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A typical mid-range kitchen renovation in a Marina apartment takes 2-4 weeks. Allow 2-3 days for demolition, 1-2 weeks for cabinet manufacturing (if locally made), 3-5 days for installation, and 2-3 days for countertops and finishing. Keep in mind that most Marina buildings restrict work to 9am-5pm Saturday-Thursday with no work on Fridays, so the calendar timeline is often longer than the actual working days. If you're using imported cabinets, add 8-12 weeks for shipping.

Absolutely — it's non-negotiable. Dubai Municipality building codes require a waterproofing membrane in all wet areas. The contractor must apply a liquid membrane (typically Fosroc or Sika) in two coats, with reinforcement tape at all corners and pipe penetrations. After the membrane cures, a 24-48 hour water retention test is mandatory before tiling. Dubai's high humidity makes this even more critical — without proper waterproofing, moisture will seep through to the floor below. Skipping this to save AED 2,000-4,000 can result in an AED 15,000-20,000 repair bill later. Don't let any contractor talk you out of it.

100% necessary, and I'd add: insist on seeing the water retention test yourself. A good contractor will invite you to inspect the flooded bathroom after 48 hours. If there's any drop in water level, the membrane needs redoing before tiles go on. We've had to fix countless bathrooms where the original contractor skipped this step or used a substandard membrane. In coastal areas like JBR and Marina, the humidity makes this even more critical.

For a family with kids and pets in Arabian Ranches, I'd recommend SPC luxury vinyl tile (LVT). It's 100% waterproof, scratch-resistant, softer underfoot than tile (better for kids), and handles Dubai's temperature variations well. Choose an SPC core (not WPC) with a wear layer of at least 0.5mm. Brands like Quick-Step Livyn or Karndean are excellent. Budget AED 20-30/sqft installed. For high-traffic areas like the entrance hall, porcelain tile (R10 slip-rated) is also a great option. Avoid natural hardwood — the combination of pets, kids, and Dubai's thermal cycling will cause issues.

This is the most common AC issue in Dubai. In 90% of cases, it's a blocked drain line. Dubai's humidity causes algae and sludge to build up inside the condensate drain pipe, eventually blocking it completely. The water that normally drains away has nowhere to go, so it overflows from the drain pan inside the indoor unit. The fix is simple: a technician flushes the drain line with compressed air or a vacuum, cleans the drain pan, and applies an algae inhibitor. Cost: AED 150-300 per unit. To prevent this, have your AC serviced every 3 months and ask the technician to flush the drain line each time.

Both are excellent brands, but Jotun has a slight edge in the UAE market. Jotun Majestic True Beauty is our go-to for interior walls — it has superior washability (important in Dubai's dusty environment), excellent coverage (usually 2 coats are enough), and the colour range is fantastic. For ceilings, Jotun Fenomastic is the standard. Dulux Velvet Touch is a close second and some painters prefer its application feel. For exterior work (balconies, terraces), Jotun Jotashield is the clear winner — it's formulated specifically for Gulf climate conditions. National Paints is the budget alternative and perfectly fine for rental properties. Avoid no-name paints from Dragon Mart — they fade quickly and have poor coverage.

It depends on the scope. For cosmetic work (painting, flooring, replacing fixtures), you typically only need a NOC from your building management — not a Dubai Municipality permit. However, for structural changes (removing or adding walls, modifying plumbing routes, changing electrical load), you need both a building management NOC and a Dubai Municipality building permit. Your contractor should handle the Municipality permit application, but the building NOC is your responsibility as the property owner. Process: submit a renovation request to your building management with scope of work and contractor details. Most buildings respond within 1-2 weeks. Some charge a processing fee (AED 500-2,000) and require a refundable deposit.

Emirates Hills villas are premium properties and renovations typically match that standard. For a full renovation of a 5-bedroom villa (approximately 6,000-8,000 sqft), expect AED 400,000-800,000+ depending on the finish level. This includes kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, painting, lighting, AC upgrades, landscaping, and pool renovation. The breakdown is roughly: 30% kitchens and bathrooms, 20% flooring, 15% electrical and lighting, 15% painting and finishes, 10% landscaping and outdoor, 10% contingency. My strongest advice: budget 15-20% contingency. In older Emirates Hills villas, we almost always find hidden issues — aging plumbing, outdated wiring, or waterproofing that needs replacing.

Low water pressure in JBR is a known issue, especially in older towers and upper floors. There are several possible causes: 1) Clogged aerators on taps — remove and clean them first (free fix). 2) Limescale buildup in pipes — Dubai's desalinated water has high mineral content. A plumber can descale your pipes (AED 500-1,500). 3) Faulty pressure reducing valve (PRV) at your apartment entry — replacement costs AED 300-800. 4) Building-level supply issue — report to your building management. Start with the simple fixes first. If cleaning aerators and replacing the PRV doesn't help, the issue may be building-level infrastructure, which is the management company's responsibility.