. |
| Snagging & handover | 2–4 days | Final electrical connection, sealing, and defect sign-off. |
The approval process for a Dubai apartment kitchen typically works like this:
- Landlord NOC (tenants only). If you rent, you need a written NOC from the landlord before anything else. Owners skip this step.
- Building FM NOC. Apply to your facilities management company with the contractor's trade licence, insurance, method statement, and drawings. The FM issues the NOC and usually holds a refundable security deposit.
- Dubai Municipality or free-zone permit. Required whenever you move electrical, plumbing, or gas points, change anything inside the wet area, or remove a wall. The fee is roughly AED 500–1,000 and approval takes about 5–10 working days. Free-zone communities (Trakhees, DDA) and master developers such as Emaar run their own equivalent process.
- Certified trades for gas and MEP. Gas and MEP changes must be carried out by licensed contractors. Using an unlicensed contractor for permit-linked work exposes the owner to fines from AED 5,000, stop-work orders, and in serious cases forced removal of the work.
A cosmetic refresh that only swaps cabinet doors, worktops, and tiles inside the existing layout usually needs the FM NOC but no municipality permit. The moment plumbing, gas, or walls move, budget for the full permit path and the extra one to three weeks it adds.
💡 Cheapest Option: Cabinet & Countertop Wrapping
If your existing cabinet carcasses are in good condition, vinyl wrapping is the most budget-friendly way to refresh a kitchen without replacing anything. New vinyl wrap is applied directly over the existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts, and optionally over countertops, giving a completely new look at a fraction of the cost of full replacement.
Wrapping is available in hundreds of finishes including wood grain, solid matt colours, marble effect, and gloss. It is durable, easy to clean, and holds up well in Dubai's climate.
Wrap everything (cabinets + countertops)
from AED 5,000
full kitchen refresh, no replacement needed
vs full cabinet replacement
AED 18,000–40,000+
same result, far higher cost
Best for: Kitchens where the layout and structure is fine but the look is outdated. Renters who cannot do structural work. Landlords refreshing between tenancies.
Not suitable for: Damaged or swollen carcasses, kitchens where the layout needs to change, or where countertop height/material needs structural change.
What to Ask Your Kitchen Renovation Contractor
Getting multiple quotes is standard, but make sure you are comparing like for like. Ask every contractor these questions before accepting a quote:
- Are appliances included? Always confirm. Many quotes exclude them even if the contractor will install them.
- What cabinet finish is the price based on? PVC and lacquered MDF are very different in cost and quality.
- What countertop material is included? Quartz, porcelain, or marble, each has a wide price range.
- Is tiling included? Floor, splashback, and walls are sometimes split across different line items.
- What warranty do you provide? Reputable companies offer at least 1–2 years on workmanship and cabinetry.
- What is the payment schedule? Avoid contractors requiring 100% upfront. Standard is 30–40% on signing, balance on completion stages.
- Is the work permit handled by you? For structural changes, confirm who is responsible for permits.
Get a Fixed-Price Kitchen Renovation Quote
Renovel provides detailed, itemised kitchen renovation quotes across Dubai and all UAE emirates. Site visit and consultation are free.
Related Renovation Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Dubai?
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A full kitchen renovation in Dubai typically costs AED 45,000 – 130,000 for a mid-range finish on an 8–14 sqm kitchen. Small kitchens with basic finishes can be renovated for AED 25,000 – 45,000. Large open-plan kitchens with premium finishes and high-end appliances can reach AED 300,000+.
Does kitchen renovation include appliances in Dubai?
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Not always, so always confirm with your contractor. Many kitchen renovation quotes cover cabinetry, countertops, tiling, plumbing, and electrical work but exclude appliances. Appliances are sometimes supplied by the homeowner separately. At Renovel we can include or exclude appliances depending on your preference.
How long does a kitchen renovation take in Dubai?
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A standard kitchen renovation (no structural changes) typically takes 3–5 weeks from start to completion. This includes demolition, plumbing and electrical, tiling, cabinet installation, countertop fabrication and fitting, and final finishing. Custom cabinetry has a manufacturing lead time of 3–4 weeks that runs concurrently with site preparation work.
Can I stay in my apartment during a kitchen renovation in Dubai?
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Yes, in most cases. Kitchen renovation work is noisy and dusty for the first 1–2 weeks (demolition, tiling), but the rest of the apartment remains habitable. We recommend arranging an alternative cooking solution for the duration and discussing access and working hours with the team upfront.
What is the most popular kitchen style in Dubai?
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Contemporary handleless kitchens with matt lacquer cabinets, quartz countertops, and large-format porcelain flooring are the most popular choice across Dubai apartments and villas in 2026. Open-plan kitchen designs that merge the kitchen with the living or dining area are increasingly common in new builds and renovation projects.
Do I need a permit for kitchen renovation in Dubai?
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Cosmetic kitchen renovations (replacing cabinets, countertops, and tiles without changing the layout) typically do not require permits. Any work that moves plumbing, electrical, or gas points, changes anything inside the wet area, or removes a wall needs a No-Objection Certificate from your building FM and a Dubai Municipality permit. Your renovation contractor should advise on and handle the approvals. Using an unlicensed contractor for permit-linked work exposes the owner to fines from AED 5,000 and stop-work orders.
How much does kitchen cabinetry cost per linear metre in Dubai?
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In 2026, budget melamine and PVC cabinets run about AED 700–1,000 per linear metre. Custom in-house joinery with soft-close hardware and handleless profiles costs AED 1,800–3,500 per linear metre. Imported German or Italian systems start around AED 3,000 and reach AED 6,500+ per linear metre. Cabinetry is usually 60–75% of the total kitchen budget, so the linear-metre rate drives the whole quote.
What is the best countertop material for a Dubai kitchen and what does it cost?
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Engineered quartz (AED 350–850 per sqm supplied and installed) is the most popular choice: non-porous, no sealing, and heat-tolerant. Granite (AED 180–500 per sqm) has the best heat resistance and suits heavy cooks. Natural marble (AED 250–900+ per sqm) gives the luxury look but is porous and needs sealing. Porcelain slabs such as Dekton (AED 400–1,100 per sqm) are the premium, near-indestructible option for islands.
Why are imported kitchens so much more expensive in Dubai?
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A locally manufactured kitchen avoids import duty, international freight, and long lead times, so a good local custom kitchen can be built for AED 1,000–1,800 per linear metre. Imported German and Italian systems (SieMatic, Poliform, Boffi) carry shipping, 5% customs duty, currency exposure, and 8–12 week lead times, which pushes them to AED 3,000–6,500+ per linear metre. For most Dubai apartments a well-made local kitchen matches imported quality at a fraction of the cost.