A full house refurbishment is one of the most significant investments a homeowner can make, and the cost varies enormously depending on the size of the property, the condition it starts in, the specification of finishes chosen, and the extent of structural and services work required. Understanding how costs are structured can help you set a realistic budget and avoid unpleasant surprises.
For a Victorian terrace in London, a mid-range full refurbishment covering the ground floor and all bedrooms and bathrooms, with a complete electrical rewire, replumbing, new kitchen, new bathrooms, plastering, and decoration, typically costs between fifty and one hundred thousand pounds for a two-bedroom property and between eighty and one hundred and fifty thousand pounds for a three or four bedroom property. High-specification refurbishments with bespoke joinery, high-end kitchen furniture, marble bathrooms, or underfloor heating can cost considerably more.
The breakdown of costs within a full refurbishment typically divides as follows. Structural work, which may include removing walls, installing steelwork, and repairing foundations or lintels, often accounts for ten to twenty percent of the total budget depending on what is needed. Services, meaning the electrical rewire and full replumbing, typically account for fifteen to twenty-five percent. Plastering and making good, which is always extensive in a full refurbishment, usually represents eight to fifteen percent. The kitchen and bathroom fit-out combined typically accounts for twenty-five to forty percent, and this is where specification choices have the greatest influence on total cost. Floor finishes, joinery, decoration, and external works make up the remainder.
A common mistake homeowners make is underestimating the cost of making good. In an older property, opening up walls and ceilings for services upgrades reveals years of patching, uneven surfaces, and damp that must be properly addressed before new finishes can be applied. The making good phase often costs more and takes longer than anticipated if the property condition has not been thoroughly surveyed beforehand.
Contingency is essential in any full refurbishment budget. A minimum of ten percent contingency on top of the estimated build cost is advisable, and fifteen to twenty percent is more appropriate for older properties or for projects where the full extent of the work is not yet known.
RCB Design and Build provides detailed scope of works and itemised estimates for full house refurbishments across London. We can help you understand the likely cost range for your project before committing to the full scope, and we manage the project transparently with a structured payment schedule linked to progress.