House Renovation: Your Complete Guide
Whether you are refreshing a tired interior or gutting a property back to brick, renovating a house is one of the biggest investments you will make. Any structural changes, rewiring, or replumbing will need to comply with Building Regulations. This guide covers what it costs, how to plan the work, and how to avoid the mistakes that blow budgets.
Renovation scope levels
Cosmetic refresh - £5k–£15k
New paint throughout, updated flooring, replacement light fittings and door handles. No structural work, no new kitchens or bathrooms. The quickest and cheapest way to transform a tired-looking home.
Partial renovation - £15k–£35k
A new kitchen or bathroom (or both) plus decorating and flooring. May include minor plumbing or electrical upgrades but no rewiring or replumbing. Most popular scope for homeowners updating a liveable house.
Full renovation - £30k–£80k
Everything from new electrics and plumbing through to a finished interior. New kitchen, new bathroom, plastering, decorating, and flooring. The house is stripped back but the layout stays the same.
Major renovation - £60k–£150k+
Structural changes: knocking through walls, adding extensions, loft conversions, underpinning. Full rewire, replumb, new heating system. Often involves planning permission and Building Regulations.
Get at least three quotes
Renovation prices vary enormously between builders, and the scope of what is included can differ just as much. Get at least three detailed written quotes covering the same specification - structural work, electrics, plumbing, plastering, decoration, and finishes. Make sure each contractor has surveyed the property in person rather than quoting from photos. Comparing like for like is the only reliable way to spot a fair price.
House renovation guides
House renovation cost guide
Full pricing by scope, property type, room-by-room breakdown, and regional costs.
Kitchen cost guide
Detailed kitchen renovation costs from budget to high-end.
Bathroom cost guide
What a new bathroom really costs, from suite to tiling.
Extension cost guide
Adding space? See what extensions cost per square metre.
Common questions
How much does it cost to renovate a house in the UK?
A cosmetic refresh (paint, flooring, fixtures) costs £5,000–£15,000. A partial renovation covering the kitchen, bathroom, and decorating runs £15,000–£35,000. A full renovation of a 3-bed semi typically costs £30,000–£80,000. Major renovations involving structural changes can exceed £150,000.
What order should you renovate a house?
Start with structural work (underpinning, walls, roof), then first fix (electrics, plumbing, heating), then plastering, then second fix (sockets, switches, radiators), then kitchen fitting, then decorating, then flooring last. Getting the sequence right avoids rework and wasted money.
How long does a full house renovation take?
A cosmetic refresh takes 2–4 weeks. A partial renovation takes 6–12 weeks. A full renovation of a 3-bed house takes 3–6 months. Major renovations with structural work can take 6–12 months or longer depending on complexity and planning approvals.
Planning a renovation?
See what it really costs and get quotes from trusted contractors near you.
See 2026 prices