How do I check a contractor is allowed to work in Dubai?

Ask for the trade licence and check its activities cover your job, then ask for the Dubai Municipality Contractor Register registration and classification. Since 8 January 2026, clients may not engage contractors that are not registered and classified under Dubai Law No. 7 of 2025.

Can an interior design company build my renovation?

Only if it also holds a contracting licence for the work. A design-only licence covers drawings and specifications, not work on site.

How many quotes should I get?

Get at least 3 itemised quotes for the same scope, and ask each contractor who handles approvals and whether permit and consultant fees are included.

How much contingency should I keep?

Published guidance suggests keeping 10% to 15% of the construction budget in reserve.

How to choose a contractor in Dubai

The short answer

Choose a contractor whose trade licence covers your job and who is registered and classified on the Dubai Municipality Contractor Register, as Dubai Law No. 7 of 2025 requires. Get approvals before work starts, compare at least 3 itemised quotes for the same scope, keep 10 to 15% contingency, and tie payments to finished work.

By SoukLocal editorial teamUpdated 28 October 2026

Must haveLicence + register

Compare3 itemised quotes

Contingency10 – 15%

The checklist

Trade licence covers the work. A fit-out licence covers interiors; structural and building work needs a building-contracting licence. A design-only licence does not allow work on site.
Registered on the Contractor Register. Dubai Municipality's register, linked to Invest in Dubai. Clients may not engage unregistered or unclassified contractors. See the guide.
Classification fits your job. The classification decides which projects a contractor may take on.
Subcontractors are approved. Subcontracting needs approval, and subcontractors must be licensed and classified too. Ask who will do each part of the work.
A licensed consultant does the drawings. Engineering consultants must hold a trade licence and annual Dubai Municipality registration. See the consultant guide.
Approvals come first. Community NOC, then the permit from the authority for your area, then work. Fire and life-safety changes need Civil Defence approval on the drawings. See approvals.
Itemised quotes for the same scope. At least 3, with materials, brands, quantities and exclusions listed. Compare against published cost ranges.
Fees are clear. Ask whether permit, consultant, structural calculation and deposit costs are included.
Payments follow progress. Tie each payment to finished, inspected work rather than to dates, and keep 10% to 15% contingency.
Everything is in the contract. Scope, drawings, timeline, payment milestones, warranty on workmanship, and who pays for delays caused by failed tests or late materials.

Red flags

No licence or register details, or a licence for a different activity.
Pressure to start before the NOC and permit are issued.
A single lump-sum quote with no breakdown.
A large advance payment before any work or materials arrive.

Sources

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change and vary by community and authority: confirm with the authority or your consultant before you start work.