{"id":10822,"date":"2026-10-29T15:37:45","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T15:37:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elitehouses.sa\/?p=10822"},"modified":"2026-10-29T15:40:43","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T15:40:43","slug":"%d8%aa%d9%83%d9%84%d9%81%d8%a9-%d8%aa%d8%b1%d9%85%d9%8a%d9%85-%d9%81%d9%8a%d9%84%d8%a7-%d9%81%d9%8a-%d8%ac%d8%af%d8%a9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elitehouses.sa\/en\/%d8%aa%d9%83%d9%84%d9%81%d8%a9-%d8%aa%d8%b1%d9%85%d9%8a%d9%85-%d9%81%d9%8a%d9%84%d8%a7-%d9%81%d9%8a-%d8%ac%d8%af%d8%a9\/","title":{"rendered":"The Cost of Renovating an Old Villa in Jeddah: When Is Renovation More Economical Than Demolition?"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is no fixed cost for renovating an old villa in Jeddah; the price depends on the building's structural condition, the scope of work, the type of materials used, and whether the project is limited to refreshing the finishes or includes replacing utility systems, installing insulation, and addressing structural defects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In general, restoration is an option worth considering when the structural framework remains sound and the building can be renovated without radical changes. However, if extensive structural defects are present or the project requires significant redesign, the cost of restoration may approach\u2014or even exceed\u2014the cost of demolition and reconstruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this guide, we explain the cost of villa renovation based on the scope of work, the factors that influence the budget, when renovation is a better choice than demolition, and how to compare the two options before making a decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much does it cost to renovate a villa in Jeddah?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The costs for villa renovation vary depending on the scope of work and the quality of materials and finishes. For initial planning purposes, one may refer to the following published estimates\u2014calculated per square meter of the home\u2019s floor area\u2014based on a price calculator released by the \"Muqawala\" (Contracting) platform in September 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Type of restoration<\/th>Estimated cost per square meter<\/th><\/tr>
Cosmetic restoration: paints and surface treatments<\/td>110\u2013140 riyals<\/td><\/tr>
Partial renovation: Refurbishing certain finishes and installations<\/td>255\u2013325 SAR<\/td><\/tr>
Comprehensive renovation: partial demolition, renewal of finishes, plumbing, and electrical systems<\/td>475\u2013605 riyals<\/td><\/tr>
Excellent, comprehensive restoration using top-tier materials<\/td>775\u2013985 riyals<\/td><\/tr>
Redesign with extensive architectural changes<\/td>1,185\u20131,510 riyals<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

important:<\/strong> These are indicative price ranges for the Saudi market; they do not represent an official statistical average for the city of Jeddah, nor do they constitute a price quote from Elite Houses. Actual costs may vary from these estimates depending on the condition of the property, the scope of work, the method used to calculate the area, the quality of materials, and the specific tasks included in the contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, extensive redesign differs from traditional restoration; therefore, its cost should not be directly compared to the price of cosmetic or partial restoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can be reviewed Cost estimates for home or villa renovation via the Muqawala platform<\/a>, published on September 28, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for the actual budget for your project, it will be determined following an inspection of the building, an assessment of the required work, and the preparation of a detailed bill of quantities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calculation example: Cost of renovating a 300-square-meter villa<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s assume you have a villa with a built-up area of \u200b\u200b300 square meters, and you want to establish a preliminary budget before requesting price quotes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scope of Work<\/th>Approximate computational cost<\/th><\/tr>
Aesthetic restoration<\/td>33,000\u201342,000 SAR<\/td><\/tr>
Partial restoration<\/td>76,500\u201397,500 SAR<\/td><\/tr>
Comprehensive restoration<\/td>142,500\u2013181,500 SAR<\/td><\/tr>
Excellent comprehensive restoration<\/td>232,500\u2013295,500 SAR<\/td><\/tr>
Extensive redesign<\/td>355,500\u2013453,000 SAR<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These amounts were calculated by multiplying a hypothetical area of \u200b\u200b300 square meters by the aforementioned price ranges. They serve as illustrative examples for planning purposes and do not constitute actual price quotes or a guarantee of the final cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, this example does not imply that every 300-square-meter villa will require these specific amounts; the work might be limited to certain parts of the building, or structural defects could emerge that necessitate an entirely different budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The estimates do not necessarily include fees for design, inspections, permits, demolition, or debris removal, unless these items are explicitly included in the approved price quote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What factors determine the cost of renovating an old villa in Jeddah?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Knowing the area of \u200b\u200ba villa is not enough to determine the cost of renovation. Several factors influence the final budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Condition of the structural framework<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The structural framework is the most critical element to assess before defining the scope of work. Issues such as cracks, signs of moisture, corrosion of steel reinforcement, or settlement in certain structural components may arise; the cost of remediation varies depending on the underlying cause and the extent of the damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Jeddah, humidity, salts, and coastal environmental conditions can accelerate the corrosion of reinforcing steel when the right conditions are present. Therefore, any signs of damage to the concrete or steel necessitate a structural inspection before a budget is approved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Begin with an engineering assessment whenever there are signs of structural defects; do not rely solely on an evaluation of the finishing works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Electrical and Plumbing Installations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Older villas may require the replacement of parts of their electrical, plumbing, and sewage systems, especially if the installations are aged or if frequent leaks have occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, some issues may only become apparent once walls or ceilings are opened, which could alter the initial cost estimate. It is therefore advisable to assess the condition of the utility lines as thoroughly as possible before signing the contract, and to establish a written mechanism for pricing any additional work should new defects be discovered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Waterproofing and Thermal Insulation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Roofs, bathrooms, and facades may require the repair of leaks or the renewal of waterproofing layers. The root cause of the problem must be addressed before applying new finishes to ensure that the damage does not recur after the project is completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cost varies depending on the area requiring insulation, the condition of the existing layers, the type of system used, and whether it is necessary to remove previous materials or repair damaged sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Facades and Finishes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The cost varies depending on the materials used for flooring, paints, doors, windows, and exterior cladding, as well as the level of finishing required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An economical renovation is different from redesigning a villa with high-quality materials and bespoke architectural details. Therefore, the desired level of finish must be clearly specified when requesting price quotes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Changing the interior design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Reconfiguring rooms, kitchens, or bathrooms may require demolition and new construction work, as well as additional installations and finishing touches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the modifications involve structural elements or the addition of floor area, you must consult a licensed engineering firm to determine what is technically feasible and to identify the necessary procedures and permits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Removal of debris and additional works<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the nature of the project and the contract, the budget may include the removal of old finishes and the disposal of debris, the protection of areas that will remain unaffected by the work, as well as inspection and design fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, it is best for a price quote to include details regarding materials, labor, and excluded work, while also specifying the procedure for approving any additional work before it is carried out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does villa renovation require a permit in Jeddah?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The required approach depends on the nature of the work and the condition of the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Balady platform offers a service for issuing building restoration permits, intended for work that restores a structure to its previous good condition by addressing defects\u2014without adding new elements or modifying existing structural components, as per the service description.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The published requirements for this service include a valid building permit and a contract with an engineering firm, in addition to completing the necessary procedures and paying the required fees. You may review... Guide to Issuing a Building Restoration Permit on the Balady Platform<\/a> To verify the requirements and documents in effect at the time of submission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two important points:<\/p>\n\n\n\n