House Renovations in Slough: Costs, Timelines, and What to Expect
Whether you have purchased a dated property that needs bringing into the 21st century, inherited a home requiring significant work, or simply want to transform your current house into the home you have always wanted, a renovation project can deliver remarkable results. But before committing to a major renovation, most homeowners want to understand realistic costs, timelines, and what the process actually involves.
As local builders who have completed renovations across Slough and the surrounding area for years, we help homeowners navigate these projects regularly. This guide explains what house renovations cost in Slough in 2026, how long they take, what work is typically involved, and how to approach your project for the best results.
House Renovation Costs in Slough
Renovation costs vary enormously depending on the scope of work, property size, and specification of finishes. For a complete house renovation in Slough, expect to pay between £800 and £1,500 per square metre for a comprehensive refurbishment, or £1,200 to £2,000 per square metre for high-specification work.
To put this in practical terms, a full renovation of a typical three-bedroom semi-detached house of around 100 square metres might cost £80,000 to £150,000 for a standard specification, or £120,000 to £200,000 for a high-end finish. These figures include structural work, new kitchen, new bathrooms, rewiring, replumbing, plastering, flooring, and decoration throughout.
Partial renovations focusing on specific areas cost proportionally less. A kitchen and bathroom renovation with associated works might run £25,000 to £50,000. Modernising electrics, heating, and decoration throughout without major structural work could cost £30,000 to £60,000. Understanding exactly what you want to achieve helps establish a realistic budget.
What Affects Renovation Costs
Several factors influence the final cost of your Slough renovation, explaining the wide price ranges.
Scope of Work
The extent of work required is the biggest cost driver. A cosmetic refresh involving decoration, flooring, and updated fixtures costs far less than a comprehensive renovation including structural alterations, complete rewiring, new plumbing, and reconfigured layouts. Many older Slough properties, particularly those built before the 1970s, need significant electrical and plumbing upgrades to meet modern standards and expectations.
Property Condition
The starting condition affects how much work is needed. A property that has been reasonably maintained but is simply dated requires less remedial work than one suffering from damp, subsidence, roof problems, or years of neglect. Hidden issues often emerge during renovation, particularly in older properties across Slough’s established areas like Central Slough, Chalvey, and Upton. Building in contingency for unexpected discoveries is essential.
Specification and Finishes
The quality of materials and finishes you choose significantly affects cost. Budget kitchens start around £5,000, while high-end fitted kitchens exceed £30,000. Standard bathroom suites cost £2,000 to £5,000, while luxury bathrooms can reach £15,000 or more. Flooring, doors, ironmongery, lighting, and decoration all offer choices across wide price ranges. Your specification decisions shape the final budget substantially.
Structural Changes
Altering your home’s layout adds cost but can dramatically improve how the space works. Removing walls to create open-plan living requires structural support, typically steel beams. Moving bathrooms or kitchens involves rerouting drainage and water supplies. Adding extensions as part of a renovation increases scope and budget significantly. These changes deliver the biggest transformations but require careful planning and appropriate investment.
Common Renovation Work
Understanding what renovation typically involves helps you plan effectively and communicate your requirements clearly.
Electrical Rewiring
Properties built before the 1980s often need complete rewiring to meet current safety standards and accommodate modern electrical demands. A full rewire includes a new consumer unit with RCD protection, new circuits throughout, updated sockets and switches, and proper earthing. This work is disruptive as it requires lifting floors and chasing walls, making it sensible to complete during a broader renovation when disruption is already occurring.
Plumbing and Heating
Old lead or iron pipework should be replaced with modern copper or plastic alternatives. Dated boilers operating at 60-70 percent efficiency should be upgraded to modern condensing boilers achieving 90 percent or better. Radiators may need replacing or repositioning to suit new layouts. If bathrooms or kitchens are moving location, significant plumbing work is required. Underfloor heating, increasingly popular in renovations, adds comfort but requires planning during the early project stages.
Kitchen Installation
Kitchens are often central to renovation projects, whether refreshing an existing space or creating something entirely new. Work typically includes removal of the old kitchen, any structural alterations, plastering, first fix plumbing and electrics, flooring, tiling, second fix connections, and installation of units, worktops, and appliances. Allow four to six weeks for a complete kitchen renovation including all associated trades.
Bathroom Renovation
Bathroom renovations range from simple suite replacements to complete redesigns with altered layouts. Comprehensive bathroom work includes stripping out, any structural changes, first fix plumbing, waterproofing, tiling, second fix plumbing, and installing sanitaryware. A single bathroom typically takes two to three weeks; multiple bathrooms can be progressed in parallel to reduce overall timelines.
Plastering and Decoration
Once structural work, electrics, and plumbing are complete, plastering creates fresh wall and ceiling surfaces ready for decoration. Many older properties benefit from complete replastering rather than patching, providing consistent surfaces throughout. Decoration follows, including any woodwork preparation and painting. These finishing stages transform the building site into your finished home.
Renovation Timelines
Understanding realistic timelines helps you plan your life around the renovation and set appropriate expectations.
A comprehensive whole-house renovation typically takes three to six months from starting on site to completion. This allows for structural work, first fix electrics and plumbing, plastering, second fix, kitchen and bathroom installation, flooring, and decoration throughout. More extensive projects involving significant structural alterations or extensions take longer.
Partial renovations complete more quickly. A kitchen renovation takes four to six weeks. A bathroom renovation takes two to three weeks. Rewiring a house takes one to two weeks for the electrical work itself, though associated plastering and decoration add further time.
Add four to eight weeks before construction for design development, obtaining quotes, and scheduling. If planning permission is required for any element, add another eight to twelve weeks for the application process. Realistic planning from the outset prevents frustration and helps the project run smoothly.
Living In or Moving Out
One of the biggest decisions during a renovation is whether to live in the property or move out temporarily.
Living in during renovation is possible for partial projects or phased whole-house renovations where you can maintain access to essential facilities. It saves the cost of temporary accommodation but means living with noise, dust, and disruption for an extended period. This approach suits those with flexibility and tolerance for building site conditions.
Moving out allows work to proceed faster without working around occupied spaces. Trades can work more efficiently, and you avoid months of disruption. The cost of temporary accommodation must be weighed against faster completion and reduced stress. For comprehensive renovations involving rewiring, replumbing, and structural work, moving out often makes practical and financial sense.
We discuss living arrangements during project planning and can advise on phasing work to maintain habitable spaces if you prefer to remain in the property.
Is Renovation Worth It
Renovation makes financial sense in several situations. If you love your location but your house no longer meets your needs, renovation allows you to create the home you want without moving. The costs of selling, buying, stamp duty, legal fees, and moving often exceed £30,000 to £50,000 for a typical Slough property transaction. Investing that money in renovation instead can deliver substantial improvements while avoiding the upheaval of relocation.
For buy-to-renovate investors, Slough offers opportunities to add significant value through renovation. Properties requiring work often sell below market value, and well-executed renovations can add more value than they cost, creating equity and profit. The town’s proximity to Heathrow, excellent transport links to London via the Elizabeth Line, and ongoing regeneration make it an attractive investment location.
Beyond financial considerations, renovation allows you to create exactly the home you want rather than compromising on someone else’s choices. You control the layout, specification, and finishes, resulting in a home tailored precisely to your family’s needs and preferences.
The Renovation Process
A successful renovation follows a structured process from initial concept to completed home.
We begin with a detailed consultation to understand your vision, requirements, and budget. We survey the property, identify what work is needed, discuss options, and develop a scope of work. You receive a comprehensive quotation detailing all elements and costs.
Once you decide to proceed, we finalise designs, obtain any necessary approvals, and schedule the work. During construction, we coordinate all trades, maintain clear communication, and keep you informed of progress. Regular site meetings ensure the project stays on track and any decisions are made promptly.
Upon completion, we walk through the finished property together, address any snagging items, and hand over your transformed home. Our work is guaranteed, and we remain available for any questions after completion.
House Renovations Across Slough
We carry out house renovations throughout Slough and the surrounding area. Our coverage includes Slough town centre, Langley, Cippenham, Britwell, Chalvey, Upton, Colnbrook, Farnham Royal, Stoke Poges, Burnham, and across the borough. We also serve Windsor, Maidenhead, Uxbridge, Hayes, and surrounding areas.
Whether your property is a Victorian terrace in Central Slough, a 1930s semi in Langley, or a post-war house in Cippenham, we have experience renovating every property type found across the area.
Get Your Free Renovation Consultation
If you are considering renovating your Slough property, we provide free consultations to discuss your ideas and explore what is achievable within your budget. We assess your property, talk through options, and provide a detailed quotation with clear pricing.
Contact us today to arrange your free consultation. Discover how a renovation could transform your Slough house into the home you have always wanted.
Get in touch to discuss your renovation project.