Original data · updated 2026-08-05 · 95 communities

Dubai Renovation Cost Index 2026

Name: Dubai Renovation Cost Index 2026
Creator: First Unicorn Interiors
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

What renovation really costs in every major Dubai villa community — AED per square foot for cosmetic, mid-range and luxury work, plus typical full-villa project ranges. Built from First Unicorn's 800+ completed projects. Free to download and cite.

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TL;DR: Dubai villa renovation costs AED 250–800 per sqft in 2026. Cosmetic refresh: AED 250–400/sqft. Full mid-range renovation: AED 400–600/sqft. Luxury renovation: AED 600–800/sqft. Premium communities (Palm Jumeirah, Al Barari, Palm Jebel Ali) run up to 40% above these baselines; value communities (Serena, Town Square, Remraam) run up to 20% below. A full renovation of a typical 4–5BR villa lands between AED 700,000 and AED 1,500,000 at baseline — multiply by your community's index below.

The index: AED/sqft by community

Every row links to our dedicated community page. The multiplier is the community price factor we apply when producing fixed-price BOQs — it reflects villa age, typical plot size, NOC authority costs and neighbourhood finish expectations.

Community	Index	Cosmetic /sqft	Mid-range /sqft	Luxury /sqft	Full villa renovation
Palm Jumeirah	1.40×	AED 350–560	AED 560–840	AED 840–1,120	AED 975,000–2,100,000
Al Barari	1.35×	AED 340–540	AED 540–810	AED 810–1,080	AED 950,000–2,025,000
Palm Jebel Ali	1.35×	AED 340–540	AED 540–810	AED 810–1,080	AED 950,000–2,025,000
Pearl Jumeirah	1.35×	AED 340–540	AED 540–810	AED 810–1,080	AED 950,000–2,025,000
District One	1.30×	AED 320–520	AED 520–780	AED 780–1,040	AED 900,000–1,950,000
Hattan	1.30×	AED 320–520	AED 520–780	AED 780–1,040	AED 900,000–1,950,000
The Oasis	1.30×	AED 320–520	AED 520–780	AED 780–1,040	AED 900,000–1,950,000
The Sanctuary (MBR City)	1.30×	AED 320–520	AED 520–780	AED 780–1,040	AED 900,000–1,950,000
Dubai Islands	1.25×	AED 310–500	AED 500–750	AED 750–1,000	AED 875,000–1,875,000
Emirates Hills	1.25×	AED 310–500	AED 500–750	AED 750–1,000	AED 875,000–1,875,000
Jumeirah	1.25×	AED 310–500	AED 500–750	AED 750–1,000	AED 875,000–1,875,000
Jumeirah Islands	1.25×	AED 310–500	AED 500–750	AED 750–1,000	AED 875,000–1,875,000
MBR City	1.25×	AED 310–500	AED 500–750	AED 750–1,000	AED 875,000–1,875,000
Umm Suqeim	1.25×	AED 310–500	AED 500–750	AED 750–1,000	AED 875,000–1,875,000
Jumeirah Golf Estates	1.20×	AED 300–480	AED 480–720	AED 720–960	AED 850,000–1,800,000
Jumeirah Villas	1.20×	AED 300–480	AED 480–720	AED 720–960	AED 850,000–1,800,000
Meydan	1.20×	AED 300–480	AED 480–720	AED 720–960	AED 850,000–1,800,000
Sobha Hartland	1.20×	AED 300–480	AED 480–720	AED 720–960	AED 850,000–1,800,000
Sobha Hartland 2	1.20×	AED 300–480	AED 480–720	AED 720–960	AED 850,000–1,800,000
Tilal Al Ghaf	1.20×	AED 300–480	AED 480–720	AED 720–960	AED 850,000–1,800,000
Umm Al Sheif	1.20×	AED 300–480	AED 480–720	AED 720–960	AED 850,000–1,800,000
Al Safa	1.15×	AED 290–460	AED 460–690	AED 690–920	AED 800,000–1,725,000
Dubai Hills Estate	1.15×	AED 290–460	AED 460–690	AED 690–920	AED 800,000–1,725,000
Jumeirah Park	1.15×	AED 290–460	AED 460–690	AED 690–920	AED 800,000–1,725,000
Sobha Elwood	1.15×	AED 290–460	AED 460–690	AED 690–920	AED 800,000–1,725,000
The Lakes	1.15×	AED 290–460	AED 460–690	AED 690–920	AED 800,000–1,725,000
The Meadows	1.15×	AED 290–460	AED 460–690	AED 690–920	AED 800,000–1,725,000
Al Khawaneej	1.10×	AED 280–440	AED 440–660	AED 660–880	AED 775,000–1,650,000
Al Mizhar	1.10×	AED 280–440	AED 440–660	AED 660–880	AED 775,000–1,650,000
Al Wasl	1.10×	AED 280–440	AED 440–660	AED 660–880	AED 775,000–1,650,000
Business Bay	1.10×	AED 280–440	AED 440–660	AED 660–880	AED 775,000–1,650,000
DAMAC Hills	1.10×	AED 280–440	AED 440–660	AED 660–880	AED 775,000–1,650,000
Dubai Creek Harbour	1.10×	AED 280–440	AED 440–660	AED 660–880	AED 775,000–1,650,000
Hadaeq Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid	1.10×	AED 280–440	AED 440–660	AED 660–880	AED 775,000–1,650,000
Jumeirah Heights	1.10×	AED 280–440	AED 440–660	AED 660–880	AED 775,000–1,650,000
Nad Al Sheba	1.10×	AED 280–440	AED 440–660	AED 660–880	AED 775,000–1,650,000
The Meadows	1.10×	AED 280–440	AED 440–660	AED 660–880	AED 775,000–1,650,000
The Villa	1.10×	AED 280–440	AED 440–660	AED 660–880	AED 775,000–1,650,000
The Villa	1.10×	AED 280–440	AED 440–660	AED 660–880	AED 775,000–1,650,000
Al Barsha	1.05×	AED 260–420	AED 420–630	AED 630–840	AED 725,000–1,575,000
Al Warqaa	1.05×	AED 260–420	AED 420–630	AED 630–840	AED 725,000–1,575,000
Arabian Ranches	1.05×	AED 260–420	AED 420–630	AED 630–840	AED 725,000–1,575,000
Arabian Ranches 2	1.05×	AED 260–420	AED 420–630	AED 630–840	AED 725,000–1,575,000
Culture Village (Jaddaf)	1.05×	AED 260–420	AED 420–630	AED 630–840	AED 725,000–1,575,000
Expo City	1.05×	AED 260–420	AED 420–630	AED 630–840	AED 725,000–1,575,000
Falcon City of Wonders	1.05×	AED 260–420	AED 420–630	AED 630–840	AED 725,000–1,575,000
Green Community	1.05×	AED 260–420	AED 420–630	AED 630–840	AED 725,000–1,575,000
The Villa	1.05×	AED 260–420	AED 420–630	AED 630–840	AED 725,000–1,575,000
Tilal Al Furjan	1.05×	AED 260–420	AED 420–630	AED 630–840	AED 725,000–1,575,000
Victory Heights	1.05×	AED 260–420	AED 420–630	AED 630–840	AED 725,000–1,575,000
Al Furjan	1.00×	AED 250–400	AED 400–600	AED 600–800	AED 700,000–1,500,000
Al Rashidiya	1.00×	AED 250–400	AED 400–600	AED 600–800	AED 700,000–1,500,000
Arabian Ranches 3	1.00×	AED 250–400	AED 400–600	AED 600–800	AED 700,000–1,500,000
Dubai Investment Park	1.00×	AED 250–400	AED 400–600	AED 600–800	AED 700,000–1,500,000
Dubai Sports City	1.00×	AED 250–400	AED 400–600	AED 600–800	AED 700,000–1,500,000
Dubailand	1.00×	AED 250–400	AED 400–600	AED 600–800	AED 700,000–1,500,000
Green Community DIP	1.00×	AED 250–400	AED 400–600	AED 600–800	AED 700,000–1,500,000
Jebel Ali	1.00×	AED 250–400	AED 400–600	AED 600–800	AED 700,000–1,500,000
Jebel Ali Village	1.00×	AED 250–400	AED 400–600	AED 600–800	AED 700,000–1,500,000
Living Legends	1.00×	AED 250–400	AED 400–600	AED 600–800	AED 700,000–1,500,000
Mirdif	1.00×	AED 250–400	AED 400–600	AED 600–800	AED 700,000–1,500,000
Murooj Al Furjan	1.00×	AED 250–400	AED 400–600	AED 600–800	AED 700,000–1,500,000
Nadd Al Hamar	1.00×	AED 250–400	AED 400–600	AED 600–800	AED 700,000–1,500,000
The Springs	1.00×	AED 250–400	AED 400–600	AED 600–800	AED 700,000–1,500,000
The Springs	1.00×	AED 250–400	AED 400–600	AED 600–800	AED 700,000–1,500,000
The Sustainable City	1.00×	AED 250–400	AED 400–600	AED 600–800	AED 700,000–1,500,000
The Sustainable City	1.00×	AED 250–400	AED 400–600	AED 600–800	AED 700,000–1,500,000
The Valley	1.00×	AED 250–400	AED 400–600	AED 600–800	AED 700,000–1,500,000
Al Quoz	0.95×	AED 240–380	AED 380–570	AED 570–760	AED 675,000–1,425,000
Al Reem	0.95×	AED 240–380	AED 380–570	AED 570–760	AED 675,000–1,425,000
Cedre Villas	0.95×	AED 240–380	AED 380–570	AED 570–760	AED 675,000–1,425,000
DAMAC Islands	0.95×	AED 240–380	AED 380–570	AED 570–760	AED 675,000–1,425,000
DAMAC Lagoons	0.95×	AED 240–380	AED 380–570	AED 570–760	AED 675,000–1,425,000
Deira	0.95×	AED 240–380	AED 380–570	AED 570–760	AED 675,000–1,425,000
Dubai Silicon Oasis	0.95×	AED 240–380	AED 380–570	AED 570–760	AED 675,000–1,425,000
Emaar South	0.95×	AED 240–380	AED 380–570	AED 570–760	AED 675,000–1,425,000
Jumeirah Village (JVC & JVT)	0.95×	AED 240–380	AED 380–570	AED 570–760	AED 675,000–1,425,000
Motor City	0.95×	AED 240–380	AED 380–570	AED 570–760	AED 675,000–1,425,000
Mudon	0.95×	AED 240–380	AED 380–570	AED 570–760	AED 675,000–1,425,000
Muhaisnah	0.95×	AED 240–380	AED 380–570	AED 570–760	AED 675,000–1,425,000
Reem (Mira)	0.95×	AED 240–380	AED 380–570	AED 570–760	AED 675,000–1,425,000
Reem (Mira)	0.95×	AED 240–380	AED 380–570	AED 570–760	AED 675,000–1,425,000
The Heights / Damac	0.95×	AED 240–380	AED 380–570	AED 570–760	AED 675,000–1,425,000
Wadi Al Safa	0.95×	AED 240–380	AED 380–570	AED 570–760	AED 675,000–1,425,000
Al Warqa	0.90×	AED 220–360	AED 360–540	AED 540–720	AED 625,000–1,350,000
DAMAC Hills 2	0.90×	AED 220–360	AED 360–540	AED 540–720	AED 625,000–1,350,000
Dubai South	0.90×	AED 220–360	AED 360–540	AED 540–720	AED 625,000–1,350,000
Mira	0.90×	AED 220–360	AED 360–540	AED 540–720	AED 625,000–1,350,000
Mira Oasis	0.90×	AED 220–360	AED 360–540	AED 540–720	AED 625,000–1,350,000
Villanova	0.90×	AED 220–360	AED 360–540	AED 540–720	AED 625,000–1,350,000
Mudon Al Ranim	0.85×	AED 210–340	AED 340–510	AED 510–680	AED 600,000–1,275,000
Rukan	0.85×	AED 210–340	AED 340–510	AED 510–680	AED 600,000–1,275,000
Serena	0.85×	AED 210–340	AED 340–510	AED 510–680	AED 600,000–1,275,000
Town Square	0.85×	AED 210–340	AED 340–510	AED 510–680	AED 600,000–1,275,000
Remraam	0.80×	AED 200–320	AED 320–480	AED 480–640	AED 550,000–1,200,000

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Free to reuse with attribution: "Source: First Unicorn Interiors — Dubai Renovation Cost Index 2026, firstunicorninteriors.com". CC-BY 4.0.

Methodology

The index starts from our published Dubai-wide baseline — AED 250–400/sqft cosmetic, 400–600 mid-range, 600–800 luxury, consistent with our master cost guide — and adjusts it per community using the price multiplier we maintain for each of the 95 villa communities we cover. That multiplier is calibrated from completed First Unicorn projects and four measurable factors:

Villa age — e.g. The Meadows stock is 20–24 years old and usually needs full MEP replacement; Tilal Al Ghaf is under 6.
Plot & built-up area — Hattan plots run 8,000–20,000 sqft; Rukan townhouses 1,000–3,200 sqft.
NOC authority & fees — Emaar, Nakheel, DSOA and Dubai Municipality each have different deposits, drawings requirements and timelines (see our Emaar NOC guide and Nakheel DCUP guide).
Finish expectations — the specification level buyers expect in that community.

Official references: Dubai Municipality (building permits), DEWA (utility NOCs and connections), Dubai Land Department (ownership and community regulations).

Definitions

Cosmetic (AED 250–400/sqft baseline): paint, flooring, joinery refresh, light fixtures — no layout or MEP changes.
Mid-range (AED 400–600/sqft): new kitchen and bathrooms, flooring throughout, partial MEP, some layout changes.
Luxury (AED 600–800/sqft): full strip-out, premium materials, custom joinery, full MEP replacement, structural/extension works priced separately.
Full villa renovation range: typical total project value for a 4–5BR villa at that community's spec level (mid tier of our community pages' published ranges).

Reading the extremes

Top of the index: Palm Jumeirah, Al Barari, Palm Jebel Ali — expect AED 560–840/sqft for mid-range work and full-villa budgets from AED 975,000.

Value end: Serena, Town Square, Remraam — mid-range work from AED 320/sqft, and townhouse-scale projects can complete well under AED 550,000.

For a line-item breakdown of any single community, open its page from the table — each carries villa types, NOC authority, typical plot sizes and before/after projects.

Cost Index FAQ

What is the average renovation cost per square foot in Dubai in 2026?

Across Dubai villa communities, renovation costs run AED 250–800 per sqft: AED 250–400/sqft for cosmetic refresh work, AED 400–600/sqft for full mid-range renovation, and AED 600–800/sqft for luxury renovation with premium materials and custom joinery. Premium communities like Palm Jumeirah, Al Barari, Palm Jebel Ali price up to 40% above this baseline; value communities like Serena, Town Square, Remraam price up to 20% below it.

Which Dubai community is most expensive to renovate?

Palm Jumeirah, Al Barari, Palm Jebel Ali top the index at 1.35–1.40× the Dubai baseline — driven by larger villas, stricter community NOC requirements and higher finish expectations. A full villa renovation there typically lands between AED 950,000 and AED 2,100,000.

Why do renovation costs differ between communities?

Four factors: villa age (a 20-year-old Meadows villa needs MEP replacement a 5-year-old Tilal Al Ghaf villa doesn't), plot and built-up area, the community's NOC authority and its deposit/approval costs, and finish-level expectations of the neighbourhood. The index multiplier captures all four.

Is this data based on real projects?

The index is built from First Unicorn's project history across 800+ Dubai renovations and the community data we maintain for every villa community we work in — developer, villa age, plot sizes and the community-specific cost multiplier we apply when pricing fixed-price BOQs.

How do I get an exact price instead of a range?

Send us your community and villa type on WhatsApp (+971 58 565 8002) — we produce a fixed-price BOQ with no variation orders, backed by a 3-year warranty. Site survey and quotation are free.

Can I download the full dataset?

Yes — the complete index is available as CSV and JSON below, free to reuse with attribution to First Unicorn Interiors (link to this page).

Want the exact number for your villa?

Fixed-price BOQ, in-house DM/NOC approvals, 3-year warranty. Free survey.

WhatsApp us — +971 58 565 8002