The cost of finishing a 150-square-meter apartment in Saudi Arabia
  • 25 October 2026

The cost of finishing a 150-square-meter apartment in Saudi Arabia

The article outlines the costs involved in finishing a 150-square-meter apartment in Saudi Arabia, along with the factors that influence these costs—such as the quality of materials, the scope of work, and the current condition of the apartment. It also breaks down the cost per square meter, details the key components of the finishing process, and offers guidance on how to compare price quotes and reduce expenses. Furthermore, it introduces the design, execution, and finishing services provided by Core Portfolio.

The cost of finishing a 150 sqm apartment in Saudi Arabia varies depending on the apartment’s condition, material quality, and scope of work. Market estimates for 2026 suggest that costs may start at around SAR 75,000 for an economical finish and increase with mid-range finishing or the addition of a kitchen and air-conditioning.

Therefore, determining how much it costs to finish a 150 sqm apartment requires first identifying exactly what is included in the price. Core Portfolio Company provides design, execution, finishing, and MEP services for residential projects from planning through final handover.

Does the Cost of Finishing a 150 sqm Apartment Include Materials and Labor?

The cost of finishing a 150 sqm apartment in Saudi Arabia may include both materials and labor, or labor only. Therefore, the quotation should clearly define the scope of work.

When requesting a quotation, confirm whether it includes:

  • Finishing materials.

  • Labor and installation costs.

  • Electrical works.

  • Plumbing works.

  • Flooring.

  • Painting.

  • Gypsum and ceiling works.

  • Doors and windows.

  • Sanitary fixtures.

  • Transportation and loading.

  • Final cleaning after completion.

The term “full finishing” does not necessarily mean that the kitchen, air-conditioning, furniture, and appliances are included, as these items vary from one company to another.

Therefore, when asking how much finishing costs per square meter in Saudi Arabia, first ask: What exactly does the square-meter price include?

It is also important not to confuse the construction cost per square meter with finishing with the cost of finishing an existing apartment, as construction includes structural works that are normally not part of apartment finishing.

Design-to-execution services can help coordinate all project stages within one integrated plan, from space planning and material selection to electrical, plumbing, and final finishing works.

Which Item Consumes the Largest Share of the Finishing Budget?

Flooring, bathrooms, plumbing, electrical works, and doors are among the items that have the greatest impact on the finishing budget, although their share varies depending on material quality and apartment design.

In one published model for a 150 sqm apartment in Riyadh, plumbing and sanitary fixtures accounted for around 25% of the work cost, tiles and porcelain around 22%, and electrical works approximately 17%.

Therefore, the cost of finishing an apartment in Saudi Arabia can rise quickly when choosing expensive porcelain, premium sanitary fixtures, or increasing the number of bathrooms and electrical details.

The main items usually include:

  • Flooring and wall coverings.

  • Plumbing and sanitary fixtures.

  • Electrical works and lighting.

  • Doors and carpentry.

  • Painting.

  • Ceilings and gypsum works.

  • Aluminum and glass.

  • Kitchen and air-conditioning when included in the contract.

For this reason, knowing the finishing price per square meter in Saudi Arabia is not enough without reviewing the material level specified for each item, especially in interior finishing works, where flooring, paint, ceilings, lighting, and carpentry choices directly affect the cost.

Is It Better to Buy Finishing Materials Yourself or Through the Finishing Company?

For most clients, it is better to define the required materials and specifications in the contract and allow the finishing company to handle procurement, while retaining the right to approve samples and prices before purchase.

Buying materials yourself may be suitable if you understand prices and specifications and can manage quantities, procurement, storage, and delivery schedules.

Direct purchasing may give you greater control, but it also adds responsibilities such as:

  • Calculating quantities.

  • Comparing suppliers.

  • Organizing deliveries.

  • Storing materials.

  • Managing shortages.

  • Replacing defective materials.

  • Coordinating procurement with the work schedule.

The company, on the other hand, can coordinate procurement with the execution stages, provided there is a clear bill of quantities and no materials are substituted without client approval.

This is particularly important in interior and exterior finishing works, which depend on the correct sequence of work and timely material delivery.

How Do I Know Whether an Apartment Finishing Quotation Is Reasonable or Overpriced?

A quotation is reasonable when it is detailed and can be compared with other quotations based on the same quantities, specifications, and scope of work.

Do not compare only two total prices, because the cheaper quotation may exclude items that are included in the higher-priced proposal.

Before signing a contract, review:

  • Actual work area.

  • Flooring quantity and type.

  • Sanitary fixture brands.

  • Number of electrical points.

  • Paint specifications.

  • Door specifications.

  • Type of gypsum work.

  • Labor costs.

  • Excluded items.

  • Project duration.

  • Warranty.

If you are asking how much it costs to finish a 150 sqm apartment, the most accurate approach is to request a standardized bill of quantities from more than one company and compare each item individually.

Published prices for 2026 show significant differences between estimates, largely because the scope of work and finishing standards vary from one quotation to another.

Does Finishing a New Apartment Cost Differently from Renovating an Old Apartment?

Yes, renovating an old apartment can cost more than finishing a new apartment because of demolition, removal of existing finishes, repairs, and replacement of old installations.

A new apartment usually starts from a relatively clear condition, while renovation may reveal:

  • Old electrical installations.

  • Plumbing problems.

  • Water leaks.

  • Damaged waterproofing.

  • Flooring that needs removal.

  • Walls requiring treatment.

  • Doors or windows that need replacement.

Saudi market estimates indicate that renovation costs vary significantly according to the extent of work and the condition of the property, not just its size.

Therefore, the cost of finishing a 100 sqm apartment may be higher than that of a larger new apartment if extensive removal and repair work is required.

The same applies when comparing the cost of finishing a 200 sqm apartment; size is an important factor, but it is not the only one.

For renovation projects that require space reconfiguration or changes to the finishing concept, clients can benefit from the services of an interior design company in Khobar to coordinate the design, materials, and execution according to the property’s condition and budget.

How Much Budget Reserve Should Be Set Aside for Unexpected Finishing Costs?

It is generally advisable to keep a contingency reserve of around 10% to 15% above the basic budget to cover changes or unexpected items.

Specialized references for design and execution projects in Saudi Arabia recommend a reserve within this range, with the possibility of increasing it for more complex renovation projects.

For example, if the cost of finishing a 150 sqm apartment in Saudi Arabia is estimated at SAR 120,000, it is better not to treat the full amount as the absolute maximum available for the project.

The reserve may be used for:

  • Modifying installations.

  • Repairing hidden defects.

  • Material price increases.

  • Changing materials during execution.

  • Additional work that was not identified during the initial inspection.

However, a contingency reserve should not compensate for an incomplete quotation. The scope of work should still be clearly defined before execution begins.

Are Furniture and Home Appliances Included in the Apartment Finishing Cost?

No, furniture and home appliances are usually not included in the finishing cost unless the quotation or contract clearly states otherwise.

It is important to distinguish between finishing and furnishing.

Finishing may include flooring, painting, electrical works, plumbing, doors, ceilings, and sanitary fixtures, while sofas, beds, tables, and home appliances are usually part of a separate furnishing budget.

Even kitchens and air-conditioning systems may be excluded from some finishing quotations, so they should be confirmed before signing the contract.

This is one reason why there can be significant differences when searching for how much finishing costs per square meter in Saudi Arabia from one company to another.

What Is the Cost Difference Between Standard Finishing and Custom Interior Design?

Custom interior finishing is usually more expensive because it includes customized details, materials, and works that go beyond standard finishing solutions.

Standard finishing generally relies on straightforward choices and standard execution, while custom interior design may include:

  • Customized lighting layouts.

  • Decorative gypsum ceilings.

  • Custom-made carpentry.

  • Wall cladding.

  • Multiple flooring materials.

  • Special kitchen and bathroom details.

  • Glass and mirror works.

  • Electrical and mechanical modifications.

The more customized the design becomes, the more labor hours, potential material waste, and supplier coordination may be required.

For this reason, the finishing price per square meter in Saudi Arabia alone cannot be used to fairly compare standard finishing with a fully customized interior design project.

Can the Cost of Finishing a 150 sqm Apartment Be Reduced Without Affecting Quality?

Yes, the cost of finishing a 150 sqm apartment in Saudi Arabia can be reduced by eliminating unnecessary details rather than using low-quality materials in essential areas.

Start by setting priorities.

Costs can be reduced by:

  • Choosing reliable mid-range materials instead of luxury options.

  • Standardizing flooring sizes.

  • Reducing complex gypsum ceiling designs.

  • Finalizing the design before execution begins.

  • Comparing suppliers before purchasing.

  • Determining electrical and lighting points in advance.

  • Avoiding material changes after work has started.

It is not advisable to reduce costs on waterproofing, electrical works, or plumbing, because repairing these systems after finishing may cost much more than executing them correctly from the beginning.

The same approach can be used when calculating the cost of finishing a 200 sqm apartment or determining how much it costs to finish a 250 sqm apartment. Managing specifications is more important than simply choosing the lowest price.

Likewise, the cost of finishing a 100 sqm apartment is not necessarily half the cost of finishing a 200 sqm apartment, because some items, such as kitchens and bathrooms, do not increase proportionally with floor area.

What Documents or Details Does a Finishing Company Need to Provide an Accurate Price?

A finishing company needs a clear apartment plan, total area, current condition, required material level, and defined scope of work before it can provide an accurate quotation.

It is preferable to provide:

  1. Architectural floor plan.

  2. Total apartment area.

  3. Number of rooms and bathrooms.

  4. Photos of the current condition.

  5. Condition of electrical and plumbing systems.

  6. Required finishing level.

  7. Kitchen requirements.

  8. Air-conditioning system requirements.

  9. Interior design details.

  10. Required completion date.

After reviewing these details, the company can prepare a more realistic bill of quantities instead of providing a general square-meter price that may change after execution begins.

If the question is how much it costs to finish one floor, the actual built area, number of service spaces, and finishing level must also be defined rather than considering only the number of floors.

Construction, modification, and renovation works in Saudi Arabia are subject to Saudi Building Code requirements according to the type of work and the condition of the property, including safety requirements and relevant technical systems.

Start Finishing Your Apartment with Core Portfolio

If you want to determine the cost of finishing a 150 sqm apartment in Saudi Arabia more accurately for your project, start by reviewing the drawings, apartment condition, required material level, and scope of work.

Core Portfolio Company provides finishing and interior fit-out services, MEP systems, and design and execution solutions for residential and commercial projects.

Coordinating design and execution through one company helps align electrical, plumbing, air-conditioning, ceiling, and flooring works before the final finishing stages begin.

Start Your Apartment Finishing Project with Core Portfolio

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Materials and workmanship may be included, provided the price quote specifies this. Do not automatically assume that the price is all-inclusive; be sure to review the bill of quantities and any excluded items before entering into a contract.

The duration depends on the condition of the apartment, the scope of work, the availability of materials, and the number of work teams. It is not possible to specify an exact timeframe before preparing an execution schedule linked to the actual project tasks.

Typically, flooring, plumbing, sanitary fixtures, electrical work, and carpentry are the most significant items; however, their relative order of importance varies depending on the quality of materials and the apartment's design.

A detailed price quote is clearer because it specifies the quantity, materials, and workmanship, as well as what is included and what is excluded; in contrast, a price-per-meter figure may mask significant variations in the scope of execution.

Request a clear bill of quantities and specifications, and review the arrangements for transportation, supply, testing, cleaning, air conditioning, the kitchen, and any additional works before signing the contract.

Approximately 10% to 15% can be allocated for clearly defined projects, with the possibility of increasing the contingency reserve when renovating an older apartment or dealing with unresolved items.

Comparing prices and adjusting quantities and procurement can help reduce costs; however, a lack of experience in purchasing management may lead to waste or delays.

This is appropriate when the budget is distributed over time, provided that the work is sequenced correctly and final finishes are not applied before the completion of utility installations and concealed works.

Yes. Refurbishment may involve demolition, debris removal, repairs to utility lines, and moisture treatment or insulation; consequently, the cost can be higher, even if the floor area remains the same.

Choose mid-range materials from reliable suppliers, invest more in long-lasting elements—such as plumbing, electrical systems, and insulation—and spend less on decorative details that can be changed later.

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