Fit-Out & Joinery in Dubai — Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what people actually ask us before starting a kitchen, wardrobe or full fit-out in Dubai. If your question is not here, call or WhatsApp 054 134 2017 and ask us directly.
Cost
How much does a kitchen fit-out cost in Dubai?
Kitchens are priced by the running metre and by the finish, not by a flat rate. A straightforward laminate kitchen in an apartment costs far less than a lacquered kitchen with a quartz island in a villa. The honest answer is that anyone quoting you a price before measuring is guessing. We measure, then give you a fixed itemised figure, and both are free.
How much do fitted wardrobes cost in Dubai?
Also by the metre, and driven mostly by three things: the height of the run, whether the doors are hinged or sliding, and the internal fit-out. A floor-to-ceiling run with sliding doors and a full internal layout costs more per metre than a simple hinged wardrobe, and lasts longer.
Why do quotes for the same job vary so much?
Because they are rarely the same job. The three things that move a price most are the board, the edge lipping and the hardware, and none of them are visible once the unit is installed. A cheap quote usually means thinner board, a heat-glued edge that lifts within a year, and hinges without soft-close. Ask any contractor to name the board brand, the edge type and the hinge brand in writing. If they will not put it on the quotation, that tells you what you need to know.
Do you charge for the site visit or the quotation?
No. Measuring and quoting are free, anywhere in Dubai.
Process and timing
How long does a fit-out take?
For made-to-order joinery, usually three to five weeks from the day you sign off the drawings, depending on the finish. Lacquer and PU paint take longer than laminate because of the curing time. Installation itself is typically two to five days for a kitchen or a wardrobe run. Repairs are often the same week.
What happens at the first visit?
We measure the space properly, talk through what you actually use it for, and tell you where your money is best spent and where it is not. You get a fixed itemised quotation afterwards, not an allowance that moves later. The person who measures is the person who fits it, which is why the measurements are right.
Do I need to move out while the work is done?
For a single kitchen or wardrobe, no. The dusty part is the removal of the old units and any cutting, which we contain and keep to as few days as possible. For a full villa fit-out it is usually more comfortable to be elsewhere, but that is your call and we will work around you either way.
Can you work around my schedule?
Yes. Most Dubai towers restrict working hours and require the building to be notified in advance. We work to the building rules rather than around them, because a job stopped by security costs everyone a day.
Approvals and buildings
Do I need approval from my building or developer?
In most Dubai apartment buildings, yes. Management will normally want a notification, a copy of the contractor’s trade licence, and sometimes a refundable deposit before work starts. Requirements differ between buildings and communities, so the first thing to do is ask your building management what they need. We provide the documentation they ask for.
Does joinery work need DEWA or municipality approval?
Replacing kitchen units, wardrobes or joinery on a like-for-like basis normally does not. Approvals become relevant when the work touches the structure, moves plumbing or electrical points, or changes the layout of a space. If your job crosses that line we will tell you at the quotation stage rather than halfway through.
Do you work in apartments as well as villas?
Both, plus offices and shops. Apartments and villas need different approaches, mostly around access, lift bookings and working hours.
Materials and quality
What materials do you use?
Board joinery is made in premium Egger board with a soft edge lipping finish, which is what keeps the edges intact and the doors sitting straight for years rather than months. We also work in solid timber, oak and walnut veneers, lacquer and PU paint finishes, fluted panels, and bronze or clear glazed doors in slim metal framing.
Where is the joinery actually made?
Every piece is measured on site by the person who will fit it, then made to order by the Dubai joinery workshop best suited to your finish, and inspected by us before it leaves. We manage the build ourselves, which means a change mid-build is a conversation rather than a variation order.
Why does hardware matter so much?
Because it is the part you touch every day and the part that fails first. Soft-close hinges and runners, adjustable shelving and proper wall fixings are the difference between joinery that still works in five years and joinery that starts to annoy you within one.
Can you match an existing kitchen or wardrobe?
Usually yes. Send us a photo of what you have and we will tell you honestly how close a match is achievable before you commit to anything.
Working with us
Which areas of Dubai do you cover?
All of Dubai. That includes Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah, Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Hills Estate, Arabian Ranches, Al Barsha, Downtown, Business Bay, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Damac Hills and Dubai Festival City. We travel to you.
Do you take on small jobs and repairs?
Yes. A dropped wardrobe door, a failed drawer runner or a kitchen hinge that has gone is a repair and should be priced as one. We will tell you when repairing is the right answer and when replacing is, even when replacing is worth more to us.
Are you a licensed company?
Yes. Al Khalaq Technical LLC holds a UAE trade licence, and we provide a copy to building management whenever it is requested for access or approvals.
Still have a question?
Send a photo on WhatsApp and get an indication the same day, or call and we will arrange a site visit this week.
Call or WhatsApp 054 134 2017
Looking for carpentry specifically? See our carpenter in Dubai page.