Renovation Cost Calculator

This calculator estimates costs for surface finishing work: floor covering (laminate, engineered wood, tiles, or hardwood), wall tiling or plastering and painting, ceiling work, and — for kitchens and bathrooms — plumbing and electrical installations. It does not include furniture, built-in appliances, structural changes, demolition, or architectural design fees.

A bathroom renovation in the UK typically costs £650–£2,800 per m² depending on finish quality. For a standard 5 m² bathroom, expect £3,500–£7,000 for an economy fit-out, £7,000–£14,000 for a standard renovation, and £14,000–£25,000+ for a premium refurb. London costs are 40–60% higher than the national average.

A kitchen renovation in the UK costs approximately £500–£2,300 per m² for surface finishing work (flooring, tiling, plastering, and plumbing/electrical). Note that kitchen units and appliances are additional — a mid-range fitted kitchen typically adds £5,000–£15,000 on top of the labour and installation costs.

Economy finish uses basic materials — laminate flooring, standard ceramic tiles, and simple emulsion paint. Standard finish includes mid-range materials like engineered wood, quality porcelain tiles, and branded sanitaryware. Premium finish uses high-end materials — natural stone, solid hardwood flooring, designer fittings, bespoke joinery, and underfloor heating as standard.

Bathrooms require intensive plumbing and waterproofing work, wall-to-floor tiling, sanitary ware installation, and often underfloor heating. The labour complexity per square metre is much higher than for a bedroom or living room, which is why bathroom costs per m² are typically 1.5–2× higher than other rooms.

A full apartment renovation in the UK costs approximately £380–£1,700 per m². For a 50 m² flat, budget £19,000–£40,000 for an economy or standard renovation, or £85,000+ for a premium fit-out. Always obtain at least 3 quotes from qualified contractors and add a 15–20% contingency budget for unforeseen issues.

Most internal renovation work (replastering, flooring, bathroom/kitchen refits, painting) does not require planning permission in the UK. However, structural changes — removing load-bearing walls, loft conversions, extensions, or changes to listed buildings — typically require planning permission and/or building regulations approval. Always check with your local council before starting structural work.

A full apartment renovation takes 1–3 months depending on size and scope. A bathroom alone typically takes 2–4 weeks. Key factors affecting duration include: extent of demolition, drying times for screeds and plaster (screed: 1 day per mm thickness), and contractor availability. Always add a 20–30% time buffer — most UK renovations run over schedule.

Key ways to reduce costs: get 3+ quotes from different contractors; supply your own materials (tiles, sanitaryware, fittings) bought online or from trade suppliers; do minor work (painting, decorating) yourself if skilled; avoid changing the design once work has started — mid-project changes are the most common cause of budget overruns; and consider renovating in autumn/winter when contractors are less busy and more competitive on price.

Belgian renovation costs are similar to France — typically €380–€1,500/m² for an apartment depending on quality. Brussels tends to be 20–30% higher than other Belgian cities. In France, Paris and the Île-de-France region are 30–40% above the national average. Belgium offers renovation grants (RENOLUTION programme in Brussels, RENoWALL in Wallonia) that can reduce costs for energy-efficiency upgrades.

This tool provides a rough estimate based on typical 2024 market averages. Actual costs depend on the specific scope of work, materials selected, your contractor's rates, accessibility, site conditions, and regional price variations. Always use this as a starting point and validate with professional quotes before committing to a project budget.