With inflation still running high, builders in hot demand and materials sometimes in short supply, home renovators are finding themselves shelling out a lot more for projects now than they did pre-pandemic.
Mike Fairman, CEO at Checkatrade, says: "Inflation is really biting the price of home improvement and is big a contributing factor to the price increases we’re seeing, as the cost of raw materials continues to soar."
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So how do you manage to stick within a planned renovation budget?
Preparation, preparation and even more preparation is the key. Here's what we recommend:
Get at least 3 quotes for the work - and make sure they're in writing
Check how long the quote is 'held' for, so there aren't any nasty surprises
Always ask for a suppliers' 'best price' when buying materials
Have a good contingency fund of 10-15% in place
Ensure you book tradespeople in the right order to avoid multiple call-out charges
Reuse materials - can you sell items rather than chuck them in a skip?
How much does a full home renovation cost?
As a rough guide, Checkatrade estimates it will cost between £76,900 and £138,800 to fully renovate a three-bedroom house.
Let’s break that down.
Architects' fees
Do you need the services of an architect?
If the work is major and involves structural changes to your home, the answer is probably yes.
If the work is relatively minor and doesn't involve extending your property or knocking down walls, you may just need a structural engineer or a builder you can trust.
Architects’ fees are generally charged as a percentage of the total cost of the project.
They typically range from 10% to 15% of the total construction costs, depending on the project’s size, complexity and budget.
For very complex projects, fees can be as high as 20%.
For straightforward ones, some architects may be happy to offer a fixed fee, while others may charge an hourly rate.
When do I need to use an architect?
How much does a kitchen renovation cost?
The average cost of a kitchen renovation, excluding fixtures and fittings such as kitchen units, worktops and appliances, is £20-30,000, according to HiF Kitchens.
At the lower end of the spectrum, for a small galley kitchen using low-cost units, a kitchen can be installed for around £3,000, with units costing around £2,950.
At the higher end, a top-of-the-range kitchen can cost upwards of £20,000, with installation costs running upwards of £7,000.
Bear in mind that this doesn’t include worktops, appliances, rewiring, plumbing adjustments and replastering costs.
Worktops can range from £500 at the cheaper end to several thousand pounds for the granite and quartz options at the higher end.
You’ll also want to think about flooring, splashbacks, tiles and lighting.
How much does a bathroom renovation cost?
The average cost of a bathroom renovation ranges from £5,000 to £10,000, according to MyBuilder.com, though prices can be higher in London and the South East.
Here’s how that breaks down:
Bathroom suites - £1,000 to £3,000+
Installation costs - £7,200+
Removal of the old bathroom £500+
Installation of tiles, taps, towel rails and sealing - £2,000+
Bear in mind that design plans and underfloor heating will all add to the bill.
How much does a loft conversion cost?
The average cost of a loft conversion is £50,000, according to MyBuilder.com.
There are five different types of loft conversions available, from the simplest room installations to the top-of-the-range versions.
Let's take a look.
1. Room in loft conversion - £22,500 - £30,000
This is the easiest and cheapest way to convert a loft, and involves inserting windows into the existing roof without changing the structure of the building.
2. Dormer loft conversion - £40,000 - £60,000
A popular option for terraced houses, a dormer conversion involves adding a ‘box’ to the back of the house to expand the loft space.
3. Hip to gable loft conversion - £50,000 - £70,000
Usually found on semi-detached homes with sloping roofs, a hip to gable extension extends the slope of the roof to create a straight wall at the edge and adds a dormer to the rear of the property.
4. Mansard loft conversion - £50,000 - £80,000
A mansard loft conversion is like a dormer conversion but it has a sloping roof to soften the look from the outside.
Mansards are often used when dormers are not deemed suitable. For example if you’re struggling to get planning permission because a local authority doesn’t like dormer conversions, your home is in a conservation area or it’s a listed building.
5. Bungalow loft conversion - £62,500 - £87,500
All of the above conversions can be done in a bungalow if the building is suitable and planning permission is granted.
How much does an extension cost?
An extension can range from £30,000 for a small, single-storey addition on a budget, to £275,000 for a large, two-storey extension, according to Householdquotes.co.uk.
Let’s take a look at the average costs.
Small story single extension (20 sqm)
Mid-range: £30-£44,000
Luxury: £46-£50,000
Medium single story extension (30 sqm)
Mid-range: £45-£66,000
Luxury: £69-£75,000
Large single story extension (50 sqm)
Mid-range: £75-£90,000
Luxury: £110-£125,000
How much does a garage conversion cost?
The estimated cost of converting a garage could vary from £13,000 through to £54,000, according to the size and type of garage you’re converting, according to HomeHow.
| Garage type | Size | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Integral | single | £13,000 - £18,000 |
| Integral | double | £27,000 - £36,000 |
| Kitchen conversion | single/double | £10,000 - £20,000 |
| Bathroom conversion | single/double | £2,700 - £7,000 |
| Living room conversion | single/double | £6,000 - £7,000 |
| Double conversion | double | £27,000 - £36,000 |
How do you budget for a home renovation?
When planning a renovation, you’ll need to tally up your entire costs and add in a contingency flex of around 10-15% of the total.
Costs to think about:
Architect fees
Planning permission fees
Building regulations fees
Structural engineer fees
Material costs
Building costs
Plumbing costs
Electrical costs
Fixtures and fittings costs
Flooring costs
Tile costs
And if you need to leave the home while the work is taking place: renting costs
While price is an important factor when renovating, a good recommendation is golden.
Trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel quite right when someone is offering a quote, it’s important to follow your instincts.
A good rapport with your tradespeople is essential for the smooth running of a project.