How Much Does a House Renovation Cost in Sheffield or Rotherham?

Aug 18
5 min read

If you’re thinking about renovating your home, one of the first questions you’re likely to ask is:

“How much is this actually going to cost?”

It’s a sensible question, but unfortunately there isn’t one simple figure. A house renovation can cost anything from a relatively modest amount for a single-room refurbishment to hundreds of thousands of pounds for a complete property transformation.

At West Joinery & Building, we work with homeowners across Sheffield, Rotherham and the surrounding areas on renovations, extensions and property improvements. In this guide, we’ll explain the main factors that influence renovation costs and what you should consider before setting your budget.

What affects the cost of a house renovation?

The biggest mistake homeowners can make is looking at the cost of another person’s renovation and assuming their own project will cost roughly the same.

Every property is different.

The final price will depend on several factors, including:

The size of the property
The age and condition of the building
How much of the property you’re changing
Whether walls are being removed or structural alterations are required
The quality of materials and finishes
Plumbing and electrical requirements
Whether you’re changing the layout
Whether an extension is involved
Architectural and structural design requirements
Building regulations and other professional fees
The number of trades involved
Access to the property
The length and complexity of the project

A straightforward renovation of a modern property can be very different from renovating an older Sheffield terrace with outdated services, structural issues and years of previous alterations.

Renovating one room vs renovating the whole house

The scale of the project makes a huge difference.

Single-room renovations

Projects such as kitchens, bathrooms or individual living spaces are generally more straightforward than a full-house renovation.

However, even a single room can become a substantial project if you’re changing the layout, moving plumbing, upgrading electrics or carrying out structural work.

For example, a kitchen renovation might involve much more than simply replacing kitchen units.

You could also be looking at:

Removing the existing kitchen
Altering walls or openings
Plumbing
Electrical upgrades
Plastering
Flooring
Lighting
Joinery
Decoration
New appliances
Worktops and cabinetry

The more elements involved, the more important it becomes to plan the project properly before work starts.

Full house renovations

A full renovation is a completely different proposition.

You might be replacing or upgrading:

Electrical systems
Plumbing
Heating
Windows and doors
Flooring
Plastering
Internal joinery
Kitchens and bathrooms
Lighting
Insulation
Roofing
External finishes
Structural elements

You may also be completely changing the internal layout.

This is why we recommend establishing the scope of the project before focusing too heavily on the final price.

A good renovation starts with understanding what you actually want the finished property to look and feel like.

The cost of materials and finishes

The specification you choose can have a significant impact on the final cost.

There can be a substantial difference between entry-level, mid-range and premium products.

This applies to almost everything:

Kitchens
Bathrooms
Flooring
Tiles
Windows
Doors
Ironmongery
Lighting
Sanitary ware
Worktops
Bespoke joinery

This doesn’t mean you need to choose the most expensive option.

The important thing is to establish the level of finish you want before your project is priced.

A detailed specification makes it much easier to compare quotations fairly and reduces the likelihood of unexpected costs later.

Structural work can change the budget

Removing walls, creating larger openings, altering floors or changing the structure of a property can introduce additional costs.

You may require:

Structural calculations
Steelwork
Building control inspections
Temporary works
Additional labour
Plastering and making good

A renovation that initially looks relatively simple can therefore become considerably more involved once structural changes are introduced.

This is one reason why an early assessment of the property can be so valuable.

Don’t forget the professional costs

The building work isn’t always the only cost associated with a renovation.

Depending on the project, you may need to budget for:

Architectural services
Structural engineering
Building control
Planning applications
Surveys
Specialist reports
Design work

Not every renovation will require all of these, but it’s important to understand what your particular project needs before you set your overall budget.

Allow for unexpected costs

Even with excellent planning, renovation projects can uncover things that weren’t visible before work began.

Once floors, walls or ceilings are opened up, you may discover:

Hidden damp
Outdated wiring
Poor plumbing
Structural problems
Previous alterations
Rot or timber issues
Inadequate insulation

This is why it’s sensible to have a contingency within your overall renovation budget.

The exact amount will depend on the property and the complexity of the work, but your builder should be able to help identify the areas where the greatest risks are likely to be.

Why the cheapest quote isn’t always the cheapest project

When you’re comparing builders, it can be tempting to choose the lowest price.

But a quotation is only useful if you’re comparing like for like.

Ask:

Are the same materials included?

Is the same scope of work included?

Are all the trades included?

Are waste removal and site management included?

Are professional fees included or excluded?

Are there provisional sums or allowances?

A cheaper quotation may simply contain less work or lower allowances.

A detailed quotation with a clear scope can give you a much better understanding of what you’re actually buying.

How to set a realistic renovation budget

Before approaching builders, we’d recommend thinking about three things.

1. What do you want to achieve?

Make a list of everything you’d ideally like to change.

Don’t worry about pricing everything at this stage.

Think about the finished property.

2. What’s essential and what’s desirable?

Separate your plans into:

Must have

and

Would be nice to have

This gives you flexibility if the initial budget doesn’t cover everything.

3. What is your realistic overall budget?

Having a realistic budget conversation early can save a huge amount of time.

Your budget doesn’t necessarily need to dictate the entire project, but it allows your builder and other professionals to advise you appropriately.

How we approach renovation projects

At West Joinery & Building, we believe the best projects start with good communication and proper planning.

We take the time to understand what you’re trying to achieve, look at the property and discuss the practical considerations before progressing towards a detailed quotation.

Our aim is to give you a clear understanding of:

What needs to be done
How the project can be approached
What decisions need to be made
What the likely timescale is
What is included within the quotation

From there, we can manage the construction process and coordinate the various trades required to bring the project together.

Thinking about renovating your home?

If you’re considering a house renovation in Sheffield, Rotherham or the surrounding areas, we’d be happy to discuss your plans.

Whether you’re considering a single-room renovation, a major property refurbishment or a complete transformation of your home, getting the right advice early can make the entire process much easier.

Book a free renovation assessment with West Joinery & Building to discuss your project, your ideas and the next steps.