Interior, Exterior, or Both

When you examine overall renovation spending, splitting it into interior, exterior, or both can clarify your budget planning.

Interior refurbishment

A full interior renovation—often named an interior refurbishment—usually includes renewing floors, walls, ceilings, bathrooms, kitchens, and possibly plumbing and electrics. This goes beyond decorative re-styling.

Drawing on industry data and existing examples, smaller interior revamps might commence near £650 per square metre, while larger or high-spec works could reach £2,000 per square metre. Often, you’d expect around £1,100 per square metre, covering both labour and materials you might buy. Actual totals vary significantly depending on design choices and unforeseen issues. Near Elephant Park, many new-build flats co-exist with older housing, so interior overhauls can bridge sleek modern layouts with contemporary fittings.

Exterior renovation

An exterior renovation might involve:

• Drainage enhancements
• Additional insulation
• Brick or concrete re-pointing
• Applying render or cladding
• Roof work
• Replacing doors and windows

Prices shift widely, based on material type, house scale, storey count, and whether structural repairs are needed. Typically, £400–£700 per m² (of wall) is normal. Less demanding work might be £250–£400 per m², while premium or intricate solutions can surpass £700–£1,200 per m². Around Elephant Park, newer external facades may just require minor upkeep, but older blocks in the area might need more thorough re-cladding.

Both interior and exterior

When tackling both interior and external improvements, costs naturally climb substantially. A combined plan usually begins at £1,500 per square metre and can reach £3,500 per m² for elaborate designs. Still, it’s commonly cheaper than a brand-new build, since foundational components remain. Industry data suggests a new build in the UK runs around £2,600 per m² including VAT, useful as a comparison figure for a complete renovation.

Complete Home Renovation in Elephant Park

Located in the Walworth area of south London, Elephant Park is a major regeneration project that has transformed Elephant & Castle’s landscape with modern residences, new retail spaces, and upgraded public areas. For those renovating in or near Elephant Park, careful attention to design is crucial to blend in with the community’s contemporary style. While many newly built flats in the district need fewer updates, some older council blocks or Victorian terraces in nearby streets can benefit from a full overhaul that aligns with modern living standards. In Elephant Park, large, green communal spaces might inspire homeowners to create open-plan interiors that reflect an airy, outdoor-focused lifestyle. Some projects involve combining smaller rooms to maximise light, especially if your property overlooks the new park spaces.)

With Elephant & Castle station offering quick transport links, the area has become increasingly attractive for both homeowners and investors. This elevated interest can keep local labour rates a bit high, but it also means a well-planned refurbishment may significantly boost property value. If you’re dealing with an older external façade, you might need to work around any local planning guidelines designed to preserve certain historic features, particularly in terraces just outside the newly developed core.

A thorough interior upgrade could include insulating older walls, updating boilers, or renovating kitchens for sleek, urban aesthetics. Meanwhile, the broader Elephant & Castle regeneration means there is a healthy supply of suppliers and contractors familiar with the area’s developments. Ultimately, tackling a full renovation in Elephant Park can yield a contemporary home that benefits from the region’s modern infrastructure and emerging amenities, blending the old with the new for a refreshed, comfortable living space.

What Drives the Cost in a Complete Renovation?

Though size affects the total cost greatly, numerous factors can shift the final total substantially up or down.

Size
Quoting by square metre is standard, and the property’s total size largely shapes the eventual sum. Bigger homes spread certain fixed costs more thinly, slightly lowering cost per m². In Elephant Park, flats range from compact studios to multi-bedroom units, so size differences heavily affect refurbishment budgets.

Complexity
Structural complexity also plays a huge role in overall expense. More bathrooms, detailed architectural aspects, or intricate designs drive costs higher than simpler layouts.

Number of bathrooms
Bathrooms or wet rooms are regularly much more expensive than living rooms. The Federation of Master Builders reports that an all-inclusive bathroom refurbishment can run £20,000–£32,000, shaped by size and standard. Kitchens also inflate per-square-metre costs compared with bedrooms.

Structural modifications
If the contractor must address load-bearing walls or major supports, the price rises. Such structural changes generally require planning permission and specialist input, further adding to the budget.

Materials
Your finishing choices for kitchens and bathrooms can alter costs drastically, even though fundamental building materials don’t vary as much in price.

Choice of contractor
Who executes the work significantly influences cost and result. Gather various quotes, review references, and look for accreditations. Bodies like TrustMark or the Federation of Master Builders can guide you, and platforms like TrustedBuilders match you with vetted professionals.

What's Included in the Contractor's Quote?

Sorting out exactly what the contractor’s bid contains at the outset prevents future disputes. Commonly, it covers all refurbishment work, including labour for every trade. Yet “finishing materials” can lie outside the scope.

These finishing items typically include kitchen units, taps, WCs, bath fixtures, flooring, and tiles. As discussed, costs here can vary immensely due to homeowner choices. A modest kitchen might be £5,000, while a bespoke design might hit tens of thousands. Kitchen installation costs normally fall between £1,000 and £3,000, arranged via the supplier.

Flooring and tiling similarly count as finishing. Good bargains are possible by tracking supplier promotions. Price might begin at around £20 per square metre, rising steeply for premium lines.

Bathrooms present similarly wide cost ranges. Your contractor may have supplier deals, but you should still compare. A smaller bathroom might remain near £1,000, while many spend more to achieve a stylish, functional upgrade. Typically, installation work sits within the contractor’s labour figure.

Residents comment that builder schedules in Elephant Park can be busy, so booking trades well ahead is advised for timely completion.

Cost Breakdown for Individual Elements

Earlier, we touched on per-m² calculations for an entire renovation. Below is an illustrative example of a 230 m² detached house that underwent a full interior-exterior project. Actual figures will differ from job to job, but this shows ballpark outlays:

Contractor’s quote (labour + materials):

• Window replacement (20 units + delivery): £27,000
• Adding a new exterior window opening: £3,200
• External cladding + insulation upgrade: £33,000
• New roof: £21,500
• Drainage work: £12,800
• Bathroom (excl. tiles/fixtures, plumber included): £19,000
• WC 1 (with plumber): £3,600
• WC 2 (with plumber): £3,600
• Utility room (plumber included): £10,800
• New plumbing throughout: £18,400
• New external & patio doors: £4,800
• Balanced ventilation system: £9,600
• Interior surfaces (floor/walls/ceilings): £41,600
• Internal doors: £6,000
• Architraves/linings/transition strips: £2,000
• Electrical (entire property): £29,600
• Single garage (attached): £14,400
• Waste management: £4,800
• Demolition/site setup/scaffolding: £24,000
• Interior designer: £6,000
• Architect: £4,000
  Total (Contractor): £300,800

Client’s direct purchases:

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

Grand total: £346,000

Overall, the cost averaged out at around £1,500 per square metre, slightly less than typical for such a combination of internal and external refurbishments.

Building Regulations for a Complete Home Renovation (UK)

Any large-scale home makeover in the UK must meet Building Regulations for safety, energy, and legality. Engage with local Building Control before initiating work.

When Do You Need Building Regulations Approval?

• Structural modifications – Removing or altering load-bearing walls or chimney breasts, or adding new openings (Part A). This typically needs a structural engineer’s calculations.
• Bathrooms/plumbing – Creating or relocating a bathroom must meet Part H (drainage) and Part F (ventilation).
• Electrical – Rewiring or installing circuits, especially in bathrooms, must align with Part P. Either a registered electrician or a Building Control inspection is mandatory.
• Heating systems – New or updated boilers, fireplaces, or radiators must follow Part J (combustion) and Part L (efficiency). Gas Safe engineers handle gas boiler installations.
• Windows/doors – Replacements must fulfil Part L (thermal efficiency) and Part K (safety glass). FENSA/CERTASS registration avoids separate local inspection.
• Garage/basement conversions – Turning these areas into liveable rooms necessitates checks on insulation, ventilation, damp-proofing, fire safety, and exits.

In Elephant Park, basement conversions are less common, but older neighbouring properties sometimes adapt lower-ground levels for extra living space, requiring thorough building control reviews.

Additional Considerations

• Fire Safety (Part B) – Open-plan designs may demand additional fire doors or alarms for secure escape routes.
• Ventilation (Part F) – Extraction fans must be in place for kitchens, bathrooms, and utility areas.
• Insulation/Energy (Part L) – Larger renovations involve bringing insulation (walls, roofs, windows) closer to modern efficiency levels.
• Soundproofing (Part E) – Creating new dwelling units or converting existing spaces for habitation can require acoustic insulation.

You can either submit Full Plans for prior approval or opt for a Building Notice if the proposal is less complex. A completion certificate issues after passing final inspections.

Do I Need Planning Permission?

Planning consent differs from Building Regulations. Most internal renovations do not require permission unless:

• Listed buildings – Any works impacting a listed structure’s character, inside or outside, need Listed Building Consent.
• Exterior changes – Adding windows, altering the roof, or re-cladding may require permission, especially in conservation areas.
• Change of use – Converting a single home into multiple flats or swapping from residential to commercial usage.
• Extensions/loft conversions – While interior modifications alone are typically fine, extending outward or raising the roof normally needs official approval.

Around Elephant Park, some older streets near Walworth Road fall under special planning guidelines, so confirm local rules for outside modifications. Purely internal renovations—upgrading kitchens, fitting bathrooms, or decorative changes—rarely need formal planning permission. However, you should always check local authority advice to be safe.

How to Find the Right Professionals

Hiring reputable, proficient trades is crucial for a worry-free renovation. Although subpar operators can cause stress, plenty of trusted contractors excel in large refurbishments. TrustMark and the Federation of Master Builders verify contractor standards, while TrustedBuilders confirms credit background, accreditation, and references, guiding you to suitable specialists.

You might engage each trade separately or opt for a principal contractor to coordinate the entire scheme. The latter method simplifies communication and ensures unified project oversight. If you split the roles, you’ll oversee timing and coordination yourself.

Checklist for Home Renovation

• Outline precisely what you want from the renovation
• Look into financing options
• Draft a thorough budget, including contingency for surprises
• Determine which Building Regulations apply
• Confirm whether you need planning permission
• Seek multiple quotes (at least three)
• Review references, credit, and accreditations
• Hire reputable trades or a main contractor
• Set a realistic timeframe
• Maintain regular communication at each stage

Regardless of your approach, collecting various quotes is vital for cost comparison and checking credentials. Through TrustedBuilders, you can locate verified teams with strong references and fair pricing.