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Builder Cost Calculator UK

Estimate the 2026 cost of your building project — by job type, finish level and where you are in the UK. Instant result, no email needed.

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Estimate Your Builder Costs

Choose your project and finish level for an instant 2026 estimate. Builder prices vary widely with scope, access and specification — always get three like-for-like written quotes before you commit.

2026 Price Guide

Builder costs by project, 2026

ProjectTypical 2026 cost
Small repairs / odd jobs£800 - £3,000
Single room refurbishment£4,500 - £12,000
Structural knock-through (incl. steel)£1,800 - £4,000
Single-storey extension (build)£28,000 - £45,000+
Whole-house renovation£40,000 - £120,000+

A builder's day rate is typically £150-£250 per tradesperson (£100-£150 for a labourer). Most builders over £90,000 turnover add 20% VAT; some renovations and conversions qualify for a reduced 5% rate. Full detail in the builder cost guide.

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FAQs · 2026

General Builder cost questions

A skilled builder or tradesperson typically charges £150-£250 a day in 2026, with a labourer £100-£150 a day. London and the South East run 20-40% higher. For anything beyond a few days most people ask for a fixed-price quote rather than paying a day rate.
Both. Small, hard-to-scope jobs are often day rate (£150-£250 per tradesperson). Larger, well-defined projects are usually a fixed-price quote, or occasionally cost-plus (materials and labour plus a 10-20% margin). A fixed price gives you the most cost certainty.
A full renovation typically runs £40,000-£120,000+, or roughly £1,000-£1,500 per m² for a light refurbishment and £2,000-£3,000 per m² for a full one. The final figure depends heavily on the property's size, condition and your finish level.
A proper quote covers labour, materials, plant and scaffold, and waste removal, plus making good. It usually excludes design/architect fees, planning and building-control fees, a structural engineer and party-wall costs — check these separately so you compare like for like.
A builder with turnover above £90,000 must charge 20% VAT, so always check whether a quote is VAT-inclusive. Some works — a new build, or renovating a home empty for over two years — can qualify for a 0% or reduced 5% VAT rate.

Last reviewed June 2026. Estimates reflect 2026 UK supply-and-fit builder prices, modelled as a project base cost adjusted for finish level and region, cross-checked against published cost data. This calculator gives a budgeting estimate, not a quote. Editorial standards: /editorial-standards. See all free calculators or the cost guide hub.