First Unicorn Interiors — 2026

27-Point Pre-Renovation Checklist

Everything to do before signing with any contractor in Dubai.

A. Before You Contact Anyone (Items 1–8)

Define your scope clearly. List exactly which rooms and what changes. "Renovate the kitchen" is vague. "Replace cabinetry, countertops, splashback, flooring, and add an island" is specific.

Set a realistic budget range. Use our Cost Guide for benchmarks. Add 10–15% contingency for surprises behind walls.

Check your community's NOC requirements. Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills, Arabian Ranches — each has different rules. Some require architectural drawings before approval.

Photograph everything. Take dated photos of every room, every wall, every fixture. This protects you if disputes arise.

Note your DEWA meter readings. Record electricity and water readings before work begins.

Check your building insurance. Does your policy cover renovation works? Many standard policies exclude construction activities.

Plan where you'll live. Full villa renovations usually require moving out for 6–12 weeks. Single-room renovations can often be done while you stay.

Create an inspiration folder. Save photos from Instagram, Pinterest, Houzz. This helps designers understand your taste faster.

B. When Choosing a Contractor (Items 9–18)

Verify their trade licence. Ask for the licence number and verify it on the Dubai DED website. No licence = no legal protection.

Ask: "Do you use your own team or subcontractors?" In-house teams mean accountability. Subcontractors mean finger-pointing when things go wrong.

Request 3 references from the same community. Not just any references — references from YOUR community with similar scope.

Visit an active site. Any reputable contractor will let you visit a current project. Judge cleanliness, organisation, worker professionalism.

Check Google Reviews. Look for patterns in negative reviews. One bad review happens. Five mentions of "timeline overrun" is a pattern.

Ask about their warranty. Get it in writing. "We stand behind our work" means nothing. "12-month craftsmanship warranty covering X, Y, Z" means everything.

Ask how they communicate during the project. Daily WhatsApp updates with photos? Weekly meetings? Or radio silence until they need a payment?

Get at least 3 quotes. Not to find the cheapest — to find the one that's most detailed and realistic.

Compare quotes line by line. If one quote is 30%+ cheaper than others, they're either cutting corners or don't understand the scope.

Ask who will be your day-to-day contact. You need one person accountable. "The team" is not a person.

C. Before Signing the Contract (Items 19–24)

Ensure materials are specified by brand and model. "Imported marble" is meaningless. "Calacatta Gold from XYZ supplier, 20mm thickness" is a specification.

Confirm the payment schedule is milestone-based. Never agree to more than 10% upfront. Pay for completed work, not promised work.

Get start and end dates in writing. With a penalty clause for delays (e.g., AED 500/day beyond deadline).

Include a change order process. How are scope changes handled? At what cost? Without this, you'll be hit with surprise charges.

Confirm waste disposal is included. Demolition generates enormous waste. If disposal isn't in the contract, you'll pay AED 2,000–5,000 extra.

Keep 20% retention until snagging is complete. This is your leverage to ensure they fix defects after handover.

D. During and After the Project (Items 25–27)

Document progress weekly. Your own dated photos, not just the contractor's. This protects you if disputes arise.

Do a thorough snagging walkthrough before final payment. Check every tile edge, every paint line, every door alignment, every tap.

Get all warranties and manuals in writing at handover. Appliance warranties, material warranties, craftsmanship warranty — all documented.

Pro tip from Commander Bond: The best indicator of a good contractor isn't their portfolio — it's how they handle problems. Every project has surprises. What matters is whether they own it, communicate it, and fix it fast.

Need a Contractor Who Ticks Every Box?

First Unicorn Interiors passes all 27 checks. But don't take our word for it — test us yourself with a free consultation.

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