Budgeting: What Does a Refurbishment Cost

Published on 12 June 2025 at 18:45

If you're thinking about refurbishing your home — whether it's a full property overhaul or just updating your kitchen or bathroom — it's important to go in with realistic expectations, a solid plan, and a clear understanding of costs.

This guide breaks down what you need to know before starting, including average refurbishment prices, what's included in the process, and common mistakes to avoid.

How Much Does a Property Refurbishment Cost? | UK Home Renovation Guide 2025

Average Property Refurbishment Costs (UK 2025)

Refurbishment costs vary depending on size, condition, finish level, and scope.

But here’s a realistic breakdown based on current trends:

 

Type of Work | Estimated Cost Range
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kitchen Refurbishment | £6,000 – £20,000
Bathroom Refurbishment | £5,000 – £15,000
Full 2‑Bedroom Flat Refurbishment | £20,000 – £45,000
Minor Repairs & Decorating (per room) | £700 – £2,000

 

What Affects the Cost of a Refurbishment?

Several key factors will influence your budget:

  • Size and layout of the space

  • Structural changes (removing walls, moving plumbing)

  • Electrical and plumbing upgrades

  • Choice of materials and finishes

  • Access issues (e.g. upper floors or limited parking)

  • Labour costs depending on region and demand

Always factor in a 10–15% contingency for unexpected extras —

like discovering old wiring, damp, or sub-standard past work once you strip back the walls.

Planning Your Refurbishment Properly

Before any work begins, take the time to map out the scope clearly.

Ask yourself:

  • Are you refurbishing one room or the whole property?

  • Are you staying in the house during the works?

  • Do you need planning permission or building control?

  • Are you changing layouts or just refreshing finishes?

Getting clear on these questions helps avoid scope creep and gives your contractor a better foundation to price accurately.


🚧 Will It Be Disruptive? Yes. But It Can Be Managed.

Refurbishments are noisy, dusty, and occasionally stressful. If you’re staying in the property during the work, be prepared for:

  • Limited access to bathrooms/kitchens at certain stages

  • Dust migration (even with protective measures in place)

  • Temporary power/water shut-offs

  • Early starts and daily visits from tradespeople

A good contractor will minimise disruption with things like floor protection, dust screening, skip management and clear communication.


🛠️ Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Here’s where many projects go wrong — and how you can stay on track:

❌ Starting work without a fixed scope or drawings
❌ Hiring based on lowest quote, not experience or references
❌ No clear schedule or payment terms
❌ Making decisions on the fly (tiles, layouts, finishes)
❌ Not allowing for contingency or delays

✅ A great refurbishment isn’t just about good trades — it’s about clear planning, honest budgeting, and reliable project management.


📣 What’s Next?

Once you have a rough idea of what you want to do — the next step is speaking to a specialist who can help scope your project properly, offer advice, and provide a fixed quotation.

 

Ready to Start Planning Your Refurbishment?

If you’re serious about upgrading your property and you live in North Yorkshire — whether it's a single room or a full renovation — the best place to start is with a proper assessment.

At Monument Property Maintenance, we don't do guesswork. We offer:

  • Free site inspections

  • Transparent, fixed-price quotes

  • Expert guidance on what’s possible, what it costs, and what it’ll take

📞 Call us: 07862 670 434
📩 Email: hello@monumentuk.co.uk
🗓️ Book your free survey and get straight answers before you spend a penny.

Get it done properly. Get it done with MPM.

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