Custom carpentry in Dubai — wardrobes, doors, kitchen cabinets, false ceilings — is a market where prices vary enormously and quotations are rarely itemised. You get a number and you are expected to accept it or not. This guide breaks down what each type of carpentry work actually costs in Dubai in 2026 so you can evaluate a quote properly before signing anything.
Dubai Carpentry Price Table 2026
| Job / Item | Price Range (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in wardrobe (per linear metre) | 800 – 2,500 / m | Floor to ceiling, MDF carcass, laminate or paint finish |
| 3m master bedroom wardrobe (full) | 2,500 – 7,500 | Supply and install, standard to premium finish |
| Sliding wardrobe doors (per set) | 1,200 – 3,500 | 2-door set, mirror or panel, track system included |
| Internal door replacement (door only) | 400 – 900 | Existing frame — door, hinges and handle included |
| Internal door with new frame | 700 – 1,800 | Full replacement including frame, architrave and door |
| External villa front door | 1,500 – 5,000+ | Solid wood or composite, security lock, installation |
| False ceiling — gypsum (per sqm) | 55 – 100 / sqm | Frame, board, skim coat and paint — living areas |
| Kitchen cabinet installation (labour) | 1,500 – 4,000 | Labour to install cabinets supplied by client |
| Custom kitchen (supply + install, small) | 8,000 – 20,000 | 1-bed apartment kitchen, MDF with laminate |
| TV unit / media cabinet (custom) | 1,500 – 5,000 | Floor unit or wall-mounted, MDF or solid wood |
Dubai 2026 prices. MDF-based carpentry is standard. Solid wood costs 3-5x more. Prices include supply and installation unless stated.
MDF vs Solid Wood — What to Use in a Dubai Property
Most custom carpentry in Dubai uses MDF as the core material. MDF is stable in air-conditioned environments, does not warp or crack the way solid wood can, takes paint finishes cleanly, and is significantly cheaper than solid timber. For wardrobes, TV units, kitchen cabinets and most built-in furniture, MDF is the right choice. A good MDF unit with a high-quality lacquer finish looks excellent and performs well for the 5-8 year average tenancy cycle of a Dubai property.
Solid hardwood is appropriate for villa entrance doors, bespoke dining tables, high-end majlis furniture and pieces where the natural wood grain is part of the design intent. But solid wood in Dubai must be properly kiln-dried to 8-10% moisture content before fabrication. Air-dried timber from humid environments will continue to move after installation — doors rack, joints open, panels split. Any carpenter supplying solid wood in Dubai who does not specify moisture content is not thinking through the job properly.
Why Dubai Wardrobe Quotes Vary So Much
A built-in wardrobe quote for the same bedroom can range from AED 3,000 to AED 12,000 from different Dubai carpenters. The variables: thickness of MDF used (12mm versus 18mm), whether the internal fittings are proper drawer runners and soft-close hinges or cheap hardware, the quality of the laminate or paint finish, and whether the installer does their own fabrication or is passing through work from a third-party workshop.
To compare quotes fairly, ask each carpenter to specify: MDF thickness, hardware brand (Hettich and Blum are standard good-quality), number of internal shelves and hanging rails, and whether the finish is factory-applied lacquer or site-applied paint. A site-painted MDF wardrobe is cheaper to produce but less durable than a factory-lacquered panel. Know what you are comparing before making a decision on price alone.
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AED 800-2,500 per linear metre depending on material, finish and internal fittings. A standard 3-metre master bedroom wardrobe costs AED 2,500-7,500 for supply and installation. Sliding mirror doors, soft-close hardware and built-in lighting add to the base price.
Internal door (door only, existing frame): AED 400-900. Internal door with new frame: AED 700-1,800. External villa front door: AED 1,500-5,000+ depending on material, size and lock specification.
AED 55-100 per sqm for a gypsum board false ceiling including frame, board, skim coat and paint. A 25 sqm living room false ceiling costs AED 1,400-2,500. Cove lighting channels and recessed light cutouts add AED 15-30 per point.
MDF for wardrobes, cabinets and most built-in furniture — it is stable in AC environments and cost effective. Solid hardwood for doors, bespoke statement pieces and anything exposed to outdoor conditions. Ensure any solid wood used in Dubai is specified at 8-10% moisture content to prevent movement after installation.
Fabrication: 1-2 weeks in the workshop. Site installation: 1-2 days for a standard built-in wardrobe. Full bedroom fitted furniture or a walk-in wardrobe: 2-4 days on site. Most Dubai carpentry companies quote 2-3 week lead time from order to delivery and installation.