How Much Does Home Renovation Cost in Central London?

When evaluating renovation expenses, it’s helpful to differentiate whether you’re updating the interior, the exterior, or both at once.

Just the Interior 

A full interior renovation—often known as an interior refurbishment—goes further than a straightforward cosmetic uplift or redecoration. Typically, this involves renewing all key surfaces (floors, walls, ceilings), refurbishing kitchens and bathrooms, replacing plumbing, and modernising electrical systems. Local Mention #1: In Central London, older flats or historic townhouses often benefit from complete interior overhauls that merge classic style with up-to-date amenities.

Drawing on industry data and documented projects, smaller interior makeovers might begin at £650 per square metre, while larger or more complex schemes can climb to £2,000 per square metre. The average figure is around £1,100 per square metre, covering overall costs, including materials that homeowners may buy themselves. Actual final costs differ significantly, based on each client’s decisions along the way.

Just the Exterior

An exterior renovation might comprise tasks like:

• Drainage solutions
• Upgrading insulation
• Brickwork re-pointing
• Re-rendering or cladding
• Replacing the roof
• Fitting new doors and windows

Prices vary extensively, tied to material selection, property scale, number of floors, and required repairs. Typically, an exterior renovation lands in the £400–£700 per m² (of wall area) span. On the lower end, you might see £250–£400, whereas demanding or premium builds could surpass £700–£1,200 per m².

In Central London, many exteriors reflect heritage elements, so renovating facades can require specific materials or planning consent, raising overall costs.

Both interior and exterior

Renovations incorporating both the inside and outside escalate costs substantially. A combined refurbishment may start near £1,500 per square metre and surge to roughly £3,500 per square metre for more ambitious endeavours. Nonetheless, it’s commonly cheaper than a brand-new build, since foundations and core structural elements remain. According to industry findings, constructing a new property in the UK costs around £2,600 per square metre with VAT, so large-scale renovations are often compared against that benchmark.

Complete Home Renovation in Central London

Giving a home a complete makeover in Central London means factoring in premium labour rates, tight workspaces, and potentially strict conservation restrictions. 

While expenses can be higher here than in other parts of the UK, many property owners see a significant return on investment due to the area’s high property values. Flats in converted Georgian or Victorian buildings commonly require careful attention to existing features, along with ensuring any changes conform to the building’s character.

Planning permission

Whether you own a traditional terrace in a historic district or a more contemporary apartment, it’s essential to verify if your renovation falls under any conservation area rules. This might limit some external alterations, especially visible ones like re-cladding or changing windows. 

Meanwhile, interior works usually do not require planning permission, except in listed buildings. Given these constraints, coordinating early with the local council can save time if you’re planning significant external transformations.

Challenges in Central London

In Central London, securing permits for scaffolding, skip placement, or material deliveries may pose logistical hurdles that must be included in your budget. Labour, delivery, and parking fees also tend to be higher, and buildings often have limited space for storing materials or hosting multiple trades simultaneously. However, with robust local infrastructure and numerous specialist suppliers, homeowners can find quality fittings and skilled professionals relatively easily. 

Though you may pay a premium for everything from labour to skip licences, the upside is a renovated home in a prime location. Balancing modern comfort with the uniqueness of Central London can make the extra coordination worthwhile.

What Drives the Cost in a Complete Renovation?

The square metre estimates outlined earlier give a broad indication, yet many elements can swing the final figure significantly in either direction.

Size
The property’s floor area is an obvious driver of expense. Though costs are listed per m², total space matters greatly. Larger houses might gain a marginally lower price per square metre because contractors benefit from scale economies, such as bulk material buying and streamlined processes. Note that homes in Central London can command high per-m² rates due to workforce and logistical premiums.

Complexity
How intricate the structure is also heavily influences budget outcomes. If a building contains multiple bathrooms or unusual features, or needs detailed restoration, costs rise accordingly.

Number of bathrooms
Bathrooms or wet rooms are significantly more expensive to renovate than straightforward living areas. As per the Federation of Master Builders, a complete bathroom refit (covering everything) typically lands between £20,000 and £32,000, depending on the specification. Kitchens also increase per-square-metre costs, compared to bedrooms or living rooms.

Structural modifications
Altering or removing load-bearing sections of the property results in higher bills than adjusting simple partition walls. Such structural work often needs planning permission and specialist design, boosting overall expenses.

Materials
Picking materials is a key area where property owners can influence budget. Standard building components don’t vary hugely in cost, but bathroom suites and kitchen fittings vary drastically. Choosing between budget and high-end items directly affects the total.

Choice of contractor
Finally, the contractor’s experience and pricing play a big part. Exploring multiple quotes is highly recommended. A reputable firm can deliver a fair price and dependable standards. Membership bodies like TrustMark or the Federation of Master Builders help identify vetted specialists, and TrustedBuilder can align you with suitable teams.

What's Included in the Contractor's Quote?

It’s crucial to clarify what the contractor’s proposal does or doesn’t include at the outset. Usually, the quote encompasses all tasks needed for a comprehensive renovation, meaning the trades required and basic building materials. However, “finishing materials” might be excluded.

Finishing materials include kitchen units, bathroom hardware, taps, toilets, floor coverings, and tiles. As mentioned, this is where personal style decisions significantly impact cost. You might purchase an economical kitchen for £5,000, or invest tens of thousands in a bespoke option. Kitchen fitting is often arranged via the supplier, costing around £1,000 to £3,000 depending on scale.

Tiles and flooring likewise fall under finishing items. One can leverage sales or supplier discounts for notable savings. Prices might begin at £20 per square metre for basic tiling, escalating into the hundreds for premium styles.

Bathroom fittings also come in huge price brackets. Although a simple small bathroom might cost around £1,000, most households end up spending considerably more. Installation typically sits within your contractor’s responsibilities.

For Central London properties, homeowners sometimes select higher-end finishings to match the area, leading to an increased line item on the quote.

Cost Breakdown for Individual Elements

Previously, we addressed per-square-metre costs for a full renovation. Here is a sample itemisation for a 230 m² detached home undergoing internal and external remodelling. Real projects vary, but this offers a reference:

Contractor’s quote (labour + materials):

• Windows (20 units + delivery): £27,000
• Creating new external window opening: £3,200
• Updating external cladding + insulation: £33,000
• Roof replacement: £21,500
• Drainage: £12,800
• Bathroom (without tiles/fixtures, includes plumber): £19,000
• WC 1 (with plumber): £3,600
• WC 2 (with plumber): £3,600
• Utility room (plumber included): £10,800
• Full plumbing installation: £18,400
• External & patio doors: £4,800
• Balanced ventilation system: £9,600
• Surfaces (floor, walls, ceiling): £41,600
• Internal doors: £6,000
• Architraves, linings, transition strips: £2,000
• Electrical works (whole house): £29,600
• Single attached garage: £14,400
• Waste removal: £4,800
• Demolition/site setup/scaffolding: £24,000
• Interior designer: £6,000
• Architect: £4,000
  Total (contractor): £300,800

Client’s separate purchases:

• Tiles (bathroom, WC, utility, hallway): £4,800
• Bathroom fixtures (1 bath + 2 WCs): £6,400
• Kitchen units: £24,000
• Flooring: £10,000
  Subtotal (self-bought): £45,200

All-in total: £346,000

On a 230 m² property, that worked out to around £1,500 per square metre, slightly under the average for a complete internal-external refurbishment of a detached dwelling.

Building Regulations for a Complete Home Renovation (UK)

When undertaking a major home remodel in the UK, compliance with Building Regulations is mandatory to ensure safety and energy-saving standards. Always consult local Building Control in advance.

When Do You Need Building Regulations Approval?

• Structural changes – Altering load-bearing elements, chimney breasts, or cutting new door/window openings (Part A). A structural engineer’s design is typically required.
• Bathrooms and plumbing – Adding or shifting bathrooms demands adherence to drainage (Part H) and ventilation (Part F).
• Electrical work – Any rewiring or additional circuits, particularly in wet zones, must meet Part P. Certified electricians or building control checks are necessary.
• Heating systems – New boilers or fireplaces must satisfy Part J (combustion safety) and Part L (efficiency). Gas boilers need Gas Safe installers.
• Windows/doors – Replacements must fulfil Part L (thermal) and Part K (safety glazing). FENSA/CERTASS registration typically covers compliance.
• Garage/basement conversions – Converting such areas into living space requires approval for insulation, damp-proofing, fire safety, and ventilation.

Some homeowners in Central London convert basements for additional living space, but thorough building control checks and structural assessments are usually involved.

Additional Considerations

• Fire Safety (Part B) – Open-plan arrangements may require specific fire doors or alarms to preserve escape routes.
• Ventilation (Part F) – Extractor fans are necessary in kitchens, bathrooms, and utility areas.
• Insulation & Energy Efficiency (Part L) – Large-scale refurbishments must raise insulation levels to modern requirements.
• Soundproofing (Part E) – Creating new flats or converting garages/lofts often involves acoustic insulation obligations.

You can either file a Full Plans submission (seeking approval before commencing) or a Building Notice for more straightforward projects. An official completion certificate is granted once the work passes all relevant inspections.

Do I Need Planning Permission?

Planning permission is distinct from Building Regulations. Internal remodels typically don’t require planning consent unless they involve:

• Listed buildings – Any alterations affecting the property’s special character necessitate Listed Building Consent.
• External changes – Installing new windows, re-roofing, or re-cladding could demand approval, particularly in heritage zones.
• Change of use – Shifting from a single dwelling to flats or from residential to commercial.
• Extensions or loft additions – Interior reconfiguration is generally free of planning rules, but extending outward or raising the roof usually needs a formal application.

Much of Central London falls under conservation areas, meaning even minor exterior alterations may be restricted unless the council approves.

For strictly internal improvements—refurbishing kitchens, bathrooms, or redecorating—formal permission isn’t generally required. However, do check local planning authority guidelines, especially in conservation districts or for listed structures.

How to Find the Right Professionals

Picking competent, reputable trades is the foundation of a successful renovation. While some rogue operators can cause costly headaches, there are plenty of skilled teams that excel at complete refurbishments.

Groups like TrustMark and the Federation of Master Builders endorse contractors who meet established standards.

Your organisational approach depends on personal experience. You might hire individual trades yourself or opt for a main contractor who manages everything, including subcontractors. The latter method provides one primary contact and simplifies communication, albeit at a potential premium. If you handle separate contractors, you’ll assume a larger project management role.

Checklist for Home Renovation

• Devote sufficient time to planning what you want done
• Investigate financing arrangements
• Prepare a budget, allowing for contingency costs
• Determine which aspects need Building Regulations clearance
• Confirm if planning permission is necessary
• Obtain several quotes, at least three
• Verify references, credit ratings, and relevant accreditations
• Select trustworthy tradespeople
• Set a practical schedule
• Maintain open communication with all contractors

Regardless of your chosen strategy, gathering multiple bids is always advisable. Compare quotes not only on price but also on reliability, references, and professional credentials. TrustedBuilders can streamline the process by connecting you with vetted, cost-effective experts who match your renovation needs.

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