If you’re planning a kitchen renovation in Dubai, the first question is almost always the same: how much will it actually cost? The honest answer is that it depends heavily on the size of your kitchen, the materials you choose, and how much of the layout you’re changing. But to give you a real starting point, most kitchen renovations in Dubai fall between AED 25,000 and AED 120,000+, with the average mid-range apartment kitchen landing around AED 45,000 to AED 65,000.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly where that money goes: cabinets, countertops, appliances, labor, plumbing and electrical work, and the finish level you choose. By the end, you’ll have a realistic budget range for your own space, plus the questions to ask any contractor before you sign.
Kitchen Renovation Cost by Size
Size is the single biggest driver of cost, since it determines how much cabinetry, worktop, and flooring you need. Here’s what a typical kitchen renovation costs by kitchen size in Dubai.
| Kitchen Size | Typical Layout | Estimated Cost (AED) |
| Small (under 8 sqm) | Galley or single-wall apartment kitchen | 25,000 – 45,000 |
| Medium (8–15 sqm) | L-shaped or U-shaped apartment/townhouse kitchen | 45,000 – 75,000 |
| Large (15–25 sqm) | Villa kitchen, U-shape with island | 75,000 – 120,000 |
| Extra-large / open-plan (25 sqm+) | Villa kitchen with island, pantry, or dual runs | 120,000 – 200,000+ |
These figures assume a full renovation: new cabinetry, countertops, and finishes. If you’re only replacing doors and countertops while keeping the existing layout, costs can run 30–40% lower.
What Drives the Price: A Full Cost Breakdown
A kitchen renovation quote isn’t one number. It’s made up of several line items, each with its own price range depending on quality. Here’s how a typical AED 50,000–60,000 mid-range Dubai kitchen breaks down.
| Cost Component | Share of Budget | Typical Range (AED) |
| Cabinetry (base + wall units) | 35–40% | 18,000 – 28,000 |
| Countertops (quartz or granite) | 12–15% | 6,000 – 10,000 |
| Appliances (hob, oven, hood, sink) | 10–15% | 5,000 – 12,000 |
| Plumbing & electrical rework | 8–10% | 4,000 – 7,000 |
| Flooring & wall tiling/backsplash | 8–10% | 4,000 – 7,000 |
| Labor, demolition & installation | 10–12% | 5,000 – 8,000 |
| Design & project management | 5–8% | 2,500 – 5,000 |
Appliances and countertops are where budgets swing the most. A basic laminate countertop and standard hob can cost a fraction of what an Italian marble surface and integrated appliance package will run, even in a kitchen of the exact same footprint.
Cost by Finish Level: Budget, Mid-Range, and Luxury
Beyond size, the finish level you choose is what really separates a AED 30,000 kitchen from a AED 150,000 one. Here’s a general guide to what each tier typically includes.
| Finish Level | What’s Included | Cost Range (AED) |
| Budget | Laminate cabinets, standard countertop, basic hardware, no layout changes | 25,000 – 40,000 |
| Mid-range | MDF cabinets with premium laminate or acrylic finish, quartz countertop, soft-close hardware, upgraded appliances | 45,000 – 80,000 |
| Luxury | Custom joinery, Italian marble or quartzite countertops, handleless cabinetry, integrated appliances, layout redesign | 90,000 – 200,000+ |
If you’re drawn to a sleek, factory-finished look with fast installation, a modular kitchen system usually sits in the mid-range tier, since the cabinetry is pre-engineered and the main cost variables are finish, hardware, and countertop material.
Material Choices That Affect Cost
Two kitchens of the exact same size can differ in price by tens of thousands of dirhams once you factor in materials. Here’s how the main choices compare.
Cabinet carcass material. Most Dubai kitchens use moisture-resistant MDF as the cabinet box, with the finish applied on top. Plywood carcasses cost more but hold up better in humid conditions and around the sink and dishwasher, which makes them worth the upgrade in most homes.
Cabinet door finish. Laminate is the most affordable finish and comes in a wide range of colors and textures. High-gloss acrylic and lacquer finishes cost more but give a sleeker, more reflective look. Solid wood or veneer fronts sit at the top of the range and suit a more traditional or warm aesthetic.
Countertop material. Laminate countertops are the budget option, quartz and granite sit in the mid-to-upper range, and natural marble or quartzite command a premium, both for the material itself and for the skilled fabrication needed to book-match veins and finish a waterfall edge cleanly.
Hardware and hinges. Soft-close hinges and drawer runners add a modest amount to the total cost but make a noticeable difference in day-to-day use and are one of the easier places to justify spending a little more.
If you’re comparing quotes and the numbers look very different for what seems like the same size kitchen, ask which carcass material, door finish, and countertop each price is based on. That’s usually where the gap comes from.
Apartment vs. Villa Kitchen Renovation Costs
Where you live also affects your quote, mainly because of plumbing, ventilation, and structural differences.
Apartment kitchens in Dubai towers are usually smaller and have fixed plumbing and gas points set by the building, which limits how much the layout can move. This keeps costs on the lower end, typically AED 25,000 to AED 75,000, since there’s less demolition and rerouting involved.
Villa kitchens tend to be larger, often with an island, and building rules are more flexible, so layout changes, extended plumbing runs, and structural work are more common. Villa renovations in Dubai typically range from AED 75,000 to AED 150,000 or more, especially when an island, pantry, or open-plan connection to the dining area is involved.
Hidden Costs to Budget For
Homeowners are often surprised by costs that fall outside the “cabinets and countertops” conversation. Build a buffer of 10–15% into your budget for:
- Plumbing and gas rerouting if you’re moving the sink, hob, or dishwasher to a new position
- Electrical upgrades for additional sockets, under-cabinet lighting, or higher-draw appliances
- Wall and floor repair once old tiling or cabinetry is removed and the substrate underneath needs patching
- Ceiling and cladding work if pipework or ducting needs to be boxed in
- NOC and permit fees, particularly in villas or buildings with strict management approval processes
- Waste removal and disposal of old units, appliances, and tiling
A detailed, itemized quote after a site visit is the only reliable way to avoid these costs catching you off guard midway through the project.
How to Get an Accurate Quote
Online calculators and per-square-meter averages are useful for a rough ballpark, but every kitchen has its own plumbing layout, electrical points, and structural quirks that only show up on-site. The most accurate way to budget for your renovation is a free, no-obligation site visit, where a designer measures the space, reviews your plumbing and electrical points, and talks through material options before putting together a fixed-price quotation.
A proper quote should be itemized by cabinetry, countertop, appliances, labor, and any structural or plumbing work, so you can see exactly what you’re paying for and compare it fairly against other quotes.
Ways to Reduce Your Kitchen Renovation Cost
If your budget is tighter than your wish list, a few adjustments can bring the cost down without compromising the overall result:
- Keep the existing layout. Avoiding plumbing and electrical relocation is often the single biggest saving.
- Reface instead of replace. New doors, handles, and a fresh countertop on existing cabinet boxes can transform a kitchen for a fraction of a full replacement.
- Choose quartz over natural marble. Quartz gives a similar high-end look with lower material cost and less maintenance.
- Phase the appliances. Keep a working oven or fridge for now and upgrade it in a later phase.
- Prioritize function over island size. A smaller island with the same storage and worktop area saves on both cabinetry and stone.
Timeline: How Long Does a Kitchen Renovation Take?
Most straightforward kitchen renovations in Dubai take 3 to 5 weeks from demolition to final installation, assuming materials are in stock and no major structural changes are needed. Larger villa kitchens with layout changes or custom joinery can run 6 to 8 weeks. Working with a single team that handles design, materials, and installation, rather than coordinating separate contractors, is usually what keeps a project on schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AED 30,000 enough for a kitchen renovation in Dubai?
It can cover a small apartment kitchen with a budget finish, such as laminate cabinetry and a standard countertop, as long as the existing layout and plumbing positions stay the same. For a medium kitchen or any layout changes, AED 30,000 is usually tight.
Does the quote include appliances?
This varies by contractor. Some quotes are cabinetry and installation only, with appliances priced separately. Always confirm whether ovens, hobs, hoods, and sinks are included in the number you’re given, and ask for them to be itemized.
Are quartz countertops more expensive than granite?
Prices for both sit in a similar range in Dubai, generally AED 250–450 per linear foot depending on the brand and slab. Quartz is engineered and more consistent in pattern, while granite is a natural stone with more variation between slabs.
How much does labor alone cost for a kitchen renovation?
Labor, demolition, and installation typically make up 10–15% of the total project cost, though this rises if plumbing, electrical, or structural work is extensive.
Can I get a fixed price before work starts?
Yes, and you should insist on it. A detailed site visit lets a contractor measure the space and inspect existing plumbing and electrical points, so the quotation you receive is fixed rather than an estimate that changes once work begins.
Get an Accurate, Fixed-Price Quote
Every kitchen is different, and the only way to know your real number is to have someone measure the space in person. TAM Living offers a free on-site measurement and quote for kitchen renovations across Dubai and Sharjah, with a detailed, itemized breakdown so you know exactly what you’re paying for before any work begins.