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 Motherwell?
In Motherwell, a house renovation typically costs £850–£1,750 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 £76,500–£157,500. Building costs in Scotland are close to the UK average, so the figures for Motherwell are close to our national guide. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (63 m²) | £53,500–£110,000 |
| Typical project (90 m²) | £76,500–£157,500 |
| Larger project (126 m²) | £107,000–£220,500 |
| Rate per m² | £850–£1,750 |
What moves the price most:
- Finishes
- Whether you live in during the work
- Structural and damp repairs
- Kitchens and bathrooms
A guide range is only a starting point: the guide price tool gives an instant figure for your size, and a free survey turns it into a fixed quote.
Do you need planning permission for a house renovation in Motherwell?
Here is how the rules work for a house renovation in Scotland. In Scotland internal alterations such as structural changes or new bathrooms may need a building warrant, and listed homes need listed building consent.
In Scotland a building warrant is needed before work starts on most extensions, loft conversions and conversions. It is issued by the council’s building standards service. When the work is finished, a completion certificate is submitted and accepted by the council after inspection.
If the answer is not clear-cut, we can apply for formal confirmation before you commit to the build.
What we handle
The work we manage on a house renovation:
- Joinery, doors and floors
- Decoration
- Kitchens and bathrooms
- Condition survey and scope of works
- Structural repairs and damp treatment
- Building control for notifiable work
How long does it take?
Expect 8 to 20 weeks on site depending on scope. Before that, surveys, drawings and approvals usually take 6 to 12 weeks, longer if the council asks for changes.
Building in Motherwell
Scotland’s housing ranges from sandstone tenements and villas to post-war and modern estates, and the building warrant system shapes how projects are planned.
We work across Motherwell and neighbouring areas such as Bellshill, Hamilton and Wishaw. Postcodes we cover in Motherwell include ML1.
How it works
- 01
Visit and measured survey
A free visit to understand the project, check access and take measurements.
- 02
Design and pricing
Design options, then a fixed quote based on the chosen drawings and specification.
- 03
Permissions sorted
Applications, building control and neighbour arrangements, all before the start date.
- 04
Build and sign-off
We run the build to a written programme and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions about house renovations in Motherwell
Do I need planning permission for a house renovation in Motherwell?
In Scotland internal alterations such as structural changes or new bathrooms may need a building warrant, and listed homes need listed building consent.
How much does a house renovation cost in Motherwell?
In Motherwell, a house renovation typically costs £850–£1,750 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 £76,500–£157,500. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
How long does a house renovation take in Motherwell?
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.
Do you renovate listed buildings?
Yes, with listed building consent and appropriate materials.
Does a renovation need building regulations approval?
Some parts do, such as rewiring, structural changes, new windows and heating systems. We handle notifications.
