Home Renovations

What Does a Home Renovation Include?

A home renovation can range from a single-room refurbishment to a complete strip-out and rebuild of the entire interior. Common renovation projects include rewiring, replumbing, replastering, new bathrooms, new kitchens, replacement windows and doors, new flooring throughout, structural alterations to open up rooms, damp treatment, roof repairs and full redecoration. Period properties may also require specialist work such as lime plastering, sash window restoration, stone repair and sympathetic extensions. MTD Building Contractors manage the full scope of renovation work, coordinating all trades — electricians, plumbers, plasterers, joiners, decorators — under a single project management structure.

Home Renovation Costs

A full home renovation typically costs between £1,000 and £1,800 per square metre depending on the condition of the property and the level of finish. For a 3-bedroom semi-detached house of approximately 100 sqm, this means a total renovation budget of £100,000 to £180,000. A lighter refurbishment — new kitchen, new bathroom, decoration and flooring throughout — might cost £40,000 to £70,000. The biggest cost variables are the extent of structural work required, whether the property needs rewiring and replumbing, the condition of the roof, and the specification of kitchen and bathroom fittings. Properties that have been neglected for many years or have significant damp or structural issues will be towards the higher end.

Renovating Period Properties

Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire have a rich stock of period properties — Georgian townhouses, Victorian terraces, Edwardian villas, stone farmhouses and timber-framed cottages. Renovating these properties requires understanding of traditional building methods and materials. Solid-walled properties need breathable insulation solutions rather than standard cavity wall insulation. Lime mortar and lime plaster should be used instead of cement-based products to allow moisture to move through the walls. Listed buildings and properties in conservation areas may require listed building consent for internal as well as external alterations. MTD Building Contractors have extensive experience with period properties across the region.

The Renovation Process

A typical whole-house renovation follows a structured sequence: initial survey and scope of works, design and specification, strip-out and demolition, structural alterations, first fix electrics and plumbing, plastering and screeding, second fix (sockets, switches, sanitaryware), kitchen and bathroom installation, flooring, decoration and snagging. For larger renovations, we produce a detailed programme and provide regular progress updates. We recommend clients budget a contingency of 15–20% for renovation projects, as uncovering hidden problems — damp, rotten timbers, outdated wiring — is common when opening up older properties.

How Long Does a Home Renovation Take?

A full house renovation typically takes 3–6 months on site depending on the size of the property and the scope of work. A lighter refurbishment of a few rooms may take 6–10 weeks. Projects involving structural changes, extensions, or significant remedial work will take longer. If the kitchen or bathroom is out of use during the renovation, you may need to arrange temporary accommodation — we advise on this during the planning stage and can often phase the work to minimise disruption.