Home Renovation Costs UK 2025: Budgeting Guide for Homeowners

Renovating should be exciting, not a budgeting headache. This homeowner-friendly guide sets out typical 2025 renovation costs, what different projects actually cost, the factors that push prices up or down, the hidden costs people miss, and how to set a realistic budget. We also explain how Fixiz keeps pricing transparent from day one.

Typical Renovation Costs per m² in 2025

  • Whole-house refurbishment (guide): roughly £1,200–£2,800 per m², depending on location, scope and specification.
  • General build benchmarks: many UK build projects fall in the £1,775–£3,000 per m² range—useful context when works approach “new build” standards.
  • Extensions (context): single-storey typically £1,800–£3,500 per m²; double-storey often £1,650–£3,250 per m².

Cost Breakdown by Project Type

Kitchen

  • Mid-range full renovation: commonly £12,000–£20,000 for cabinetry, worktops, appliances and fitting.
  • Labour context: typical kitchen fitter day rates around £250–£350/day (region and experience vary).

Bathroom

  • Standard ensuite/bathroom: averages around £8,100 total or roughly £2,180 per m² (spec dependent; ex-VAT in the source).
  • Typical range 2025: about £6,500–£9,000+ for most homeowners, rising with premium finishes.

House Extensions

  • Per m²: single-storey £1,800–£3,500/m²; double-storey £1,650–£3,250/m².
  • Example totals: ground-floor rear extension ~£86,700 (~£2,890/m²); double-storey rear ~£120,600 (~£2,010/m²).

Loft Conversions

  • Velux/rooflight: ~£27,500–£40,000+.
  • Dormer: ~£45,000–£65,000+.
  • Hip-to-gable: ~£55,000–£75,000+.
  • Mansard: ~£60,000–£80,000+.

Garage Conversions

  • Standard single garage: around £10,000–£20,000 for a ~16m² conversion.
  • Costs rise with: bathrooms, utilities, complex damp/insulation remediation, detached/structurally weak buildings.

Factors That Affect Renovation Costs

  • Location: London and the South East typically attract higher labour and material costs.
  • Specification: Premium finishes (underfloor heating, bi-folds, bespoke joinery) push £/m² up.
  • Site constraints: Access, parking, skip logistics, conservation areas, party wall matters.
  • Structural complexity: Steel beams, deep foundations, underpinning.
  • Services upgrades: New electrics, boiler relocation, drainage re-routes.

Hidden Costs Homeowners Often Miss

  • Professional fees: Architects, structural engineers, planning/building control applications—often 10–15% of build cost.
  • Party wall costs: Surveyor fees if neighbours don’t consent.
  • VAT: Standard-rated at 20% on most labour and materials (some energy-saving exceptions).
  • Contingency: 10–15% buffer for unknowns.
  • Temporary accommodation: If living off-site during major works.
  • Lead times: slow planning or long-lead items (windows, stairs) can add cost if the site stands still.

Getting Quotes and Comparing Contractors

  • Like-for-like tender pack: issue drawings, a room-by-room/spec schedule and an inclusions list (e.g., waste removal, making good, decoration).
  • Breakdowns matter: request labour/material splits and provisional sums for unknowns (e.g., drainage, steels).
  • Check assumptions: delivery lead times, access, working hours, scaffolding, protection, testing/commissioning.
  • Credentials: insurance, references, trade registrations (e.g., NICEIC, Gas Safe), recent similar projects.

How Fixiz Provides Transparent Pricing

  • Benchmark-driven estimates: We price against current UK ranges (e.g., renovations per m², extension bands) so your starting point is realistic.
  • Itemised proposals: Clear line items for prelims, structure, services, finishes and compliance—plus flagged provisional sums.
  • No surprises policy: We confirm specifications before ordering, lock long-lead costs early, and highlight VAT and statutory fees up front.
  • Options & value-engineering: Side-by-side options (good/better/best) for materials and systems to meet your target budget.
  • Live tracking: A simple dashboard tracks spend vs allowance and change control throughout the build.

Conclusion

Set your 2025 renovation budget using current per-m² benchmarks, firm up the specification early and include realistic allowances for fees, VAT and contingency. Compare like-for-like quotes, question assumptions and plan for lead times. With Fixiz, you’ll get transparent pricing, proactive cost control and a project that stays on track—financially and programmatically.

Ready to plan your renovation with clear numbers?

  • Speak to Fixiz today for an itemised, benchmark-based estimate, optioned specs and a straight path from budget to build.