Guides to renovating and fitting out in Dubai
Costs, permits and how to choose a contractor, written by the people who quote and deliver the work. Sources linked, dates stated.
DEWA approval for fit-out and renovation in Dubai: who applies, documents and timelines
Who can submit to DEWA, the documents a fit-out connection needs, DEWA’s published service times, and how to check a DEWA approved contractor.
What is MEP? Full form, meaning and what it covers in a Dubai building
MEP stands for mechanical, electrical and plumbing. What each part covers, how MEPF and fire systems fit in, and which approvals apply in Dubai.
Shell and core vs fit-out in Dubai: what you get and what you still have to build
What a shell and core unit includes, what Cat A and Cat B fit-out add, which approvals apply and what to check before you sign.
Villa renovation cost in Dubai: published ranges, sources and what moves the number
The ranges other Dubai guides publish, with sources and dates, and the four things that decide where your villa lands inside them.
Kitchen and bathroom renovation cost in Dubai: published 2026 ranges
What published Dubai guides say a kitchen or bathroom costs, what moves the number, how long each takes, and what needs an NOC.
What is an AMC in Dubai? Annual maintenance contracts explained
What AMC means, what a Dubai maintenance contract covers and excludes, published price ranges, and when pay-per-call is cheaper.
Do you need a permit to renovate a villa in Dubai?
Where Dubai Municipality draws the line between decoration and modification, what tenants need, and what gated communities add.
How to choose a renovation contractor in Dubai: seven checks before you sign
Seven things to check on paper before you sign, and none of them is the total on the quote.
Get a written quote after a site visit
Send a few photos and a list of what you want changed. We book a site visit and come back with a quote itemised by trade, with material grades named.