House Refurbishment Costs in London, Surrey, Essex, Kent and Hertfordshire

The Real Cost of a House Refurbishment in London

A full house refurbishment in London in 2025 costs between £500 and £1,500 per square metre, depending on specification. A 100m² three-bedroom Victorian terrace will cost between £50,000 and £150,000 from top to bottom.

This wide range reflects specification. A cosmetic refurbishment — repainting, new carpets, replacing dated fixtures — sits at the lower end. A gut-and-rebuild with structural alterations, full rewire, new plumbing, bespoke joinery, and premium finishes sits at the top.

Bathroom Refurbishment Costs

A full bathroom replacement — new suite, tiling, underfloor heating, wetroom waterproofing — costs £8,000–£25,000 in London. A basic like-for-like replacement costs £4,000–£8,000 but rarely delivers the finish that adds value.

Luxury en-suites with bespoke joinery, freestanding baths, and designer sanitaryware (Duravit, Agape, Vitra) range from £20,000–£40,000.

Kitchen Installation Costs

A kitchen fit-out including units, worktops, appliances, plumbing and electrics costs £12,000–£40,000. Kitchen furniture alone varies from £4,000 (flat-pack) to £25,000+ for bespoke cabinetry. Labour for installation is typically £3,000–£6,000 additional.

Electrical Rewiring Costs

A full rewire of a three-bedroom house: £3,500–£5,500. Four-bedroom properties: £5,000–£7,500. Always use an NICEIC-approved electrician. Building Regulations sign-off is mandatory.

Replastering Costs

Skim coat over existing plaster (3-bed house): £2,500–£4,500. Full replastering (remove and replace): £4,000–£7,000. Specialist Venetian plaster or polished cement finishes are priced separately at £80–£150/m².

Painting and Decorating Costs

Professional decoration — prep, primer, two finishing coats on walls/ceilings, skirting and woodwork — costs £1,500–£3,000 for a three-bedroom house. Premium finishes (Farrow & Ball, specialist wallpaper) are additional.

Regional Variations

London rates are 20–35% higher than national averages due to higher labour costs, congestion charges, parking, and longer site logistics. Prime postcodes (SW, W, EC, WC) command a further 10–15% premium for specialist trades.

Outside London — Surrey, Essex, Kent, Hertfordshire — costs are 10–20% lower for standard trades. However, specialist skills (Venetian plaster, polished cement, zinc roofing) carry similar rates regardless of location.

How to Get an Accurate Quote

The only way to get an accurate cost is a professional site visit and fully itemised written specification. SuperBuilder provides fixed-price, no-hidden-charge quotations for every project. We visit at no cost and no obligation.