According to the 2026 villa cost guide from LC Interiors, villa renovation cost in Dubai runs from AED 400,000 for a mid-range full renovation of a 5-bedroom villa to past AED 1.5 million for a luxury fit-out. The kitchen, the bathrooms and custom joinery drive the spread. Quotes go wrong when they skip waterproofing, prep work or permits.
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What does a villa renovation cost in Dubai in 2026?
LC Interiors’ 2026 villa cost guide prices work per square foot, from AED 250 for a cosmetic refresh to AED 1,200 for a high-end fit-out with custom joinery and imported materials.
For a standard 5-bedroom villa of roughly 5,000 square feet, the guide puts a mid-range full renovation between AED 400,000 and AED 800,000. Bespoke carpentry, marble surfaces and designer lighting push a luxury fit-out past AED 1.5 million.
That explains why one contractor says AED 150,000 and another says AED 600,000 for the same villa. Both can be right, because “renovation” stretches from repainting to demolition, structural changes and MEP rework.
The guide says these figures align with pricing for the studio’s interior design and project management services, where full project management covers every phase from concept to handover.
Room-by-room villa renovation cost
The room-by-room villa renovation cost guide prices the kitchen as the most expensive single room, at AED 60,000 to AED 250,000, with cabinets dominating the budget.
Custom kitchen joinery with soft-close hardware and imported veneers starts at AED 120,000. Countertops add AED 8,000 for granite up to AED 45,000 for Calacatta marble.
Bathrooms run AED 25,000 to AED 80,000 each. The guide budgets AED 4,000 to AED 8,000 for waterproofing with a 10-year warranty and calls it non-negotiable, because a failure means ripping out the bathroom 18 months later.
Living areas come to AED 30,000 to AED 150,000, and bedrooms to AED 15,000 to AED 60,000 each. Built-in wardrobes account for AED 8,000 to AED 25,000 of a bedroom.
The majlis and dining area sits at AED 20,000 to AED 100,000. A full majlis with built-in seating, gypsum partitioning and decorative lighting typically lands between AED 40,000 and AED 100,000.
Where do villa renovation quotes go wrong?
A quote that is 40% lower than the others usually skips waterproofing, proper prep work or permit fees, according to the guide. So compare line items, not totals, and get three quotes.
Contractors also price on assumptions. Upgrade from vinyl to engineered wood after signing and you pay the difference plus a markup.
Every change order adds 15% to 30% on top of the original cost of that item. Fix the scope before work starts.
Stone is where budgets break quietly. In LC Interiors’ guide to material budgets, a calacatta or statuario marble at AED 900 to 1,400 per square metre sits beside a porcelain alternative at AED 180 to 320.
A 3-metre kitchen island with bookmatched waterfall edges can consume four slabs to use two, and the offcuts belong to you.
Costs that arrive after the quote
Permits come first. The guide names Dubai Municipality and Trakhees permits for structural changes, MEP rework or a new external appearance, with fees of AED 5,000 to AED 20,000.
A community with a homeowners’ association adds 2 to 6 weeks and AED 2,000 to AED 5,000. Behind the walls, rewiring a full villa costs AED 30,000 to AED 80,000 and re-plumbing AED 20,000 to AED 50,000.
If your villa is older than 10 years, the guide says to plan for at least partial MEP replacement.
Most villa renovations take 4 to 8 months, and you cannot live in the house during demolition and MEP work. The guide budgets AED 120,000 to AED 200,000 for 6 months in a 2-bedroom rental apartment in Dubai Marina or Business Bay.
A professional snagging inspection after handover costs AED 3,000 to AED 8,000.
Keeping the final number close to the quote
Choose materials before you sign. Every LC Interiors project is led personally by founder Lana Challis, and the material package is settled before tender documents go out, with a written allowance schedule so the contractor prices what you approved.
Hold a 10% retention until snagging is complete, which the guide says reputable contractors accept.
The guide is blunt about the rest: the renovation will cost more than the quote. It recommends a 15% contingency and says you will be close.
Common questions
How much does a villa renovation cost per square foot in Dubai?
Villa renovation cost per square foot in Dubai ranges from AED 250 for a cosmetic refresh to AED 1,200 for a high-end fit-out, according to LC Interiors’ 2026 villa cost guide. Custom joinery and imported materials push a project toward the top of that range.
How long does a villa renovation in Dubai take?
A villa renovation in Dubai takes 4 to 8 months, according to LC Interiors’ 2026 villa cost guide. You cannot live in the villa during the demolition and MEP phases, so rental accommodation belongs in the budget alongside the build.
How much contingency should a villa renovation budget include?
A villa renovation budget should carry a 15% contingency, per LC Interiors’ 2026 villa cost guide. The reason is that change orders add 15% to 30% on top of the original cost of the item they change, and the guide expects the final bill to exceed the quote.
Does the LC Interiors design fee include the villa renovation cost?
The LC Interiors design fee does not include the build. Full-service interior design for villas starts at AED 80,000 and scales with scope, covering concept design, 3D visualisation, material selection, contractor coordination and supervision to handover. The contractor’s work is priced separately.
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