Guides
Plan your project with confidence
New to renovating? Start with the order of work and a written brief. Then price it, set a budget, and compare builders’ quotes like for like.
Starting out
Home renovation: where to start
What to fix first, how to decide between doing it all at once or in stages, which approvals apply in your nation, a sensible order of work and a printable checklist.
Read the guide →Renovation budget planner
A free spreadsheet that keeps quoted work, allowances, unknowns and contingency apart, without counting anything twice.
Read the guide →How Estiquote estimates work
Sources, regional factors, VAT and limits.
Read the method →Checking and comparing quotes
How to compare builder quotes
A free spreadsheet to line up three quotes, keep unknowns visible and spot what is missing.
Read the guide →Is my loft conversion quote fair?
Typical 2026 prices by loft type and region, and what loft quotes often leave out.
Read the guide →Why are my builder quotes so different?
Seven reasons quotes for the same job differ, and how to compare them like for like.
Read the guide →Quotes higher than your budget?
Where the gap comes from and practical ways to bring the cost down.
Read the guide →The hidden costs of an extension
Fees, services and finishing costs that sit outside most quotes.
Read the guide →Is my builder's quote too high?
Four checks, typical 2026 prices for common jobs, and good reasons a quote costs more.
Read the guide →Is my extension quote fair?
Typical 2026 prices by extension type and region, and what extension quotes leave out.
Read the guide →What should a builder's quote include?
A checklist: scope, price by section, exclusions, provisional sums, VAT and payments.
Read the guide →Do builders' quotes include VAT?
Which VAT rate applies, what if your builder isn't registered, and how to compare fairly.
Read the guide →What are preliminaries on a quote?
Scaffolding, skips, welfare and supervision: what prelims cover and typically cost.
Read the guide →Should I accept the cheapest quote?
Why the lowest price can cost more, and when the cheapest is the right choice.
Read the guide →Building control fees by council
What 91 councils charge to approve an extension.
See the data →UK cost guides
House extension costs
2026 UK prices by type, finish and region, with a calculator.
Read the guide →Loft conversion costs
2026 UK prices by type, finish and region, with a calculator.
Read the guide →New kitchen costs
2026 UK prices by type, finish and region, with a calculator.
Read the guide →Bathroom costs
2026 UK prices by type, finish and region, with a calculator.
Read the guide →Garage conversion costs
2026 UK prices by type, finish and region, with a calculator.
Read the guide →Whole-house renovation costs
2026 UK prices by type, finish and region, with a calculator.
Read the guide →New build house costs
2026 UK prices by type, finish and region, with a calculator.
Read the guide →House rewire costs
2026 UK prices by type, finish and region, with a calculator.
Read the guide →New roof costs
2026 UK prices by type, finish and region, with a calculator.
Read the guide →Knock-through with steel beam costs
2026 UK prices by type, finish and region, with a calculator.
Read the guide →New boiler costs
2026 UK prices by type, finish and region, with a calculator.
Read the guide →Air source heat pump costs
2026 UK prices by type, finish and region, with a calculator.
Read the guide →Replacement windows costs
2026 UK prices by type, finish and region, with a calculator.
Read the guide →