INSIGHTS
Construction cost intelligence for UK homeowners and builders
HOMEOWNERS
How much does it cost to build a house in the UK in 2026?
Realistic per square metre rates, total build budgets and the extra costs beyond construction — a clear 2026 guide for UK self-builders.
6 min read
HOMEOWNERS
New build cost per square metre in the UK (2026)
What it really costs to build per square metre in 2026, broken down by specification and region — and why the rate is only a starting point.
5 min read
HOMEOWNERS
Single-storey vs double-storey extension: which is better value?
Going up often costs less per square metre than going out. Here is how single and double-storey extension costs compare in 2026.
5 min read
HOMEOWNERS
What does a house extension really cost in 2026?
UK construction costs have changed significantly in recent years. Here is what you should realistically expect to pay for a house extension in 2026 — and how to make sure you are not overpaying.
5 min read
HOMEOWNERS
How to read a builder's quote (and spot the red flags)
What a good quote includes, what vague pricing hides, and the questions every homeowner should ask before signing a builder's contract.
6 min read
GUIDES
What is a quantity surveyor — and what is NRM2?
The role behind accurate construction costs, plus a plain-English guide to NRM2, BCIS data and how professional cost plans are built.
5 min read
BUILDERS
Why builders lose money on residential jobs — and how to stop it
Underpricing a job is one of the most common ways small builders lose money. Here is why it happens and what you can do about it before you submit your next quote.
4 min read
HOMEOWNERS
Loft conversion cost UK 2026: complete guide
How much does a loft conversion cost in the UK in 2026? Real figures by conversion type — Velux, dormer, hip-to-gable and mansard — with regional breakdowns and a full list of what most quotes leave out.
8 min read
HOMEOWNERS
Garage conversion cost UK 2026: what to budget
A full cost breakdown for garage conversions in 2026 — by conversion type, spec level and region. Includes the garage door decision, planning rules and what drives the biggest cost swings.
7 min read
GUIDES
How much does planning permission cost in the UK? (2026)
The application fee is just £258 — but the total cost of getting planning consent is far higher. Full breakdown of architect fees, surveys, supporting documents and building regulations.
7 min read
HOMEOWNERS
Kitchen extension cost UK 2026: full breakdown
A kitchen extension is two projects in one — the structural build and the kitchen fit-out. Here are the real figures for both, including glazing costs, regional differences and the specification choices that move the needle most.
8 min read
HOMEOWNERS
House extension cost London 2026: what to budget
National averages underestimate London extensions by £20,000–£40,000. Here are London-specific figures by extension type, borough differences, and why the capital costs so much more than elsewhere.
7 min read
GUIDES
Do I need planning permission for a house extension?
Many extensions can be built under permitted development rights without planning permission — but the limits are specific and the exceptions are many. A plain-English guide to what you can build and when you need to apply.
7 min read
GUIDES
Party wall agreement cost UK 2026: what to expect
Party wall costs catch many homeowners off guard — especially in London. Here is what a Party Wall Award costs, why you pay your neighbour's surveyor fees too, and how to keep costs under control.
6 min read
REGIONAL
House extension cost Essex 2026: local prices & guide
Real Essex figures for Chelmsford, Brentwood, Colchester and across the county — including how London clay affects foundation costs and why South Essex prices are higher.
6 min read
REGIONAL
House extension cost Manchester 2026: local prices & guide
Greater Manchester pricing for extensions and loft conversions — with suburb-by-suburb differences from Altrincham and Didsbury to Salford and Bolton.
6 min read
REGIONAL
House extension cost Birmingham 2026: local prices & guide
West Midlands pricing for extensions and conversions — with area-by-area differences across Birmingham, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield and the wider region.
6 min read
REGIONAL
House extension cost Bristol 2026: local prices & guide
Bristol-specific pricing — including why conservation areas, hilly terrain and strong contractor demand push costs above what most national guides suggest.
6 min read
REGIONAL
House extension cost Leeds 2026: local prices & guide
West Yorkshire pricing for extensions — with neighbourhood differences across Roundhay, Headingley, Chapel Allerton and South Leeds, plus the back-to-back terrace question.
6 min read