House renovation cost estimator
Renovation budgets go wrong when the scope is vague. A “full refurb” can mean new paint and flooring, or it can mean rewiring, replumbing, replastering and a new kitchen — and the difference is tens of thousands of pounds.
Estimo breaks your project into the work involved, applies UK labour and material assumptions for your area, and shows a price range with the reasoning behind it, so you know what to budget before you call a single builder.
What affects the cost of a renovation
Scope and rooms involved
Cosmetic updates, room-by-room refits and whole-house overhauls sit in very different bands.
Age and condition of the property
Older homes often hide dated wiring, lead or galvanised pipes, damp or uneven floors that only show up on strip-out.
Structural work
Removing walls, new steels or opening up rooms adds engineering, building control and more labour days.
Specification
Materials, fittings and finishes can double the materials line without changing the labour much.
Where you live
Trade day rates vary noticeably across the UK, with London and the South East typically higher.
Contingency and VAT
A sensible contingency and whether your builder charges VAT both change the final figure.
Before you start
- List every room and what you want done in it before asking for quotes.
- Decide early which items you will supply yourself.
- Keep a contingency for surprises found once walls and floors are opened up.
Common questions
- Can Estimo give me an exact renovation price?
- No estimate can be exact before a site visit. Estimo gives an indicative range and shows the assumptions, so you can refine it and use it to judge the quotes you receive.
- Does Estimo use UK prices?
- Yes. Estimates are built around UK labour and materials and adjust for your region.
- What should I do once I have quotes?
- Use Estimo's quote comparison to check each quote line by line against your estimate and against each other.
Get a personalised figure
Estimo shows an indicative range and the reasoning behind it. Ranges are a guide, not a quote.