What drives the cost of a London renovation
Two renovations of identical houses can differ in cost by a factor of two or more. The differences almost always come from five places:
- Condition and services. If the wiring, plumbing and heating need full replacement — common in homes untouched for 25+ years — that work happens before anything visible.
- Structural work. Removing walls, extensions, loft and basement conversions each add engineering, steelwork and approvals.
- Kitchens and bathrooms. The most expensive rooms per square metre. Their number and specification move the total substantially.
- Level of finish. Bespoke joinery, natural stone and specialist decoration sit at a different price point from standard ranges.
- The property’s constraints. Listed status, conservation areas, party walls and access all affect programme and cost in London specifically.
Typical cost bands
[Replace with the company's real, current cost bands. Structure suggestion below — keep it honest and dated.]
| Scope | Typical range | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Interior refurbishment (no structural work) | [£X–£Y] | [X] months |
| Full renovation, existing footprint | [£X–£Y] | [X] months |
| Full renovation + extension | [£X–£Y] | [X] months |
| Full renovation + extension + loft | [£X–£Y] | [X] months |
Costs people forget to budget for
- Professional fees: structural engineer, party wall surveyor, building control
- Planning and listed building application costs where consent is required
- Temporary accommodation during the build
- VAT — quotes are often compared without it
- A contingency of [X]% for what opens up behind old plaster
How to get an accurate figure
Square-metre rates are a starting point, not a quote. The only reliable number comes from a site assessment and an itemised, fixed-scope quotation — one that names products, quantities and provisional sums explicitly, so you can compare like for like between contractors.
That is how we quote every project. Read about our full home renovation service, see a completed Fulham renovation, or book a consultation to discuss your property.