Building projects are usually very stressful times and getting a grip of what things will cost is one of those stresses. For small jobs the average hourly rate for hiring a builder in the UK is £29 but this can range from £16 to £46 depending on the builder and where you live. Choosing a builder for your budget is important, so using HaMuch can help you navigate through your project. Get quotes from our builders and compare rates and to make sure you get the best value for money.
For larger jobs a builders day rate will help you determine how much a project will cost and also allows you to compare builders in your area using HaMuch. Currently the average daily rate for a builder in the UK is £206 but, if it’s a large building business, you will probably have to add VAT. You can get cheaper and more expensive builders and they range from £133 to £275 per day, but this also depends on where you live. If you are looking to build an extension or loft conversion you will require multiple skills on site, so the quote will be more complicated and more likely based on previous jobs the builders have done. The builders will be more interested in the day rate of other trades if they are employing subcontractors for the job. Also materials post Brexit are going up in price so a quote might have to change if you need to wait a while to get the building done. A single storey house extension can cost from £25k and take 8 weeks + so your builder might not be readily available.
When choosing a builder, get a few written quotes so you have a better understanding about what level of building work is being offered at different prices. Insist on being given a ‘written quote’ to avoid disputes over payment and job expectations at the end of the project. As building work can involve scaffolding, so discuss with the builder if it has included any scaffolding hire charges and if this is something that will still need to be added on to the final bill. Another charge to consider is skip hire. If there will be demolition work taking place at your home, then hiring a skip is a good option to avoid a lot of small trips to the tip clearing away the building debris.
Before making a decision on which builder to choose, ask what their payment terms are and if a big building project like house extension and loft conversions, can be paid in instalments in line with sections of the building work being completed. Unless you have specified specific building materials that they don’t normally supply, you should not be asked to pay any money upfront.
If you are getting large scale building work completed, it would be wise to see a portfolio of similar work carried out. Try to drop in to do a site visit on a current building project so that you can see the level of organisation on site, quality of materials being used, number of builders on site. Check any associations the builder is part of e.g. The National Federation of Builders (NFB).
Lastly, check what insurances you need to have in place with your own personal building and contents insurance, check to see if you need to make your insurers aware of work being carried out. Ask the builder about their insurance and how much public liability insurance they have (there should be a certificate to show you).
Traditional bricks and mortar are only part of the complicated task of completing a large building project to enhance your home. A lot of building companies today have their own team for the core work onsite and subcontract for the rest, acting like a project manager. Costing a job is usually based on size. The larger it is the more you pay but your choice of materials will also affect the cost. If you choose to project manage you can choose smaller companies that have smaller overheads and better day rates to build your garage or lounge extension. You can purchase your own materials and negotiate the best rate for expensive items like bifolding doors.
A full loft conversion to create another living space can cost from £30,000 depending on your location and the quality of the finish. Prices are rising and builders are booked up for months so getting a builder who is available is not an easy task. Why not try posting a job with HaMuch and get free quotes from available builders in your area. Loft conversions add value to your home and don’t require planning permission if they are of a good size. So if it’s a roof light conversion or a dormer loft conversion talking to a qualified builder will help get you started and save money.
Unless you have a cellar to convert or you want to build upwards a home extension is the next best way to add value to your home and give you extra living space. A budget extension can cost £20,000 and the average price is over £35,000 but this depends on the quality of your materials and glazing. Also you don’t need planning permission if you are extending out from your building for 3 metres or less. It is difficult to give an exact value but an extension could add an extra 15% to the price of your home, so that is worth considering before you start.
To build a conservatory costs an average of £15,000 but you can pay a lot more or less. They start from around £7,000 and can go up to over £50,000 and you have a choice of wood or upvc finish. An orangery with bifolding doors and roof lanterns are a popular alternative to a traditional conservatory and cost around £25,000. Seems a lot but, if you want to maximise your property size and have enough garden space, a conservatory is a great way to achieve more indoor space.
Before talking to the builder regarding a conservatory or extension, have an idea of the size you would like, the shape it should be built, if there is an existing driveway or patio that needs to be demolished first, any outside drains or outside bathroom pipe that might need to become inside drains or pipes and consider a style that will suit your home e.g. Edwardian or Victorian.
For conservatories, extensions, rebuilding external walls, window repairs… any building job involving windows, you can choose from standard double glazing to upgrades like self-cleaning glass or toughened glass. When choosing windows uPVC work with traditional and contemporary homes while sash windows are better suited to Victorian style homes.
As building work can involve changing the layout of a house, check if your project would require any planning permission before it goes ahead. Loft conversion means you may need to purchase the loft from the freeholder if you in a leasehold and some building works may require an architect to design the space and calculate the costings or a structural engineer to ensure the safety of the project.
| Job details | Estimate |
| Cost to fit windows, doors and conservatories | £150 |
| Cost to build a side return extension | £46000 |
| Cost to repoint or repair brickwork | £305 |
| Cost to remove a chimney breast | £700 |
| New fitted kitchen cost | £10500 |
| Cost to lay a new driveway | £2400 |
| Cost to fit a new bathroom | £5000 |
| Cost of a loft conversion | £40000 |
| Cost to build a retaining wall | £280 |
| Basement conversion cost | £28000 |
| Building a conservatory including foundation | £2000 |
| Structure repair | £800 |
| Damp protection for internal walls | £280 per wall |
| Damp protection for external walls | £300 per wall |
| Rising damp treatment | £280 per wall |
| Demolition of a garage | £1000 |
| Demolition of a patio, driveway, shed, outside space | £800 |
| Creating a dropped kerb | £500 |
| One room extension | £2000 |
| Multi room extension | £2000 per room |
| Removal of old floor and laying a new floor | £150 per room |
| Repairing floors by filling gaps, sanding, staining, sealing and securing loose floorboards | £100 per room |
| Converting a garage into a bedroom | £4000 |