Last updated on March 31st, 2022
Cost to transform your new home from a blank canvas
So you’ve just moved into a new home. Congratulations! Now all you have to do is transform it from a blank canvas into a home that feels like yours. But how much will that cost? Although the answer’s going to be different for everybody, we’ve laid out the first jobs you’ll need to fork out on and how much they’ll come to.
So you’ve just moved into a new home. Congratulations! Now all you have to do is transform it from a blank canvas into a home that feels like yours. But how much will that cost? Although the answer’s going to be different for everybody, we’ve laid out the first jobs you’ll need to fork out on and how much they’ll come to.
Where to start
First things first, we’d recommend making a list of your top priorities and putting together a budget. Then, you can come to a decision about what jobs you’re realistically going to be able to do straight away and what jobs are, quite frankly, going to have to wait till later.
Remember that the total cost will depend on the spec you’re going for. A basic spec is going to cost less than standard. And that in turn will cost less than luxury.
Your costs will also depend on the state your home is in at the moment. If you’ve bought a new build, it’ll just be about adding your stamp (new flooring, a splash of paint on the walls… you get the idea!). If you’ve bought an older house though, you might need to carry out more in-depth cosmetic, or even structural, work.
| Item | Unit | Cost - low | Cost - high | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet fitting | Per m2 | £3 | £10 | £6.50 |
| Wooden flooring | Per m2 | £35 | £80 | £57.50 |
| Laminate flooring | Per m2 | £10 | £50 | £30 |
| Wooden floor restoration | Per floor | - | - | £410 |
| Supply and fit skirting boards | Per 4.3m x 3m room | £225 | £300 | £262.50 |
| Plumber | Per hour | £40 | £60 | £50 |
| New bathroom | Per bathroom | £1,500 | £7,500 | £4,500 |
| Boiler repair | Per boiler | £100 | £500 | £300 |
| Rewiring | Per property | £1,500 | £12,500 | £7,000 |
| Add plug sockets | Per socket | £50 | £300 | £175 |
| Electrician | Per hour | - | - | £45 |
| Paint a 4-bedroom house | Per house | £2,600 | £3,600 | £3,100 |
| Painter decorator | Per day | £180 | £200 | £190 |
| Extension | Per m2 | £1,250 | £2,500 | £1,875 |
| Planning permission | Per application | £202 | £460 | £330 |
| Architect fees | Per hour | £50 | £100 | £75 |
Our costs are ballpark averages – get a local tradesperson to quote now
New flooring
Getting new flooring installed is a quick job that will really transform your home. Even if you’ve bought a new build, removing the run-of-the-mill flooring it came with and replacing it with luxury flooring can really elevate your property.
The cost to add a wooden floor can come to anywhere between £35 and £80 per m2. But if you don’t have the budget to stretch that far, laminate flooring can be a great alternative at £10 to £50 per m2. Alternatively, if you’re going for a more cosy feel, carpet is a cost-effective but stylish option that will cost you just £3 to £10 per m2.
If you’re renovating an older property, you might be able to restore an old feature floor, like flagstones or period floorboards. The cost to restore a wooden floor is on average £410. Switching the skirting boards for new ones can also help to spruce up a tired and worn-looking room. It costs approximately £225 to £300 to supply and fit skirting boards for a 4.3m x 3m room.
Plumbing and heating
If you’re moving into an older property, plumbing is likely to be one of the first things you spend your money on. A plumber’s hourly rate is normally between around £40 and £60 per hour. Or, if you need to make repairs to your boiler, you can expect to spend between £100 and £500.
Alternatively, if you’re looking to add a new bathroom (which can be an excellent way of adding value to your property) the cost can fall anywhere between £1,500 and £7,500 depending on the spec.
Electrics
Getting your electrics sorted is likely to be another priority. An electrician’s hourly rate is typically around £45. Or, if your home requires a complete rewire, you’re looking at a minimum of £1,500 (for a small, one-bedroom flat) but up to £12,500 (for a large five-bedroom house).
Even if you’ve bought a new build, chances are you’ll need to do some kind of electrical work. After all, those light switches and plug sockets are rarely in the perfect place. You’re looking at an average cost of around £175 to add or remove a socket or switch, but it’s likely to be more cost-effective to get a few done at the same time. For example, it’ll only cost around £250 to add five.
Painting
No matter what condition your new home is in, the likelihood is you’ll want to paint it to make it feel like your own. A painter decorator’s day rate is normally around £180 to £200. However, if you’re looking to paint a whole house, you could spend between £2,600 and £3,600 for a four-bedroom one.
Build an extension
This one’s a bit of a bigger project, but if you are planning on building an extension, you’re best off doing so sooner rather than later if you can. After all, there’s nothing worse than paying to have your house decorated only to create a big mess by knocking down walls a few months later!
The average cost of building an extension is £1,250 to £2,500 per m2. However, that cost can vary a lot based on the spec of your extension and your architect fees. These could come to anywhere from £50 to £100 per hour depending on your architect’s experience and the size of their firm. Remember, you’ll also have to budget for administrative costs, such as planning permission.
Key takeaways
- Your costs will vary based on the age and condition of your house.
- Consider whether you want to renovate your home to a basic, standard, or luxury spec.
- If you’re planning to build an extension, doing it sooner rather than later could save you money.
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