Renovating an old home or finishing an apartment? Before you sign with anyone, read this: what to plan first, why a written contract and payments in stages matter, and the questions that stop a job dragging on and costing more.
Planning first saves you money and time.
Decide exactly what you want in each room before you call any contractor.
Keep 10–15% extra for surprises, especially in older homes.
Photograph each room as it is now. Useful for quotes and for comparing later.
Decide at the start. If the contractor does, you need to name the grade for each material.
📝 Always: a written contract with every item in it, and payments in stages as the work is done. Never pay all, or most, of the money upfront.
You can avoid most of them from the start.
"Full finishing" without naming the materials invites disputes. Every item should be written down.
Better to pay in stages as work is completed, not most of the money on day one.
Check the electrics and plumbing before walls are closed with tiles or gypsum. Fixing it later costs a lot.
Bathrooms, kitchens and the roof need proper waterproofing before tiling.
Without a written deadline, work can drag on for months. Write the timeline, and a late penalty if you can.
Every change after work starts adds cost and time. Finish the design and choices before starting.
The size of the job changes the time, the price and who you need.
Paint, tiles and simple updates.
Including new wiring and plumbing.
Check the work regularly and photograph each stage, especially before wiring is covered.
Any change or new agreement: write it on WhatsApp with the price.
Pay once you've seen the stage finished, not before.
Keep the final payment until after handover and inspection.
Ask before you sign. A good contractor won't mind.
Every item with quantity, price, material and grade, not just a total.
Split payment into stages by progress, with the last payment after handover and inspection.
Make sure the contractor has one, and ask for a copy.
A written timeline, and a guarantee on the work (e.g. a year on leaks and cracks).
The contractor or you? If the contractor, name the type and grade for each material.
Visit a project they finished, and speak to the owner if you can.
One sign on its own doesn't prove anything, but take care if you see them.
Payments should follow progress. Think twice.
"Full finishing" without a bill of quantities invites disputes.
Without a written deadline, work can drag on for months.
Before you've seen the wiring and plumbing. Ask to check them first.
Rough prices per square metre, including materials and labour. Use them to spot a quote that's way off, not as fixed prices. The price varies a lot with the finishing level, materials and the state of the home.
| Service | Rough price |
|---|---|
| Economy finishing (per m²) | SAR 500 – 800 |
| Mid-range finishing (per m²) | SAR 900 – 1,400 |
| High-end finishing (per m²) | SAR 1,600 – 2,500 |
| Whole-home renovation (real Riyadh jobs) | SAR 12,000 – 23,000 and up |
💡 Renovation cost depends more on the state of the home than its size. Ask several contractors to visit and write a detailed bill of quantities.
🧾 Compare quotes line by line (electrics, plumbing, tiles, paint, gypsum), not just the total. A cheap quote sometimes leaves things out.
A rough guide from 5 sources in Saudi Arabia (October 2026), including real jobs by Riyadh customers and finishing companies' price guides. The final price is agreed between you and the contractor. Laqeeni doesn't set prices or take commission.
Depends on the work. A light refresh (paint and tiles) can take weeks; a full renovation with new wiring and plumbing can take two months or more.
If the structure is sound, renovating is usually much cheaper. If there are problems with the foundations or concrete, ask an engineer before deciding.
No. Laqeeni is a directory that connects you with the contractor directly. You agree and pay between you.
Last updated: October 2026
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