COST GUIDES
House renovation: Cost breakdown 2026
Updated 04/26
Renovating a house can be incredibly rewarding. But you'll need to have a handle on costs.
In this guide, we break down house renovation costs in the UK to help you budget and plan your project with confidence.
Fast Facts
The average renovation cost for a 3 bedroom house in the UK is between £43,530 - £110,350
Dreaming of a new extension? A 4-metre kitchen extension with around 12m² of floor space and a flat roof costs on average £17,500
Add a 10-15% contingency to your budget for unexpected costs
Cost to renovate a 3-bedroom house in 2026 (UK)?
For the purposes of this guide, we're focusing on the average renovation cost for a 3 bedroom house in the UK.
| Item (for an average 3-bed house) | Cost range (+VAT) | Average cost (+VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| New gas supply | £500 - £2,500 | £1,500 |
| New heating system | £3,000 - £8,500 | £5,500 |
| Rewiring | £4,000 - £8,500 | £6,250 |
| Windows | £2,500 - £8,000 | £5,250 |
| Replaster walls | £10,000 - £15,000 | £12,000 |
| Replaster walls & ceilings (re-skim existing) | £5,000 - £12,500 | £8,750 |
| Replaster walls & ceilings (hack off existing) | £16,000 - £32,000 | £26,500 |
| Replace skirting throughout | £2,200 - £3,800 | £3,000 |
| Paint walls & ceilings | £5,000 - £7,000 | £6,000 |
| New cloakroom w/c (including tiling) | £1,500 - £2,500 | £2,000 |
| New kitchen | £7,000 - £25,000 | £17,500 |
| French doors | £1,500 - £3,500 | £2,500 |
| Kitchen extension (12 m2) | £15,000 - £24,000 | £19,500 |
| Skirtings for new extension | £200 - £500 | £350 |
| Knock down walls | £500 - £3,500 | £2,000 |
| Damp proofing course | £500 - £5,000 | £2,750 |
| New roof | £6,500 - £18,000 | £12,250 |
| TOTAL | £43,530 - £110,350 | £76,690 |
| Last updated: June 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||
The average cost to renovate a 3-bedroom house in the UK is anywhere between £43,530 - £110,350.
Why such a big difference in costs? Simply put, every house renovation is unique. So, the total cost of renovating a house will vary according to what needs doing.
Let's breakdown the costs to help you budget.
House renovation costs in the UK: price list
Here is a rough house renovation price list covering some of the typical jobs you may need to budget for during your house renovation.
1. Gas and electrical renovation costs in the UK
Central heating installation: A new heating system could cost about £5,500. This includes a combi boiler and radiators
New gas supply: If you need a new gas supply, you could be looking at around £1,500
Electrical rewiring: The cost of rewiring a house is in the region of £6,250
2. Internal renovation costs: kitchens, bathrooms and finishes
Door and window replacement: Installing a new set of windows can range from £2,500 - £8,000
Replastering the walls: Replastering walls will add a cost of between £10,000 - £15,000 to your total renovation budget
New skirting boards: Budget around £350
Downstairs WC installation: Installing a new toilet will usually cost around £2,000. This includes tiling for the floor, distribution pipework and waste
Kitchen installations: A new kitchen could cost between £7,000 - £25,000. This typically includes the cost of design, materials and fitting
Bathroom installations: The average cost of installing a new bathroom is around £7,000
French door installations: If you’re looking to install French doors, you’ll need to factor in a cost of about £2,500. This should cover the doors, lintels, brickwork and plasterwork.
3. Structural renovation costs: extensions, walls and roofing
House extensions: Considering a kitchen diner extension? A 4-metre kitchen extension with around 12m² of floor space and a flat roof costs on average £17,500
Structural construction services: The average cost of knocking down walls is about £2,000
Damp proofing installation: The average cost of a damp proofing course is around £2,750
Roof refurbishment and installation: If your renovation property needs a new roof, you're looking at an average cost of £12,250. Meanwhile, repairing the existing roof, you can expect to pay between £210 and £465 per m²
Feeling overwhelmed by the ever-growing list of jobs? Book a professional full house survey to make sure you know all the issues that need to be dealt with.
Get your home renovation project underway
Ready to speak to a renovation specialist to get the ball rolling? Why not download the Checkatrade app for all the tradespeople you need at your fingertips?
House renovation job estimator tool
Not quite ready yet to contact a tradesperson to start requesting quotes? Why not use our handy job estimator tool to calculate job costs for renovating your home.
Job Estimate Calculator
Home renovation labour costs
| Tradesperson | Range - Low (per day) | Range - High (per day) | Average cost (per day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumber | £250 | £400 | £325 |
| Electrician | £250 | £400 | £325 |
| Roofer | £200 | £250 | £225 |
| Double glazing installer | £200 | £250 | £225 |
| Plasterer | £200 | £250 | £225 |
| Carpenter | £200 | £250 | £225 |
| Tiler | £200 | £250 | £225 |
| Painter and decorator | £150 | £250 | £200 |
| General builder | £200 | £250 | £225 |
| Labourers | £150 | £180 | £165 |
| Apprentice | £120 | £150 | £135 |
| Last updated: June 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |||
House renovations typically require lots of different tradespeople, who'll each come at a different cost. Let's break it down:
The average day rate for plumbers and electricians is around £325
General labourers tend to charge between £135 - £200 per day
Many of the other tradespeople you're likely to need - such as roofers, plasterers, carpenters and tilers will charge a similar amount - roughly £200 - £350 per day
However, their exact prices will vary depending on their level of experience, the complexity of the work and your location.
Most tradespeople will charge a daily rate, but it’s worth confirming with each one how much they charge and whether they charge per hour, per day or per job.
House renovation timescales
Understanding how long key renovation jobs take – and how much they cost – can help you plan your project more effectively.
Here's an overview of some common house renovation jobs:
Installing a new central heating system and boiler: This will take between one and two weeks and will cost around around £3,000 or more for labour
Fully rewiring a house: Will take around 6-15 days, depending on how much work is needed, and you'll need to budget a minimum of £2,100 for an electrician
Data verified by our professional estimators
Estimators are CIOB & RICS members
Factors affecting the cost of home renovation
The list of jobs and costs for a house renovation can be long, and it'll be influenced by many factors. Some of the main ones are:
Size of the property
Age and condition of the property
Complexity of renovation
Any structural work
Any building extension work
Quality of materials, fixtures and finishings
Decoration
Where you live
The best way to get an accurate home renovation cost is to contact local tradespeople.
Use our free directory below to find a checked renovation contractor covering your local area.
Hidden house renovation costs to watch out for
Here are some other costs that can quickly add up but sometimes get forgotten during the budgeting process:
Surveys and planning application costs: For structural work, you’ll need to have surveys done and pay for planning applications
Legal costs: Don’t forget to factor in stamp duty and solicitor costs
Rent costs: You might need temporary accommodation during any major renovation work
Is this renovation work for a second property? Don't forget stamp duty will be charged at a higher rate. But if you sell your first property within 36 months, you’ll be eligible for a refund. Is this your first property? Then check out our detailed first-time homebuyer checklist.
Managing house renovation costs in the UK
Here's our top tips to make sure that you don't exceed your maximum budget for your house renovation:
Build in a contingency plan: Factor in an additional 10-15% on top of your total budget for contingency. This will cover you for any discoveries, like asbestos, dangerous wiring, or rotting beams
House renovation costs spreadsheet: Keep a note of all the cost estimates you receive from tradespeople in a handy spreadsheet to avoid overspending
Be honest about your budget: This will allow tradespeople to set a realistic expectation for what you can achieve
Download our free mobile app: You can save all your quotes and contacts in one place!
Explore funding options: And consider what projects will add the most value
Get multiple quotes: Get at least three like-for-like quotes each time you're looking for a tradesperson to complete an element of your house renovation
The best ways to finance and budget for home improvements
Transform your living space with our guide to the best ways to finance home improvements. With tips on budgeting plus loan and mortgage guidance.
Find checked building contractors covering your local area
On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.
Home renovation cost checklist
Home renovation cost checklist
Home renovation cost checklist
1. Structural renovation (extensions, walls, roofing)
2. Internal renovation (kitchens, bathrooms, finishes)
3. Gas and electrical work
And finally, don't forget to calculate a total budget and add 10-15% contingency. Head over to our extensive house renovation checklist for more detailed steps.
Home renovation cost FAQs
Generally, no, you can’t make big changes to a rented home without your landlord’s say-so. Most contracts have rules that stop you from making modifications, so it’s always best to check before you start any work.
Renovating your home doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are a few ways to keep costs in check:
Prioritise the big stuff first – Start with structural work
Reuse where you can – Reclaimed or second-hand materials can save money
Get a few quotes – Compare quotes from different contractors to find the best fit for your budget
Renovate in phases – Spreading the work out over time can help manage costs
Expect the unexpected – Build in a little wiggle room for those surprise costs that always seem to pop up
Book off-peak seasons to save you money – But be prepared for potential delays if you’re working in winter
The biggest value-adding improvements typically include:
Kitchen upgrades
Bathroom renovations
Extensions or added floor space
Improved energy efficiency (e.g. insulation, windows)
Yes, £100,000 can cover a substantial renovation, including kitchens, bathrooms, and structural updates. However, for larger properties or high-spec finishes, costs can exceed this budget.
The most expensive parts are usually structural work, kitchen installations, and bathroom renovations. Major changes like extensions, rewiring, or a new heating system can significantly increase overall costs.
If you’re taking on a full house refurbishment, it pays to have a plan. Here’s a simple guide to help you get started:
Sort the structure – Get any major building work out the way first. That means fixing walls, adding extensions, or sorting out the roof
Plumbing updates, electrical rewiring, and heating systems
Replaster and prep
Fit the floors and tiles – Before you start messy jobs like decorating and tiling
Add the finishing touches – Hire a painter and decorator to bring your vision to life
The difference between restoration and renovation boils down to:
House restoration is all about bringing a period building back to its original state by preserving the character, and repurposing old materials
House renovation is about updating or improving what’s already there to make it more practical for everyday life
