Burj Khalifa, Dubai Marina, Prince Tower, and other impeccable skyscrapers make Dubai the architectural miracle of the world. These human-made high-rises require continuous monitoring and upkeep to look incredible all the time. Entrepreneurs can start a building maintenance company in Dubai to avail this opportunity.
The UAE’s facilities management industry (with value of over USD 14bn in 2023), is forecast for 10% growth by 2030. So, setting up a property maintenance company in Dubai is a highly lucrative business. Prospective building repair contractors with the drive and expertise to meet this demand have a golden chance.
You can establish a building maintenance firm in Dubai with the help of professional business setup consultants in the UAE. These business advisors take care of your documentation, legalization, visas, and licensing needs. With their help, you get your building maintenance company up and running in no time.
What is process to get a building maintenance license in Dubai?
Follow these steps to obtain a building maintenance license in Dubai mainland or a free zone.
- Choose a name for your building maintenance company, following the guidelines of Department of Economic Development (DED).
- Select a legal structure for the building maintenance business according to the number of shareholders.
- Get initial approval from DED or the relevant free zone authority to further proceed with the license application.
- Acquire regulatory approval from the Dubai Municipality (DM), as it classifies building maintenance a special activity due to risks.
- Rent or lease an office workspace and secure the tenancy contract (with Ejari certificate) from the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
- Sign the local service agreement (LSA) with Emirati national to work as a local agent.
- Submit the application to DED or the free zone authority with these legal documents and pay the fee.
- Photocopies of the passports of company owners and stakeholders
- Copy of the UAE visa with entry stamp
- Passport-size photographs of the business owners
- Trade name reservation certificate from the DED
- Initial approval certificate from the DED
- Memorandum of Association (MOA) with notarization
- No objection certificate (NOC) from current sponsor for foreign partners
- Bank reference letter
- Tenancy contract and Ejari certificate
- Payment submission proof
- Receive the license of your building maintenance company in Dubai after approval
- Obtain additional approvals from Dubai Civil Defence and Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), if applicable
Which are permissible activities for building maintenance companies?
A license for building maintenance in Dubai mainland allows contractors to perform the restoration, repair, and renovation of properties. They can upkeep, repair, and restore the walls, roofs, columns, and floors of the building. However, they can not undertake the maintenance of any internal equipment or extensions.
What is importance of building repairs in UAE’s changing weather?
Recently, the UAE did experience severe floods, causing significant damage to infrastructure, including buildings, roads, bridges, and public utilities. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah saw disruptions in power supplies, transportation networks, and damage to residential and commercial properties. After these chaotic struggles, the UAE requires the professional services of property maintenance contractors more than ever.
The weather of the UAE is changing due to global warming and excessive rains (because of cloud seeding). Afterward, the scale of the damage occurring because of rain flooding highlights the immediate action to reinforce or repair critical infrastructure. Moreover, buildings facing water damage require thorough assessment and renovation to address structural issues.
By preventing mold and decay, you can improve the resilience of buildings against extreme weather events. In case, you are planning to get into the building maintenance business, this is the right time to begin with. The economic boom of the UAE means that Dubai and other cities need residential and commercial property maintenance.
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Which are benefits of forming a property maintenance firm in Dubai?
By starting a building maintenance company in Dubai, you can serve the both residential and commercial property owners. Building repair contractors in Dubai free zones get the attractive perk of 0% tax rate on personal income. Similarly, building maintenance contractors in Dubai mainland get numerous benefits, including total freedom to repatriate capital and profits. Whether, they’re in Dubai mainland or free zones, they’re minutes away from major industrial, residential, commercial, and financial hubs.
How is building maintenance different from facility management? Building maintenance vs facility management
Building maintenance involves various tasks such as cleaning surfaces, maintaining and repairing assets. The purpose of property maintenance is to ensure the safety and functionality of the residential or commercial properties. Whereas, facility management (FM) is an organizational function that integrates people, places, and processes within the built environment.
Facility management strategically improves the quality and productivity of the core business, bringing significant value to the organization in the long-term. It involves a wider range of responsibilities, such as ensuring people’s comfort, safety, and customer satisfaction. While managing budgets, coordination with vendors and contractors, and ensuring compliance with regulations is also important in facility management.
Upkeep and repairing of equipment like HVAC systems, elevators, servers, and emergency generators are also part of building maintenance. Typically, building maintenance managers have specialized skills in technical areas like MEP or HVAC. On the other hand, facility managers need broader range of skills, including managing customers, workplace management, budgets, vendors, and contractors.
How is building construction different from building maintenance? Building construction vs building maintenance
The process of constructing, upgrading, moving, demolishing, or installing a structure, facility, or system following a plan is building construction. Whereas, building maintenance is the ongoing upkeep of properties, equipment, roads, grounds, and utilities. Also known as property maintenance, it consists of preserving but not improving buildings and grounds.
Construction of a building includes the application of the above techniques for physical plant facilities. For example, structures, utilities, excavations, landscaping, site improvements, drainage systems, roads, and additions, deletions, or modifications. Painting of new structures is a form of construction, although seemingly maintenance.
Building maintenance is a routine or recurring task. It may involve restoring equipment to a fully functional state. Nevertheless, replacements for system upgrades are not a part of building maintenance.
Which things make a Dubai building maintenance business successful?
Taking care of these points plays a great role in the success of your building maintenance company in Dubai.
- Firstly, a comprehensive business plan outlining the building maintenance company’s strategy, risk factors, and target market is crucial for success.
- Thoroughly understand the company’s core offerings to better serve the clients seeking commercial or home building repairs.
- Attractive business name and logo help in legal documentation, company registration, trademark filing, and subsequent branding.
- Hiring skillful staff who has prior experience of residential/commercial building repairs is crucial for the growth of a company.
- Lastly, marketing is a vital element for running a building maintenance business, and attaining success.
Conclusion
Building maintenance and repair is a prospective industry in the UAE. Consequently, aspiring entrepreneurs can capitalize on this booming sector in Dubai. Potential rewards for investors include foreign ownership, modern infrastructure, strategic location, easy connectivity, and tax holidays.
Property upkeep and repairing sector is a continuous revenue generation idea. To set up a business in Dubai, it is crucial to comply with the regulations of the governmental institutions. These include Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED), labor ministry, immigration department, etc.
Do you want to launch a building maintenance company in Dubai? Professional business consultants can assist you in beginning your entrepreneurial journey in the UAE. Get set go on your new corporate drive by taking the help of professional consultants at KWS ME right away. For connecting with KWS Middle East, call us at +97180059763, email us at info@kwsme.com, or WhatsApp us at +971509664705 now.
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FAQs about the UAE’s building maintenance industry
Here are the answers to the common questions regarding building maintenance and property repairing.
Is it profitable to open a building maintenance company in Dubai?
Yes, the vast number of skyscrapers in Dubai requiring upkeep, make opening a building maintenance company profitable in the UAE.
How much does it cost to start a maintenance company in Dubai?
Starting a building maintenance company in Dubai mainland costs between AED 25,000 and AED 40,000. However, several factors can influence the price of setting up a property repair firm in Dubai toward the greater side. For instance, company registration, professional license, visa costs, government fees, municipal approvals, and office space.
What is the law for property maintenance in the UAE?
Article 16 of the UAE Law 26 of 2007 states that landlords are responsible for the property maintenance. The building owners have to undertake the major property upkeep and repair tasks. Whereas, the responsibility of minor building maintenance tasks falls on the tenants though.
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