Home renovation cost estimator for the UK
A light home renovation in the UK typically costs £10,000–£25,000 (redecoration, new kitchen, bathroom refresh). A mid-range renovation runs £40,000–£80,000 (new kitchen, bathroom, electrics, heating, flooring throughout). A full renovation of a 3-bed house typically costs £100,000–£200,000 including structural work, extensions, loft conversions and high-end finishes.
Homeowners researching this typically also price up kitchen renovation cost in the uk, bathroom renovation cost in the uk and loft conversion cost in the uk. For wider context, browse our bathroom pricing, kitchen pricing and boiler & heating costs.
Cost table
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Light refresh (decor, kitchen, bathroom) | £10,000–£25,000 |
Mid-range (kitchen, bath, electrics, heating, floors) | £40,000–£80,000 |
Full renovation (structural, extension, loft, high-end) | £100,000–£200,000 |
Kitchen renovation | £6,000–£25,000 |
Bathroom renovation | £4,500–£12,000 |
Electrical rewire | £4,000–£9,000 |
Boiler & heating upgrade | £3,000–£8,000 |
Loft conversion | £30,000–£75,000 |
Single-storey extension (20 m²) | £30,000–£52,000 |
Full house replastering | £6,000–£15,000 |
New windows (full house) | £5,000–£15,000 |
Labour costs
Labour typically accounts for 35–50% of a full renovation. The remainder is materials, professional fees, VAT and contingency.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Builder / project manager (per week) | £1,500–£3,000 |
Electrician (full rewire) | £2,000–£5,000 |
Plumber / heating engineer | £2,000–£5,000 |
Plasterer (full house) | £3,000–£8,000 |
Kitchen fitter | £1,500–£4,000 |
Decorator (full house) | £2,000–£5,000 |
Materials costs
Materials span kitchens, bathrooms, electrics, heating, windows, flooring, tiles and decorative finishes.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Kitchen (units, worktop, appliances) | £4,000–£15,000 |
Bathroom (suite, tiles, brassware) | £1,500–£6,000 |
Electrical (consumer unit, cables, fittings) | £1,500–£4,000 |
Boiler & heating system | £2,500–£6,000 |
Windows (full house) | £5,000–£12,000 |
Flooring (LVT, tile, carpet, per m²) | £25–£80/m² |
Factors affecting cost in the UK
- ·Property size — more rooms, more trades, longer timelines.
- ·Property age — Victorian and Edwardian homes need more remedial work.
- ·Location — London and the South East add 20–35% to most trades.
- ·Scope — like-for-like replacement is cheaper than layout changes and extensions.
- ·Quality tier — budget, mid-range, premium and bespoke all scale non-linearly.
Ways to reduce cost
- ·Set a clear scope and stick to it — changes mid-project are expensive.
- ·Get a measured survey and detailed schedule of works before quoting.
- ·Use a single main contractor rather than managing multiple trades yourself.
- ·Schedule work in quieter months (January–March) for better availability.
- ·Reuse existing layouts for kitchen and bathroom to avoid plumbing moves.
How to build a renovation budget
Start with a room-by-room list, price each element using the guides on this site, then add professional fees (architect, structural engineer, building control), VAT where applicable, and a contingency for problems found once walls and floors are opened up.
Order of works
A sensible sequence is: structural work and roofing, then first-fix electrics and plumbing, plastering, second-fix, kitchen and bathroom fitting, flooring and finally decorating. Doing work out of order — for example decorating before rewiring — means paying twice.
Permissions to check
Structural changes, new electrics in kitchens and bathrooms, replacement windows and new heating systems all fall under building regulations. Use registered installers who can self-certify (such as Gas Safe, NICEIC or FENSA) or apply to building control yourself, and keep the certificates — your buyer's solicitor will ask for them when you sell.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I estimate my renovation budget?
- Start with £1,000–£1,500 per m² for light refresh, £2,000–£3,000 per m² for mid-range, and £3,000–£5,000 per m² for premium. Add 10–15% contingency.
- What order should I renovate a house?
- Structural first, then building envelope (roof, windows), then services (electrics, plumbing, heating), then kitchens and bathrooms, then decoration last.
- Should I move out during a full renovation?
- For structural work, electrics and heating, yes. For cosmetic work, you can often stay with temporary kitchen and bathroom setups.
- How much contingency should I budget?
- 10% for new builds; 15% for renovations of older properties. Victorian and rural homes often need 20%.
- Do renovations add value?
- A well-planned mid-range renovation typically returns 60–75% of cost at resale. Kitchens, bathrooms and extra bedrooms add the most value.
Sources & how we estimate
Prices are typical UK ranges compiled by ModernExpert.AI from published trade rates and supplier price lists, and are estimates — always get at least three written quotes. Rules on permissions, safety and certification come from the official sources below. Last reviewed 19 October 2026.
- Planning Portal — Extensions
- GOV.UK — Party Wall etc. Act 1996 explained
- GOV.UK — Building regulations approval
- Planning Portal — Do you need permission?
- ONS — Construction output price indices
Found an outdated figure? Tell us and we'll check it.