Single room makeover
A weekend-to-fortnight project you can do end to end yourself
The cheapest renovation there is, and the one with the best return on effort. Work top down: ceiling first, then walls, then woodwork, then the floor. Do that and you never paint over finished work. One room, roughly 12 m², typically comes in under €900 in materials.
What it costs
All in, doing the DIY jobs yourself
£390 – £1,400
~87 h · 23/23 you can do this
All in, everything outsourced
£1,200 – £3,450
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
- Measure up and order materialsEasy
£0 – £0
Materials
- Protect floors and furnitureBeginner
£15 – £35
Materials
Strip out
- Strip old wallpaperEasy
£10 – £25
Materials · Labour £100 – £260
- Lift the old flooringIntermediate
£0 – £15
Materials · Labour £130 – £340
Plaster & make good
- Fill holes and sand backEasy
£10 – £25
Materials · Labour £75 – £170
Second fix
- Fit sockets and switchesIntermediate
£50 – £170
Materials · Labour £150 – £390
- Fit a dimmer switchEasy
£15 – £60
Materials · Labour £50 – £130
- Hang the ceiling lightsEasy
£20 – £170
Materials · Labour £50 – £140
- Hang and balance the radiatorsIntermediate
£130 – £520
Materials · Labour £190 – £470
- Lay laminate flooringIntermediate
£170 – £600
Materials · Labour £260 – £600
- Fit skirting boardsIntermediate
£70 – £220
Materials · Labour £170 – £430
- Fit door handlesBeginner
£20 – £130
Materials · Labour £60 – £150
- Put up floating shelvesEasy
£45 – £150
Materials · Labour £100 – £260
- Mount the TV on the wallEasy
£35 – £130
Materials · Labour £70 – £170
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 wallpaper or a feature wallIntermediate
£70 – £340
Materials · Labour £220 – £600
- Hang curtain poles or blindsEasy
£35 – £140
Materials · Labour £70 – £170
Finish & check
- Fit radiator reflector panelsBeginner
£15 – £50
Materials · Labour £50 – £140
- Fit smoke alarmsBeginner
£15 – £75
Materials · Labour £45 – £120
- Deep clean and put everything backBeginner
£15 – £50
Materials · Labour £100 – £260
Plan your renovation, job by job
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