Grease Trap Installation Cost in Dubai & UAE: Complete 2026 Price Guide
Whether you’re fitting out a new restaurant, renovating a commercial kitchen, or replacing a failed trap, one of the first questions is always: how much does grease trap installation actually cost in the UAE? The answer depends on trap type, capacity, location, and permit requirements. At Grease Trap Cleaning Services LLC, we’ve installed thousands of grease traps across all seven emirates since 2009 — here’s the honest breakdown for 2026.
Grease Trap Types and Price Ranges
Under-Sink / Point-of-Use Traps (AG1 Type)
From AED 850 installed
These compact units sit directly under a single sink or dishwasher outlet. Capacities range from 8 to 50 litres, and they’re the simplest installation — typically completed in 2–3 hours with no structural work required.
- 8–15 litre capacity: AED 850–1,200
- 20–35 litre capacity: AED 1,200–1,800
- 35–50 litre capacity: AED 1,800–2,200
AG1 traps are suitable for small cafeterias, juice bars, karak shops, and cloud kitchens with a single prep sink. Dubai Municipality accepts AG1 traps for establishments with limited cooking and no deep-frying operations.
Floor-Mounted Traps
AED 1,500–3,500 installed
Floor-mounted grease traps are the workhorse of mid-range commercial kitchens. They’re installed at floor level, often recessed into a pit, and connect to multiple drainage points. Capacities typically range from 50 to 250 litres.
- 50–100 litre (single-chamber): AED 1,500–2,200
- 100–200 litre (dual-chamber): AED 2,200–3,000
- 200–250 litre (dual-chamber, stainless steel): AED 2,800–3,500
Installation usually takes half a day and may require minor floor cutting for the recessed pit. Most standalone restaurants, hotel coffee shops, and mid-volume catering kitchens fall into this category.
Underground / In-Ground Traps (B-Type and C-Type)
AED 4,500–7,500+ installed
Large-capacity underground traps are required for high-volume operations: hotel main kitchens, food factories, large catering facilities, and mall food court central systems. These are concrete or GRP (fibreglass) chambers installed below ground level, typically outside the kitchen footprint.
- 500–1,000 litre B-Type: AED 4,500–5,500
- 1,000–2,000 litre B-Type: AED 5,500–7,000
- 2,000+ litre C-Type (multi-chamber): AED 7,500+
Underground installations are significant civil works projects. They require excavation, waterproofing, access covers rated for vehicle loading (if in car park areas), and proper venting. Installation timelines range from 3 to 10 working days depending on size and site conditions.
Factors That Affect Your Installation Cost
1. Trap Material
Mild steel traps are cheapest but corrode quickly in the UAE’s humid climate — expect 3–5 years before replacement. Stainless steel (304 or 316 grade) costs 30–50% more but lasts 10–15 years with proper maintenance. GRP/fibreglass is standard for underground installations. For any kitchen planning to operate long-term, stainless steel pays for itself.
2. Kitchen Layout and Plumbing Complexity
A straightforward installation where the trap sits close to the main drain line is cheaper than one requiring extended pipework, floor penetrations, or routing around existing utilities. Retrofit installations in existing kitchens are typically 20–30% more expensive than fit-out installations in shell-and-core spaces.
3. Building Type and Access
Installing a trap in a ground-floor standalone restaurant is simpler than in a high-rise tower podium or a basement kitchen. Limited access for equipment, requirement for after-hours work, and building management coordination all add cost.
4. Emirate and Municipality Requirements
Dubai Municipality’s Technical Guideline No. 13 specifies minimum trap sizes based on fixture units. Abu Dhabi’s ADAFSA has its own sizing tables. Sharjah Municipality follows a different approval process. The trap that’s compliant in one emirate may not pass inspection in another. GTC handles the regulatory research for your specific location.
5. Existing Infrastructure
Replacing a failed trap in an existing location with matching pipe sizes is cheaper than a fresh installation. However, if the existing pipework is corroded or undersized, you’ll need to budget for plumbing upgrades.
The Dubai Municipality Permit Process
For new installations and major replacements, Dubai Municipality requires a permit. Here’s the typical process:
- Drainage drawing submission — your MEP consultant submits kitchen drainage plans showing trap location, size, and connection to the municipal sewer
- DM review — typically 5–10 working days for approval
- Installation — must match the approved drawings exactly
- Inspection — DM inspector visits to verify installation matches drawings, confirms trap size is adequate, and checks accessibility for maintenance
- Compliance certificate — issued after successful inspection
For like-for-like replacements (same size, same location), the process is simpler and often doesn’t require a full permit — but you should still notify DM and retain documentation.
GTC manages the permit coordination for you as part of our installation service. We work with your MEP consultant and handle the DM liaison directly.
Installation Timeline: What to Expect
| Trap Type | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|
| Under-sink AG1 | 2–4 hours |
| Floor-mounted (new build) | 4–8 hours |
| Floor-mounted (retrofit) | 1–2 days |
| Underground B-Type | 3–5 days |
| Underground C-Type | 5–10 days |
These timelines assume permits are already approved. Add 2–3 weeks for the permit process if you’re starting from scratch. During Ramadan and peak holiday periods, DM processing times may be longer.
What’s Included in GTC’s Installation Price
When we quote an installation, the price covers:
- Trap unit supply (we source from approved manufacturers)
- All plumbing connections to existing drainage
- Floor cutting and reinstatement (for recessed/underground traps)
- Waterproofing (underground installations)
- Access cover supply and fitting
- First fill and commissioning
- Post-installation inspection coordination with the relevant municipality
- 12-month warranty on workmanship
What’s NOT included: MEP consultant fees for drawing preparation, any structural modifications beyond the trap pit, and electrical work for automated dosing systems (quoted separately).
Should You Repair or Replace?
If your existing trap is leaking, corroded, or undersized, repair isn’t always the right answer. As a rule of thumb:
- Replace if the trap is mild steel and over 5 years old
- Replace if the trap is undersized for your current output (common after menu changes that increase frying)
- Repair if the trap is stainless steel with localised damage (cracked baffle, damaged seal)
- Replace if DM has cited the trap as non-compliant during inspection
We offer free assessments to help you decide. See our maintenance page for more on keeping existing traps in service longer.
Get a Fixed-Price Installation Quote
Every kitchen is different, and online estimates only go so far. We provide fixed-price written quotes after a site visit — no hidden charges, no surprises on installation day. Our team covers Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah, and UAQ.
Call +971 58 570 7110 to book a free site survey, or fill out our contact form and we’ll call you back within 2 hours during business days. For a full overview of our pricing across all services, visit our cost guide.