Most builders avoid this question because every project is different. That’s true, but it doesn’t help you plan. So here is what we have actually priced recently, and what those figures do and don’t cover.
What we have priced recently.
| Project | What we priced | Typical build time |
|---|---|---|
| New home | About £2,250–£2,850 per m² (about £210–£265 per sq ft) | About 40–80 weeks |
| Whole-home remodel, often with an extension | About £350,000–£700,000 for the project | About 30–45 weeks |
| Smaller extension | About £120,000–£140,000 for the project | About 14–20 weeks |
These are rounded from three new-home prices, about twelve remodels and three extensions that we priced between early 2025 and autumn 2026, before VAT. Each one was for a particular design and specification. They’re a guide for planning, not a quote.
What these figures usually leave out.
The biggest differences are in what a price includes. Many of our prices leave out the kitchen, fitted joinery, soft furnishings, blinds and audiovisual systems, and some leave out items such as windows, floor finishes or most of the landscaping. Compare what’s included, not just the total.
For a finished, high-specification new home, the whole cost can be noticeably higher. Two completed homes we have built came to roughly £240–£330 per sq ft.
What pushes a price up or down.
- The ground. Poor ground can mean piled foundations. Project 2099 needed 34 piles.
- The site. Slopes, tight access and demolition all add work. Project 2098 was designed around a sloping plot.
- The existing building. With a remodel, the cost depends on how much of the existing structure, heating and electrics has to change.
- Glazing and structure. Large openings need steelwork and specialist glass. Project 3106 has an eight-metre sliding door.
- Specification. Finishes, joinery, smart home systems and low-energy equipment can each change the total significantly.
Costs to budget for separately.
- Architect, structural engineer and other design fees.
- Surveys, planning and building control fees, and any party wall costs.
- Connections to water, power and other services.
- Kitchens, furniture and landscaping, if they aren’t in the build price.
- A contingency for what can’t be seen until work starts.
- Somewhere to live during the work, if you need to move out.
- The Community Infrastructure Levy, which may apply if the work adds more than 100 m².
Common questions.
How much does a new home cost per square foot?
Our recent prices for new homes work out at about £210–£265 per sq ft before VAT, and many of these leave out items such as kitchens. Two completed high-specification homes came to roughly £240–£330 per sq ft.
How long does a whole-home remodel take?
Most we have priced had a build period of about 30–45 weeks, depending on the scope and how much of the existing house changes.
Do I pay VAT on building work?
New homes are usually zero-rated for VAT, while extensions and renovations usually carry VAT at the standard rate. Your accountant can confirm how it applies to your project.
Can you give me a price without drawings?
We can discuss a budget range from your brief, but it will only be as firm as the information behind it. Our guide to understanding your build budget explains what makes an estimate more reliable.
Figures reviewed November 2026.