Guides · long reads
In-depth guides on UK renovations.
The five tools answer one question each. The guides go deeper — the kind of long-read piece you’d want before committing to a serious renovation. Two are published below; more are in the pipeline.
Published
- 01
Renovation cost · 14 min read · May 2026
How much does it cost to renovate a house in the UK in 2026?
Full breakdown by room, region and spec. BCIS Q1 2026 + FMB 2026 data restated for homeowners, with the eight hidden costs nobody quotes for and the VAT treatment that catches four in ten.
Read the guide → - 02
AI · 12 min read · May 2026
Can AI estimate a UK renovation cost from a property photo?
We put Claude Sonnet 4.5 vision against a chartered UK quantity surveyor on a real Inner-London semi. The seven hidden costs no model can see, and how to decide when to trust the AI number.
Read the guide → - 03
Planning · 13 min read · May 2026
When do you need planning permission in the UK? Complete 2026 guide
Permitted Development Classes A–E explained, Article 4 directions, Lawful Development Certificates, Conservation Areas, the householder application process — with the 2026 fees and timelines.
Read the guide →
In the pipeline
- 04
Grants · 12 min read
Every English home renovation grant in one place
ECO4, Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Home Upgrade Grant, GBIS, the Warm Homes Plan, Disabled Facilities Grant and the 0% VAT rate — what each is worth and how to stack them.
- 05
Quotes · 7 min read
Is this builder's quote fair?
The seven warning signs in a UK renovation quote, the contract clauses that matter, and the specific questions to ask before you sign.
- 06
Timeline · 9 min read
Realistic UK renovation timelines
What actually drives how long a renovation takes — planning approval, lead times on bespoke joinery, when to mobilise. With week-by-week schedules.
Want one of these prioritised? Email the team and we’ll bump it.