From Brexit and COVID-19 to rising inflation, supply chain challenges have driven up the costs of materials and labour significantly, meaning it’s now more expensive to renovate your home than in previous years.
As demand for skilled builders remains high and homeowners are looking to upgrade their homes, home renovations now come with a hefty price. We explore just how much a home renovation will set you back and see whether it’s the right choice for you.
- How much does a full house renovation cost?
- What costs do you need to consider during a home renovation?
- How much does a bathroom renovation cost?
- How much does a kitchen renovation cost?
- How much is a loft conversion?
- How much is a house extension?
- How much does a garage conversion cost?
- What’s better: renovating your house or moving to a new home?
Key takeaways
- A full home renovation costs between £43,530 and £110,350
- A bathroom renovation costs between £7,000 and £14,000
- A kitchen renovation costs between £7,000 to £25,000
- A loft conversion costs between £27,500 to £75,000+
- In some cases, home renovations may not be worth it and moving into a new home may be a better option
How much does a full house renovation cost?
According to Checkatrade, the average cost to renovate a three-bedroom house is between £43,530 and £110,350.
As you can see, the cost of a full home renovation can vary greatly depending on the extent of the project, the materials used, the skills required, where you’re located and much more. Use this range as a guide but note that your renovation costs will be unique to you.
What costs do you need to consider during a home renovation?
When getting started with a home renovation, there are many costs to consider and you’ll always have to be prepared for unexpected costs in addition to the total. We’d recommend a contingency flex of approximately 10%.
Possible renovation costs to consider include:
- Architect fees
- Planning permission fees
- Build regulation fees
- Structural engineering costs
- Buying materials
- Building costs
- Plumbing and electricals
- Fixtures and fittings
- Flooring and tiles
If you are unable to live in your home while the renovations take place, you may also have to consider costs for short-term rentals or hotels.
How much does a bathroom renovation cost?
Checkatrade estimates that the cost of a new bathroom is around £7,000 with removal of your old bathroom adding on an extra £600 to £1,000. However, a bathroom renovation could cost you anything upward of £14,000 for bespoke and luxury designs, or if complicated plumbing is required such as for underfloor heating. Here’s an example breakdown of bathroom renovation costs:
- Toilet installation – £175+
- Basin installation – £100+
- Bath/shower installation – £250+
- Shower enclosure installation – £350+
- Heated towel rail installation – £200+
- Radiator installation – £150+
How much does a kitchen renovation cost?
A new kitchen renovation costs around £7,000 to £25,000 but will depend on the type of design you go for, the materials, fitting costs, your chosen appliances and the size of your kitchen. Checkatrade reports that a bespoke kitchen in a large space could cost up to £100,000!
Here’s a price breakdown based on a small, low-cost kitchen:
- Kitchen units – £1,500+
- Worktops – £100+
- Appliances – £450+
- Kitchen installation – £2,200+
- Plumbing – £200+
- Electrics – £300+
- Flooring – £500+
Note that prices can be higher, for example if you opt for a natural stone, such as granite or marble, or go for high-end appliances, like American-style fridge freezers, induction hobs, boiling water taps and the like.
How much is a loft conversion?
While loft conversions can vary in style and size, the average cost for a loft conversion in the UK ranges from £27,500 to £75,000+, according to Checkatrade. A £50,000 loft conversion would typically create a loft with around 30m2 with a dormer and a roof light. Here are Checkatrade’s estimates for other loft types, also based on 30m2 loft space:
- Velux loft conversion – £27,500
- Dormer loft conversion – £50,000
- Hip-to-gable loft conversions – £60,000
- Bungalow loft conversion (50m2) – £75,000
- Modular loft conversion – £45,000
- Mansard loft conversion – £65,000
- Shell loft conversion – £30,000
How much is a house extension?
If you’re looking to increase your living space or add an extra bedroom, extending your house is a popular option. The average kitchen extension with 12m2 of floor space costs on average £17,500, according to Checkatrade.
How much does a garage conversion cost?
Instead of a home extension, many opt for a garage conversion, which transforms dead space into a usable room for a fraction of the price. Popular uses for a garage conversion include home gyms or even bedrooms. According to Checkatrade, the average garage conversion cost in the UK is between £10,000 and £20,000.
When converting an attached garage, you can expect lower costs and quicker builds, whereas detached garages can be more challenging, making them more expensive. A double garage, given the size, would cost even more.
What’s better: renovating your house or moving to a new home?
There are so many different factors to consider when it comes to the decision to renovate your home or move to a new home entirely. While financial considerations are usually the most important, emotional attachment and personal preferences also come into play.
| Renovating your home | Moving to a new home |
| Stay in a familiar home and neighbourhood | Opportunity to startn fresh or stay in the same neighbourhood |
| Take the time to customise your space | Immediate access to a home that better suits your needs |
| Can be more affordable | Avoids the stress and disruption of renovations |
| No need to deal with stresses of selling and buying a home | Ability to relocate to a better location or school district |
| Retain emotional attachment to your current home | Avoid unexpected renovation costs |
| Potentially increase the value of your property | Move into a modern, high-quality new home |
Renovating enables you to stay in a familiar home and neighbourhood while customising and improving your space to meet your specific needs, often at a lower cost, however, expert advice is required to assess whether the quality and specific work you plan to do will be suitable to increase property value. In many cases, renovations can be a cost with little return.
So, what are the benefits of choosing a new build home rather than renovating your existing home?
Moving to a new home offers several benefits over renovating. It provides a fresh start, allowing you to choose a home that better meets your current and future needs, such as more space, better layout or a preferred location, such as for better schools or closer to work. Moving can also save time and avoid the stress and disruption of living through a renovation, particularly as new homes are often chain free.
Whether or not moving to a new home is more cost-effective will be dependent on the type of renovations you want to carry out. It may be more cost-effective, especially if renovation costs are high, if you can find a good deal in a buyer’s market or you need to rent in the interim. Not to mention, the emotional stress of living in a construction zone is not always worth it, especially for larger projects that last months or years. And for significant renovations, you might need to take out a loan and pay interest on this too.
Stamp duty and other moving expenses often hold people back from moving, however, with new builds, there are many schemes and incentives in place to help reduce costs, such as discounted stamp duty, Shared Ownership and part exchange programmes.
Ready to upgrade your home for a new one?
New builds are becoming a popular choice for homeowners looking for a modern home, built to the latest building standards with high-quality interiors, finishings and amenities. Browse thousands of new build properties and discover your dream home today with OnTheMarket.
