What does a full house renovation cost in London?
In London: £135,000 to £202,500 for a typical 90 m2 project at mid-range, against £108,000 to £162,000 nationally. Budget starts around £81,000, premium runs to £313,900. Set your own size, finish and region below, no email required.
What the sources say
Checkatrade, House Renovation: Cost Breakdown: £43,530 to £110,350
full renovation of an average 3-bed house, stated + VAT; x1.20 gives £52,236-132,420. Prices stated excluding VAT. Guide dated 2026-06, opened and checked 2026-08-26.
MyBuilder, House Renovation Cost Guide: £650 to £2,800
about £650 per m2 for basic cosmetic updates up to £2,800 per m2 for a full strip-out and high-end remodel; strip-out and refit line £650-2,000 per m2. The guide does not state its VAT treatment. Guide dated undated, opened and checked 2026-09-29.
The national range at the top of this page is chosen inside the spread these guides publish, with 20% added where a guide states its prices exclude VAT. Where guides disagree, both figures stay visible above so you can judge for yourself.
Full house renovation, mid-range, London
£135,000 to £202,500
Ask each trade whether VAT comes on top. An indication, not a quote: prices vary per trade and property.
Take it further
Nothing here is saved unless you ask. With a free account you can keep this estimate and come back to it later.
Where a guide says its prices exclude VAT, I added 20%. Most guides don't say, so ask each trade whether VAT comes on top. A trade under the £90,000 VAT threshold is often not registered and then charges none.
On top of whatever you agree with a builder, set aside a contingency of 20% for the unforeseen: structural work on the existing building carries the most unknowns; guidance puts these projects at the top of the contingency range or above. How much contingency you need explains the guidance.
What drives the price
- Scope: cosmetic refresh, standard renovation and strip-to-brick are three different budgets.
- The invisible half: rewiring, replumbing, damp and structure eat budget before anything looks better.
- Kitchens and bathrooms: the two rooms that dominate any whole-house number.
- Living through it or moving out: time pressure changes sequencing and price.
All figures come from the same validated 2026 price data as the calculator above, built on the sources listed higher up on this page, each opened and checked on 26 August 2026 (see how we price), so this page and your estimate can never disagree.
Outside London? See the national guide, or compare every region in the regional overview. How to pay for it (remortgage, loan or savings) is its own guide: paying for a renovation.
Planning an extension or loft? Check permitted development first.
Frequently asked questions
What order should a full renovation happen in?
Structure and damp first, then first-fix electrics and plumbing, then plaster, then floors and finish, kitchens and bathrooms as late as their trades allow, decorating last. Paying twice for redone work is the classic full-renovation mistake.
What should I do first?
Three steps, in this order. First, turn the guide range above into your own number: the calculator on this page adjusts for size, finish level and region in under a minute, free and without email.
Second, if the layout matters, bathrooms and kitchens especially, draw the room to scale in the free planner; moving plumbing is usually the biggest hidden cost, and you want to know that before anyone quotes. Third, get at least three itemised quotes and compare them line by line against your range before you commit; the quote check on this site gives you a verdict per quote.
Do these prices include VAT?
Not for certain. Where a guide says its prices exclude VAT, I added 20%. Most guides don't say, so ask each trade whether VAT comes on top. A trade under the £90,000 VAT threshold is often not registered and then charges none. New builds and some energy-saving works can qualify for 0% or reduced VAT; ask your installer whether your project qualifies.
Why is London so much more expensive?
Labour is the driver: London trades charge roughly 25% above the national average, and parking, access and waste logistics add friction. Nationally this project runs £108,000 to £162,000; the calculator switches region in one click.
How accurate is this range?
It is a guide range from national 2026 cost guides, adjusted for finish level and region. Real quotes vary by trade, property and specification; treat it as a starting point, budget 10 to 15 percent contingency, and always get at least three itemised quotes.