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47 articles

How to Price a Basement Conversion: Groundworks, Waterproofing and Labour Costs

Basement conversion pricing 2026: tank-and-finish £80–140k, underpin-and-lower £180–350k, new-build dig-out £400–800k+; BS 8102:2022 Grade 3 combined Type A + Type C waterproofing 25–35% of total; CSSW design required; underpinning £1,800–£3,500 per linear m; Party Wall + insurance-backed guarantees
How to Price a Boiler Installation: Combi, System and Heat-Only Labour and Materials

Boiler installation pricing 2026: combi swap £1,800–£3,500, system or heat-only £2,200–£4,000, full conversion £3,500–£6,000+; Gas Safe registration, magnetic filter and chemical flush, smart controls Part L compliance, ErP rating, Boiler Plus 2018 trigger, Benchmark certificate
How to Price a Boiler Service: Time, Consumables and What Affects the Rate

Boiler service pricing: 1-hour service £75–£140, 2-hour with full strip £140–£220; Gas Safe Bulletin 049 service procedure, FGA test, condensate trap clean, expansion vessel re-pressurisation, fan and burner inspection, what's NOT included; landlord CP12 add-on
How to Price a Central Heating Installation: Pipework, Rads and Labour Guide

Central heating installation pricing: 6-rad £3,800–£6,500, 8-rad £4,800–£8,500; copper vs plastic pipework labour rate differential, manifold zoned vs traditional 2-port, magnetic filter, BS 7593 inhibitor and water treatment, system commissioning and balancing time
How to Price a Conservatory Installation: Trade Rates and Margin Guide

Conservatory pricing 2026: lean-to £8–18k, Victorian/Edwardian £15–28k, P-shape £20–40k+; PVC vs aluminium vs hardwood frame premium; Class VII exempt vs thermal conservatory regulatory pathway; base £150–£280 per linear m of dwarf wall; programme 2–4 weeks site
How to Price a Consumer Unit Replacement: Labour, Spec and Certification Costs

Consumer unit pricing 2026: typical CU swap £480–£950 fitted, 18th Edition AM2 RCBO board £180–£350 supplied, Type 2 SPD £80–£180, AFDD where required by BS 7671 720.421.1.7; metal-clad enclosure mandatory, dual RCD vs RCBO-per-circuit decision, henley tails replacement, EICR pre-swap if sub-fault; Part P notification, EIC + Building Regs cert; 4–8 hours typical labour
How to Price a Double Storey Extension: Structure, Labour and Materials Breakdown

Double-storey extension pricing 2026: £1,950–£2,950/m² standard, £2,950–£4,000/m² high spec; 90–110% more than single-storey of same footprint (not double — foundations and roof shared); first-floor structure £80–£140/m²; en-suite typically £4,500–£10,000+
How to Price a Flat Roof Replacement: EPDM, GRP and Felt Labour and Materials

Flat roof replacement pricing: EPDM £75–£140/m², GRP £80–£160/m², 3-layer felt £55–£90/m²; insulation upgrade Part L compliance, falls and outlets, parapet and upstand detailing, warm-roof vs cold-roof construction, manufacturer-backed warranties 15–25 years
How to Price a Full Bathroom Installation: Fit-Out Labour, Materials and Margin

Full bathroom pricing 2026: £6,500–£18,500 supplied and fitted for 2.5×2.0m family bathroom; 8–14 working days for 2-trade team; banded labour by complexity (direct swap vs layout change); itemised material allowance because tile and fitting choice swings £1,500–£4,500; Part P, Part G3, Part F notification triad
How to Price a Full House Plaster: Rooms, Preparation and Skim Labour Guide

Full house plaster pricing 2026: 3-bed full skim £3,500–£6,500, 4-bed £5,500–£9,500; per-room rates (small bedroom £180–£280, medium £280–£420, large lounge £420–£650, kitchen £350–£550, bathroom around suite £280–£480, ceiling £120–£280); 2-coat re-skim vs full re-plaster, dot-and-dab board fix, BS EN 13279-1 gypsum standard, plasterer day rate £220–£380 + labourer £160–£220, 2–7 day drying, mist coat readiness 3–4 weeks
How to Price a Full House Rewire: Labour Days, Cable Quantities and Margin Guide

Full rewire pricing 2026: 2-bed flat £3,500–£5,500, 3-bed semi £4,500–£7,500, 4-bed detached £6,500–£11,500, 5-bed £9,500–£16,000+; BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 18th Edition AM2 with AFDD requirement, RCBO board, T&E cable quantities by size, electrician day rate £280–£420 + mate £180–£240, Part P notification, EIC + Building Regs Compliance certificate, chase-and-make-good vs surface trunking
How to Price a Full Kitchen Fit: Supply and Fit vs Fit Only Labour Rates

Full kitchen fit pricing 2026: fit-only labour £1,500–£3,500 for 8–12 unit kitchen; B&Q/Howdens/Wickes/Wren/bespoke supply tiers £3,500–£25,000+; kitchen fitter day rate £280–£480, plus electrician (Part P), Gas Safe (hob), plumber (sink/dishwasher), worktop and splashback priced separately; programme 5–10 working days; BS EN 14749 carcass standard; snagging allowance
How to Price a Full Roof Replacement: Strip, Felt, Batten and Tile Costs

Full roof replacement pricing 2026: strip and re-tile semi-detached £6,500–£14,500; concrete vs clay tile material rates, breathable membrane upgrade, batten gauge, ridge and verge dry-fix systems, Building Regulations Part L thermal upgrade trigger, scaffold dwell time, skip and disposal
How to Price a Garage Conversion: Labour Hours, Materials and Profit Margin

Garage conversion pricing 2026: integral £18–35k, attached £22–40k, detached £28–50k; £1,400–£2,200/m²; floor build-up (lift vs build-up over) and wall insulation (IWI vs EWI) as biggest variables; full Building Regulations material change of use; existing electrical inadequate for habitable
How to Price a Ground Source Heat Pump: Groundworks, Loop and System Costs

GSHP pricing 2026: £18,000–£42,000 gross before £7,500 BUS; horizontal slinky needs 1.5–2× heated floor area garden, vertical bores 50–100m per kW at £45–£85/drilled metre; MCS 022 driller registration mandatory for BUS; SCOP 4.0–4.8 vs ASHP 2.8–3.5; open-loop niche only on aquifer sites
How to Price a GRP Fibreglass Roof: Materials, Labour Time and Margin

GRP fibreglass roof pricing: £80–£160/m² supply and fit, deck preparation 18mm OSB3 minimum, pre-formed trims, topcoat colour and durability, weather window 5–25°C application, BBA-approved system warranty 20–25 years; labour day rate and material consumption per m²
How to Price a Hot Water Cylinder Replacement: Unvented vs Vented Labour and Materials

Hot water cylinder pricing 2026: unvented swap £1,400–£2,800 fitted (G3 ticketed), vented direct/indirect £650–£1,400, cylinder by capacity 120/150/180/210/250L; Building Regs Part G3 notification, T&P relief and discharge D1/D2, BS EN 12897 unvented, BS 7206 vented, expansion vessel re-pressurisation, BS 7593 commissioning
How to Price a House Extension: Labour, Materials and Margin Guide

UK house extension pricing 2026: £1,800–£2,800/m² standard, £2,800–£3,800/m² high spec; build-up by line item from drawings, not global per-m² rate; labour 40–55%, materials 35–45%, overhead 8–15%, margin 12–22%, contingency 7.5–10%; structural steel and glazing as biggest cost variables
How to Price a Kitchen Refurbishment: Respray, Doors and Worktop Replacement Costs

Kitchen refurbishment pricing 2026: door respray £40–£90 per door, replacement doors only £60–£250 each fitted, worktops only £600–£3,500 fitted by material, handles £20–£40 per door, plinth/cornice refresh, decorating allowance; refurb vs refit crossover at ~60–70% of new fit cost; programme 2–5 days
How to Price a Loft Conversion: Day Rates, Materials and What Affects the Quote

Loft conversion pricing 2026: Velux £40–55k, rear dormer £55–75k, hip-to-gable £55–75k, L-shape £75–100k+; £1,800–£2,500/m² of usable floor area; floor structure (sister joists, steel beams, TJI) as biggest variable; PD volume limits 40m³ terrace/50m³ semi; ADB1 protected escape route required
How to Price a Patio Installation: Slab Types, Sub-base and Labour Rate Guide

Patio installation pricing 2026: Indian sandstone £75–£140/m² fitted, porcelain £85–£160/m² (full-bedded mandatory), concrete slab £55–£100/m², premium natural stone £140–£250/m²; Type 1 MOT 75–100mm + 30–50mm sharp sand or wet mortar bed, falls 1:60–1:80 away from house, DPC + threshold detail when adjoining house, planning consent for raised over 30cm
How to Price a Plumbing Leak Repair: Detection, Access and Repair Rate Guide

Plumbing leak pricing 2026: call-out £75–£150, hourly £55–£95, thermal imaging detection £180–£380, trace gas £220–£450, acoustic £200–£420; pipe access and reinstatement allowance, copper/plastic/lead repair rates, push-fit vs solder vs compression, ABI insurance trace-and-access scope, BS EN 806 leak diagnosis sequence
How to Price a Power Flush: Equipment, Time and Chemical Costs

Power flush pricing: 6-rad system £350–£550, 10-rad £450–£800; BS 7593 inhibitor specification, MagnaCleanse vs full-machine flush, pre-flush corrosion test, what to charge for stuck rad and TRV strip; chemical flush vs power flush decision logic
How to Price a Resin Bound Driveway: SuDS Compliance, Materials and Labour per m²

Resin driveway pricing 2026: resin bound (permeable, SuDS-compliant) £75–£140/m² supply and fit, resin bonded (non-permeable scattered) £55–£90/m² — different products often confused; UV-stable PU resin, kiln-dried 1–3mm or 2–5mm aggregate, 18mm bound depth, 6–8mm bonded, weather window 5–25°C, FeRFA installer guidance, BS EN 13036-1 skid resistance, Type 3 open-graded permeable sub-base for new install
How to Price a Roof Inspection and Survey: What to Charge and What to Include

Roof inspection pricing: visual ground-level £85–£150, drone survey £180–£350, full ladder inspection with report £180–£450; pre-purchase vs annual maintenance vs insurance claim brief; what to include in the written report; risk-band photographs, condition coding, recommended priority tabling
How to Price a Shower Installation: Electric, Power and Thermostatic Trade Rates

Shower installation pricing 2026: electric shower swap £180–£380 fitted (unit £80–£280), thermostatic mixer fit £280–£520, full enclosure with tray and screen £900–£2,400; Part P notification, supplementary bonding, BS EN 1717 backflow, pressure-balanced vs thermostatic valve, water pressure check, BS EN 1111/1287 valve standards
How to Price a Side Return Extension: London Rates, Steel and Party Wall Costs

Side return extension pricing 2026: £55,000–£110,000 (£3,000–£4,500/m²) on London Victorian terrace; outer-zone London 10–25% cheaper, central +20–40%; structural goalpost steel £6,000–£14,000; Party Wall Awards £1,500–£4,000; access and labour premium drives variance, not square-metre rate
How to Price a Single Storey Extension: Builder's Rates, Materials and Markup

Single-storey extension pricing 2026: builder day rates £200–£480, bricklayer £220–£500, electrician £260–£550 by region; line-by-line build-up methodology; foundation, masonry, structural steel, roof, glazing, fit-out, M&E, overhead, margin, contingency
How to Price a Steel Beam Installation: Hire, Labour and Structural Costs

Steel beam installation pricing: structural engineer fees £450–£1,200, RSJ supply per metre, fabrication and galvanising premium, padstone bearing and mortar specification, Building Control inspection points, fire protection (intumescent paint or boxing), labour day allowance for breaking-out and propping
How to Price a Tarmac Driveway: Base, Binder and Wearing Course Labour Guide

Tarmac driveway pricing 2026: standard £55–£95/m² supply and fit, premium with kerb edging £85–£140/m²; Type 1 MOT 100–150mm sub-base + 60–80mm 20mm DBM binder course + 25–40mm 6/10mm dense wearing course, hot-laid only for new builds, roller compaction, GPDO 5m² impermeable trigger, drainage to soakaway not highway, gang day rate £750–£1,300; 15–25 year life with proper sub-base
How to Price a Wet Room: Tanking, Drainage, Tiling and Labour Costs

Wet room pricing 2026: £8,500–£18,500 for 4–6 m² level-access space; tanking system £400–£900 materials + £600–£1,200 skilled labour; falls construction (1:80 minimum, 1:40 better) drives subfloor reconstruction in 70% of retrofits; VAT zero-rating for disabled-adapted under VAT Notice 701/7; DFG up to £30,000 means-tested
How to Price an Air Source Heat Pump Installation: Equipment, Labour and BUS Grant Impact

ASHP pricing 2026: gross £10,500–£18,500 for 5–8 kW retrofit; £3,000–£11,000 net after £7,500 BUS grant; MCS MIS 3005 install requirement; emitter retrofit (rad upsizing) is biggest hidden cost variable; permitted development under GPDO Class G; F-Gas considerations for split units; cylinder and buffer specification
How to Price an EICR Electrical Inspection: Circuits, Time and Report Costs

EICR pricing 2026: 1-bed flat £120–£180, 2-bed £140–£220, 3-bed £180–£280, 4+bed £220–£400; landlord 5-yearly statutory under Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, BS 7671 Section 651 periodic inspection, C1/C2/C3/FI codes, time per circuit 45–75 min, calibrated test instrument requirement, ~60% of inspections trigger remedial works
How to Price an En-Suite Installation: Trade Rates and Materials Guide

En-suite pricing 2026: £5,500–£12,500 typical; like-for-like refit £4,500–£7,500, new bedroom-conversion £8,000–£12,500; macerator vs gravity drainage drives £600–£900 differential; stud-wall partition £600–£1,500; AAV per BS EN 12056-2 limited to one per dwelling; loft en-suites need extended stack
How to Price an EV Charger Installation: Labour, Materials and Grant Deduction

EV charger pricing 2026: 7kW home charger £800–£1,400 fitted, 22kW 3-phase £1,400–£2,200 (where 3-phase available), supply upgrade £800–£3,500 where required; OZEV grant £350 limited to renters/flats post-2022, Smart Charge Points Regs 2021, BS EN 61851, RCD Type B or A+DC fault detection, DNO ENA G100 notification, MCS-style approved-installer requirement, MID-compliant meter for landlord-tenant separation
How to Price Block Paving: Materials per m², Labour Rate and Edging Costs

Block paving pricing 2026: standard £85–£150/m² supply and fit, premium cobble setts and permeable £120–£200/m²; Type 1 MOT 100–150mm + grit sand 30–40mm sub-base; concrete edging beam with haunch, falls and outfalls, soakaway vs SuDS-compliant permeable, GPDO Class F front-garden 5m² impermeable trigger, conservation area exclusions, paving gang day rate £550–£950
How to Price Decking: Softwood, Hardwood, Composite Labour and Materials Guide

Decking pricing 2026: softwood £55–£95/m² fitted, hardwood £140–£260/m², composite £120–£220/m²; treated 4×2 joists at 400mm centres, posts in concrete vs ground screws, weed membrane, Part K balustrade trigger above 600mm fall (1100mm height required), Class 4 ground-contact bearer treatment, FSC-certification, 3–5 day programme for 20–30m²
How to Price Exterior House Painting: Access, Preparation and Labour Day Rates

Exterior house painting pricing 2026: 3-bed semi £2,800–£5,500, 4-bed detached £4,500–£9,500; access (ladder, tower, full scaffold £180–£350/week per elevation), masonry paint vs textured (silicate, silicone, acrylic), preparation jet-wash + fungicidal wash + mortar repair, weather window 7–25°C, dew point management, breathable silicate/mineral on solid wall, woodwork prep priced separately, 10–15 year warranty on premium silicone systems
How to Price External Render: Sand and Cement, Monocouche and Silicone per m²

External render pricing 2026: traditional sand-and-cement £45–£85/m² fitted, monocouche £75–£130/m², silicone topcoat £85–£160/m² without EWI, £150–£280/m² with EWI; preparation hack-off vs render-on-render, beading and expansion joints, scaffold £180–£350/week per elevation, weather window 5–25°C, BS EN 998-1 mortar, BS 8000-3 application, lime render premium for solid wall and listed buildings, BBA-approved EWI 25-year warranty
How to Price Extra Sockets and Lighting Circuits: First Fix, Second Fix Rate Guide

Extra sockets and lights pricing 2026: double socket addition £75–£140 each (less per qty), downlight install £35–£75 fitted, two-way switching add £85–£160, smart switch upgrade £55–£120, USB socket premium £15–£25; spur rules under BS 7671, ring main extension, chase-and-make-good vs surface trunking, Minor Works EIC, Part P notification trigger for kitchens/bathrooms
How to Price Interior Painting and Decorating: Rooms, Preparation and Labour Rates

Interior painting and decorating pricing 2026: small bedroom £280–£480, medium £380–£650, large lounge £550–£950, kitchen £550–£900, bathroom £450–£750, hall/stairs/landing £680–£1,200, full 3-bed house £3,500–£5,500; 2-coat emulsion + woodwork prep, mist coat on new plaster, wallpaper £25–£45/roll, lining £8–£15/roll, low-VOC, BS 6150:2019 painting code of practice, decorator day rate £200–£320 + labourer £140–£200
How to Price Radiator Replacement: Single, Double, Designer and Labour Rates

Radiator replacement pricing: single-panel £85–£180, double-panel £140–£280, designer £250–£900+ each fitted; isolation without full drain-down rate, BSP tail compatibility, lockshield re-balance, system inhibitor top-up; minor pipe-modification labour add
How to Price Roof Repairs: Call-Out, Labour and Material Rates for Roofers

Roof repair pricing: call-out £85–£180, hourly £45–£75, scaffold tower vs full scaffold, slate replacement vs ridge re-bedding vs flashings; lead and zinc material rates 2026; minor patches £180–£500, dormer and chimney £450–£1,500, recurring leak diagnosis methodology
How to Price Slate Roofing: New Welsh Slate, Reclaimed and Labour Rates

Slate roof pricing: new Welsh slate £4.50–£7.50 per slate fitted, Spanish slate £2.80–£4.50, reclaimed Welsh £3.50–£6.00; double-lap nailing pattern, head/centre nail spec, labour day rate by lap; conservation area and listed building requirements
How to Price Underpinning: Ground Investigation, Labour and Margin Guide

Underpinning pricing: ground investigation £800–£2,500, traditional mass concrete underpinning £1,800–£3,500/m run, beam and pier alternative, Party Wall Award implications, structural engineer involvement, sequence pin numbering, soil disposal and reinstatement, insurance-backed guarantees
How to Price Wet Underfloor Heating: Manifold, Pipe and Screed Costs

Wet UFH pricing: £80–£140/m² supply and fit including manifold, pipe centres 150–300mm by load, screed depth 65–75mm flowing or 75–100mm semi-dry; BS EN 1264 zone limits, manifold pressure-test certificate, commissioning and balancing across zones
How to Price Worktop Replacement: Laminate, Quartz, Granite and Solid Wood Rates

Worktop replacement pricing 2026: laminate £35–£85/lin m supplied (£180–£480 fit-day), quartz £280–£550/m² fitted, granite £250–£500/m², solid wood £90–£250/lin m, Corian £350–£700/m²; CAD template vs site survey, undermount cut-out, drainage grooves, induction hob cut-out, edge profile choices; template + fit two-day programme for stone