Dubai’s property market has been on an upward trajectory since the pandemic, and with it, the renovation sector is thriving. Speaking on the Smashi Business Show, Thomas Maton, Business Development Manager at DMDC, shared how the city’s surging real estate activity is driving a wave of villa transformations — and why trust and patience are key for clients navigating the process.

Maton, who has lived in the UAE for five years, describes Dubai as “home” and says its fast pace is both a blessing and a challenge. “The market since COVID has only gone in one direction, which is up and up,” he said. “As house prices rise, people buy and renovate to either live in or sell.”

Approvals and Expectations: The Top Hurdles

While demand is booming, Maton pointed out two consistent hurdles: regulatory approvals and unrealistic timelines.

“Approvals can take three months or more — one of my recent projects took five,” he explained. “Many clients expect work to start instantly, but there’s a process that simply can’t be rushed.”

He also highlighted the challenge of managing client expectations in a city known for instant gratification. “Dubai moves fast, but renovations don’t. If your tiles take 12 weeks to arrive, you won’t finish in three months.”

Word of Mouth and Trust Drive the Business

Unlike many competitors, DMDC has relied primarily on referrals and word of mouth rather than aggressive advertising. “You do one villa well, and that client tells three friends. Or someone comes to a house party and asks who did the work,” Maton said. “People buy into people, not just companies. If they trust you, they’re willing to wait or even pay more.”

With over 800 members of staff, DMDC has the operational scale to manage multiple projects in-house – a major advantage over smaller contractors who outsource most of the work.

Design Trends: From Personal to Investment Mindset

According to Maton, Dubai’s renovation trends have shifted in recent years. “Post-COVID, people were buying homes to live in. Now, a lot more are being bought to renovate and sell,” he said.

This shift has driven a rise in minimalist, modern, and neutral home interior designs to appeal to a wider pool of buyers. “Investors don’t go for gold walls anymore — they want clean, modern spaces that sell fast.”

Strategic Growth and Expansion

Looking ahead, DMDC is eyeing Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah as expansion markets. “We’ve just landed a project in Abu Dhabi with a second in discussion,” Maton revealed. “The next step may be opening a branch there.”

‍