What is a house renovation?
A house renovation brings an older or tired home up to date. It can include rewiring, a new heating system, replastering, new floors, windows, kitchens and bathrooms, and changes to the layout. A full renovation is often combined with an extension or loft conversion.
How much does a house renovation cost in Exeter?
In Exeter, a house renovation typically costs £900–£1,850 per m² for a medium to full renovation, including VAT at 20% (5% may apply to homes empty for two years or more). For a typical 90 m² project that is roughly £81,000–£166,500. Building costs in the South West are close to the UK average, so the figures for Exeter are close to our national guide. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (63 m²) | £56,500–£116,500 |
| Typical project (90 m²) | £81,000–£166,500 |
| Larger project (126 m²) | £113,500–£233,000 |
| Rate per m² | £900–£1,850 |
What moves the price most:
- Kitchens and bathrooms
- Finishes
- Whether you live in during the work
- Structural and damp repairs
Your exact price depends on the survey and drawings. The guide price tool gives a quick range in the meantime.
Do you need planning permission for a house renovation in Exeter?
Here is how the rules work for a house renovation in England. In England internal renovation usually does not need planning permission unless the house is listed, when listed building consent covers internal work too. Notifiable work such as rewiring, structural changes, new windows and heating must meet building regulations.
Building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control service or a registered building control approver. The work is inspected at key stages, such as foundations, drainage and insulation, and a completion certificate is issued at the end.
If the answer is not clear-cut, we can apply for formal confirmation before you commit to the build.
What we handle
What we take care of:
- Rewiring and heating upgrades
- Building control for notifiable work
- Joinery, doors and floors
- Condition survey and scope of works
- Decoration
- Kitchens and bathrooms
How long does it take?
Allow 8 to 20 weeks on site depending on scope. Design and approvals come first and typically take 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the approval route.
Building in Exeter
In parts of the South West, protected landscapes and conservation areas shape what can be built, so materials and roof forms are chosen carefully.
If your home is in Exeter or close by in Heavitree, Exmouth and Tiverton, a free home visit is the first step.
How it works
- 01
Free visit
We look at the property, talk through what you want and measure up. There is no charge and no obligation.
- 02
Design and fixed quote
Drawings, structural calculations and an itemised, fixed price for the agreed specification.
- 03
Permissions sorted
Applications, building control and neighbour arrangements, all before the start date.
- 04
Build and handover
Work follows the agreed programme, with inspections along the way and a completion certificate at the end.
Questions about house renovations in Exeter
How long does a house renovation take in Exeter?
Typically 8 to 20 weeks on site depending on scope. Design and approvals beforehand usually take 6 to 12 weeks.
Can I live in the house during a renovation?
For light work, yes. For a full renovation, most clients move out for some or all of the job.
Is VAT reduced on renovations?
Usually not; the standard 20% rate applies. A reduced 5% rate can apply when renovating a home that has been empty for at least two years.
Does a renovation need building regulations approval?
Some parts do, such as rewiring, structural changes, new windows and heating systems. We handle notifications.
How much does a house renovation cost in Exeter?
In Exeter, a house renovation typically costs £900–£1,850 per m² for a medium to full renovation, including VAT at 20% (5% may apply to homes empty for two years or more). A typical 90 m² project comes to roughly £81,000–£166,500. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.