How Much Does Home Renovation Cost in MENA? A Country-by-Country Guide for 2026

One of the most common frustrations when planning a renovation in MENA is getting a quote that has nothing to do with reality. A contractor in Dubai quotes 80,000 AED for a kitchen. A friend in Cairo pays the equivalent of 12,000 AED for what looks like the same job. Someone in Casablanca does a full bathroom for what feels like pocket change compared to Riyadh prices.

This isn't haggling or dishonesty — it reflects genuine, structural differences in labour costs, material availability, and market demand across the region. Understanding why the numbers differ is the first step to budgeting intelligently.

Why renovation costs vary so much across MENA

Labour markets are completely different. In the UAE and Qatar, skilled labour is imported and expensive. A tiler in Dubai earns 3–5× what the same tiler earns in Cairo or Casablanca, and that difference flows directly into your quote. Saudi Arabia sits in between — Gulf salaries, but with slightly more price competition than Dubai.

Material costs and import logistics vary. Morocco and Egypt have strong local tile and cement industries, which keeps material costs down significantly. In Kuwait and Bahrain, almost everything is imported, which adds freight costs to every single line item.

Market demand drives pricing. Dubai's construction boom means contractors have more work than they can handle. That shortage of availability pushes prices up regardless of material costs. Egypt's construction market is competitive, which keeps contractors honest on margins.

Currency and purchasing power. A mid-range bathroom renovation in Dubai costs roughly AED 18,000–35,000. In Cairo, the equivalent quality work runs EGP 35,000–70,000 — which sounds higher in local currency but is a fraction of the Dubai cost when converted.

What to expect by room type

These are mid-range estimates (quality finishes, not basic and not luxury) for a standard apartment in the market's main city.

Bathroom renovation

A full bathroom renovation — new tiles floor to ceiling, new fixtures, new plumbing connections — is one of the most common projects across all markets.

In the UAE, a mid-range bathroom (10–14 m²) typically runs AED 15,000–30,000 depending on fixture quality and the complexity of the plumbing layout. Saudi Arabia is slightly lower: SAR 12,000–25,000. Egypt is significantly less: EGP 25,000–55,000 (around $500–1,100 at current rates). Morocco: MAD 15,000–30,000.

Kitchen renovation

Kitchens are the most variable category because the cost depends heavily on whether you're replacing cabinets, changing the layout, or just upgrading surfaces.

A surface-level kitchen upgrade (new tiles, new countertop, keeping existing cabinets and plumbing) is far cheaper than a full reconfiguration. For a full mid-range kitchen renovation in the UAE, expect AED 25,000–60,000. In Saudi Arabia, SAR 20,000–50,000. Egypt and Morocco are proportionally lower.

Full apartment renovation

If you're renovating an entire apartment — all rooms, new flooring throughout, fresh paint, updated electrical and plumbing — the cost per square metre is the most useful benchmark.

In the UAE, mid-range full renovations run AED 500–900 per m². A 100 m² apartment would be AED 50,000–90,000. Saudi Arabia: SAR 400–750 per m². Egypt: EGP 700–1,500 per m². Morocco: MAD 700–1,400 per m².

The three finish quality levels and what they mean

Basic / Economy — standard ceramic tiles, paint-grade finishes, basic sanitary ware from widely available brands. Functional, not impressive. Costs are roughly 30% below mid-range.

Mid-range — quality ceramic or porcelain tiles, proper surface preparation, decent sanitary ware, good paint. This is what most homeowners do for their own homes and rental properties. The baseline figures in this article.

Luxury — imported marble or large-format porcelain, premium fixtures (Grohe, Hansgrohe, TOTO), designer paint finishes, bespoke carpentry. Costs are 75–100% above mid-range, and the difference compounds when you add extras.

Use the free Renovation Cost Estimator

Rather than reading tables and trying to extrapolate, use our free estimator. You select your room type, enter the area, choose a finish quality level, select which trades are involved (plumbing, electrical, AC, flooring, carpentry), and choose your country. It gives you a low/mid/high range calibrated to that market in seconds.

Try the Renovation Cost Estimator →

The estimator covers UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Morocco, Oman, and Bahrain — each with its own market multiplier reflecting actual cost differences.

Three things that drive quotes higher than expected

Hidden preparatory work. Quotes often exclude waterproofing membranes, wall levelling, or structural crack repair. A good contractor includes these upfront; a cheap one discovers them mid-job and adds them as extras.

Material quality switches. The spec says "porcelain tiles" but the contractor priced it for the cheapest available option. When you choose something that actually looks good, the price jumps. Always ask for the tile brand and model in the quote, not just the category.

Scope creep. You start with a bathroom and notice the hallway floor while the tiles are torn up. One thing leads to another. Set a contingency budget of 15–20% beyond your estimate for any renovation.

How to compare quotes correctly

Always get at least three quotes from verified contractors before committing. When comparing, make sure every quote includes the same line items — same tile area, same fixture specification, same warranty period. A quote that's 20% lower than the others is usually missing something.

On SouqHouse, you can post your project, describe the scope, and receive applications from verified tradespeople in your city. You see their profiles, reviews from previous clients, and their indicative rates before anyone contacts you.

Post your renovation project and get quotes →