The most common question we hear from homeowners across Dubai: "What's this actually going to cost me?" After completing 800+ villa renovation projects across the UAE, we can give you a straight answer — with real numbers, not vague estimates.
A full villa renovation in Dubai typically costs between AED 250,000 and AED 2,000,000+ depending on four key factors: villa size, material quality, scope of structural changes, and community location. Here's the detailed breakdown.
Full Villa Renovation: Room-by-Room Cost Breakdown
| Room / Area | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen (complete) | AED 60,000 – 120,000 | AED 120,000 – 250,000 |
| Master Bathroom | AED 35,000 – 65,000 | AED 65,000 – 150,000 |
| Secondary Bathroom (each) | AED 25,000 – 45,000 | AED 45,000 – 80,000 |
| Flooring (full villa) | AED 40,000 – 80,000 | AED 80,000 – 200,000 |
| Painting (full villa) | AED 15,000 – 30,000 | AED 30,000 – 60,000 |
| Joinery & Wardrobes | AED 30,000 – 70,000 | AED 70,000 – 180,000 |
| Electrical & Lighting | AED 20,000 – 45,000 | AED 45,000 – 100,000 |
| Glass & Aluminium | AED 15,000 – 40,000 | AED 40,000 – 120,000 |
| Swimming Pool | AED 25,000 – 50,000 | AED 50,000 – 150,000 |
What Affects Your Final Price
Villa Size and Layout Complexity
A 3-bedroom townhouse in Arabian Ranches sits at the lower end of the range. A 7-bedroom signature villa in Emirates Hills with custom architectural features will naturally cost significantly more. Square footage drives material quantities, but layout complexity affects labour hours just as much.
Material Tier
This is the single biggest variable. The difference between locally sourced porcelain tile at AED 45/sqm and imported Italian Calacatta marble at AED 800/sqm compounds quickly across an entire villa. We always present three material options per scope item so you can control the budget precisely.
Structural Changes
Moving walls, adding rooms, reconfiguring layouts — these involve engineering, Dubai Municipality approvals, and additional construction time. A cosmetic refresh (new finishes, no structural changes) can cost 40-60% less than a full gut-and-rebuild.
Community Premium
Palm Jumeirah and Emirates Hills projects typically run 15-25% higher than Arabian Ranches or Dubai Hills. This reflects access logistics, developer NOC requirements, and the general standard of finish expected in ultra-premium communities.
How to Avoid Budget Surprises
The horror stories you hear about renovation budgets blowing out always trace back to one of three causes: vague quotes with "allowances" instead of specific materials, mid-project design changes, or contractors who underquote to win the job and then pile on variations.
Our approach eliminates all three. Every First Unicorn Group quote itemises specific materials with exact quantities. We lock in pricing contractually. And our milestone-based payment structure means you only pay as work completes — you are never ahead of the contractor financially.
What a Realistic Timeline Looks Like
A full villa renovation (4-5 bedroom, cosmetic + partial structural) takes 10-16 weeks from mobilisation to handover. Add 2-3 weeks for design finalisation and material procurement before work begins. We recommend starting to plan at least 4-5 months before your target move-in date.
Summer (June-August) is the most popular time for Dubai villa renovations because families travel and the villa is empty. If you are planning a summer renovation, consult with contractors by March at the latest to secure materials and scheduling.
Want an Exact Number for Your Villa?
Our free cost calculator gives you a personalised estimate in 60 seconds. Or book a free site visit for a detailed, room-by-room quote.
