Before hiring any renovation company in Dubai, confirm: valid DET trade licence, itemised written quote, payment schedule tied to milestones (max 30% upfront), named project manager, and material specifications in the contract. If any of these are missing, the risk of cost overruns, delays, or quality failure increases significantly.
8 Things to Check Before Hiring a Renovation Company in Dubai
Verify the trade licence — DED or municipality registration
Every legitimate renovation contractor in Dubai must hold a valid trade licence from the Department of Economy & Tourism (DET, formerly DED) for fit-out or interior decoration work, and in many cases a separate no-objection certificate (NOC) from the building's facilities management company. Ask for the licence number, verify it on the DET portal, and confirm the company name matches the contract. Unlicensed contractors operate without insurance and without recourse if things go wrong.
Review a portfolio of genuinely similar projects
Kitchen renovations and full apartment fit-outs are very different skills. Ask to see before/after photos of at least 3 projects that match your scope — same room type, similar budget range. If possible, request to visit a completed project in person. Any company that cannot show you real completed work is a risk. Portfolio images should show finish quality clearly: grout lines, tile alignment, paint edges, and cabinetry gaps tell you more than wide-angle hero shots.
Get three itemised quotes — not lump sums
A professional quote lists every line item: demo and disposal, waterproofing, tiling (rate per sqm + total sqm), sanitary ware supply and installation, cabinetry (per unit), electrical points, painting (per sqm), and labour. Lump-sum quotes ("full kitchen renovation AED 25,000") make it impossible to compare contractors and easy to cut corners. Three quotes allow you to see the market rate for each item and identify where one contractor is cheap (and why).
Understand fixed-price vs cost-plus contracts
A fixed-price contract locks the total cost — the contractor bears the risk of material price changes. A cost-plus contract (materials at invoice + profit margin) passes cost risk to you. Fixed-price is generally better for homeowners but requires a thorough scope of works so nothing is ambiguous. Any scope gaps become "variation orders" — extra charges that can add 15–30% to the final bill if the original quote was vague.
Scrutinise the payment schedule
Never pay more than 20–30% upfront as a deposit. A professional payment schedule ties payments to construction milestones — completion of demo, completion of tiling, completion of joinery installation, final snag sign-off. If a contractor requests 50%+ upfront, walk away. Retention clauses (5–10% held for 30–60 days after completion) are standard in professional contracts and protect against snag non-completion.
Confirm a named project manager is assigned
In Dubai's renovation market, it is common for a salesperson to pitch the job and then hand it to a sub-contractor who was never part of the conversation. Ask who will be the single point of contact on-site every day. Get the name and direct number in the contract. Lack of a dedicated PM is the single biggest driver of delays, miscommunication, and quality failures.
Get material specifications in writing — not just grades
"Good quality tiles" means nothing. The contract should specify: tile brand, series name, finish (matte/gloss/lappato), size, and thickness. Same for waterproofing membrane, grout brand, sanitary ware model numbers, and paint brand and sheen level. This prevents substitution with cheaper materials after you have signed. If a contractor refuses to specify brands, they are reserving the right to change materials.
Confirm the defects liability period and what it covers
UAE law does not automatically entitle you to a warranty period on renovation work the way it does for new buildings. Your contract needs to explicitly state the defects liability period (typically 12 months for fit-out work) and what is covered — tile cracking, grout failure, leaks, cabinet hinges, paint peeling. Get this in writing before signing. A contractor who will not warranty their work for 12 months is telling you something about their confidence in it.
10 Red Flags — Walk Away If You See These
Questions to Ask Every Contractor
Ask these questions in your first meeting. A professional company answers all of them confidently. Evasive or vague responses are informative.
- Are you DET-licensed for fit-out/interior decoration work?
- Do I need a NOC from my building FM? Can you handle that?
- Who is the project manager assigned to my job, and how do I reach them daily?
- What is your payment schedule tied to — milestones or dates?
- Can you provide three references from clients with similar projects?
- What is your defects liability period and what does it cover?
- What happens if the project runs over schedule — is there a penalty clause?
- Will you be managing this directly or sub-contracting any part of the work?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does apartment renovation cost in Dubai?
A full apartment renovation in Dubai costs AED 350–800 per sqft (AED 3,750–8,600 per sqm) for a standard finish, and AED 900–1,500+ per sqft for high-end or luxury finishes. A 1,200 sqft apartment typically runs AED 420,000–960,000 for a complete renovation. Individual rooms cost significantly less — see our kitchen, bathroom, and apartment renovation cost guides for room-by-room breakdowns.
How long does a Dubai apartment renovation take?
A single bathroom renovation takes 2–3 weeks. A kitchen renovation typically 3–5 weeks. Full apartment renovation (all rooms) runs 6–16 weeks depending on scope and size. Delays are common when NOC approvals from the building FM take longer than expected, or when specialty materials are on order. Build a 15–20% time buffer into your planning.
Do I need permission to renovate my Dubai apartment?
Yes. Most buildings in Dubai require a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the facilities management company (FM) before renovation work begins. Some master developers (Emaar, Nakheel, DAMAC) have their own permit processes. Structural changes require separate DM (Dubai Municipality) approvals. A professional renovation company will handle the NOC application as part of their service.
Should I pay for an interior designer separately from the renovation contractor?
For complex projects, yes — an independent interior designer (ID) provides drawings and specifications that any contractor can price against, preventing scope ambiguity. The designer also acts as your quality inspector during construction. For simpler projects (single room, clear finishes decision), many Dubai renovation companies offer design-and-build services that are more cost-efficient. Renovel offers both.