UAE: How new programme on building homes helps manage finances, misconceptions
The programme, organised by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment (MBRHE), brought together citizens who have received land and either a financial grant or a housing loan worth Dh1 million. Their shared goal is to build within a clear and realistic budget.
The programme is part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment's efforts under the 'Year of the Community' initiative. It offers participants tools to plan their homes within their means.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Inside a hall with building models and floor plans, Emiratis with a loan or grant from MBRHE gathered to learn how to build their homes. Some had complete plans. Others came to understand the process.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Hamid Al Shamsi, 33, a real estate consultant from Dubai, said: 'I joined the program to learn. We've always heard that consultants and contractors take advantage. I wanted to see for myself.'
Al Shamsi added that many people begin construction without explicit knowledge. 'Even the homeowner sometimes doesn't know how to deal with a contractor, doesn't know prices, or the steps involved.'
Understanding the process
One of the participants, Mona Al Zarooni said the workshop helped her understand the timeline from grant approval to working with the municipality and contractor. She said: 'I thought everything would move on its own after the grant. But now I understand each step.'
She received a land and loan grant and was unsure how much extra money would be needed. 'I learned that there needs to be an extra 20 to 30 per cent in the budget for internal work and design. No one explained that before,' she added.
She also said she looked into smart home systems. 'They cost more initially, but later they reduce the bills and help manage power use.'
The programme also introduced smart home systems, which are not required but can control electricity and reduce bills over time.
'Planning for life'
Abdulrahman Tariq Al Tamimi from Dubai received a land grant in Al Aweer. He said the workshop helped reduce his concerns. 'I have a basic plan for the house, but now I want to sit with my wife, explain what I learned, and decide together. This kind of information is not easy to get,' he noted.
Sessions for the 'How to Build Your Home' programme are taking place at the New Economy Academy in Dubai. Discussions include lectures and workshops on budgeting, selecting a contractor, reviewing contracts, managing loans, and handling VAT refunds. Experts are also encouraging participants to review their house plans during the sessions to identify mistakes and ensure they have the correct plan.
Tareq Al Hammadi pointed out that several common misconceptions can drive up construction costs. These include choosing the lowest bid without checking quality, changing designs during construction, skipping contract review, and not involving family members in the process.
'Planning to build a house is like planning for life. Use knowledge. If you plan well, you may spend less than expected. But without knowledge, costs increase. Don't sign anything unless you understand it," advised the engineer.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sharjah 24
4 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
UAE, Finland sign MoU to enhance weather and polar research
Advancing polar research through the Emirates Polar Programme The agreement establishes a framework for joint scientific projects, focusing especially on polar research in alignment with the UAE's Emirates Polar Programme. This programme aims to establish dedicated research labs in both the Arctic and Antarctica, positioning the UAE as a key contributor to global polar studies. Through this MoU, both nations aim to foster the exchange of expertise and launch collaborative initiatives in areas of mutual scientific interest. Strengthening the UAE's scientific role Dr Al Mandous stated that the MoU strengthens the UAE's research capabilities in meteorology and climate sciences. He emphasised the UAE's commitment to international cooperation guided by mutual benefit, noting that this partnership will advance understanding of climate change and support the development of innovative environmental solutions. The agreement also offers expanded opportunities for scientists from both countries to collaborate and conduct joint research. Integrating space weather services and AI capabilities A significant element of the MoU includes the integration of FMI's advanced space weather services into joint research efforts. This is expected to enhance AI-driven data analysis and operational forecasting capabilities, with practical applications across sectors such as agriculture, aviation, maritime navigation, and disaster risk management. Establishing joint infrastructure and research exchange During the visit, the Emirati delegation held a series of technical meetings with Finnish counterparts to explore the development of joint infrastructure and researcher exchange programmes. These discussions also addressed the setup of Emirates Research Labs in polar regions and strategies for conducting long-term field research to assess the impact of climate change on ecosystems and societies. Addressing global meteorological reform and funding In addition, Dr Al Mandous took the opportunity to highlight the importance of reforming operational frameworks within the World Meteorological Organization to better meet global needs. He stressed the urgency of ensuring sustainable funding for UN meteorological initiatives, especially amid current financial challenges that could hinder essential programmes. Finnish perspective on the partnership Professor Taalas welcomed the partnership, praising the UAE's growing leadership in scientific research related to weather and climate. He noted that the agreement provides a strong foundation for joint projects in polar and space weather research, ultimately strengthening global forecasting capabilities and climate resilience. A shared commitment to scientific innovation and sustainability This MoU not only reinforces the long-standing ties between the UAE and Finland but also reflects a shared commitment to sustainability, scientific innovation, and collaborative efforts to address global environmental challenges.
Al Etihad
13 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi Youth Council launches Tharwa Initiative to empower youth
12 Aug 2025 15:09 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Abu Dhabi Youth Council has launched Tharwa, a pioneering initiative aimed at empowering youth financially, fostering a culture of saving and investment, and encouraging income diversification among young people across the Abu Dhabi initiative has been launched in partnership with a number of entities from both the public and private sectors, which will lead the first real estate-focused programme under the was officially launched during the Tharwa Forum, which welcomed key dignitaries and a group of engaged Emirati youth interested in the sector. During the forum, the council unveiled the first real estate programme under the Tharwa initiative contributes significantly to the national youth agenda, particularly in its mission to enhance economic and social stability and to empower a conscious generation capable of building a sustainable, knowledge-based, and opportunity-driven Tharwa Initiative focuses on developing youth financial literacy and economic competencies across multiple key areas, including: savings and financial awareness; investment and real estate brokerage; financial markets; small and medium enterprise (SME) accounting and Al Obaidli, Director of Youth Engagement and Chair of the Youth Councils System at the Federal Youth Authority, said: 'Tharwa supports the aspirations of youth and strengthens their role in building a sustainable economic future. Financial empowerment of Emirati youth is a critical step toward building a more sustainable and prosperous future." He added: "The Tharwa initiative serves as a model for this effort, not only raising financial awareness but also opening new doors for youth to actively participate in the national economy through investment, entrepreneurship, and independent work. These types of initiatives embody our leadership's vision to cultivate a financially literate generation capable of making smart economic decisions that ensure both individual stability and contribution to the country's long-term sustainable development.'Aisha Al Khulaifi, Project Manager of the Tharwa Initiative, said: 'Through Tharwa, we are translating the leadership's vision into practical programmes that equip youth with essential tools for managing their financial lives. Today, building a strong financial culture among youth is no longer optional; it's essential for shaping an economically aware generation that is ready to create opportunities and drive future growth.' The initiative will be implemented through hands-on programmes, specialised workshops, and targeted awareness sessions, conducted in collaboration with a distinguished network of experts and institutions across various sectors. This approach ensures that youth gain real-world experience that prepares them to compete and innovate in both labour and investment markets. Year of Community Continue full coverage
Al Etihad
17 hours ago
- Al Etihad
ADNOC L&S Q2 revenue up 40% YoY to $1,258 million
12 Aug 2025 11:01 ABU DHABI (WAM) ADNOC Logistics and Services plc (ADNOC L&S) on Tuesday reported record-breaking second-quarter (Q2) and first-half (H1) results for 2025, surpassing market expectations and demonstrating resilience and operational strength in a volatile L&S's Q2 revenue increased by 40 percent year-on-year (YoY) to US$1,258 million (Dh4,618 million) with EBITDA growing 31 percent YoY to $400 million (Dh1,470 million).Net profit for the quarter grew 14 percent YoY to $236 million (Dh866 million).In H1 2025, the company's revenue was $2,439 million (Dh8,957 million), a 40 percent YoY increase. EBITDA rose by 26 percent YoY to $744 million (Dh2,732 million), driven by robust performance across all business segments, sustaining EBITDA margin at 30 profit for H1 2025 was $420 million (Dh1,544 million), up 5 percent YoY, and up 18 percent compared to H2 L&S's diverse and resilient business model enabled the company to deliver strong net profit and operating cash flow despite challenging shipping charter rate environments in Gas, Tankers, and Dry by strong performance in its core business segments and improving margins, ADNOC L&S has upgraded its full-year guidance, expecting faster growth due to continued momentum and enhanced operational efficiency across key company continues to enhance value and streamline operations across its diverse asset portfolio, while advancing integration and innovation through its shipping and logistics subsidiaries, Navig8 and Zakher Marine International (ZMI).CEO of ADNOC L&S, Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, said, 'We are proud to report our highest-ever quarterly results, underscoring the strength of our growth strategy and our ability to capitalise on diversified opportunities across our Integrated Logistics, Shipping, and Services segments."He added that this record-breaking performance reflects ADNOC L&S's continued outperformance of market expectations, driven by robust cash flows, strategic partnerships, and operational Masabi said the integrated logistics segment delivered a solid performance, with revenues rising 22 percent YoY to $1,293 million (Dh4,748 million), reflecting strong demand and strategic growth in key areas. As a result, EBITDA rose by 27 percent YoY to $420 million (Dh1,542 million), highlighting the segment's significant contribution to the company's overall strong, profitable growth was mainly driven by continued strong utilisation and rates on Jack-up Barges (JUBs), improved profitability on the Integrated Logistics Solution Platform, and increased chartering activity beyond the ILSP. Additionally, Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) projects, including the G-Island and Hail & Ghasha, contributed to strong revenue the shipping segment, it demonstrated exceptional growth, with revenues surging 89 percent YoY to $981 million (Dh3,602 million). This performance was primarily driven by the consolidation of revenue from the Navig8 tanker fleet, marking a key milestone in the company's strategic EBITDA increased by 25 percent YoY to $290 million (Dh1,067 million), despite substantially weaker market conditions than H1 2024, reflecting strong operational execution. A robust EBITDA margin of 30 percent reinforces ADNOC L&S's ability to generate strong value even in less buoyant services segment continues to extend ADNOC L&S's diversified business model, with revenues rising 4 percent YoY to $165 million (Dh607 million). EBITDA grew 22 percent YoY to $33 million (Dh121 million), primarily driven by higher volumes at the Borouge Container Terminal and the share of profit from Navig8's bunkering business (Integr8).
