Construction & Contracting · Professional licence · Code 4329901
صيانة المباني
How to set up a Building Maintenance business in Dubai: the approvals, premises and ownership rules for activity code 4329901, and each step to the trade licence.
Fees last checked · Licensing authority: Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai. Fees change, so confirm the current amount with the authority before you pay.
ISIC classification: Other construction installation (4329)
Typically requires Designated Zone status for VAT purposes
About this activity
Covers civil repairs, masonry patching, MEP routine maintenance, touch-up painting, and property upkeep for existing residential and commercial buildings. Excludes major structural modifications or new building construction.
Regulatory requirements
Abu DhabiCheapest
ADDED · Per-activity fee
AED 1,000
Dubai
DET · Base + 5% of rent
Approvals: Contracting and building works, Building maintenance, surveillance and cleaning services
Sharjah
SEDD · Per-license (quote required)
Approvals: Sharjah City Municipality, Sharjah Municipality - Technical Section
Analysis
Abu Dhabi's DED fee runs about AED 1,000, versus AED 8,000+ in Dubai — but Building Maintenance is one of the broadest and most in-demand mainland activities in the UAE regardless of price. The scope covers general building upkeep: painting, minor repairs, fixture replacement, facade cleaning, waterproofing, and preventive maintenance programs. Virtually every commercial building, residential tower, and government facility requires a licensed maintenance contractor. Dubai's sheer building stock (100,000+ commercial and residential properties, with single-tower annual maintenance contracts often in the AED 200,000-500,000 range) makes it the largest maintenance market in the Gulf despite its higher license cost. Abu Dhabi's government-owned and Musanada-managed facilities, plus its growing residential base, sustain steady demand there, while Sharjah's dense urban core offers a third market at lower entry cost. The catch is that margins are thin and competition is stiff — labour cost (painters, electricians, handymen) dwarfs the license fee on the P&L. The activity permits 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required, though municipality registration and civil defence clearance apply for commercial buildings. In short: Dubai suits operators chasing the largest contract pool, while Abu Dhabi's AED 1,000 fee is attractive for those targeting government and Musanada-managed work. Figures are drawn from official government sources as verified in May 2026.
Confirm the activity and legal form
Apply under activity code 4329901 (Building Maintenance) on a professional licence. Choose the legal form, most often a limited liability company (LLC) or a sole establishment, and list any other activities you plan to add.
Reserve a trade name and get initial approval
Apply to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to reserve the trade name and receive initial approval. Initial approval confirms the government has no objection to you starting the business.
Secure the right premises
The activity calls for virtual desk / commercial office. Sign a lease and register it with Ejari; the registered tenancy is part of the licence file.
Sign the founding documents
Sign the Memorandum of Association (or the sole-owner equivalent) setting out the owners and their shares.
Pay the fees and collect the trade licence
Pay the licence fee, which starts at AED 1,000 in Abu Dhabi, plus market and registration charges, and DET issues the trade licence.
After the licence
Get the establishment card, apply for residence visas, open a corporate bank account and register for Corporate Tax with the Federal Tax Authority. Register for VAT once taxable turnover passes AED 375,000 a year.
See the documents you'll need and what to do after you incorporate.
The duties every new UAE company meets, whatever its activity. Each links to a short explainer series with the law behind it.
Beneficial owner register
Within 60 days of the company existing, keep a register of its beneficial owners and of its partners or shareholders, and file them with the registrar.
Corporate tax
Register for corporate tax within three months of incorporation, and file each return within nine months of the end of the tax period.
VAT
Register for VAT once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000, then issue tax invoices and file returns for each tax period.
Staff
Hiring people brings the federal labour law: the contract and probation, hours, leave and wages, the employee file, and ending employment properly.
Records
Keep accounting records that show the company's financial position for at least five years after the end of each financial year; tax records have their own periods.
Keeping the licence
In Dubai, renew the licence in the last month before it expires, and tell the Department of Economy and Tourism within ten working days when the facts behind it change.
A free zone licence gives full foreign ownership and trades inside the zone and abroad; selling to mainland customers usually needs a distributor or a mainland licence.
UAQ FTZ
UAQ
Packages from AED 5,500, year 1 · 3 visas per desk
RAKEZ
RAK
Packages from AED 6,000, year 1 · 3 visas per desk
KEZAD
Abu Dhabi
Packages from AED 9,450, year 1 · 5 visas per desk
HFZA
Sharjah
Packages from AED 10,900, year 1 · 5 visas per desk
DWC
Dubai
Packages from AED 12,500, year 1 · 5 visas per desk
JAFZA
Dubai
Packages from AED 22,800, year 1 · 5 visas per desk
Free zones suited to construction & contracting businesses. Each zone keeps its own activity list, so confirm Building Maintenance is on it before you apply, or ask an adviser below.
The government DED fee for a Building Maintenance license in Abu Dhabi is AED 1,000. This is the cheapest among the 3 emirates where this activity is available. Additional costs may include office rent, visa fees, and external approval charges.
Abu Dhabi offers the lowest government fee at AED 1,000. However, total setup costs also depend on office rent, visa requirements, and any external approvals needed for this activity.
Yes. Since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reforms, most mainland business activities — including Building Maintenance — allow 100% foreign ownership across all UAE emirates. A local sponsor or service agent is no longer required for most activities.
Beyond the DED license, you may need approval from: Contracting and building works (Dubai), Building maintenance, surveillance and cleaning services (Dubai), Sharjah City Municipality (Sharjah), Sharjah Municipality - Technical Section (Sharjah). Requirements vary by emirate and specific business scope.
Dubai uses a formula-based fee: approximately AED 8,000 base fee plus 5% of your annual office rent. For example, with AED 50,000 annual rent, expect roughly AED 10,500 in government fees. Dubai also offers an Instant License at AED 8,000 flat (virtual location) and budget SME/Intelaq licenses at AED 1,070.
Building Maintenance is available for mainland licensing in 3 emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah. Each emirate has its own DED with independent fee structures and requirements. The fee table on this page compares them.
Building Maintenance falls under the Professional license category in the UAE. Professional licenses cover consultancy, services, and skilled trades.
Abu Dhabi is significantly cheaper at AED 1,000 versus Dubai's estimated AED 10,500 (at AED 50,000 rent). However, Dubai offers a larger market with 3.6 million residents and 16 million annual tourists.
Setup time varies by emirate: Dubai offers same-day approval with the Instant License (AED 8,000), or 1-3 working days for a Normal License. Abu Dhabi takes 2-5 working days. Sharjah and Ajman take 1-5 working days. Additional time may be needed for external approvals.
Leave your details and a licensing adviser will call you back: approvals, premises, costs and the fastest route for this activity. There's no charge to ask.