Whole-house renovation
The full sequence, from permits to the snagging list
Whole-house work fails on sequence, not on skill. Everything that goes inside a wall or under a floor has to be finished and signed off before a single wall gets plastered. Get that wrong and you are cutting fresh plaster back open in week six.
What it costs
All in, doing the DIY jobs yourself
£10,300 – £30,100
~232 h · 49/51 you can do this
All in, everything outsourced
£30,100 – £77,400
Indicative ranges for a typical project. Materials are what you would pay at a merchant; labour is what a trade would charge for the same line.
What the job involves
Plan & prepare
- Set the budget and a contingencyBeginner
£0 – £0
Materials
- Check permits and building rulesEasy
£0 – £0
Materials
- Get three quotes for the work you outsourceBeginner
£0 – £0
Materials
- Measure up and order materialsEasy
£0 – £0
Materials
- Book a skip or waste collectionBeginner
£150 – £300
Materials
- Protect floors and furnitureBeginner
£15 – £35
Materials
Strip out
- Strip old wallpaperEasy
£10 – £25
Materials · Labour £100 – £260
- Rip out the old bathroom suiteIntermediate
£0 – £25
Materials · Labour £220 – £430
- Rip out the old kitchenIntermediate
£0 – £25
Materials · Labour £220 – £470
- Lift the old flooringIntermediate
£0 – £15
Materials · Labour £130 – £340
First fix
- Build or move a stud wallAdvanced
£100 – £260
Materials · Labour £300 – £600
- Run new cabling (first fix electrics)ExpertGet a pro
£130 – £340
Materials · Labour £340 – £1,050
- Move or run pipework (first fix plumbing)ExpertGet a pro
£130 – £390
Materials · Labour £390 – £950
- Insulate the loft to 270 mmEasy
£220 – £560
Materials · Labour £260 – £600
- Insulate exposed water pipesBeginner
£15 – £50
Materials · Labour £70 – £150
- Run Cat 6 network pointsIntermediate
£35 – £150
Materials · Labour £170 – £430
- Fit secondary glazingIntermediate
£130 – £520
Materials · Labour £220 – £600
- Replace the main stopcockAdvanced
£20 – £75
Materials · Labour £100 – £260
Plaster & make good
- Board and skim the wallsAdvanced
£130 – £340
Materials · Labour £340 – £770
- Fill holes and sand backEasy
£10 – £25
Materials · Labour £75 – £170
Second fix
- Tile the floorAdvanced
£220 – £600
Materials · Labour £390 – £860
- Assemble and fit the kitchen unitsAdvanced
£1,050 – £4,300
Materials · Labour £600 – £1,550
- Fit the worktopAdvanced
£220 – £1,300
Materials · Labour £220 – £600
- Fit the sink and kitchen tapIntermediate
£100 – £390
Materials · Labour £130 – £280
- Fit the toilet and check the flushIntermediate
£130 – £390
Materials · Labour £130 – £300
- Fit the basin and tapIntermediate
£50 – £220
Materials · Labour £85 – £190
- Fit a thermostatic shower mixerIntermediate
£100 – £340
Materials · Labour £130 – £300
- Hang and balance the radiatorsIntermediate
£130 – £520
Materials · Labour £190 – £470
- Fit a smart thermostatEasy
£100 – £300
Materials · Labour £85 – £220
- Fit a magnetic heating filterIntermediate
£75 – £190
Materials · Labour £130 – £300
- Install LED downlightsIntermediate
£70 – £260
Materials · Labour £170 – £430
- Fit sockets and switchesIntermediate
£50 – £170
Materials · Labour £150 – £390
- Lay laminate flooringIntermediate
£170 – £600
Materials · Labour £260 – £600
- Fit skirting boardsIntermediate
£70 – £220
Materials · Labour £170 – £430
- Build fitted wardrobesAdvanced
£340 – £1,050
Materials · Labour £690 – £1,700
- Fit new door locksEasy
£35 – £130
Materials · Labour £75 – £190
- Fit door handlesBeginner
£20 – £130
Materials · Labour £60 – £150
- Rehang the doors on new hingesIntermediate
£15 – £100
Materials · Labour £100 – £260
- Draught-proof doors and windowsBeginner
£15 – £70
Materials · Labour £75 – £190
- Fit a wired video doorbellIntermediate
£70 – £260
Materials · Labour £75 – £190
Decorate
- Paint the ceilingEasy
£25 – £75
Materials · Labour £100 – £260
- Paint the wallsEasy
£50 – £170
Materials · Labour £220 – £520
- Paint doors, frames and skirtingIntermediate
£35 – £100
Materials · Labour £170 – £410
- Hang curtain poles or blindsEasy
£35 – £140
Materials · Labour £70 – £170
Finish & check
- Silicone the bath, basin and showerEasy
£15 – £35
Materials · Labour £70 – £170
- Fit smoke alarmsBeginner
£15 – £75
Materials · Labour £45 – £120
- Repressurise and bleed the systemEasy
£0 – £15
Materials · Labour £50 – £120
- Clear the guttersEasy
£0 – £35
Materials · Labour £100 – £260
- Test alarms and RCDsBeginner
£0 – £15
Materials · Labour £45 – £100
- Walk round and write a snagging listBeginner
£15 – £70
Materials · Labour £85 – £260
- Deep clean and put everything backBeginner
£15 – £50
Materials · Labour £100 – £260
Plan your renovation, job by job
Your plan is kept in this browser as you work. Create a free account or sign in to keep it across devices. Nothing is lost while you sign up.