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 Renfrewshire and Inverclyde?
In Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, 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 Renfrewshire and Inverclyde 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:
- Structural and damp repairs
- Windows and doors
- Finishes
- Kitchens and bathrooms
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 Renfrewshire and Inverclyde?
Before anything is built in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, we confirm which approvals apply 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.
Scotland has no Party Wall Act. Work on shared walls is governed by your title deeds, the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 for flats, and common law, so we agree arrangements with neighbours in writing before work starts.
Our first visit includes a check of your planning history, so you know the route before paying for drawings.
What we handle
The work we manage on a house renovation:
- Joinery, doors and floors
- Kitchens and bathrooms
- Condition survey and scope of works
- Rewiring and heating upgrades
- Structural repairs and damp treatment
- Decoration
How long does it take?
The build itself usually takes 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 Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
In Scotland, bungalows and one-and-a-half-storey homes are common, so dormer conversions are a popular way to add bedrooms.
Towns we cover in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde include Paisley, Greenock, Newton Mearns, Renfrew, Barrhead and Johnstone.
How it works
- 01
Visit and measured survey
A free visit to understand the project, check access and take measurements.
- 02
Drawings and written quote
We prepare the design and give you a written, itemised quote with inclusions and exclusions.
- 03
Permissions sorted
Applications, building control and neighbour arrangements, all before the start date.
- 04
Construction and completion
We build, put right any snags and hand over the building control certificate.
Questions about house renovations in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
Do I need planning permission for a house renovation in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde?
In Scotland internal alterations such as structural changes or new bathrooms may need a building warrant, and listed homes need listed building consent.
Do you renovate listed buildings?
Yes, with listed building consent and appropriate materials.
Who approves a house renovation in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde?
Planning matters in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde go to the council covering your address, and the work needs a building warrant. We prepare and submit the applications for you.
How much does a house renovation cost in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde?
In Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, 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 full renovation take?
Typically 8 to 20 weeks on site depending on the size of the house and scope.
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.
