Can I renovate a tenanted flat or one I am selling?
A tenanted flat depends on the contract and on notice periods set by Dubai law, so we look at it first. Before a sale, the scope is agreed together with your broker.
Design · Renovation · Technical control
Renovation in Dubai, turnkey
From the first drawing to handover. We connect you with a team we work with and keep the owner’s view in mind: what is worth doing for your plans for the property.
What is the renovation for?
The right scope depends on what happens to the property next. As brokers, we see which flats buyers and tenants choose.
To sell
What is worth changing before listing, and what the next owner would redo anyway. Your broker looks at it together with recent sales in the building.
To rent out
Durable finishes and a layout tenants understand. Less to repair between tenants.
To live in
A complete design around your family, from layout and engineering to furniture.
Before and after
Two real projects by our partner. Drag the slider to compare.
BeforeAfterHerringbone parquet, panoramic glazing and a light soft zone.
BeforeAfterA sea-green kitchen, marble floor and a copper hood.
One team for the whole job
Architecture, interior and engineering work together, so nobody has to reconcile three contractors.
01
Design and renovation
From idea and documentation to procurement and delivery.
02
Technical control
Independent checking of the project, materials and works, including when another contractor is on site.
03
Maintenance
Engineering support for the property after handover.
Completed interiors
Projects in Dubai by our partner MySquare.
Work and photos: MySquare, partner of Inside Realty
What we take on
Apartments
Interiors, re-planning and engineering solutions.
Villas and townhouses
Private homes and full renovation.
Clinics
Functional spaces with precise logic.
Restaurants and retail
Spaces built around the first impression.
Three sizes of renovation
Market ranges for Dubai, to help you frame the conversation. The figure for your property comes after an inspection.
| Refresh | Partial | Full | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What changes | Paint, lighting, details | Kitchen, bathrooms, flooring | Layout, engineering, everything |
| Apartment, per sq ft | AED 50–100 | AED 150–300 | AED 300–500 and up |
| Time on site, indicative | Short, by agreement | 6–10 weeks | By schedule; a villa 12–20 weeks |
| Developer or building NOC | Check with the building | Yes | Yes |
| Authority permit | Usually not | If wet rooms move | Yes |
| Best for | Sale or rental soon | A flat you will keep | Your own home |
Villas are usually AED 150–600 per sq ft. Published market ranges, not a quote from our partner.
Rough budget
Enter the area and scope to see the market range.
Market rangeAED 150,000 – AED 300,000
Indicative market range, not a quote. Furniture is not included.
Get a real estimateHow it goes
Budget, schedule and permits are settled before the work starts.
- 01Brief and inspection
We study the property, your goals, dates and expectations.
- 02Design and estimate
Design, documentation, budget and schedule become one plan.
- 03Permits
NOC and approvals are obtained before anything is opened up.
- 04Works
One person answers for details, quality and transparency.
- 05Handover
Final inspection, completion documents and keys.
- 06After handover
The property stays supported after the keys are returned.
Permits in Dubai
Skipping these leads to fines and to problems at resale, so they go into the plan from the start.
01
Building or community
An NOC from building management, the owners’ association or the master developer, depending on the property.
02
Authority
Depending on the area: Dubai Municipality, the Dubai Development Authority or another authority. Most structural and MEP work needs a permit.
03
Completion
Completion and clearance certificates where the permit requires them. Keep them for the sale.
Rules differ by community and scope of work. We confirm them for your property before work starts.
Which works need what
A rule of thumb. The building or community may be stricter.
| Works | Building NOC | Authority permit |
|---|---|---|
| Painting and decorating | Check | Usually not |
| Replacing flooring | Check; noise rules apply | Usually not |
| New kitchen, same place | Yes | If services change |
| Moving a bathroom or kitchen | Yes | Yes |
| New partitions | Yes | Yes |
| Air conditioning and electrics | Yes | Yes, with MEP changes |
| Balcony and facade | Yes | Often not allowed at all |
What affects the budget
Any honest estimate starts with an inspection. Before that, here is what moves the figure most:
- Area and condition of the property
- Whether the layout, plumbing or air conditioning move
- Materials and fitted furniture
- Building rules: working hours, deposits and access
- Whether design, furniture and furnishing are included
Handing over a new flat? Start with a snagging inspection. About snagging →
Questions about renovation
How long does it take?
It depends on the scope and the building, and allow time for the NOC: a developer NOC alone commonly takes one to three weeks. You receive a schedule along with the estimate.
I am abroad. Can it be done without me?
Usually yes. Decisions can be agreed remotely, and how you receive progress reports is settled in the contract.
Who is responsible for the work?
The contract for the work is with MySquare, our partner. Inside Realty introduces you and stays in contact as your broker.
Will a renovation raise the price of my property?
It can, but not automatically and not always by more than it costs. We say honestly when a light refresh or staging would do more than a full renovation.
Tell us about your property
We will reply and arrange an inspection with the partner’s team.