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Last updated: 31 March 2022
Farmhouse renovation cost guide
There’s nothing more charming than a quaint farmhouse in the country that’s full of character and history. Renovating a farmhouse can be an exciting project for your dream home, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. In this guide we look at the average farmhouse renovation cost in the UK.
There’s nothing more charming than a quaint farmhouse in the country that’s full of character and history. Renovating a farmhouse can be an exciting project to create your dream home, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. In this guide, we look at the average farmhouse renovation cost in the UK.
The nature of farmhouses means they often come with a long list of potential issues, from lead pipes and rotten wooden flooring to dodgy thatched roofs or even asbestos in the walls. Therefore, if you’re considering buying and renovating an old farmhouse, you’ll want to do a lot of homework beforehand – and make sure you get advice and quotes from reputable, experienced tradespeople.
| Cost item | Range - Low | Range - High | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building renovation cost (per m2) | £1,200 | £1,500 | £1,350 |
| Listed property renovation (per m2) | £1,560 | £2,250 | £1,905 |
| Building survey / inspection cost | £600 | £1,500 | £1,050 |
| Small farmhouse renovation | £18,000 | £48,000 | £33,000 |
| Medium farmhouse renovation | £48,000 | £90,000 | £70,000 |
| Large farmhouse renovation | £90,000 | £240,000 | £165,000 |
| Thatched roof renovation (100m2) | £15,000 | £30,000 | £22,500 |
| Last updated: May 2024 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |||
How much does a farmhouse renovation cost?
As with any property renovation, the cost of the project can vary considerably depending on a wide range of factors. And, in general, creating a modern farmhouse costs more than renovating a regular house.
As an estimate, you can expect to pay around £18,000 to £48,000 for a small farmhouse renovation. The cost to renovate a medium farmhouse goes up to £48,000 to £90,000. And, if you’re renovating a large farmhouse, the cost can be anywhere from £90,000 to £240,000+.
Farmhouse renovation survey cost
Due to the extent of possible issues you might face when renovating a farmhouse, it’s important to start by having a thorough survey or inspection of the building. A full survey will be able to identify any issues that will need to be dealt with and will help you manage the cost to renovate a farmhouse.
By understanding what needs to be done from the outset you can allocate money to those issues, which will save you money in the long run. Finding a problem in the middle of a project can be a nightmare for logistics, your budget, and knock-on effects for the rest of the project schedule.
The average building survey or inspection cost is around £600 to £1,500.
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Farmhouse thatched roof renovation cost
If the farmhouse you’re renovating has a thatched roof, repairing or replacing the roof could cost you a chunk of your budget. Make sure you do a roof inspection as part of your planning for the renovation project. On average, the cost of a thatched roof renovation is about £10,500 to £14,000.
See more details in our thatched roof cost guide.
Other farmhouse renovation issues to consider
Flooring – The flooring in old farmhouses will highly likely be wooden and in need of treatment or replacement.
Walls – Old farmhouses tend to be constructed with stone walls and no cavity, so you’ll need to consider how you plan ventilation to allow walls to breathe.
Cob walling – Found mostly in Devon and Cornwall, cob walling can be part of an old farmhouse construction, which consists of subsoil, straw, water, and occasionally lime. Any repair or maintenance must be done by an experienced cob walling expert to not upset the balance of the wall structure.
Building regulations – In many old farmhouses, you’ll need to check the condition of basic items such as kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing & electrics. Chances are you’ll need to upgrade them to make sure they meet modern Building Regulations.
Windows – Old farmhouses tend to be drafty buildings and may need bespoke replacement windows in keeping with the property.
Guttering and pipework – Damaged guttering and downpipes can cause damp if they’re not fixed correctly or sufficiently maintained.
Planning permission – As with any property renovation project, make sure you have planning permission for any work you’re going to carry out. A lot of old farmhouses are listed buildings, which means they have restrictions on the type of work that can be done on them. Speak to your local planning office as a first step, so you’re clear on what you can and can’t do.
If a farmhouse renovation sounds like too much risk or stress for you, you might want to consider renovating a regular house, with an average cost in the region of £35,100 to £68,750. Find out more in our guide to the cost of renovating a house.
Modern farmhouse renovation quote
We recommend obtaining at least three quotes from trusted tradespeople for each job that you need doing. Our request a quote feature is perfect for getting quotes – you post details about the job you want doing and we’ll send it out to local tradespeople in your area. Try it out!
Key takeaways
Renovating a farmhouse tends to cost more than renovating a regular house.
Ensure that you have a full survey completed before you start any renovation works.
Farmhouse renovations can cost from £18,000 for a small farmhouse, up to £240,000+ for a large farmhouse.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
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