Summary
A general maintenance license in Dubai is a DET mainland licence that lets your company carry out building repairs, plumbing, electrical, AC, painting and handyman work for clients. Most companies spend around AED 15,000 to 35,000 in the first year. This guide covers maintenance activities, Dubai Municipality and Civil Defence approvals, costs, documents, the difference from a technical services licence, and how to win maintenance contracts.
Maintenance is one of the most reliable businesses in Dubai. Towers, villas, shops and offices all need repairs, every week, in every season. But I often meet founders who chose the wrong activities and later discovered they could not take fire alarm work, structural repairs or a facility management tender. Having set up maintenance and technical companies through our business setup in Dubai service, I want to show you how to build the licence around the work you actually want to win.
General Maintenance License at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) |
| Licence type | Professional, Dubai mainland |
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership for most maintenance activities |
| Office | Physical office with Ejari |
| Extra approvals | Dubai Municipality, Civil Defence or DEWA for some activities |
| Typical first-year cost | Around AED 15,000 to 35,000 |
| Setup time | Usually 1 to 3 weeks |
What Is a General Maintenance License?
A general maintenance licence is a mainland trade licence that lists one or more repair and maintenance activities. It lets you:
- Sign maintenance contracts with homeowners, landlords and companies
- Offer annual maintenance contracts (AMC) for villas, apartments and offices
- Hire technicians on company visas
- Issue invoices and register for VAT
- Bid for property management and facility management subcontracts
It does not cover new construction, fit-out of whole buildings or structural work, which need contracting licences and Dubai Municipality classification.
General Maintenance Activities You Can Add
Most maintenance companies combine several related activities, as long as staff qualifications support them.
Core building maintenance – Building maintenance and general repairs – Plumbing and sanitary installation and repairs – Electrical fittings and repair of electrical equipment – Air conditioning, ventilation and duct cleaning – Painting, plaster, tiling and false ceiling repairs – Carpentry, doors and joinery repairs – Swimming pool maintenance – Handyman and minor maintenance and cleaning
Specialised repair and maintenance activities
| Activity | Typical Extra Approval |
|---|---|
| Repair of machinery | None beyond DET in most cases |
| Repair of fabricated metal products | Workshop location rules |
| Security equipment installation and maintenance | SIRA approval. See our SIRA license guide |
| Fire alarm and firefighting maintenance | Dubai Civil Defence approved contractor |
| Marine equipment, ships and boats maintenance | Maritime approvals |
| Helicopters and light aircraft maintenance | Civil aviation approvals |
| Theatre and stage equipment installation and maintenance | Usually DET only |
Use the Invest in Dubai activity search to confirm current activity names before you apply.
Consultant tip: Do not add activities “just in case”. Each activity can trigger extra approvals or staff requirements, and unused ones only make renewals harder.
Benefits of a General Maintenance License in Dubai
- Legal right to work on client premises and issue invoices
- Access to bigger contracts from property managers, hotels, retailers and FM companies
- Visa sponsorship for technicians and office staff
- Credibility: clients and building managements ask for a trade licence before granting access
- Room to grow into technical services, fit-out or facility management
Dubai Municipality Rules for Maintenance Work
Dubai Municipality classifies building maintenance in Administrative Resolution No. 109 of 2022:
- Basic maintenance: painting, flooring, doors, ceilings and maintaining electrical, sanitary, AC and firefighting systems. No permit is needed, but work must be done by a pre-qualified contractor
- Structural maintenance: cracks, façade defects and similar repairs. Needs a self-issued permit through the Dubai Building Permit System
- Specialised maintenance: repairs that affect structural safety. Needs a Dubai Municipality permit, approved drawings and lab tests
Most new maintenance companies start with basic maintenance and build experience before taking on structural work.
Other Approvals You May Need
- Dubai Civil Defence: only approved contractors can install or maintain fire alarm and firefighting systems
- DEWA: enrolment for certain electrical and solar work, usually with a qualified electrical engineer
- Dubai Municipality: separate approval for duct cleaning and pest control
- SIRA: for CCTV and security systems
General Maintenance vs Technical Services vs Contracting
| Licence | Scope | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| General maintenance | Repairs and upkeep of existing buildings and systems | Handyman, AMC and building maintenance companies |
| Technical services | Installation plus repair of MEP systems | Electrical, plumbing and HVAC specialists |
| General contracting | New construction and major works | Builders with engineers and DM classification |
| Facility management | Integrated hard and soft services | Large building and community contracts |
A technical services licence in Dubai usually costs more and needs stronger technical staff. Many companies start with general maintenance and upgrade later.
How to Start a Maintenance Company in Dubai: Step-by-Step
- Choose your activities based on the work you will actually do.
- Pick your structure: LLC or sole establishment through mainland company formation.
- Reserve your trade name and get DET initial approval.
- Lease an office and register the Ejari. A small store for tools helps.
- Sign the Memorandum of Association where required.
- Get the DET licence and pay the fees.
- Apply for extra approvals such as Civil Defence or SIRA if your activities need them.
- Hire technicians and process visas through our PRO services.
- Open a bank account and get insurance.
Documents Required
- Passport copies and photos of shareholders and manager
- Emirates ID and visa copies for UAE residents
- Trade name reservation and initial approval
- Office Ejari and tenancy contract
- Memorandum of Association (for LLCs)
- Technician certificates for electrical, plumbing or HVAC work
- Engineer qualifications where an approval requires them
General Maintenance License Cost in Dubai
| Cost Item | Indicative Amount (AED) |
|---|---|
| DET licence and registration fees | 12,000 to 20,000 |
| Office lease and Ejari (budget areas) | 15,000 to 40,000 a year |
| Visas | 3,500 to 6,000 per person |
| Tools and equipment | 20,000 to 100,000 |
| Vans and vehicles | 40,000 to 150,000 (or lease) |
| Insurance (liability and workers) | 5,000 to 15,000 a year |
| Civil Defence or other approvals | If required |
Typical first-year total: around AED 15,000 to 35,000 for the licence and office, before tools, vans and staff. A technical services setup usually costs more. Use our business setup cost calculator for your mix.
General Maintenance License in Ajman and Other Emirates
A Dubai licence covers work in Dubai. If your clients are in Ajman or Sharjah, or you want lower costs, compare our Ajman mainland and Sharjah mainland options. Free zone licences, including Ajman Free Zone, generally restrict on-site work outside the zone, so mainland is usually the right choice for maintenance. Our Dubai mainland vs free zone guide explains why.
Home Maintenance and Handyman Business
A home maintenance or handyman company is the most common starting point. It usually combines building maintenance, plumbing, electrical fittings, AC servicing, painting and minor carpentry under one licence. Handyman licence costs follow the same range as a general maintenance licence, because the activities sit in the same group. Home-based or freelance handyman work is not allowed for these activities, so you still need a commercial office.
Garage and Vehicle Repair Licences
Car repair and garage activities are a separate group. They need a workshop in an approved industrial area and extra approvals, so they are not covered by a general maintenance licence.
How to Get Maintenance Work in Dubai
- Annual maintenance contracts: offer villa and apartment AMC packages with fixed visits
- Property managers: many outsource repairs. See our property management licence guide to understand their needs
- Facility management subcontracts: register as an approved vendor with FM companies
- Commercial clients: shops, clinics, restaurants and offices need fast response
- Online platforms: home services apps and Google Business Profile reviews
What a good annual maintenance contract in Dubai includes – Scheduled AC, plumbing and electrical checks – Response times for emergency call-outs – Clear exclusions, such as spare parts or structural work – Fixed annual fee with optional add-ons
Clients increasingly ask whether your technicians are certified and insured, so keep certificates and insurance ready to share.
Compliance After Licensing
- Renew your DET licence and Ejari yearly
- Register for VAT once revenue passes AED 375,000
- Register for corporate tax and keep proper books with our accounting services
- Follow the midday work ban for outdoor jobs in summer
- Keep worker safety training and PPE records
Common Mistakes
- Taking fire safety or structural jobs without the right approval
- Running a maintenance business from home or a free zone desk
- Hiring technicians without matching visa job titles
- Skipping insurance on high-value contracts
General Maintenance License FAQs
How much does a general maintenance license cost in Dubai?
Around AED 15,000 to 35,000 in the first year for the licence and office. Tools, vehicles and staff are extra.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a maintenance company in Dubai?
Yes. Most maintenance activities allow 100% foreign ownership on the mainland.
What is the difference between general maintenance and technical services?
General maintenance focuses on repairs and upkeep. Technical services cover installation and repair of MEP systems and usually need stronger technical staff.
Do I need Dubai Municipality approval for maintenance work?
Basic maintenance needs no permit but must use a pre-qualified contractor. Structural and specialised maintenance need permits under Administrative Resolution No. 109 of 2022.
Can I do fire alarm maintenance with a general maintenance licence?
Only if your company is approved by Dubai Civil Defence for that work.
Can I run a maintenance business from home?
No. A maintenance company needs a commercial office with Ejari.
How long does it take to get a maintenance licence?
Usually 1 to 3 weeks for the DET licence. Extra approvals can add time.
Can I add more maintenance activities later?
Yes. You can amend your DET licence to add activities, as long as any extra approvals or staff requirements are met.
Start Your Maintenance Company With DIAC
DIAC selects the right activities, sets up your mainland licence and office, handles visas and supports your corporate bank account opening. Book a free consultation for an exact quote.
About the Author
Official sources
Check current fees, rules and forms with the issuing authority before you apply. Each link opens the authority’s own website.
