Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
6 available 6 • View allCivil claim against a contractor for delay in house renovation

6
Q: Hello,
My husband and I awarded one of Dubai's contractors to do renovation in our apartment. We paid him 50% in advance according to the contract signed between us.
We paid another 20% after some time in response to his request to have an additional amount to buy the materials.
The renovation was supposed to be completed in one month, yet, 2 months and a half already passed and the contractor has not even bought the material he promised (tiles, sanitary-ware... etc.).
He promises but not delivering, postponing payments in all possible ways. Suppliers of the materials confirmed that payments had not been made by the contractor.
We have a clause of damage liquidating (contractor needs to pay 1000 AED/day), but he doesn't seem to take it seriously.
What is the best way to deal with this problem?
If we take him to court, how much do we need to pay for the file opening?
What damages he will experience - license termination?
How quick can we have the money back?
BR, J.


Dec 30, 2020
1810
A contractor breaches his obligations of apartment renovation. What to do?
3
Q: Dear sir/madam,
I engaged a general contractor to help renovate my apartment. It has now been over 4 months. I have major issues with the bathrooms (leaks, incorrect installation). In addition, he has used real cheap quality material which is scratched and has a horrible finish.
Finally, I have a long list of items still not complete. He has been promising for the past 3 weeks that someone will come to review and correct but no one has come and every day I have a new excuse.
I paid him 90% of the money as he talked a good game. I would welcome some advice on the best course of action to move forward.

Apr 10, 2022
376
What to do legally with a contractor who keeps delaying garden construction?

0
Q: Hello,
I have hired a contracting company to redesign my garden area back in January. We got all authorizations in March and the construction has been ongoing ever since.
They initially told me that the whole project would take 3 months. They postponed their deadline 3 times already. The 1st deadline was the end of June, 2nd end of summer and 3rd deadline 30th of September.
Today they are far from being over. Is there anything I can do against them?
They keep lying to me and have not been honest. I have paused the last payment.
Thank you


Sep 30, 2021
327
I hired a contractor for works in my villa and failed in performing obligations. What can I do?




1
Q: Hi,
I got an approved contractor in my villa for bathroom and kitchen work but he really failed to bring what he promised. The finishing is really really bad.
Parts of the ceiling are falling down every few days. The kitchen is in a very bad shape, they used silicon to attach tiles instead of glue.
Some doors fell off after a few times using, and some doors can’t even be opened because another door is blocking their way.
The toilets are a total mess, some tiles are broken, the door frame got destroyed with the work so they took some glue and painted above, the bathroom tub is not fixed and can be moved.
They closed one part of the walls with a tile without removing the window, they installed a fake wall in front but forgot to close the window, so the window is open from the outside but can’t be closed because of the new wall. These, are just a few, really few things.
In the contract we agreed that he would finish the work by the 19th of December, any delay causes an AED 1000 fine a day.





+5
Jan 25, 2024
216
How can I get a refund from a contractor who failed to complete renovation work?




1
Q: Dear Lawyers,
I hired a contractor for my apartment renovation, and we agreed on the scope of work based on the quotation they provided. I have paid them almost 90% of the total value, but they have not completed the work on time and have not used the materials specified in the quote.
They have also significantly delayed the project, and despite multiple follow-ups, they never provided the milestone details for the payment schedule, nor did they adhere to the timelines they committed to.
I have payment details, the agreed-upon quotation signed by them, as well as email exchanges and WhatsApp group discussions. However, I don’t have a formal contract or agreement.
I made payments whenever they requested, but they have cheated me, resulting in a significant loss of time and money due to delays.
I am seeking legal help to obtain a refund from this company and take necessary action against them.





Aug 14, 2024
304
What can I do if a contractor failed to deliver a paid renovation project?




0
Q: Hello,
I paid a contractor (via bank transfers) to deliver a project (1BHK renovation – full), and they did not.
What action can I take against them in Dubai?





+4
May 19, 2025
44
Laws & Regulations
1 available 1 • View allFederal Law No. (5) of 1985 On the Civil Transactions Law of the United Arab Emirates 96
The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.
Dec 15, 1985
148659

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How can we remove a partner from the license if he is present but unresponsive? 0
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إمكانية إزالة الحظر بسبب فيروس نقص المناعة والعودة إلى الإمارات 2
مرحبًا،
أثناء التقديم للإقامة في دولة الإمارات، تم تشخيصي واكتشاف إصابتي بفيروس نقص المناعة المكتسبة، ومن ثَم تم ترحيلي إلى بلدي.
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مع العلم أنني ملتزم بأخذ العلاج.
هل يمكنني إزالة الحظر الدائم الذي فُرض عليّ واستخراج ڤيزا زيارة أو إقامة من جديد؟
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