Kitchen and bathrooms
Kitchen and bathroom upgrade in Business Bay towers
A focused scope for units where the living space is acceptable but kitchens and bathrooms are dated. It concentrates budget on the two rooms that carry most weight in a viewing.
- Area
- Business Bay
- Property type
- Apartment
- Indicative budget
- AED 110,000 – 220,000
- Indicative duration
- 7 – 10 weeks on site
Indicative figures only. Final cost requires a site inspection and a contractor quotation.
Opportunity summary
- Property type
- Apartment
- Typical property age
- Towers completed roughly between 2010 and 2016
- Renovation scope
- Selected upgrades
- Indicative budget band
- AED 100k – 250k
- Indicative timeline
- 7 – 10 weeks on site
- Occupancy requirement
- Vacant required
- Main objective
- Replace the two rooms that most affect tenant and buyer perception
- Last reviewed
- 8 July 2026
Why this opportunity exists
Independent assessment
A middle path between a cosmetic refresh and a full renovation. Concentrating budget on kitchens and bathrooms limits programme length and approval exposure, provided the plumbing stack positions are retained. Moving wet areas changes the risk profile entirely and should be treated as a full renovation.
Existing condition
Serviceable living areas with original kitchens and bathrooms, typically with worn worktops, dated tiling and end-of-life sanitary ware.
Common limitations
- Galley kitchens with limited worktop space
- Dated bathroom tiling and sanitary ware
- Poor extraction and task lighting in wet areas
When renovation may be worthwhile
Suitable where flooring and layout are acceptable, the unit is being re-let or resold, and wet-area positions can stay as built.
When renovation may not be worthwhile
Not suitable where the layout is the real problem, or where flooring and joinery are also at end of life — in that case a full renovation is usually more efficient.
Recommended work scope
Priorities reflect what typically has to be done for the objective to be met, not a fixed specification. A site inspection can move any item between categories.
Kitchen
Full kitchen replacement
EssentialNew units, worktop, splashback, sink, extraction and appliances in the existing footprint.
Bathrooms
Bathroom replacement
EssentialStrip-out, waterproofing renewal, retiling, sanitary ware and vanity, keeping the stack position.
Lighting
Wet-area and task lighting
RecommendedImproved lighting and extraction in kitchen and bathrooms.
Painting and finishes
Making good and redecoration
RecommendedRepainting of affected rooms after the works.
Flooring
Wet-area flooring
RecommendedNew floor finish in kitchen and bathrooms only, matched to the existing living-area floor.
Joinery and cabinetry
Utility and storage joinery
OptionalLaundry and storage cabinetry where space permits.
Budget context
Three indicative levels for the same property type. They describe typical market ranges for comparable scopes — they are not offers, estimates or quotations.
Low / cosmetic
AED 80,000 – 110,000 — one bathroom and a mid-range kitchen
Standard
AED 110,000 – 180,000 — kitchen plus two bathrooms at a mid-range specification
Premium
AED 180,000 – 300,000 — imported cabinetry, integrated appliances and premium sanitary ware
Major cost drivers
- Number of bathrooms
- Appliance and cabinetry specification
- Whether waterproofing needs full renewal
- Whether wet-area positions move
Normally excluded
- Living-area flooring and joinery
- Building deposits and permits
- Owner-supplied appliances
- Loose furniture and styling
Contingency guidance
Hold 12–15 per cent. Waterproofing condition behind existing tiling is the single most common cost surprise on this scope.
Authority approvals
Building management approval and contractor registration. Retaining the existing plumbing stack normally avoids developer approval; relocating wet areas does not.
Important: these ranges are indicative context only. A final cost can only be established through a physical inspection of the property and an itemised contractor quotation against an agreed scope of works.
Timeline and process
Durations are indicative and run partly in sequence. The site works figure quoted in the hero covers the execution stage only.
- Stage 1
Assessment
1 – 2 weeks
Site inspection, condition report and objective setting.
- Stage 2
Design and scope
2 – 4 weeks
Layout, finishes and a written scope of works.
- Stage 3
Quotation
1 – 2 weeks
Itemised contractor pricing against the same scope.
- Stage 4
Approvals
2 – 6 weeks
Developer or building management NOC where required.
- Stage 5
Execution
Varies by scope
Site works, inspections and snagging in stages.
- Stage 6
Inspection and handover
1 – 2 weeks
Defects list, rectification and final handover.
Possible improvement outcomes
Renovation can change how a property presents and performs. It does not guarantee any specific increase in value, rent or return — outcomes depend on the building, the wider market and execution quality.
- Improved rental appeal in a competitive tower market
- Improved resale presentation at moderate cost
- Lower maintenance burden after sanitary ware and waterproofing renewal
- Better usability through improved storage and extraction
Risks and considerations
Levels reflect how often these issues affect a scope of this type in Dubai, not a prediction for your specific property.
- High
Hidden defects
Failed waterproofing behind tiling is the most frequent discovery.
- Medium
Material lead times
Cabinetry and appliance packages drive the programme.
- Medium
Scope changes
Requests to move wet areas mid-project change the approval position.
- Medium
Building restrictions
Water isolation and waste removal are tightly controlled in occupied towers.
- Medium
Occupancy disruption
Kitchen and bathrooms are out of use for the full programme.
Material and finish options
Informational only. We do not sell materials and do not hold inventory; specification should be confirmed with your specialist.
| Category | Common options | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Stone | Quartz, sintered stone, natural marble | — |
| Cabinetry | Local joinery, imported systems, handleless fronts | — |
| Sanitary ware | Mid-range European, designer imports | — |
| Flooring | Porcelain, large-format tile | — |
| Lighting | Recessed IP-rated fittings, mirror lighting | — |
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the budget range?
The ranges shown are indicative bands based on comparable scopes in similar buildings. They are not quotations. Actual cost depends on the condition of the unit, the finish level you select and contractor availability at the time of tender.
Is a site inspection required?
Yes. No renovation budget can be confirmed without a physical inspection. Concealed services, substrate condition and existing MEP capacity are only visible on site.
Does renovation require building approval?
Cosmetic work usually needs only building management permission and a contractor registration. Anything touching layout, plumbing stacks, electrical loads or the façade normally requires a developer or authority approval, which adds time to the programme.
Can the property remain occupied?
This depends on the scope. Selected upgrades in one or two rooms can sometimes be phased around occupation. A full renovation involving kitchens, bathrooms or flooring normally requires a vacant unit.
How long does the work normally take?
The indicative duration shown covers site works only. Add the assessment, design, quotation and approval stages before it, which commonly take a further four to ten weeks.
How are contractors selected?
We introduce approved specialists who hold a valid trade licence, are registered to work in the relevant building type and have completed comparable scopes. You contract directly with them; we do not take a position in the works contract.
Are materials included in the estimate?
Indicative bands assume a mid-range material specification supplied by the contractor. Owner-supplied items, imported stone, specialist joinery and premium sanitary ware are commonly priced separately.
Can renovation improve resale or rental appeal?
Renovation can improve presentation, usability and rental appeal, and it may shorten time on market. It does not guarantee a specific increase in value or rent — outcomes depend on the building, the wider market and how the work is executed.
Request a renovation assessment
Tell us about the property you own or are considering. We review the scope with you and connect you to one suitable approved specialist.
- An initial review of the likely scope of works
- Budget and timeline context for your property type and area
- An introduction to one suitable approved specialist
- No spam, no data selling, no listing broadcasts
We do not provide quotations online. Any figure discussed before inspection is indicative.