Apartment vs Villa Renovation: Which Costs More in Dubai?

Are you trying to decide between renovating an apartment or a villa in Dubai? You need to know which one will cost more before starting the remodeling process. Most homeowners searching for Apartment vs Villa Renovation: Which Costs More in Dubai? If you are simply trying to plan a realistic budget before you talk to contractors.

The confusion usually starts when you see different prices online. One person renovates an apartment for AED 50,000. Another spends AED 300,000 on a villa. Approvals, permissions, materials, labor, and space decide the budget. Let’s break it down in simple terms so you can compare both options clearly.

Why comfort and lifestyle matter in villas vs apartments

Apartments offer convenience. Everything is close by, security is shared, and maintenance feels predictable. 

Villas give you space, privacy, and outdoor areas, but they also bring higher responsibility. Your renovation cost depends a lot on how you live and what you expect from your home.

If you’re working in Downtown Dubai or Business Bay, an apartment renovation may fit your lifestyle. If you’re raising a family in Sharjah or Ajman, a villa might feel more practical even with higher costs.

Average Apartment vs Villa Renovation Costs in Dubai?

Here’s the simple truth: villas usually cost more to renovate than apartments. The reason is size, layout, and extra areas like gardens, roofs, and parking.

Cost of renovating a villa

Villa renovation in Dubai often starts around AED 60,000 for basic upgrades and can reach AED 150,000 or more for medium to high-end work. Full villa renovations with layout changes, bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor areas may go much higher.

You also pay for:

• Larger spaces in luxury villas
• External boundary walls
• Landscaping or parking areas as an outdoor renovation project
• Extra plumbing and wiring in the bathrooms

If your villa has a swimming pool or garden, that adds more to the budget.

Cost of Renovating an Apartment

Basic apartment work can start near AED 10,000. Medium renovation of an Apartment may reach AED 40,000. High-end apartment upgrades with new kitchens, bathrooms, and flooring can go up to AED 80,000 or more.

Apartment renovation is cheaper than villas because:

• Smaller covered area than a villa
• No outdoor work is required
• Shared building services

Apartment Vs Villa Renovation Cost Comparison

Feature	Apartment	Villa
Starting renovation cost	AED 10,000+	AED 60,000+
Medium renovation	Around AED 40,000	Around AED 100,000
High-end renovation	AED 80,000+	AED 150,000+
Outdoor work	Not needed	Often required
Maintenance level	Lower	Higher

This table shows why most people find villas more expensive to renovate.

Key factors influencing the Renovation Budget

The following are the main factors that decide the budget of a renovation project

Size of the living space

Villas cover more square footage. More walls, floors, tiling, plumbing, and wiring are involved in renovating a villa. Apartments stay compact, so labor and materials stay controlled and a the lowest.

Layout of villa or apartment

Apartments usually keep the same layout everywhere. These are small accommodation places for professionals. Villas often involve wall changes, room extensions, or outdoor upgrades for families. Structural changes increase the cost of a villa remodeling.

Cost of materials being used for renovation

Villa owners often choose premium tiles, custom wardrobes, and outdoor finishes. Apartment owners usually stick to standard kitchens, tiles, and paint.

Living in an Apartment vs Living in a Villa

Living costs and stability

Apartments come with fixed service charges. These minor services keep yearly costs lower and easier to predict. Villas feel flexible, but sometimes, surprise repairs are unavoidable. These repairs may cost you more.

Maintenance costs

Apartment owners pay building maintenance through service fees. Villa owners handle everything themselves, from roof leaks to boundary walls.

Lifestyle

Apartments suit professionals and small families. The residents of the apartment want easy living. While the villas suit larger families who want space, parking, and privacy.

Approvals also affect renovation costs

Whether you renovate a villa or apartment, approvals from the authorities and the building department are required. Structural or electrical changes need permission from the Dubai Municipality (DM). Electrical upgrades may also require clearance from the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.

These approvals add time and small fees. These approvals protect your safety and property value across Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, and Abu Dhabi.

Apartment vs Villa Renovation: Which Costs More in Dubai?

In most cases, villa renovation costs more than apartment renovation. Villas need more materials, more labor, outdoor work, and higher maintenance. Apartments stay budget-friendly due to their smaller size and shared facilities.

Your final cost depends on:

• Property size
• Type of renovation
• Materials selected
• Layout changes
• Approval requirements

If you want lower upfront costs and predictable maintenance, apartments make sense. If you want space and long-term living comfort, villas may be worth the higher investment.

Frequently Asked Questions