- As of June 2026, public Dubai AC installation listings commonly start around AED 150 per hour, with a call-out or first-hour style minimum. A simple split AC replacement may be modest, while new brackets, copper piping, drain routing, electrical work or difficult outdoor access can push the quote much higher.
- Do not compare installation quotes unless they cover the same scope: unit supply or labour-only, old-unit removal, indoor bracket, outdoor condenser stand, copper line, drain route, trunking, electrical isolator, testing and warranty.
- Before booking, send photos of the indoor wall, outdoor condenser location, existing pipes, drain route, power point and building access rules so the installer can quote the real job.
Last updated: June 2026
AC installation in Dubai is not just lifting a split unit onto a wall. A reliable installation must support the indoor unit properly, route the drain with fall, connect refrigerant pipes correctly, position the outdoor condenser with ventilation, and test cooling before handover.
This guide is for residential split AC installation, replacement and relocation in Dubai apartments, townhouses and villas. If you are deciding whether to repair an old unit first, compare with AC repair Dubai cost, AC gas refill Dubai cost and electrician services Dubai cost. For duct hygiene before or after renovation, see AC duct cleaning Dubai cost.
AC Installation Dubai Cost: 2026 Planning Ranges
Use these as planning benchmarks, not guaranteed quotes. Installation pricing changes quickly when the job is not a like-for-like replacement or when access, pipe length, drainage or electrical work is unclear.
| Installation request | Dubai planning benchmark | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Site visit or first-hour labour | Often around AED 150 per hour or call-out style minimum | Whether inspection is separate or adjusted against approved installation. |
| Like-for-like split AC replacement | Often AED 350-900+ labour-only when existing routes are usable | Old unit removal, bracket condition, existing copper line, drain and electrical compatibility. |
| New split AC installation | Often AED 600-1,500+ labour and standard materials, excluding unit supply | Indoor bracket, outdoor stand, pipe length, trunking, drain route and testing. |
| AC relocation | Custom quote; often AED 800-2,500+ depending on distance and access | Pump-down/recovery, new pipes, wall repair, drain slope, electrical and refrigerant checks. |
| Outdoor condenser bracket or stand work | Added to installation quote when needed | Load support, corrosion condition, vibration pads, airflow clearance and safe access. |
| Electrical or breaker upgrades | Separate electrician quote if circuit work is needed | Correct isolator, breaker, cable size, earthing and building approval. |
What Changes the Installation Price?
The cheapest installation quote usually assumes an easy replacement with existing pipework, drain and power already in the right place. New installations need a more careful scope.
| Cost driver | Why it matters | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Unit size and type | Bigger indoor/outdoor units need more careful handling, support and testing. | Is this quote for my exact BTU/tonnage and model? |
| Copper pipe route | Longer or new routes add material, insulation and pressure-test work. | How many meters of copper pipe and insulation are included? |
| Drain route | Poor drain fall can cause indoor leaks after installation. | Where will the condensate drain go, and will it be tested? |
| Outdoor condenser access | Balconies, service ledges and rooftops change labour and safety requirements. | Is safe outdoor access included in the quote? |
| Electrical readiness | Wrong circuit, isolator or breaker can make a new AC unsafe. | Is electrical work included or should an electrician quote separately? |
Replacement vs New Installation vs Relocation
A replacement is usually simpler if the old indoor position, outdoor position, copper pipes, drain and electrical supply can be reused safely. A new installation or relocation needs more site planning.
- For replacement, ask whether existing copper lines are suitable for the new refrigerant and unit capacity.
- For a new room installation, check where the drain can run without causing future leaks.
- For relocation, ask how the old holes, trunking and wall finish will be closed or repaired.
- For apartments, confirm building rules for service ledges, drilling, working hours and permits.
- For villas, list every room and outdoor condenser location before asking for a bundled quote.
Installation Checklist Before You Approve
Ask the installer to write the scope before work begins. This avoids surprise charges for copper pipe, drain materials, trunking or outdoor stand work.
- ✓Quote separates labour, materials and unit supply
- ✓Drain and outdoor airflow are checked before installation
- ✓Final cooling and leak checks are included
- ✓Warranty and revisit terms are written
- !Quote says only "AC fitting" with no scope
- !No mention of drain testing or outdoor airflow
- !Installer asks to reuse unknown old pipes without checking
- !Electrical work is assumed but not specified
What to Send Before Requesting Quotes
- Indoor wall photos, including the proposed AC position and nearby ceiling/wall constraints.
- Outdoor condenser location photos, including balcony, service ledge, roof or villa side yard.
- Existing pipe, drain, trunking and power point photos if replacing an old AC.
- Unit brand/model, BTU or tonnage, and whether the quote should include unit supply.
- Building or community rules for drilling, access, working hours, lift booking and parking.
- Whether you need removal/disposal of the old unit and wall touch-up after removal.
How Bestimate Helps Compare AC Installation Quotes
Bestimate helps you describe the installation once, upload photos, and compare available local Pros by labour scope, materials, timing, access assumptions, testing and warranty. For AC installation, the cleanest quote is usually the one that explains what is included before drilling or hanging the unit.
Updated June 2026. Bestimate reviewed current public Dubai AC installation benchmarks, including ServiceMarket Dubai AC installation, ServiceMarket Dubai AC repair labour context, and Urban Company Dubai AC service categories.
Price ranges are planning benchmarks, not fixed quotes. Final pricing depends on unit size, labour-only vs supply, pipe length, drain route, electrical readiness, outdoor access, VAT, urgency and provider availability.
Ready to compare local quotes?
Tell us your AC type, indoor position, outdoor access and whether it is replacement or new installation. Bestimate helps you compare available AC installation Pros by price, scope, timing and terms.
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Bestimate reviews UAE home-service guides for local pricing context, service-scope clarity, practical safety considerations and quote-comparison accuracy.
This AC installation guide was checked in June 2026 against public Dubai provider benchmarks and related Bestimate AC/electrical guides. It keeps unit supply, labour, pipework, drainage, outdoor access and electrical work separate so homeowners can compare like-for-like quotes.
Local Dubai context: A new AC in Dubai has to be sized for serious summer heat, so correct BTU sizing matters more here than the unit price alone. Split, ducted, and VRF systems all tie into your DEWA supply and should be installed by a licensed contractor, and mounting an external condenser on a villa or apartment facade in an Emaar, Nakheel, or similar community often needs developer or owners' association approval first.
Frequently asked questions
How much does AC installation cost in Dubai?
As of June 2026, public Dubai listings commonly start around AED 150 per hour for AC installation labour or call-out style pricing. A like-for-like split AC replacement may be lower than a new installation, while new copper piping, drain routing, brackets, outdoor access and electrical work can raise the quote.
Does AC installation include the AC unit?
Not always. Many installation quotes are labour-only or labour plus standard materials. Ask whether the price includes the AC unit, delivery, old-unit removal, brackets, copper pipe, drain pipe, trunking, electrical work and warranty.
Can I reuse old AC pipes during replacement?
Sometimes, but the installer should check pipe condition, length, insulation, refrigerant compatibility, pressure/leak risk and route quality. Reusing unsuitable pipes can cause cooling problems or leaks later.
Why does the AC drain route matter?
The indoor unit creates condensate water. If the drain route has poor fall, blockage risk or a bad connection, the AC can leak indoors even if the unit cools properly.
Do I need an electrician for AC installation?
If the existing circuit, isolator, breaker or cable is not suitable for the new AC, electrical work should be quoted separately by a qualified technician or electrician. Do not assume it is included unless written in the scope.
How long does split AC installation take?
A simple replacement can often be completed in one visit if access, pipework, drain and power are ready. New installation, relocation, long pipe runs, service ledge access or electrical work can take longer and may need a site check first.
