TL;DR: Interior design contractors in Dubai charge from 1,500 AED/m² for cosmetic work, from 3,000 AED/m² for a capital renovation, and 8,500–16,000 AED/m² turnkey with furniture and décor. A full 150 m² apartment runs two to six months. The gap between quotes usually hides permits, DEWA and community approvals, not craftsmanship.
What interior design contractors in Dubai actually charge
Rates split into three honest tiers, and any contractor who gives you one flat number for everything is guessing.
- Cosmetic refresh — from 1,500 AED/m². Paint, flooring, minor joinery, no wet works or wall moves.
- Capital renovation — from 3,000 AED/m². Layout changes, new bathrooms and kitchens, MEP reroute, full re-tile.
- Turnkey — 8,500–16,000 AED/m². Everything above plus furniture, appliances, lighting and décor, handed over ready to live in.
A standalone design project sits apart: from 10,000 AED, delivered in three to six weeks. That buys drawings, 3D visuals, material schedules and a bill of quantities you can actually tender against. Skipping it to save money is the most common way owners end up with three quotes they cannot compare.
These are market ranges to plan around, not a fixed DOMECO price list. The number on your contract depends on the building, the scope and the finish level, which is why we price against drawings rather than a phone call.
Where the money goes: a real 150 m² breakdown
Take a two-bedroom in Dubai Marina or JLT, mid-to-high finish, capital renovation. At roughly 3,500 AED/m² the works land near 525,000 AED, and here is how that splits in practice.
- Demolition and disposal — 5–8%. Skip permits and waste removal to the community's approved route, not the nearest bin.
- MEP (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) — 20–25%. The single line most under-quoted by cheap bids.
- Wet works, waterproofing, tiling — 18–22%. In Dubai's humidity, cutting waterproofing is how you meet your downstairs neighbour.
- Joinery and wardrobes — 15–20%. Bespoke carpentry is where budgets quietly balloon.
- Finishes, paint, false ceilings — 10–15%.
- Sanitaryware, fittings, lighting — 8–12%.
- Project management and contingency — 8–10%.
Timeline for that flat: two to six months. Two months is a clean cosmetic job with fast approvals; six months is a full strip-out where the building only allows works during limited hours and material lead times stretch. Anyone promising a full 150 m² capital renovation in three weeks is either quoting a different scope or planning to ask for more money later.
The line items most quotes hide
The difference between a 400,000 AED quote and a 520,000 AED quote is rarely tiles. It is the compliance layer, and honest contractors put it in writing before you sign.
- Building permit / fit-out approval. Most towers and communities require drawings stamped and approved before a single wall moves. Budget one to three weeks and a fee that varies by developer.
- NOC from the developer or management — Emaar, Nakheel, DMCC and the rest each have their own process, insurance requirements and approved-contractor lists.
- DEWA. Any change to load, new AC or a moved distribution board needs DEWA sign-off. Unapproved electrical work fails inspection and blocks handover.
- Security deposit and access. Communities hold a refundable deposit (often 5,000–20,000 AED) against damage to common areas, plus working-hours restrictions that lengthen the schedule.
- DLP (Defects Liability Period). After handover you are entitled to a defects period. A serious contractor names it in the contract rather than disappearing once the invoice clears.
None of these are optional, and none of them show up in a WhatsApp estimate. They are the first thing a management company asks about before issuing a permit, and the first thing a lowball quote leaves out.
How to compare quotes without getting burned
Three quotes at wildly different prices almost never describe the same job. Before you compare a single number, make every contractor price against the same drawings and the same bill of quantities. That alone removes most of the spread.
Ask what is genuinely fixed. We lock the estimate in the contract with no top-ups after start, and we carry a penalty for every day past the agreed deadline. If a quote leaves scope vague, the low number is a deposit on future variations, not a real price.
The honest advice, even when it costs us the bigger job: if the flat is going out for rent, a cosmetic refresh from 1,500 AED/m² usually returns more than a full capital renovation. Save the turnkey budget for the home you actually live in. How we fix scope, price and timeline in the contract is set out in our services, and you can get a rough figure for your own flat in four questions with the quick cost estimate.
FAQ
How much do interior design contractors in Dubai charge per square metre?
From 1,500 AED/m² for cosmetic work, from 3,000 AED/m² for a capital renovation, and 8,500–16,000 AED/m² for a turnkey fit-out with furniture and décor. The exact rate depends on the building, the scope and the finish, so a firm number needs drawings rather than a rough description.
Do I need a permit to renovate my apartment in Dubai?
For anything beyond paint and flooring, yes. Most towers and communities require approved drawings and a developer NOC before works start, and any electrical or AC change needs DEWA sign-off. Budget one to three weeks for approvals and confirm your contractor is on the building's approved list.
How long does a full apartment fit-out take?
A 150 m² apartment typically runs two to six months. Cosmetic refreshes with fast approvals finish nearer two; full capital renovations with layout changes, restricted working hours and material lead times reach six. Approval time and building access usually move the date more than the construction itself.
What is a DLP and why does it matter?
The Defects Liability Period is the window after handover during which the contractor fixes defects at no cost to you. In our case works carry a one-year guarantee. If a quote never mentions a DLP, you have no written recourse once the final payment clears.