How to prepare and manage your Ramadan construction project in Dubai

Ramadan brings a noticeable shift to the atmosphere in Dubai, with changes to priorities, routines, and the overall energy across the city. As Ramadan approaches next month, it’s essential to understand that Dubai will become quieter, with businesses and daily activities adjusting to accommodate the holy month.

The impact of Ramadan on Dubai construction

Ramadan brings a noticeable shift to the atmosphere in Dubai, with changes to priorities, routines, and the overall energy across the city. As Ramadan approaches next month, it’s essential to understand that Dubai will become quieter, with businesses and daily activities adjusting to accommodate the holy month.

Legally, companies are required to adjust their workdays to be two hours shorter, in accordance with the Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations in the Private Sector. Many workers take time off to observe the religious practices of Ramadan, leading to fewer hands on deck for construction projects. This reduction in manpower, combined with shorter working hours, can have a significant impact on the progress of construction and renovation projects, potentially causing delays and pushing timelines further back.

It’s critical to plan and create a strategy with your project managers during this period to avoid potential delays, disruptions, and project hold-ups. By anticipating these changes, you can ensure that your renovation or construction work is completed on time—either before Ramadan begins or within a feasible schedule.

Things you must do to prepare ahead of Ramadan

Construction in Dubai is already a complex and time-consuming process. If you’re new to Dubai or navigating the construction market for the first time, it’s important to align with your project manager ahead of the holidays to ensure you are as efficient as possible with permitting processes and scheduling.

While managing your project gives you full control over every aspect, it is incredibly time-consuming and requires constant coordination with contractors, suppliers, and workers. This process becomes even more complicated during the Ramadan months. However, if you’re choosing to manage the project alone, here are some key things to keep in mind.

Identify critical path activities

During Ramadan in Dubai, the permitting process for construction projects may experience several changes that can affect your timeline. Reduced working hours, increased application volumes, limited staff availability, and communication delays can lead to longer processing times for permit applications. It is advisable to submit permit applications well in advance of Ramadan to account for potential delays. Early submission can help ensure that necessary approvals are in place before the holiday begins.

Furthermore, you should communicate with your contractors to coordinate availability, working hours, and the start and end dates.

Create a prioritisation plan

Evaluate which parts of the project are most critical—tasks that directly affect the project completion date—and prioritise them for completion ahead of the holy month. This requires a deep understanding of construction and project management to ensure the right work is prioritised.

You can assess risks associated with delays, identify potential bottlenecks, and develop contingency plans to address those risks. After assessment, we suggest adjusting timelines for non-critical tasks. Set up regular check-ins with stakeholders to monitor progress.

Coordinate temporary adjustments

As your workforce will reduce in size during Ramadan, it’s important to plan how to proceed with fewer resources. To mitigate the impact of a reduced workforce, ensure that essential tasks can still be completed by either implementing flexible schedules to accommodate the reduced availability of workers or cross-training workers to perform multiple roles, where possible.

Align with local customs

Ramadan is the holiest month for Muslims worldwide, marked by fasting from dawn until sunset as a form of spiritual discipline. During this time, daily routines shift significantly, with work hours often reduced and businesses adjusting their operating hours to accommodate the fasting schedule. These changes naturally lead to a slower pace in the city, affecting everything from daily activities to the availability of workers, which can impact various sectors, including construction.

Understanding the nuances of Ramadan’s impact on construction, including changes in work hours, worker availability, and the importance of respecting religious observances, is key in Dubai.

How a project management company can support you

Working with an experienced project management company can help mitigate the slowdown of your construction during Ramadan in Dubai. At Bauhaus, we do this by planning early, communicating any limitations, creating a prioritised list, coordinating temporary adjustments, aligning with local customs, and offering flexibility in project timelines.

We are well-versed in managing projects around cultural events, ensuring your project continues smoothly. We handle logistics, budgets, and contractor relations, freeing up your time and reducing your workload. Additionally, we proactively mitigate risks—such as delays during Ramadan, weather challenges, or cultural sensitivities—by effectively planning and managing expectations.