The Costs Involved in Home Renovation Projects
So you’ve finally got your hands on your dream house – but now the work starts to turn that house into a home. There are so many factors that come into play when it comes to home renovating, it can be overbearing. From kitchen, bathroom and garden renovations, to new wiring, and even damp proofing – where to begin?
Whether you’re renovating a new purchase, revamping your current home or looking to sell, we’ve rounded up the best cost estimates for the most common home renovation projects – saving you time to use elsewhere!
A Structural Survey
Already scoured the hardware stores for paint swatches? First things first – don’t forget to invest in a structural survey. The last thing you want is to spend big, only to find out your property is riddled with rising damp and stair-step cracks.
Before committing to a renovation, it’s vital you hire a professional to give the entire structure the ‘once-over’. Once you’ve assessed any structural damage, this can then be repaired to avoid serious issues further down the line.
A structural survey can cost anywhere between £500-£1,500, depending on the size and location of the building. This can seem expensive, but it will save you huge bucks in the long run.
Damp Treatment
If you partake in a structural survey and find your home has an issue with damp, you’ll need to call in the big guns.
There are several different types of damp within a structure, ranging from rising damp, to penetrating damp and damp caused by condensation. Each of these have their own methods of treatment, and you will also have to determine the root cause. This makes the pricing for damp treatment difficult to estimate, due to the number of components and causes.
Damp treatment can cost anywhere up to £16,000 depending on the severity, how much of the home is affected, the root cause and the type of damp. Adding quite a hefty chunk of cash onto the total cost of internal renovations.
Insulation
Insulation is a great way to inconspicuously upgrade your home. You may not see the benefits, but you’ll certainly thank yourself! Insulating your home now can save you money on heating bills in the future, as well as giving you that extra layer of comfort come wintertime.
Home insulation costs will depend on the type of insulation, location and size of the project. According to estimates from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) the estimated cost of solid wall insulation for a semi-detached home is around £7,400 for internal walls, and £13,000 for external walls.
A New Kitchen
The kitchen is the room in the home where families tend to spend the most time together, so it’s important to invest in your dream galley.
It can be a big job, but it’s certain to add thousands to the value of your home if you wish to sell in future. From brand new cabinets and appliances, to state-of-the-art plumbing and sleek flooring, a new kitchen can total from anywhere between £10,000 to £20,000.
A New Bathroom
We may not spend as long in the bathroom, however they’re still a space used daily. The bathroom is the ‘self-care’ sector of the home, and it’s essential to give them that relaxing yet uplifting vibe to both wind us down for the night, and get us ready for the day ahead.
The two main factors that will affect the price of your new bathroom are the magnitude of the plumbing work, and the level of luxury you’re looking for. However, the estimated cost for the average bathroom renovation is around £6,000.
Rewiring Your Home
When renovating and modernizing your home, it will more than likely need to be rewired. There are some tell-tale signs which can point to whether your home may need a rewire. Some of the most common tell-tale signs are: lead insulated cabling, fabric insulated cablin, dated rubber insulated cabling and a consumer unit with no circuit breaker.
The thought of rewiring your entire home can be daunting. However, the costs will depend on the size of your home and the number of rooms. An initial, full electrical survey of your home should cost from around £240-£350.
The average cost of a full home rewire is usually anywhere in between £4000-£7500, depending on the size.
New Plumbing
When renovating your home, the plumbing system is very important. Often, old plumbing systems will not work effectively with a modern, updated home. Adding extra fittings and appliances to your home such as, new bathroom fixtures, underfloor heating, dishwashers and such can put a strain on old plumbing hardware.
In order to get the most out of your energy usage, updating your plumbing is an essential step to take. New plumbing will even add monetary value to your home, if you’re wishing to resell further down the line.
A new plumbing system will usually cost an average of £4,000. Updating a radiator costs on average £30 per radiator, and a new boiler will cost around £1,500 to £3000.
Flooring Restoration
New flooring is a great option when renovating your home, however, sometimes you’ll come to find the hidden treasure of original hardwood floors in your home.
This type of flooring is amazing for market value when planning on selling a property, so it’s important to restore them as best as possible.
It’s usually possible to rent a floor sander, and sand and varnish a wooden floor yourself. However, it’s vital we’re careful with original floorings so you may want to call in the professionals. Professional wooden floor restorations will usually cost around £20-35 per square metre.
Replacing Windows and Doors
Replacing doors and windows can really uplift a home and give it a new lease of life. If your home still has the original single glazing in the windows, updating to double glazing would be a huge step up.
Double glazing is extremely effective at saving on energy prices in the winter, as it keeps the house warm rather than letting the heat escape. It’s also great for extra security and durability, avoiding those easy breaks and cracks.
Updating your windows with uPVC costs an average of £400-£600 per window installation. The more windows in your home, the higher the cost.