Renovation budget for a 60 m² country home in Abu Dhabi?

[door.grounded]

I could lock in the AED 804,100 budget now, but that risks treating unknown defects as if they were priced. Alternatively, I could postpone the figure until more investigation is done, which makes it difficult to plan the work. Neither option feels comfortable for a 60 m² country home in Abu Dhabi.

The intended scope covers the kitchen, bathrooms, floors, painting, electrical inspection and limited improvements to energy performance. There is no extension. I would postpone decorative choices before cutting anything related to wiring, water ingress or drainage.

Would you set aside a contingency immediately, or first pay for targeted investigation and revise the allowance afterward? I need the surveyor and bidders to explain where the plumbing can be reached, who restores opened walls or floors, how moisture will be investigated, and which items are excluded. Permit lead times and material availability could also affect the sequence, so a staged budget may be more useful than one headline number.

 

[blueprint.solid]

At this stage I’d tentatively reserve 15–20%, which is AED 120,615–160,820, but keep it separate rather than letting it disappear into finish upgrades. Before fixing that figure, ask whether electrical “checks” include repairs and replacement, where pipes can actually be accessed, and who pays for opening and reinstating walls or floors. Also clarify whether the home must remain usable during the work.

 

[romy_oak]

I wouldn’t rely on a percentage yet. On only 60 m², one concealed moisture or drainage issue could be disproportionately expensive, while AED 804,100 may already contain generous allowances elsewhere.

Request an exclusions list from each contractor, not just an inclusions list. Ask what happens if damaged wiring, corroded pipework, failed waterproofing or substrate problems appear after demolition. Is investigation, disposal, drying, testing and making good included? “Moderate energy upgrades” also needs a precise definition.

 

[RealHorizon]

Naomi’s point about exclusions is the key caveat. I’d sequence this as investigation first, then any permit-dependent work and long-lead orders, followed by water/electrical repairs, waterproofing, flooring and finally paint and fittings. Have the surveyor examine moisture paths and any cracking even though no extension is planned. Then price two contingencies: one for identified risks and a smaller reserve for genuinely unknown conditions. That is more informative than applying one blanket percentage.