Lobby and corridor renovation in Dubai: common areas of residential buildings
Widget Tech renovates the common areas of residential and mixed-use buildings in Dubai: the main lobby and reception, lift lobbies, corridors and staircases, with their ceilings, lighting and AC, under one contract with one contact. Work is phased floor by floor so residents keep their access, and the building can move onto a maintenance contract with us afterwards.
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Common area renovation in Dubai at a glance
| What it covers | Main lobby and reception, lift lobbies on every floor, common corridors, staircases, building entrances and car park lobbies: floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, AC, doors and joinery. |
|---|---|
| Who it is for | Landlords, owners’ associations and property managers of residential and mixed-use buildings in Dubai. |
| Occupied buildings | Yes. Work is phased floor by floor, resident routes and fire exits stay open, and noisy work runs in hours agreed with the building management. |
| Approvals | The owners’ association or landlord approves the scope, and Civil Defence approves any change to fire alarm devices, emergency lighting or fire doors. We prepare and handle the submissions. |
| After handover | An annual maintenance contract for the building’s AC, electrical, plumbing and civil repairs, with the same contact. |
| Track record | Our residential tower case study: a building of more than 10 floors, with its common areas, MEP, facade and apartments renewed, then maintained for a year. Completed in 2025. |
What does a common area renovation include?
The areas every resident and visitor walks through. We survey them with you, then scope and quote by area and by floor, so you can phase what you cannot fund at once.
| Area | Typical works |
|---|---|
| Main lobby and reception | Floor finishes, wall cladding, reception desk joinery, ceilings, feature and general lighting, entrance doors |
| Lift lobbies | Floor and wall finishes, lift surrounds, ceilings, lighting, surfaces ready for floor signage |
| Corridors | Flooring, wall finishes and paint, ceilings, LED lighting, apartment door frames, emergency lighting |
| Staircases | Paint, step nosings, handrails, lighting |
| Services in common areas | AC to lobbies and corridors, lighting circuits and controls, fire alarm devices and emergency lighting coordinated with Civil Defence |
Refresh or full refurbishment?
Most buildings need one of two levels. We tell you after the survey which one your building needs, area by area.
| Refresh | Full refurbishment | |
|---|---|---|
| What changes | Paint, repairs to floors and walls, new lighting, deep clean | New floors, wall cladding, ceilings, lighting and joinery |
| When it fits | Sound finishes that look tired | Worn or dated finishes, a repositioning of the building, or a new lighting and ceiling design |
| Disruption | Lower: a few nights per floor | Higher: each floor in turn, over a longer programme |
How do you renovate common areas while residents live in the building?
Floor by floor, with the plan agreed with the building management before work starts:
| 1. Survey and samples | We survey every area, then the owners’ association or landlord approves finish samples before anything is ordered. |
|---|---|
| 2. Floor by floor plan | Which floors and areas are worked on in which weeks, shared with residents in advance. |
| 3. Keep routes open | Protected lifts with one kept for residents, fire exits and stairs open, safe routes past the work area. |
| 4. Agreed working hours | Noisy work only in the hours the building management allows. |
| 5. Resident notices | Notices before each floor starts, so residents know what happens when. |
| 6. Hand back each floor | Each floor is cleaned and snagged before the team moves to the next. |
What affects the cost of a common area renovation?
| Size of the building | The number of floors, lift lobbies and corridor length. |
|---|---|
| Level of work | A refresh against a full refurbishment, area by area. |
| Finish grade | Porcelain against natural stone, paint against cladding, standard against feature lighting. |
| Ceilings and services | New ceilings bring lighting, AC grilles and fire devices with them. |
| Working hours | Restricted hours in an occupied building lengthen the programme. |
We do not publish a flat rate. We survey first and quote by area and by floor, so an owners’ association can approve and fund one phase at a time.
Who approves common area works in Dubai?
It depends on the building: the owners’ association and its management company in a jointly owned building, the landlord in a single owner building, and the master developer’s rules where the building sits in a managed community. Any change to fire alarm devices, emergency lighting, fire doors or escape routes needs Dubai Civil Defence approval. We prepare the drawings and samples for the decision and handle the submissions.
Why one contractor for the common areas?
Lobbies and corridors combine finishes, ceilings, lighting, AC and fire devices in the same space. With one contract, one company owns the floor plan, the resident notices and the snag list, and the board deals with one contact. If we also maintain the building afterwards, maintenance starts with a full record of what was installed.
For larger scopes, including facades, plant and units, see our building renovation page. For maintenance, see our building maintenance contract page.
Which areas of Dubai do you cover?
Dubai Marina, JLT, JBR, Business Bay, Downtown, Al Barsha, Jumeirah Village Circle, Deira, Bur Dubai, Al Garhoud and across Dubai. Our office is in Al Garhoud. We work in Dubai only.
Near our office: renovation and fit-out in Bur Dubai and Al Garhoud.
Frequently asked questions
Can you renovate the lobby and corridors while residents live in the building?+
Yes. We work floor by floor, keep a lift, the stairs and fire exits available to residents, and do noisy work only in the hours the building management allows.
Have you renovated the common areas of a residential building?+
Yes. Our published case study is a residential tower of more than 10 floors in Dubai, where the common areas, MEP systems, facade and apartments were renewed, followed by a one year maintenance contract. It was completed in 2025.
Who needs to approve a lobby renovation?+
The owners’ association or the landlord approves the scope and finishes. Civil Defence approves any change to fire alarm devices, emergency lighting or fire doors. We prepare the drawings and handle the submissions.
Can the work be split into phases?+
Yes. We quote by area and by floor, so the lobby, the lift lobbies and the corridors can be approved and funded separately.
Do you maintain the building afterwards?+
Yes, under an annual maintenance contract for the whole building covering AC, electrical, plumbing and civil repairs.
Get a written quote for your common area renovation
Tell us about the building: the number of floors, which areas need work, and a few photos. We survey it and send a written quote itemised by trade and by floor.
Prefer WhatsApp? Message us or call +971 56 108 3786. Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00.
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Get in touch directly
Villa, kitchen, bathroom and building renovation, office, restaurant and retail fit-out, MEP works and annual maintenance. Dubai only.
Widget Tech · Sarah Building, Office 301, Al Garhoud, Dubai, U.A.E. · +971 56 108 3786 · info@thewidgettech.com · Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00