How much does it cost to renovate an apartment or flat in 2026?

There's no single renovation price, because "renovation" means very different things. Replacing floors and repainting doesn't cost the same as redoing the wiring, plumbing and layout. Even so, there are ranges that help you get your bearings.

The figures below are rough guides only for 2026. They vary a lot by city and region (London or New York are not the same as a smaller town), by the quality of materials and by the condition of the home when you start. Use them to orient yourself, never as a quote.

Cost per area by type of renovation

UK (per square meter):

• Cosmetic refresh (paint, flooring, doors, no changes to services): roughly £300–£800/m².
• Mid-range renovation (includes a bathroom or kitchen, some electrical or plumbing work): roughly £800–£1,500/m².
• Full renovation (new wiring and plumbing, new layout, complete finishes): roughly £1,200–£2,500/m² or more, depending on finish and location.

US (per square foot):

• Cosmetic refresh: roughly $20–$60 per sq ft.
• Mid-range renovation: roughly $60–$150 per sq ft.
• Full or gut renovation: roughly $150–$300+ per sq ft, depending on finishes and local labor costs.

By room

• Bathroom: in the UK, roughly £5,000–£15,000; in the US, roughly $10,000–$35,000 or more. Size, finishes and whether you move the plumbing make the biggest difference.
• Kitchen: in the UK, roughly £8,000–£25,000; in the US, roughly $15,000–$60,000 or more. Cabinets, countertops and appliances can push the figure up quickly.
• Living room and bedrooms: the bulk of the cost is usually flooring, paint and electrical work.

Why do quotes vary so much?

Two quotes for the same home can differ by 40% and both be legitimate. The usual reasons: material quality (a porcelain tile is not a budget ceramic), the real scope (is the old wiring being replaced or reused?), and what each contractor includes or leaves out (waste removal, protection of floors and common areas, final cleaning).

That's why a one-line quote ("renovation: 30,000") is useless for comparison. Always ask for a breakdown by line item.

What almost nobody includes in the first budget

• Professional fees (architect, designer, structural engineer) if the work is structural.
• Approval and permit fees: planning and building control in the UK, building permits and inspections in the US.
• Consent costs if you live in a flat or condo (freeholder, party wall surveyor, HOA or condo board).
• The unexpected: keep a 10 to 15% cushion.
• Furniture, appliances and decor (the building quote usually doesn't include them).

A clear brief means better quotes

The more precisely you know what you want, the more precisely contractors can price it. Seeing your room redesigned before you ask for quotes, with the finishes and style you have in mind, helps you describe the job clearly and avoid changes halfway through, which are one of the main sources of overruns.