The honest answer: it depends. Costs vary hugely with scope, condition, finish level and planning constraints. And if you’re ever watched Grand Designs, you’ll know that budgets and expectations can quickly get out of hand.
At CODA Bespoke, we find the better question is what’s driving the cost in your project? Once you understand that, you can plan with confidence and invest where it counts.
Sometimes it’s simple: update the kitchen and bathrooms, tidy the plan, lift the finishes. Other times it’s a full reset: strip back, replace services, improve the envelope, redraw how rooms connect. Bring an extension, loft or basement into the mix and costs step up.
Our work at 119 Park Road, Timperley shows how scope sets the tone. The scheme created four new-build dwellings in the grounds of a heritage building while sensitively converting the original into a six-bedroom super home. Craftsmanship, technical detailing and integration of old and new all shaped the budget (as they should) for an enduring result.
Older properties conceal surprises. Think damp, timber decay, tired wiring, compromised drainage and roof issues. These aren’t glamorous line items, but they’re essential. We recommend a contingency of 10–15% to absorb the unknowns without derailing the project.
Bespoke joinery, natural stone, specialist metalwork, heritage-grade glazing… these elevate a home and last. They also cost more than off-the-shelf alternatives. At CODA we typically prioritise quality over quick fixes and encourage clients to accept higher upfront spend (within reason, of course) for longevity, beauty and ease of living.
Better performance often sits inside walls and under floors. Hidden features like breathable insulation, airtightness measures, MVHR, triple glazing and air-source heat pumps increase the build cost but reduce running costs and carbon emissions over time. For many of our clients, this isn’t optional. It’s part of doing things properly.
Conservation Areas, listed buildings and tight urban sites need careful handling and may involve heritage consultants, surveys and specialist trades. Labour and logistics vary by region too. For example, London and the South East typically carry higher rates than much of Yorkshire or the North East.
Every project is different, but as early guide rails:
These are starting points, not promises. Two projects of equal size can diverge significantly based on ambition, detailing and context. CODA projects often sit in the middle to upper bands because the brief is usually timeless design, excellent materials and calm, durable performance.
Square-metre rates are blunt and ignore complexity. The reality is that size isn’t always the whole story. A 40m² zinc-and-glass addition with custom interiors may cost more than a 60m² brick extension finished off-the-shelf. The same goes for performance upgrades in a period home: big spend, subtle change, most of it hidden in the fabric.
So we start with purpose. What must each space do? How should it feel in the morning light? Where do coats go? How do you move through the house when friends are over? When the brief is clear, money goes where it makes a difference.
The cheapest renovation is rarely the best value. A well-considered scheme feels effortless and remains that way for years. Poor planning shows up later in the form of overheating rooms, awkward circulation, cheap finishes that tire quickly and kitchens that never quite work. Good design prevents that.
Think of design as the framework that makes every pound work harder. It aligns structure, services, light and layout so the build is efficient, and the result is calm and coherent.
An architect’s role goes beyond drawings. At CODA Bespoke we:
Every project has trade-offs. Some rules of thumb:
Roofing, insulation, airtightness, windows and doors, drainage, electrics and heating are all unglamorous but important investments. Comfort, quietness and running costs depend on these.
They’re complex, used daily and expensive to revisit. Get the planning, plumbing and joinery right.
Get creative with wall colours, statement furniture and some fittings, but don’t overspend.
Custom usually comes at a cost, so try to save your most ‘creative’ ideas for scenarios where they’re genuinely useful.
Overdeveloping the plot (squeezing too much in harms planning prospects and liveability).
Skipping surveys (unknowns like ground, drainage, structure and asbestos can quickly eat into your budget).
Designing in isolation (ignoring context, neighbours and orientation rarely ends well).
Chasing area over quality (a smaller, beautifully proportioned space can feel more generous than raw square metres).
Under-detailing (vague drawings invite vague prices and costly site decisions).
Time is money when it comes to renovations. Early engagement with planners and, where relevant, conservation officers keeps momentum. A clear design rationale (e.g. why these materials, how the proposal enhances the street etc) builds confidence. Heritage statements, daylight studies, tree surveys and ecology reports add cost, but they de-risk the process and protect your goals.
How much does it cost to renovate a house? It depends on scope, condition, finish, performance targets and place. The constant is this: good design and careful planning pay for themselves. They create homes that feel right, work hard and age gracefully.
At CODA Bespoke, we work with clients who want more than a cosmetic reset. They want spaces that are timeless, sustainable and personal. Homes that make everyday life easier and more beautiful. If that’s your ambition, send us your brief and let’s start with a conversation.
