How much do home repairs and renovations cost in Morocco?
Photo : Jklamo · BY-SA 4.0
Updated 2026-10-19
If you are used to European prices, labour in Morocco can look cheap, but quotes vary a lot from one tradesman to another and from one city to the next. Knowing the usual ranges helps you spot a quote that is far too high, or suspiciously low. Below are indicative prices in Moroccan dirhams (MAD) taken from Moroccan price guides published in 2026. They are a starting point for discussion, not a fixed tariff.
Day rates for tradespeople
Many tradesmen in Morocco work by the day (par jour, in Darija "b n-nhar") on bigger jobs. A 2026 Moroccan labour survey gives these rates for Casablanca and Rabat, which are among the most expensive cities:
- Qualified plumber: about 300 to 550 MAD per day
- Qualified electrician: about 300 to 550 MAD per day
- Qualified mason: about 280 to 450 MAD per day
- Labourer or helper: about 150 to 250 MAD per day
- The same survey suggests Marrakech and Tangier are slightly lower, Agadir and Fès lower again, and smaller cities and rural areas lower still
- Saturday, Sunday, holiday and night work usually cost more
Prices per job or per m²
For defined jobs, tradesmen usually quote per unit or per square metre. These ranges come from several Moroccan guides published in 2026, and are labour only unless stated:
- Interior painting: about 25 to 40 MAD per m², or 60 to 100 MAD per m² with paint
- Standard tile laying: about 80 to 180 MAD per m², tiles not included
- Zellige laying: about 150 to 300 MAD per m² for classic patterns, more for complex work
- New fuse board: about 1,500 to 3,000 MAD
- Water heater replacement: about 400 to 900 MAD labour
- Bringing the electrics of an 80 m² apartment up to standard: about 8,000 to 15,000 MAD
- Interior door, supplied and fitted: about 700 to 1,800 MAD
- For air conditioning and aluminium windows, see our dedicated guides, as the price depends heavily on the equipment
Whole renovation budgets
For an apartment, one 2026 guide estimates around 400 to 700 MAD per m² for a light refresh (paint, small repairs, lighting) and roughly 1,200 to 2,200 MAD per m² for a complete renovation including kitchen, bathroom, plumbing and electrics. High-end projects with premium materials go well beyond that.
A complete standard bathroom is estimated at about 18,000 to 35,000 MAD in another 2026 guide, fixtures and tiles included, while premium bathrooms can reach 70,000 MAD. These are averages: an old riad with damp walls, or an apartment on the fifth floor without a lift, will cost more.
What makes a price go up or down
- City: Casablanca and Rabat are generally the most expensive
- Access: upper floors, narrow medina streets where materials must be carried in
- Condition: old wiring, damp walls or uneven floors add preparation work
- Materials: brand and quality of tiles, paint, fixtures and glass
- Urgency: evenings, weekends and emergencies cost more
- Season: AC installers are busiest in summer, and working hours are often shorter during Ramadan
- Who buys the materials, and whether VAT (TVA) is included
How to use these numbers
Use these ranges to sense-check quotes, not to haggle a tradesman below a fair price. Ask for at least two or three detailed quotes for any job over a few thousand dirhams, and compare what is included rather than just the total. A quote far below the others often means cheaper materials or skipped preparation.
On aloaji.ma you can find artisans by trade and city, call or WhatsApp several of them directly and compare their answers. It is free for clients. Profiles marked "Non vérifié" were found on the business's own website and have not yet been checked by AloAji.
FAQ
Are prices in Morocco negotiable?
Often, yes, especially for smaller jobs. Polite negotiation is normal, but a fair price keeps a good tradesman motivated. Compare quotes rather than pushing one very low.
Do foreigners pay more?
It can happen. Knowing typical ranges, getting several quotes and having the price written on WhatsApp before work starts are the best protections.
Are quotes in Morocco with or without VAT?
It depends. Registered companies often quote excluding VAT (HT), while independent artisans usually give a single price. Always ask whether VAT (TVA, 20% standard rate) is included.
Is it cheaper to buy materials myself?
Sometimes, and it gives you control over quality. But the tradesman must tell you exactly what to buy, and you are responsible if quantities are wrong.
Why are Casablanca prices higher?
Higher living costs and demand push labour rates up in Casablanca and Rabat. Moroccan surveys show lower rates in mid-sized cities and rural areas.