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 St Albans?
In St Albans, a house renovation typically costs £950–£1,900 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 £85,500–£171,000. We start from a UK-wide guide and adjust it for the East of England, where labour and materials are typically about 6% above average. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (63 m²) | £60,000–£119,500 |
| Typical project (90 m²) | £85,500–£171,000 |
| Larger project (126 m²) | £119,500–£239,500 |
| Rate per m² | £950–£1,900 |
The biggest cost drivers are:
- Extent of rewiring and replumbing
- Whether you live in during the work
- Finishes
- Windows and doors
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 St Albans?
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.
Where work involves a shared wall, building on the boundary, or digging foundations within 3 metres of a neighbour’s building and deeper than its foundations (or within 6 metres for deeper work), the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies and notices must be served before work starts.
We check this for your address before design work starts, so there are no surprises later.
What we handle
From survey to sign-off, the job normally involves:
- Condition survey and scope of works
- Plastering and boarding
- Joinery, doors and floors
- Building control for notifiable work
- Decoration
- Kitchens and bathrooms
How long does it take?
Build time is typically 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 St Albans
Across the East of England, 1930s and post-war semis, newer estates and rural cottages all feature, each with different extension and loft options.
We work across St Albans and neighbouring areas such as Harpenden, Hatfield and Hemel Hempstead. Postcodes we cover in St Albans include AL1 and AL3.
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 pricing
Design options, then a fixed quote based on the chosen drawings and specification.
- 03
Approvals in place
We handle planning, building control and neighbour notices before work starts.
- 04
Build and sign-off
We run the build to a written programme and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions about house renovations in St Albans
Do you renovate listed buildings?
Yes, with listed building consent and appropriate materials.
Do I need planning permission to renovate?
Internal work usually does not need planning permission unless the house is listed. External changes may.
How long does a house renovation take in St Albans?
Typically 8 to 20 weeks on site depending on scope. Design and approvals beforehand usually take 6 to 12 weeks.
How much does a house renovation cost in St Albans?
In St Albans, a house renovation typically costs £950–£1,900 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 £85,500–£171,000. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
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.