Renovation Companies in Dubai – How to Choose for Best Fit Out Companies
These days, finding the best renovation companies in Dubai is literally the hardest part of a renovation.
Having gone through a full home renovation ourselves, we did an extensive amount of research to screen for a good fit out contractor for each job. We spoke to dozens over the phone, met them in person, and visited a handful of sites to see their work and finishing.
After vetting tons of fit out companies over the phone, conducting face-to-face meetings, and personally inspecting several sites to evaluate their workmanship and finishing, we have some solid findings to share. It turns out, putting in the legwork pays off big time.
We hope this guide will better equip you to make smarter choices in every home project you undertake.
What Did We Learn From Our Own Renovation Experience?
While some fit out companies really impressed us with their craftsmanship and dedication to quality, others left us scratching our heads. Here is our overall take from our home renovation journey:
1. Google reviews and pretty Instagram reels are easy ways to find a renovation company in Dubai, but to decide if they are great contractors really requires another level of digging.
2. Completion time, pricing, and finishes vary significantly between companies.
3. Having their own joinery in their office gave us peace of mind.
4. Speaking to more contractors increases our renovations knowledge and confidence.
5. Fit out companies may promote their country origin to portray a certain image. Nationality is irrelevant – judge by skill and professionalism.
Screening renovation contractors takes time, but there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success. So how do we find them?
For a quick glance, here are a starter list of the best renovation contractors in Dubai.
Best Renovation Companies in Dubai
Here’s a list of top-rated fit out companies for residential projects.
| Company | Google Review | Design Service | Established | ||
| 1 | Neo Tech Engineering | 4.3 (13 Reviews) | @neotechuae | Yes | 2005 |
| 2 | Across Design | 5 (30 Reviews) | @theacrossdesigns | Yes | 2017 |
| 3 | Merrit Interiors | 4.2 (22 Reviews) | @merrit_interiors | Yes | 2005 |
| 4 | Roseville | NA | @rosevilledubai | No | 2008 |
| 5 | Gallagher Technical Services | 4.0 (7 Reviews) | @gallaghertechnicalservices | Yes | 2015 |
| 6 | Signature Living | 3.9 (21 Reviews) | @signature_living | Yes | 2015 |
| 7 | MACS | 5 (3 Reviews) | @macsuae | Yes | 2018 |
| 8 | Atelier Five | 4.6 (27 Reviews) | @atelierfiveinteriors | Yes | 2019 |
| 9 | Cherwell Interiors | 4.4 (37 Reviews) | @cherwell_dubai | Yes | 2014 |
| 10 | Creating Homes | 4.0 (5 Reviews) | @creatinghomes | Yes | 2009 |
| 11 | Smart Renovation | 4.8 (45 Reviews) | @smartrenovationdubai | Yes | 2013 |
| 12 | One Fitout | 5.0 (25 Reviews) | @onef1tout | Yes | 2019 |
Note: Some fit out companies may prefer villas projects.
If you have an apartment to renovate, check first if the contractors will do it as they often have more rules and restrictions, i.e. working hours, ventilation, general logistics, neighbours complaints causing delays, etc.
How Can You Screen for a Good Fit Out Contractor in Dubai?
What’s the best way to find interior fit out in Dubai?
It may be tempting to ask your friends and family, but their one bathroom contractors may not be the best choice for your full house gut renovation.
Before you decide to use someone’s recommendation, here are some ways to begin your own research.
1. Visit Sanitary and Tile Shops
Visit sanitary and tile shops like Bagno Design, RAK, Saniplex, Aquazone, and keep an eye out for contractors. They are frequent visitors to these shops, and can be easily identified by their fit out company logo on their shirt.
Tip: Ask the staff for recommendations, they often know the most reliable renovation companies in Dubai. Try to get a list of renovation contractors these shops do business with. (See Left Image) It was a great way to shortlist potential contractors that may work for you.
2. Home Renovation Online Reviews
Google reviews are a good starting point, and a great way to discover people’s experience and avoid any mishaps.
But watch out for overly generic or suspicious ones that can be applicable even to a coffee shop review. Some may also be fake negative review to bring the company down.
Use them to identify potential companies, then verify through sit visits and references.
3. Home Renovation Facebook Groups
Groups like Style Me Interiors are excellent for asking about fit out companies, interior design, getting recommendations, and checking other’ experience.
It’s a great way to get yourself familiar on how people renovate, and run a background check on potential contractors.
4. Renovation Journey on Instagram
In Dubai, there are homeowners who are passionate about sharing their renovation journey on Instagram. Look for tagged contractors, before-and-after photos, and how they showcase paint comparison.
Often, they are very candid, honest, and really good with their visuals. We reached out to a few who happily shared their experience on their contractors, and it helped us decide if those are the contractors we want on our team.
Here are some of our favourites on Instagram:
5. Pre-Screen Renovation Contractors on Phone & in Person
Our experience with renovation companies in Dubai begin the moment we start talking with them, whether over WhatsApp, phone, or in person. Do they reply promptly? Do they respond well to questions?
Some general questions to ask:
1. How long would it take to complete a X bedroom / X bathroom for a villa/apartment?
2. How much would it roughly cost?
3. Do you have the capacity to complete by a certain time frame? We need to move in by X.
4. Do you have a design team or do we need to provide design? Is it included in the fees or is it extra?
5. Do you do joinery work… i.e. build new closets, doors, kitchen cabinets?
6. When can you start?
7. Can we see your past projects?
If it matches with your time frame, budget and you like their designs, set up a time to talk about your project, and see how they are in person.
Follow up in person with:
1. How long have you been doing this?
2. How many other projects you have going at the same time?
3. Do you have your own joinery, do you outsource it, or do I need to find another contractor for it?
4. Are all the employees under your company?
5. Do you have photos to share of your past work?
6. Here are some ideas of design. Show photos. Have you done them before?
The answers to these questions will reveal the company’s experience, availability, and how much attention they can give to your project.
Things to look out for:
Are they on time? Late? Early? Do they look professional? How do they act and reply? If everything feels OK, move on to the next question, “Can we visit one of your sites?”
The answers to these questions will reveal the company’s experience, availability, and how much attention they can give to your project.
6. Ask Renovation Contractors: Can We Visit Your Sites?
A site visit reveals the real quality of work and progress speed. It will help you learn about the contractor’s capabilities and if their work lives up to their words. Seeing the actual homes is probably the best way to decide if you want to continue this relationship.
We had some interesting experiences with this. Here are 3 which stood out as red flags:
Contractor 1
One homeowner was overall happy with the contractor, and we liked the finishing and his attitude. Then, we came across another homeowner (on Instagram) who had a terrible experience with the same contractor. The client wasn’t happy with the front door finishing, and said she was blamed for not being smart enough to know the difference in materials, and was told she is the most complaining customer.
Contractor 2
Despite claims of 80% completion, the actual progress resembled 50% completion at best with just a few guys working on site. Site manager came late, and wasn’t so confident in answering our questions. The contractor never replied us after the site visit. Later, we found out from a homeowner there was months of delay, and the contractor didn’t come back to finish the work.
Contractor 3
Surprisingly, we also had a contractor who REFUSED to show us any sites! She said it’s a privacy issue, and only if we sign the contract, then she will ask her clients to open the door. That was a red flag to us.
7. Verify Your Potential Fit Out Companies
It’s OK to be trusting, but make sure they are worthy of your trust!
Do verify their trade licence and that they are legally registered in the UAE to do whatever work you need for them to do.
For larger scale projects, request for a warranty cheque and make sure they have proper insurance In case of bankruptcy. Remember: this only protects you.
Final Tip: Build Your “Dream Team” of Contractors
That said, as your renovation journey begins, you will always need to ‘find a guy’ to fix the AC, the pipes, the doors, the leaks, the lights, etc. So, start building up a list of fit out contractors you can trust and build your dream team. You never know when you’re going to need good renovation companies in Dubai.
