apartment Flat Estimating

Flat Renovation Cost Estimating Services UK

Renovating a flat brings a set of constraints that simply do not apply to house projects. Leasehold restrictions, freeholder consent, party wall obligations across multiple floors, and Building Regulations compliance for sound and fire separation all affect what you can do and what it will cost.

check Leasehold and freehold flat renovations
check Sound, fire and structural compliance costs included
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±5%
Estimate Accuracy
10–48
Days Turnaround
3,000+
Projects Costed
Flat renovation interior open plan kitchen London

Why Flat Renovations Are Costed Differently to House Renovations

The construction work inside a flat may look similar to a house renovation, but the constraints around it are fundamentally different. Getting a cost estimate without accounting for these constraints gives you a number that bears no relation to what the project will actually cost.

gavelLeasehold Consent Requirements

Most leasehold flats require written licence to alter from the freeholder before any structural or significant work begins. Obtaining this involves solicitor fees, landlord's surveyor fees, and sometimes a licence premium. These are real costs that many flat renovation budgets omit entirely.

layersAcoustic and Fire Separation

Any work affecting floors, ceilings, or walls between flats must meet Building Regulations requirements for sound insulation (Part E) and fire separation (Part B). Meeting these standards properly adds cost through acoustic floor build-up, fire-rated boarding, and intumescent seals, all of which a house renovation does not face.

fenceParty Wall Obligations in Blocks

In a block of flats, party wall obligations can apply to neighbours above, below, and to the side. An extension or structural alteration may require party wall notices served on multiple leaseholders and the freeholder. The cost multiplies accordingly.

plumbingServices Access and Shared Infrastructure

Drainage, heating risers, and communal electrical systems in flat blocks are often shared. Altering or connecting to them requires coordination with the freeholder and may involve contribution to communal works. This adds both cost and programme time that is unique to flat projects.

What Our Flat Renovation Estimate Covers

From a single-room fit-out to a complete gut-and-refurbish, we cost every element of the project from the construction works through to the associated fees and consents.
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Structural Alterations

Wall removals, structural openings, steel beams, and temporary works, all priced to structural engineer specification.

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Acoustic Floor and Ceiling Systems

Resilient bar systems, acoustic quilt, and fire-rated ceiling boards where required under Party Wall agreements or Building Regulations Part E.

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Full M&E Rewire and Replumb

Consumer unit upgrade, full rewire, new heating system, hot and cold water, drainage alterations, and ventilation to bathrooms and kitchens.

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Kitchen, Bathrooms and Fit-Out

Kitchen supply and installation, bathroom fit-out, joinery, flooring, wall finishes, and decorating. Costed at your stated specification level.

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Licence to Alter and Professional Fees

Solicitor costs for licence to alter, landlord's surveyor fees, building regulations application, and party wall surveyor allowances where applicable.

Flat Types We Estimate

Each flat type carries different cost pressures. We adjust our approach for the specific building type rather than applying a generic m² rate.
Purpose-Built Flats

1960s to 1990s concrete frame or brick construction. Often requires significant M&E upgrading and acoustic treatment between floors. Freeholder consent process varies by managing agent.

Converted Victorian or Edwardian Properties

The most common flat type in inner city areas. Timber floors and ceilings carry more acoustic and fire risk. Structural alterations require careful consideration of the original building's condition.

New Build Leasehold Flats

Developer-sold leasehold flats often have strict licence to alter clauses and require the developer's own approved contractor list. We build the associated consent costs into the estimate upfront.

Ground Floor and Top Floor Flats

Ground floor flats may have damp and floor slab issues. Top floor flats have roof access and flat roof maintenance obligations that affect renovation scope. Both require different assumptions in the estimate.

If your flat renovation connects to a wider house renovation, we can combine both scopes in a single cost plan, which is often needed when a property has been split into flats and you are restoring it to a single dwelling.

Compliance Costs We Account For in Every Flat Estimate

These are the costs that flat renovation quotes from contractors most commonly understate or omit.

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Fire Safety (Part B)

Fire-rated boarding to walls and ceilings between flats, intumescent seals around penetrations, fire doors and frames where required by building regulations or freeholder conditions.

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Sound Insulation (Part E)

Acoustic floor systems, resilient ceiling treatment, and airborne sound insulation between separating floors. Particularly significant when changing floor finishes from carpet to hard flooring.

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Licence to Alter Costs

Solicitor fees for preparation and review of the licence, landlord's surveyor fees, any landlord consent premium, and deed of variation costs where the lease needs to be updated.

Flat Renovation Estimating FAQs

Do I need a licence to alter before I can get an estimate?expand_more
No. You can get a cost estimate at any stage. In fact, getting an estimate before you apply for a licence to alter is sensible because the cost plan gives you a clear picture of the total project cost, including the licence application costs themselves. Some freeholders also ask to see a cost plan or specification as part of their consent process. We regularly produce estimates that are used directly to support licence to alter applications.
We want to change from carpet to hard flooring throughout. Does that trigger compliance costs?expand_more
It can, and this is one of the most common surprises in flat renovations. Many leases specifically prohibit hard flooring without written consent, because carpet provides passive acoustic insulation between flats. Where hard flooring is permitted or consented, Building Regulations Part E may require an acoustic underlay system of a specified performance standard. The cost of a compliant acoustic floor build-up varies depending on the floor construction and the performance required. We include this in the estimate wherever hard flooring is specified.
How do party wall obligations work when there are flats above and below as well as to the side?expand_more
In a flat block, the Party Wall Act 1996 can apply to neighbours on multiple sides including above and below, depending on the nature of the work. Structural alterations that affect a floor-ceiling structure between flats, or excavation near the building foundations, typically require party wall notices to those adjoining owners. Each affected owner can appoint their own surveyor, which increases the cost. We identify the party wall obligations relevant to your specific project and include a realistic provisional allowance in the estimate.
Our flat is in a Victorian conversion. What specific issues should the estimate address?expand_more
Victorian conversions typically have timber joisted floors and ceilings, which have less inherent acoustic and fire performance than modern concrete construction. Any significant work to these floors needs to account for upgrading both sound insulation and fire separation to current standards. Structural alterations also need careful assessment because original Victorian joists may already be carrying alterations from previous owners. The building may also have lead pipework, asbestos-containing materials in older plasters or floor tiles, and original sash windows that the lease or planning conditions may restrict you from altering. We flag all of these in the estimate and include provisional allowances where appropriate.
Can you estimate a flat renovation in a high-rise or purpose-built block?expand_more
Yes. High-rise and purpose-built blocks have their own specific constraints, often including restrictions on contractor access, building manager approval processes, mandatory use of approved operatives, and noise and working hours limitations that add to preliminaries cost. Many post-Grenfell building safety requirements have also introduced additional compliance steps for external wall and cladding work on higher-risk buildings. We are familiar with these requirements and account for them in estimates for flats in taller blocks. The residential estimating team covers flat renovations across all building types throughout the UK.

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