Interior, Exterior, or Both

It’s helpful to separate whether you’re renovating the interior, exterior, or both to get a clear grip on overall costs.

Interior Refurbishment

A complete interior renovation, or interior refurbishment, normally involves upgrading floors, walls, ceilings, alongside kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing, and electrics. This surpasses a simple decorative touch-up. In Wood Green, many older terraces or 1930s homes benefit from opening up front rooms or kitchen spaces to create a more airy interior.

From industry data and done projects, smaller interior refurbs can be ~£650 per m², while larger or high-spec ones may reach £2,000 per m². An often-quoted average is about £1,100 per m², covering labour, materials, and items you may buy independently. Real totals differ greatly, driven by chosen finishes and any structural concerns discovered.

Exterior Renovation

An exterior renovation could include:

• Drainage or gutter fixes
• Additional insulation
• Re-pointing or re-rendering
• Cladding
• Roof repairs or replacement
• New windows/doors

Costs vary significantly based on materials, house size, number of storeys, location, and necessary repairs. Typically, £400–£700 per m² (wall area) is standard. Some simpler jobs might be £250–£400, whereas premium or intricate solutions surpass £700–£1,200+ per m². In Wood Green, many ex-council properties or older buildings might only need re-pointing or updated insulation to modernise the exterior.

Interior and Exterior

Handling both interior and exterior together elevates the total expense. A combined refurbishment often starts near £1,500 per m², reaching £3,500 per m² for more elaborate builds. Yet it’s cheaper than a fresh build, as core structures remain. Industry data notes new builds in the UK generally at ~£2,600 per m² with VAT, a comparative point.

Complete Home Renovation in Wood Green

Renovating a home in Wood Green offers a balance between older suburban character and improving transport links like the Piccadilly line. Housing stock includes Victorian terraces, 1930s semis, and blocks of ex-council flats. Interiors often focus on updating kitchens, adding extra bathrooms, or opening cramped layouts to create family-friendly spaces. Externally, applying fresh render, fitting better windows, or installing proper insulation can raise both aesthetics and energy efficiency. In Wood Green, loft conversions have grown in popularity, especially near Turnpike Lane or Bounds Green, transforming unused attics into a much-needed extra bedroom or office.

Labour expenses reflect broader London rates, though slightly less than certain prime zones. If the property stands near local conservation streets—like those preserving older Edwardian terraces—outside alterations could require planning oversight. Internally, major refurbishments typically need Building Regulations approval but skip planning unless structural changes are substantial or the building is listed. Many local homeowners opt to upgrade single glazing or older heating systems, ensuring warmth through North London’s colder months.

Whether you own a terrace off Green Lanes or a modern apartment near The Mall, a well-planned renovation can amplify comfort and future sales/rental value. Contractors familiar with Wood Green architecture—ranging from post-war estates to period terraces—can better predict unexpected structural issues. Ultimately, a thoughtfully conducted renovation unites Wood Green’s urban-suburban character with contemporary living standards, making homes more appealing to both families and professionals wanting easy access to central London.

What Drives the Cost in a Complete Renovation?

Though per-m² guidelines present a broad benchmark, multiple elements can significantly influence your final bill.

Size
Contractors normally provide quotes in m², and the total area being renovated naturally strongly impacts the overall cost.

Complexity
Extra bathrooms, structural modifications, or premium designs increase labour and materials. Simpler layouts with fewer special requirements cost less.

Number of bathrooms
Bathrooms or wet rooms consistently rank among the costliest areas to refurbish. The Federation of Master Builders references £20,000–£32,000 for a complete bathroom, depending on finishes. Kitchens also push average costs above standard living areas.

Structural modifications
Removing load-bearing walls or major supports inflates costs more than reconfiguring non-structural elements. Such changes often require engineering designs and building control checks.

Materials
Owners decide how lavish or modest to be in kitchens, bathrooms, or floors. Standard building items have less price variance, whereas luxury fittings can widen budgets substantially.

Choice of contractor
Finally, the contractor’s experience and pricing matter hugely. Collect multiple quotes, verify references, and check memberships sTrustMark Federation of Master Buildersfor dependable pros.

What's Included in the Contractor's Quote?

It’s vital to know from the start what the contractor’s bid covers. Usually, it entails all labour plus standard materials for the renovation. However, “finishing materials” might be excluded.

Finishing materials generally include kitchen units, bathroom suites, taps, toilets, floors, and tiles. As noted, these can differ immensely in cost. A straightforward kitchen might be £5,000, whereas bespoke or designer lines surpass tens of thousands. Kitchen fitting usually costs £1,000–£3,000, arranged by the supplier.

Similarly, flooring and tiling also fall under finishing. Promotional sales or contractor discounts can save money. Basic tile might start at £20 per m², escalating for premium options.

Bathrooms present a similar pricing range. Contractors may pass on supplier discounts, but comparing shops is smart. A small bathroom might be ~£1,000 if purely functional, yet many homeowners spend more for stylish fixtures. The contractor’s labour typically accounts for installation.

Cost Breakdown for Individual Elements

We reviewed how per-m² figures guide overall budgets. Below is a breakdown from a 230 m² detached house that was upgraded inside and out. Real numbers differ per situation, but it illustrates standard cost division:

Contractor’s quote (labour + materials):

• Windows (20 + delivery): £27,000
• New opening in facade for a window: £3,200
• Re-cladding + insulation: £33,000
• Roof renovation: £21,500
• Drainage: £12,800
• Bathroom (excl. tiles/fixtures, includes plumber): £19,000
• WC 1 (plumber included): £3,600
• WC 2 (plumber included): £3,600
• Utility room (plumber included): £10,800
• New plumbing (entire house): £18,400
• External/patio doors: £4,800
• Balanced ventilation system: £9,600
• Surfaces (walls, floors, ceilings): £41,600
• Internal doors: £6,000
• Architraves, linings, transitions: £2,000
• Electrical (whole property): £29,600
• Single attached garage: £14,400
• Waste management: £4,800
• Demolition, scaffolding, site prep: £24,000
• Interior designer: £6,000
• Architect: £4,000
  Subtotal (Contractor): £300,800

Owner-procured items:

• Tiles (bathroom, WC, utility, hallway): £4,800
• Bathroom fixtures (1 bath + 2 WCs): £6,400
• Kitchen: £24,000
• Flooring: £10,000
  Combined Owner sum: £45,200

Grand total: £346,000

Equating to roughly £1,500 per m², slightly below the average for a combined renovation.

Building Regulations for a Complete Home Renovation (UK)

Large-scale home improvements must adhere to Building Regulations for safety, energy, and legal compliance. Always contact your local Building Control prior to work.

When Do You Need Building Regulations Approval?

• Structural modifications – Removing or adapting load-bearing walls, chimney breasts, or adding new door/window openings (Part A). Typically demands an engineer’s design.
• Bathrooms & plumbing – Adding or relocating bathrooms must fit Part H (drainage) and Part F (ventilation).
• Electrical – Rewiring or circuit installations, especially in wet areas, must align with Part P (Electrical Safety). A certified electrician or building control sign-off is vital.
• Heating – Installing or swapping boilers, fireplaces, or radiators must meet Parts J (combustion) and L (efficiency). Gas Safe Registration is essential for gas tasks.
• Windows/doors – Replacements must satisfy Part L (thermal) and Part K (safety glazing). FENSA/CERTASS typically handle compliance.
• Garage/basement conversions – Turning these areas into living space triggers checks on insulation, fire safety, damp-proofing, and so on.

In Wood Green, converting ground-floor garages into studios or extra bedrooms is common, but building control must verify compliance for occupant safety.

Additional Considerations

• Fire Safety (Part B) – Open-plan floors might require specialised fire doors or alarms for secure escape routes.
• Ventilation (Part F) – Kitchens, bathrooms, and utility zones each need extractor fans.
• Insulation & Energy (Part L) – Large refurbishments ordinarily involve upgrading insulation in walls, roofs, or windows.
• Soundproofing (Part E) – Creating new flats or converting lofts/garages for living often demands acoustic insulation.

Do I Need Planning Permission?

Planning permission is separate from Building Regulations. Usually, internal refurbishments skip permission unless:

• Listed buildings – Any modifications that affect a listed home’s unique character, inside or out, need Listed Building Consent.
• External changes – Adding windows, re-roofing, or cladding in conservation/heritage areas may require local sign-off.
• Change of use – From single dwelling to multiple flats, or switching from residential to commercial.
• Extensions/loft conversions – Interior-only changes ordinarily avoid planning, but outward expansions or raising the roof commonly do not.

In Wood Green, some pockets near heritage buildings have constraints on external facade changes to keep the area’s historical charm.

For straightforward interior reconfiguration—like new kitchens, bathrooms, or repainting—planning permission is generally not needed, though verifying with local authorities is prudent if unsure.

How to Find the Right Professionals

Hiring accredited, trustworthy trades is the key to a well-executed refurbishment. While dubious operators exist, many established building firms handle large projects proficiently.

You can appoint each trade individually or engage a principal contractor for the whole refurbishment. The latter eases coordination, while the former might trim costs but intensifies scheduling responsibilities for you.

In Wood Green, local forums or social media pages frequently recommend reliable builders familiar with 1930s terraced layouts, ensuring accurate quotes.

Checklist for Home Renovation

1. Define your renovation scope
2. Look into financing or loan options
3. Set a budget, factoring in a contingency
4. Identify Building Regulations
5. Check if planning permission applies
6. Solicit several quotes (3 minimum)
7. Review references, credit checks, and credentials
8. Hire accredited, reliable trades
9. Establish a realistic timetable
10. Keep open lines of communication

Collecting multiple quotes is crucial for balancing price and trustworthiness. TrustedBuilders can link you to vetted contractors with credible track records, ensuring a smoother Wood Green renovation overall.