How long does a full house renovation take?

10–24 weeks on site for a typical 100m² London terrace renovation. Light refurbishment 8–12 weeks. Standard renovation 14–20 weeks. Full strip-back with structural changes 18–28 weeks. Add 4–8 weeks for design, drawings and building regs. Total project: 16–36 weeks. We provide a detailed week-by-week programme at contract.

Can I live in the house during a full renovation?

For a light or standard renovation, sometimes yes — particularly if work is staged room-by-room. For a full strip-back renovation with structural changes, no — water, heating and electricity are typically off for weeks at a time. Most clients move out for full strip-back work; many stay for lighter scope projects.

Do I need planning permission for a house renovation?

Internal renovations do not need planning permission. Structural changes (removing walls, new openings, layout changes) do need building regulations approval but not planning. External changes (new windows, render, roof) may need planning in conservation areas or for listed buildings. Always check before starting.

What's the most expensive part of a house renovation?

The kitchen typically — £25,000–£60,000+ for a full new kitchen installation. Bathrooms follow at £12,000–£25,000 each. Structural changes (knockthroughs with RSJs) are typically £6,000–£15,000 per opening. Full rewire £8,000–£15,000 on a 100m² house. Full replumb with new heating £10,000–£20,000.

Full House Renovation Cost London 2025 — Real Prices

How Much Does a Full House Renovation Cost in London?

A full house renovation in London costs £1,500–£3,500 per m² in 2025, or £150,000–£400,000+ for a typical 100m² terraced house. Light refurbishment (kitchen, bathroom, decoration) starts around £1,200/m². Standard renovation (rewire, replumb, new kitchen + bathrooms, decoration) £2,000–£2,800/m². Full strip-back-to-brick with structural changes £2,800–£4,500/m². Listed and premium spec runs higher.

What's included in a full house renovation

A full house renovation typically includes: complete strip-out (kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, decoration); full rewire to current 18th Edition standard (new consumer unit, all sockets, lighting, smoke alarms, EV charger provision); full replumb (new copper or pressed-fitting plumbing, new boiler, new radiators or underfloor heating); upgrade of bathrooms (typically 2–3 bathrooms including ensuites); new fitted kitchen with appliances; new internal doors, architraves, skirtings; new flooring throughout (engineered wood, tile, carpet); full plaster repair and skim coat; full decoration (paint to walls, ceilings, woodwork); window refurbishment or replacement; sealing and remedial damp work; building control sign-off for new MEP work. Excluded typically: structural alterations (knockthroughs, RSJs, new openings — quoted separately); roof replacement; foundation underpinning; external rendering; landscaping.

Cost by scope tier

Light refurbishment (£1,200–£1,800/m²): kitchen replacement, bathroom replacement, full redecoration, some flooring upgrades, minor electrical/plumbing tweaks. No rewire, no full replumb. Suits a property that has been well-maintained but needs cosmetic refresh. Standard renovation (£2,000–£2,800/m²): full rewire, full replumb, new kitchen, 2 bathrooms, new flooring throughout, full decoration, new internal doors, some structural changes (one knockthrough). The standard London renovation tier. Full strip-back renovation (£2,800–£4,500/m²): strip back to bare brick/joists, full insulation upgrade to current standards, structural alterations (multiple knockthroughs, opening up the layout, new openings), full MEP replacement, premium kitchen and bathrooms, premium finishes, joinery. Heritage/listed renovation (£3,500–£6,000+/m²): conservation-grade restoration, lime plaster, sash window restoration, sympathetic reinstatement of period features.

Cost by room type

Approximate per-room costs in a London renovation 2025. Kitchen (full): £25,000–£60,000+ depending on tier — cabinets, worktops, sink, appliances, splashback, flooring, electrics, plumbing. Bathroom (full): £12,000–£25,000 per bathroom — sanitaryware, tiling, plumbing, electrics, ventilation, screen, flooring. Ensuite (smaller): £8,000–£15,000. Bedroom (refurbishment): £3,500–£8,000 — plaster repair, decoration, flooring, electrics. Living room: £5,000–£12,000. Hallway/stairs: £4,000–£10,000. Loft conversion or extension: separate from renovation budget, see those pages. These are typical mid-range figures; premium spec adds 30–80%; budget spec reduces 20–35%.