A bathroom renovation in Dubai is published at roughly AED 15,000 to AED 80,000 depending on size and finish, and a kitchen at roughly AED 30,000 to AED 260,000 depending on whether the layout moves. This guide sets out the ranges two current Dubai cost guides publish, with their dates, then explains what pushes a room to the top or bottom of its range, how long each job takes, and when you need an NOC.
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Dubai?
Published 2026 ranges run from about AED 8,000 for a light refresh to AED 80,000 and above for a premium bathroom. A full renovation with demolition, new tiles, sanitaryware and waterproofing starts at around AED 15,000 in one guide and AED 25,000 in the other.
| Scope | Published range (AED) | What it includes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light refresh | 8,000 to 18,000 | Paint, silicone, mirror, accessories, limited fixture swaps; no new tiles or plumbing | Bestimate, Jun 2026 |
| Basic full bathroom | 15,000 to 30,000 | Demolition, standard tiles, basic sanitaryware, waterproofing | Bestimate, Jun 2026 |
| Guest bathroom (about 4 to 6 m²) | 25,000 to 40,000 | Wall and floor retiling, new vanity, new fixtures | First Unicorn, Jun 2026 |
| Standard apartment or villa bathroom | 30,000 to 55,000 | New tiles, shower screen, vanity, toilet, mixers, waterproofing test | Bestimate, Jun 2026 |
| Master bathroom | 40,000 to 65,000 | Premium tiles, walk-in shower, bath, double vanity, full plumbing overhaul | First Unicorn, Jun 2026 |
| Premium or luxury bathroom | 55,000 to 80,000+ | Large-format or imported stone, concealed cistern, custom vanity, lighting | Bestimate / First Unicorn |
Moving the toilet, shower or drain is priced separately by both guides because it changes the plumbing and often needs approval. Our bathroom renovation page explains what has to happen behind the tiles.
What makes a bathroom renovation cost more?
Four things, in roughly this order:
- Moving the layout. Relocating a toilet or shower means new drainage falls and supply lines, which adds labour, materials and usually a building NOC.
- Tile format and material. Large-format porcelain or natural stone costs more to buy and more to lay flat than standard tiles.
- Sanitaryware and fittings. A concealed cistern, wall-hung WC and thermostatic shower cost more than floor-standing units, and the brand you choose matters.
- Waterproofing done properly. First Unicorn prices the membrane and testing at AED 2,000 to 5,000 per bathroom and describes a 48-hour flood test (June 2026). It is the line never to cut: when it fails, the damage shows up in the ceiling below after handover.
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Dubai?
Published 2026 ranges run from about AED 8,000 for a cosmetic refresh to AED 260,000 and above for a full remodel with a new layout. Most renovations that replace the cabinets and worktops on the same layout fall between roughly AED 30,000 and AED 120,000.
| Scope | Published range (AED) | What it includes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic refresh | 8,000 to 25,000 | Paint, handles, minor lighting, cosmetic updates | Bestimate, Sep 2026 |
| Standard renovation, same layout | 30,000 to 85,000 | New cabinets, worktop and fixtures | Bestimate, Sep 2026 |
| Budget renovation, same layout | 45,000 to 80,000 | Cabinet refacing, new worktops, splashback, painting | First Unicorn, Jun 2026 |
| 10 m² apartment kitchen | 45,000 to 70,000 | Standard cabinets, quartz worktop, new fixtures, no layout change | Bestimate, Sep 2026 |
| Standard with custom joinery | 80,000 to 120,000 | Custom joinery, stone worktops, integrated appliances, flooring | First Unicorn, Jun 2026 |
| Premium renovation | 85,000 to 180,000 | Custom joinery, stone worktops, better hardware | Bestimate, Sep 2026 |
| Full remodel with new layout | 120,000 to 260,000+ | Layout, plumbing, electrical, premium finishes | Bestimate, Sep 2026 |
The two guides use different tier names for similar work, which is why the ranges overlap. Read the scope column, not the label. Our kitchen renovation page shows the order the trades have to follow.
What adds most to a kitchen renovation?
Changing the layout and the choice of cabinets, worktop and appliances. First Unicorn prices the layout items separately (June 2026):
| Item | Published range (AED) |
|---|---|
| Relocating plumbing and electrical | 5,000 to 15,000 |
| Moving the gas connection | 3,000 to 8,000 |
| Adding an island | 10,000 to 20,000 |
Appliances are the other swing item: Bestimate puts them at AED 15,000 to 80,000 and above depending on brand and specification (September 2026). If you keep the existing layout and appliances, the budget falls to the lower tiers above.
How long does a kitchen or bathroom renovation take?
A straightforward bathroom takes two to four weeks of work, and six weeks or more with premium finishes, custom glass or hidden repairs (Bestimate). First Unicorn gives four to eight weeks for a single bathroom including permits (First Unicorn).
A kitchen on the same layout takes about four to six weeks; a full remodel with a new layout takes eight to fourteen (Bestimate). Custom joinery lead time is usually what sets the date, so order it as soon as the design is fixed.
Do you need an NOC or permit to renovate a kitchen or bathroom?
For cosmetic work, usually not. For demolition, moving plumbing or drainage, electrical changes, gas, or noisy work in a managed building or community, expect to need a building or community NOC. Tenants need written landlord consent before applying (Bestimate, Bestimate).
Our permit guide explains where Dubai Municipality draws the line between decoration and modification.
Why do quotes for the same kitchen or bathroom differ so much?
Because the quotes are not pricing the same thing. The three most common gaps are material grades (a quote that says “porcelain tiles” versus one that names the brand, range and size), waterproofing (whether a named membrane and a flood test are included), and exclusions (whether plumbing, electrical, disposal and NOC fees are in the price).
Ask every contractor to itemise by trade and name the grades, then compare line by line. Our guide on how to choose a renovation contractor lists the seven checks to make before you sign.
Is it cheaper to renovate the kitchen and bathrooms together?
Usually it costs less than doing them in separate jobs, because the demolition, waste removal, plumbing and electrical work, NOC and site set-up are done once. It also avoids opening walls twice. The total is still the sum of the rooms, so the saving is in the shared work, not in the rooms themselves.
If you are doing more than two rooms, the villa renovation cost guide is the better starting point.
All third-party figures above are quoted from the linked pages as published on their stated dates and are not Widget Tech prices. Widget Tech quotes each kitchen and bathroom individually after a site visit.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a small bathroom renovation cost in Dubai?+
Published 2026 guides put a basic full renovation of a small bathroom at about AED 15,000 to 30,000, and a guest bathroom of 4 to 6 m² at AED 25,000 to 40,000, depending on tiles, fittings and waterproofing.
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in a Dubai apartment?+
Bestimate benchmarks a 10 m² apartment kitchen with standard cabinets, quartz worktop and no layout change at AED 45,000 to 70,000 (September 2026).
What is the most expensive part of a bathroom renovation?+
Moving the layout, followed by premium tiles and concealed sanitaryware. Waterproofing is a smaller line but the most expensive one to get wrong.
Does a bathroom renovation need an NOC in Dubai?+
Cosmetic work usually does not. Demolition, moving plumbing or drainage and noisy work in a managed building or community usually need a building or community NOC.
Are the prices in this guide Widget Tech prices?+
No. They are quoted from the linked third-party guides with their dates. Widget Tech quotes each kitchen and bathroom after a site visit.
