House renovation costs vary significantly depending on the size and condition of the property, location, specification and scope of work. As a planning guide, renovation costs can range from around £600 to £3,000+ per m², with light refurbishment at the lower end and full or structural renovation at the higher end.
This guide explains house renovation costs per square metre, full house refurbishment costs, room-by-room prices, London and Hounslow considerations, hidden costs and how to plan your renovation budget.
House Renovation Cost UK 2026 at a Glance
The cost of renovating a house depends mainly on the level of work required. Use the following figures as an initial budgeting guide rather than a fixed quotation.
| Renovation Level | Indicative Cost per m² | Typical Work |
|---|
| Light renovation | £600–£1,200 | Decoration, flooring, minor repairs and cosmetic upgrades |
| Standard refurbishment | £1,200–£2,000 | Kitchen, bathroom, plastering, electrical and plumbing upgrades |
| Full renovation | £2,000–£3,000+ | Major services, new finishes, layout changes and extensive refurbishment |
| Structural/high-spec renovation | £3,000+ | Structural alterations, premium finishes and complex building work |
Important: These are broad 2026 planning ranges. Your actual renovation cost can vary according to property condition, floor area, location, specification, access, professional fees, VAT and unforeseen work.
House Renovation Cost per Square Metre UK 2026
Cost per square metre is a useful starting point when estimating a whole-house renovation. However, it should not be treated as a fixed price because two properties with the same floor area can require very different levels of work.
Light House Renovation
A light renovation may include decorating, flooring, minor repairs, replacement fixtures and cosmetic improvements while retaining most existing services and layouts.
Indicative range: £600–£1,200 per m²
Standard House Refurbishment
A standard refurbishment can include a new kitchen or bathroom, electrical and plumbing upgrades, plastering, flooring, decoration and other improvements without extensive structural changes.
Indicative range: £1,200–£2,000 per m²
Full House Renovation
A full renovation may involve replacing major building services, renovating multiple rooms, upgrading finishes and making significant changes to the property’s internal layout.
Indicative range: £2,000–£3,000+ per m²
High-Specification or Structural Renovation
Projects involving major structural alterations, premium materials, bespoke joinery or extensive changes to the building can exceed £3,000 per m².
Cost: £3,000+ per m² depending on specification and scope
How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a 3-Bedroom House?
A 3-bedroom house can require very different renovation budgets depending on its floor area, condition and specification. For example, a 90–110m² property requiring a standard or full refurbishment may have a substantially different budget from a property requiring only cosmetic improvements.
Table:
| Property Size | Light Renovation | Full Renovation |
|---|
| 70m² | £42,000–£84,000 | £140,000–£210,000+ |
| 90m² | £54,000–£108,000 | £180,000–£270,000+ |
| 100m² | £60,000–£120,000 | £200,000–£300,000+ |
| 120m² | £72,000–£144,000 | £240,000–£360,000+ |
These examples are calculated from the indicative per-m² planning ranges above and are not quotations. Actual project costs depend on the scope of work, property condition, location and specification.
Property Refurbishment Cost UK 2026
Property refurbishment costs in the UK depend on how much of the existing property needs to be upgraded. A cosmetic refurbishment may involve decoration, flooring and fixtures, while a full refurbishment can include rewiring, plumbing, heating, plastering, kitchen and bathroom replacement and other building work.
For a realistic budget, homeowners should assess the property’s condition and define the renovation scope before comparing quotations.
What Is Included in a Full Property Refurbishment?
- Electrical upgrades or full rewiring
- Plumbing upgrades
- Heating improvements
- Kitchen renovation
- Bathroom renovation
- Plastering
- Flooring
- Painting and decorating
- Internal doors and joinery
- Insulation and energy-efficiency improvements
- Structural work where required
Property Refurbishment vs House Renovation
Property refurbishment usually focuses on repairing, updating or modernising an existing property. House renovation can involve a wider transformation, including layout changes, structural work and replacement of major building systems. The terms are often used interchangeably, so the actual scope of work is more important than the label.
House Renovation Costs by Room and Project
Kitchen Renovation Cost
A kitchen renovation can range from a simple replacement of units and worktops to a complete redesign involving new plumbing, electrical work, flooring, lighting and appliances.
Indicative cost: £10,000–£30,000+
Bathroom Renovation Cost
Bathroom renovation costs depend on the room size, sanitaryware, finishes and whether plumbing or drainage needs to be moved.
Indicative cost: £6,000–£16,000+
Full House Rewiring Cost
A full house rewire depends on property size, number of circuits, accessibility and the condition of the existing electrical installation.
Indicative cost: £5,000–£9,000+
Heating System Upgrade
Heating costs depend on the existing system, property size, heating requirements and whether radiators, pipework or the boiler need replacing.
Indicative cost: £4,500–£8,500+
Flooring Cost
Flooring costs vary according to the material, floor area, subfloor condition and installation requirements.
Cost varies by material and area.
Plastering and Decorating
Plastering and decorating costs depend on the number of rooms, wall condition, ceiling height and amount of preparation required.
Cost should be assessed as part of the overall renovation quotation.
Loft Conversion Cost
If your renovation includes additional living space, a loft conversion is a separate major project that should be costed according to the conversion type, structural requirements, stairs, insulation, windows and internal specification.
House Renovation Cost London 2026
House renovation costs in London can be higher than broad UK averages because of labour rates, property access, parking, site logistics, property age and project complexity. The final cost also depends on whether the property needs structural alterations, planning support, new services or premium finishes.
Homeowners in Hounslow and West London should therefore use UK-wide cost-per-m² figures only as a starting point and obtain an itemised local quotation for the actual property.
House Renovation Cost in Hounslow
Hounslow homeowners may be renovating Victorian, Edwardian, terraced, semi-detached or more modern properties, and each property can have different construction and renovation requirements. Older properties may require additional investigation for damp, outdated wiring, plumbing, insulation or structural issues.
ERD Ltd provides house renovation, construction, planning and design support for homeowners in Hounslow and West London.
What Affects House Renovation Costs?
1. Property Size
A larger property generally requires more labour, materials, flooring, decoration and installation work.
2. Property Condition
Damp, outdated wiring, poor plumbing, structural defects and damaged finishes can increase the renovation budget.
3. Renovation Scope
Cosmetic improvements cost less than projects involving full rewiring, replumbing, structural changes or complete refurbishment.
4. Material and Finish Quality
Standard kitchens, bathrooms and finishes generally cost less than bespoke cabinetry, premium appliances, natural stone and specialist finishes.
5. Location
Labour, access, parking, delivery and site-management costs can vary between regions and individual properties.
6. Structural Changes
Removing walls, installing steels, changing openings or altering floors and roofs can significantly affect the budget.
7. Planning and Building Regulations
Some renovation work may require planning permission, Building Regulations approval or specialist professional input.
Do You Need Planning Permission for a House Renovation?
Not every house renovation requires planning permission. Internal cosmetic work and many like-for-like improvements may not require planning permission, while extensions, certain structural alterations, changes to a property’s exterior and work affecting a listed building or conservation area may require additional approvals.
Building Regulations can apply even where planning permission is not required. Always check the requirements for your specific property before work begins.
When Professional Planning Advice May Be Needed
- Extensions
- Loft conversions
- Structural alterations
- Changes to external appearance
- Listed buildings
- Conservation areas
- Major layout changes
- Complex renovation projects
How Long Does a House Renovation Take?
The duration of a house renovation depends on the property’s size, the scope of work, planning requirements, material availability and the complexity of construction.
A cosmetic renovation may take several weeks, while a full house refurbishment can take several months. Projects involving structural changes, extensions or extensive services replacement can take longer.
A realistic programme should be prepared after the property and renovation scope have been assessed.
Final Thoughts: Planning Your House Renovation Budget
House renovation costs in the UK vary widely because every property and project has different requirements. Cost per square metre can provide a useful starting point, but the property’s condition, renovation scope, location, specification and professional requirements all affect the final budget.
If you are planning a renovation in Hounslow or West London, ERD Ltd can help with renovation planning, construction, design and related building services.
Before starting work, we recommend defining your project scope, understanding the likely costs and obtaining a detailed quotation based on your actual property.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to renovate a house in the UK in 2026?
House renovation costs vary according to property size, condition, location and scope. As a broad planning guide, renovation projects can range from around £600 per m² for lighter work to £3,000+ per m² for extensive or high-specification renovation.
How much does a full house renovation cost per square metre?
A full house renovation can cost around £2,000–£3,000+ per m² depending on the level of refurbishment, property condition, specification and location. These figures are planning ranges rather than fixed quotations.
What is the average cost to renovate a 3-bedroom house?
The cost depends on the property’s floor area and renovation scope. A cosmetic renovation will cost considerably less than a full refurbishment involving rewiring, plumbing, heating, kitchen, bathrooms and structural work.
Is it cheaper to renovate or move house?
The answer depends on the property’s purchase price, renovation requirements, local property values and the cost of an alternative property. A detailed renovation budget can help homeowners compare their options.
How much does a house renovation cost in London?
London renovation costs can be higher than UK-wide averages because of labour, access, logistics and project complexity. Hounslow and West London homeowners should obtain a local itemised quotation for an accurate project budget.
How much contingency should I allow for renovation?
A contingency allowance can help cover unexpected work. The appropriate amount depends on the property’s age, condition and complexity. Some renovation cost guides use around 10–15% as a planning allowance.
