The kitchen is usually the single most expensive room in any renovation — and the one where "get me a number" is hardest to answer honestly, because a kitchen renovation isn't one product. It's cabinetry, worktops, appliances, electrics, plumbing, and often a change to the room's layout, all bundled into a single quote.
Most kitchen renovations we scope in Dubai land between AED 80,000 and AED 350,000, with the full range stretching from AED 60,000 for a compact standard-tier refresh to AED 450,000+ for a fully bespoke, ultra-luxury kitchen. Here's exactly what separates those numbers.
Kitchen renovation cost by finish tier
| Tier | Typical Cost (AED) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 60,000 – 110,000 | Laminate or acrylic cabinetry, quartz or granite worktop, mid-range built-in appliances, standard hardware |
| Premium | 110,000 – 220,000 | Semi-custom joinery, upgraded soft-close hardware, premium quartz/composite worktops, name-brand appliance packages |
| Ultra-Luxury | 220,000 – 450,000 | Fully bespoke cabinetry, natural stone or premium composite worktops, integrated high-end appliance brands, custom lighting and island design |
💡 Get a number for your kitchen specifically
Our Renovation Cost Calculator lets you select your kitchen size and finish preferences and returns a real-time estimate — useful before you start requesting quotes.
What actually makes up the number
Cabinetry (typically 35-45% of the budget)
This is the single biggest line item in any kitchen renovation. The jump from laminate to acrylic to lacquer, and from standard modular units to fully bespoke joinery, is where most of the difference between a standard and ultra-luxury quote comes from.
Worktops
Quartz and engineered composite worktops dominate the standard-to-premium tiers because they're durable and consistent in colour. Natural stone (marble, premium granite) appears mostly at the ultra-luxury end, both for cost and because it needs more careful sealing and maintenance in a working kitchen.
Appliances
Whether appliances are included, allowance-only, or excluded entirely is one of the most common sources of quote confusion. Ask explicitly whether your number includes actual appliances or just the cutouts and connections for appliances you'll supply separately.
Layout changes
If your renovation involves removing a wall to open the kitchen to the living or dining area, that's structural and MEP work priced on top of the kitchen fit-out itself — typically following the same base renovation rate (AED 95-145 per sq ft) that applies to structural works across a villa. Our MEP Upgrades team scopes this alongside the kitchen design so electrics and plumbing are planned before, not during, demolition.
⚠ Why two kitchen quotes can differ by AED 100,000+
The gap almost always comes from three places: cabinetry material and finish (laminate vs lacquer vs bespoke joinery), appliance brand and inclusion, and worktop grade. Ask every contractor to itemise these three specifically before comparing totals.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
A standalone kitchen renovation typically takes 6 to 10 weeks from demolition to handover, depending on whether cabinetry is custom-made (longer lead time) or semi-custom/modular (faster). If the kitchen is part of a larger project — see our full villa renovation cost guide — it's usually sequenced alongside other wet areas to keep the overall timeline efficient.
Our own Meadows villa renovation included a full kitchen rebuild as part of the wider project — the before-and-after gives a realistic sense of what a mid-to-premium tier kitchen transformation actually looks like on site, not just on a spec sheet.
Budgeting tips before you request quotes
- Decide your tier (standard, premium, ultra-luxury) before calling contractors — it makes quotes directly comparable.
- Confirm whether appliances are included, allowance-only, or excluded.
- If you're removing or moving walls, get that priced as a distinct line item, not folded into "kitchen fit-out."
- Set aside a 10% contingency — kitchens in older villas often reveal outdated plumbing or electrics once units are removed. See our guide to hidden renovation costs in Dubai for the categories that catch people out most often.
See What Your Kitchen Would Cost
Select your kitchen size and finish level in our calculator for an instant, itemised estimate.
Try the Cost CalculatorFrequently asked questions
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Dubai?
Most Dubai kitchen renovations cost between AED 80,000 and AED 350,000. A standard-tier kitchen typically runs AED 60,000-110,000, premium AED 110,000-220,000, and ultra-luxury bespoke kitchens AED 220,000-450,000, depending on cabinetry, worktops, appliances, and layout changes.
What is included in a kitchen renovation price?
A full kitchen renovation price should include cabinetry, worktops, sink and tap fittings, appliances (or appliance provisions), electrical and plumbing rework, and installation. It should not include loose furniture, and permit fees are typically charged separately at cost.
Does removing a wall for an open-plan kitchen cost extra?
Yes. Removing a wall — especially a load-bearing one — adds structural, MEP rerouting, and sometimes permit costs on top of the kitchen fit-out price itself. This should always be scoped and quoted separately from the kitchen units and worktops.
