What changes the total?
Two homes with the same area can require very different work. Keeping the layout and repairing selected finishes is different from replacing bathrooms, changing joinery and coordinating service alterations. Access, protection and the condition behind existing finishes also affect the package.
Separate the base works from optional upgrades. This helps you preserve the intended scope while deciding where a more expensive finish matters to you. Ask for supplier-backed selections and current quotations rather than treating a general internet price per square foot as an offer.
Compare these lines before comparing the total
Use this table beside each contractor’s proposal. Mark each item as included, excluded or allowance, then record the quantity, specification and responsibility. Resolve gaps before comparing the final figures.
| Budget line | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Survey, drawings and permissions | Deliverables, submitting party and any separate charges. |
| Protection and removal | Retained items, common areas, removal limits and waste disposal. |
| Preparation and repairs | Measured preparation and treatment of concealed conditions. |
| Materials and installation | Product references, quantities, supply, labour and accessories. |
| Specialist interfaces | Joinery, glazing, lighting and service work included in this package. |
| Site arrangements | Access, delivery, storage, supervision and cleaning. |
| Handover | Inspection, snag closure and agreed documents. |
| Price basis | Validity, payment milestones, tax treatment and exclusions. |
Separate fixed prices from allowances
An allowance is money reserved for something not fully specified. Ask what quantity and quality it assumes, how the final amount will be calculated and who must approve an adjustment. An exclusion is different: it may require a separate appointment or budget.
Keep a contingency for uncertainty that has actually been identified on the project. Ask the team to explain the risks it covers rather than adopting an arbitrary percentage as a guarantee. Track commitments as selections become firm so the remaining budget is visible.
Use area as context, not the quotation
ABA PRIME’s completed Beach Mansion townhouse is G+1 and 1,800 sq ft. That describes the property’s scale; it does not tell you the measured wall area, number of fittings, preparation needs or material selections.
For this renovation of our own home, the owner recalls spending approximately AED 200,000–300,000 on materials alone. This is a retrospective estimate, not an audited total or a price offered to a client. No profit margin was built into the project, and a total including labour and every other cost has not been established here. Do not use this material figure as a turnkey budget or a per-square-foot rate.
The confirmed work included complete interior finishing, removal of some walls, renovation of all bathrooms, bedrooms and living spaces, and repainting throughout. The work was completed in 1.5 months. That combination of scope and selections belongs to this particular home; another property needs its own assessment and quotation.
A useful first enquiry includes location, floor plans if available, room photographs, a keep/replace list and your target finish level. The team can then identify what needs a site review and what information will make the quotation more definite.
- Every proposal prices the same revision of the brief.
- Quantities and product assumptions are visible.
- Client-supplied items and exclusions are listed.
- Allowances have a clear adjustment method.
- Changes need written cost and time approval.
- Payment and handover milestones are defined.
Planning your renovation?
Share your location, available drawings and intended scope. We’ll help identify the information needed for a quotation.
