The overall cost of room decoration is driven by preparation needs, specification level, and access conditions. What may look like a straightforward repaint can quickly become more substantial once surface repairs, skimming, woodwork preparation, and higher-spec finishes are factored in. So it’s important to understand the scope before outlining a realistic cost plan.

This article structures costs across three project types, allowing professionals to align design intent with budget from the outset and support feasibility studies, budget estimates, and early client conversations.

Decorating A Room In The UK

In this article, the costs are based on the following scope of work for a property with a gross internal floor area of 20m² (4m x 5m). Please note that costs associated with the treatment of damp, mould, or structural defects are excluded.

Here’s what’s included in the decoration projects covered in this article (unless expressed otherwise):

• Prelims: Laying dust sheets and applying window film; clearing the room of furniture, fixtures, and fittings.
• Prep: Filling and sanding walls, skirting, architraves, doors, and windowsills.
• Finish: Applying a mist coat and two coats of paint to ceilings and walls; undercoating and glossing skirting, architraves, doors, windowsills, and staircase.

In terms of build specification, BuildPartner gives you three broad options to choose from:

• Basic spec is a basic finish; e.g., Leyland, Everest, Wickes.
• Standard spec is a standard finish; e.g., Dulux, Hamilton, Slim Line.
• Premium spec is a high-spec finish; e.g., Farrow & Ball, Fine Line, Siemens.

In this article, we’ve provided a breakdown of the cost of decorating a home according to a standard specification. In addition, we have provided three different benchmarks to show the range of pricing you can expect among different contractors. These are: 

• Low benchmark: smaller companies are generally lower cost but less specialised and with low project management function; good for low/mid-spec projects and tight budgets.

• Mid benchmark: medium-sized companies offer a balanced mix of cost-effectiveness and specialisation; good for mid-range projects for effective execution within moderate budgets.

• High benchmark: larger companies generally have a higher cost base but can handle a wide variety of specialist tasks; good for mid/high-spec projects and project management.

The specification and benchmark you choose will have a major impact on the overall cost of decorating a room, so it’s important to align them with your budget and the finish you’re aiming for.

Cost to Fill, Sand, Mist Coat & x2 Top Coats A Room

Here’s a table showing the average costs of decorating a room in the UK, which includes filling holes, sanding, and applying a mist coat and two top coats:

Fill, Sand, Mist Coat & x2 Top Coats	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£1,976	£2,210	£2,425	£99	£110	£121
London	£2,193	£2,456	£2,717	£110	£123	£136
Midlands	£1,916	£2,090	£2,277	£96	£104	£114
North England	£1,893	£2,250	£2,401	£95	£112	£120
Northern Ireland	£1,910	£1,973	£2,149	£94	£99	£107
Scotland	£1,943	£2,119	£2,309	£97	£106	£115
South East	£2,164	£2,425	£2,671	£108	£121	£134
South West	£1,970	£2,279	£2,516	£100	£114	£126
Wales	£1,949	£2,179	£2,395	£97	£109	£120
Average	£1,990	£2,220	£2,429	£99	£111	£121

All costs exclude VAT, overheads, and profit.

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of filling holes, sanding, applying a mist coat, and applying two top coats:

• The minimum cost is £1,893, and the maximum cost is £2,717.
• The total average cost is £2,213, or £111 per square metre.

Cost To Mist Coat & Top Coat A Room (No Filling/Sanding)

Here’s a table showing the average costs of decorating a room in the UK, which includes applying a mist coat and one top coat (with no preparatory filling or sanding):

Mist Coat + 1 Top Coat (No Filling/Sanding)	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£1,374	£1,536	£1,686	£69	£77	£84
London	£1,525	£1,708	£1,889	£76	£85	£94
Midlands	£1,332	£1,453	£1,583	£67	£73	£79
North England	£1,316	£1,564	£1,670	£66	£78	£83
Northern Ireland	£1,328	£1,372	£1,494	£65	£69	£75
Scotland	£1,351	£1,474	£1,606	£68	£74	£80
South East	£1,504	£1,686	£1,857	£75	£84	£93
South West	£1,370	£1,584	£1,749	£69	£79	£87
Wales	£1,355	£1,515	£1,665	£68	£76	£83
Average	£1,384	£1,544	£1,689	£69	£77	£84

All costs exclude VAT, overheads, and profit.

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of applying a mist coat and one top coat (with no preparatory filling or sanding):

• The minimum cost is £1,316, and the maximum cost is £1,889.
• The total average cost is £1,539, or £77 per square metre.

Cost To Single Coat A Room Only

Here’s a table showing the average costs of decorating a room in the UK, applying a single coat of paint to all surfaces:

Single Coat Only	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£754	£843	£925	£38	£42	£46
London	£836	£936	£1,036	£42	£47	£52
Midlands	£730	£797	£868	£37	£40	£43
North England	£722	£858	£916	£36	£43	£46
Northern Ireland	£728	£752	£819	£36	£38	£41
Scotland	£741	£808	£881	£37	£40	£44
South East	£825	£925	£1,018	£41	£46	£51
South West	£751	£869	£959	£38	£43	£48
Wales	£743	£831	£913	£37	£42	£46
Average	£759	£847	£926	£38	£42	£46

All costs exclude VAT, overheads, and profit.

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of applying a single coat of paint to all surfaces:

• The minimum cost is £722, and the maximum cost is £1,036.
• The total average cost is £844, or £42 per square metre.

Average Cost To Decorate A Room In 2026

So, how much does it cost to decorate a room in the UK? Based on the three different project types covered in this article, you can expect decorating a room to cost on average (when using a mid-benchmark contractor):

• Fill, Sand, Mist Coat & x2 Top Coats: £2,220, or £111 per square metre.

• Mist Coat + Top Coat (No Filling/Sanding): £1,544, or £77 per square metre.

• Single Coat Only: £847, or £42 per square metre.

Please remember that these costs exclude a contractor’s overheads and profit and VAT. There may be additional costs, such as addressing unforeseen repairs, undertaking more extensive preparation, completing bespoke finishes, or accommodating access constraints.

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Start your free trial with BuildPartner today to get the most accurate estimate for decorating a room based on your own dimensions and specifications.

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FAQs About Room Decoration Costs In The UK

Here are some frequently asked questions about home decoration costs in the UK.

Why do decorating quotes vary so much?

Some decorators price per room, while others charge a day rate, typically depending on the complexity of the work. Quotes can also vary due to differences in prep work, paint quality, labour rates, and whether ceilings, woodwork, or repairs are included. Naturally, larger rooms require more materials and labour time, which increases the overall cost of decoration. 

On top of this, scope can differ significantly between quotes. Some include walls only, while others cover ceilings, doors, and skirting boards, so it’s important to confirm exactly what’s included upfront.

Why does client-supplied paint and materials often increase the overall cost rather than reduce it?

Poor-quality or lower-spec paints often have weaker coverage, meaning more coats are needed to achieve a consistent finish. This increases labour time significantly and can quickly outweigh any perceived savings from supplying your own materials. 

And in most cases, decorators get trade discounts that make professional-grade materials cheaper than retail prices at stores like B&Q or Wickes; so a member of the public may end up paying more for a lower-spec product than a trade professional would for a higher-spec equivalent.

Is wallpapering more expensive than painting a room?

Yes, wallpapering is generally more expensive than painting. This is mainly due to higher material costs and increased labour time required for accurate alignment, cutting, and finishing. Wallpaper itself typically costs between £10 and £40 per square metre depending on quality and design, whereas paint is usually far cheaper to apply over the same area.

For example, a single coat of paint in a 50m² room typically costs around £300 including labour and materials. So wallpapering the same space using mid-range materials at around £15/m² can cost approximately £1,100 once labour and preparation are included.

Why do decorators charge more to paint timber-framed windows?

Painting timber-framed windows is often one of the more expensive decorating tasks because it is highly labour-intensive. Unlike flat walls, windows contain multiple edges, joints, glazing bars, sills, and hard-to-reach areas that require careful preparation and precise application.

In many cases, existing paint must be sanded back, defects repaired, and surfaces primed before painting can begin. Access can also have a significant impact on cost, particularly for upper-storey windows that require ladders, scaffolding, or specialist access equipment. As a result, labour costs typically account for a large proportion of the overall price.

Home decoration is often one of the most flexible elements within a project scope, and project costs can vary considerably depending on preparation levels, paint systems, access requirements, and finish quality.

 

Clients may be refreshing their home for personal use, preparing a property for sale, or developers delivering multiple units, each with its own requirements and priorities.

 

This article structures costs across three specification tiers, allowing professionals to align design intent with budget from the outset and support feasibility studies, budget estimates, and early client conversations.

Decorating A House In The UK

In this article, the costs in this article are based on the following scope of work for a property with a gross internal floor area of 105m². Please note that costs associated with the treatment of damp, mould, or structural defects are excluded.

 

Here’s what’s included in the decoration projects covered in this article:

 

• Prelims: Laying dust sheets and applying window film; clearing the room of furniture, fixtures, and fittings.
• Prep: Filling and sanding walls, skirting, architraves, doors, windowsills, and staircase.
• Finish: Applying a mist coat and two coats of paint to ceilings and walls; undercoating and glossing skirting, architraves, doors, windowsills, and staircase.

 

In terms of build specification, BuildPartner gives you three broad options to choose from:

 

• Basic spec is a basic finish; e.g., Leyland, Everest, Wickes.
• Standard spec is a standard finish; e.g., Dulux, Hamilton, Slim Line.
• Premium spec is a high-spec finish; e.g., Farrow & Ball, Fine Line, Siemens.

 

In this article, we’ve provided a breakdown of the cost of decorating a home according to all three specifications. In addition, we have provided three different benchmarks to show the range of pricing you can expect among different contractors. These are: 

• Low benchmark: smaller companies are generally lower cost but less specialised and with low project management function; good for low/mid-spec projects and tight budgets.

• Mid benchmark: medium-sized companies offer a balanced mix of cost-effectiveness and specialisation; good for mid-range projects for effective execution within moderate budgets.

• High benchmark: larger companies generally have a higher cost base but can handle a wide variety of specialist tasks; good for mid/high-spec projects and project management.

 

The specification and benchmark you choose will have a major impact on the overall cost of decorating a house, so it’s important to align them with your budget and the finish you’re aiming for.

 

Cost Of Decorating A 3-Bed House – Basic Spec

Here’s a table showing the average costs of decorating a house to a basic spec in the UK:

 

3-Bedroom Detached House (Basic)	Total Average Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£10,148	£11,348	£12,382	£97	£108	£118
London	£11,262	£12,611	£13,870	£107	£120	£132
Midlands	£9,837	£10,731	£11,625	£94	£102	£111
North England	£9,720	£11,552	£12,259	£93	£110	£117
Northern Ireland	£9,807	£10,134	£10,969	£92	£97	£104
Scotland	£9,977	£10,883	£11,790	£95	£104	£112
South East	£11,110	£12,455	£13,636	£106	£119	£130
South West	£10,118	£11,702	£12,843	£97	£111	£122
Wales	£10,009	£11,192	£12,228	£95	£107	£116
Average	£10,221	£11,401	£12,400	£97	£109	£118

All costs exclude VAT, overheads, and profit.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of decorating a house to a basic spec:

 

• The minimum cost is £9,720, and the maximum cost is £13,870.
• The total average cost is £11,341, or £108 per square metre.

 

Cost Of Decorating A 3-Bed House – Standard Spec

Here’s a table showing the average costs of decorating a house to a standard spec in the UK:

 

3-Bedroom Detached House (Standard)	Total Average Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£11,572	£12,940	£14,120	£110	£123	£134
London	£12,877	£14,398	£15,803	£123	£137	£151
Midlands	£11,257	£12,280	£13,304	£107	£117	£127
North England	£11,462	£12,554	£13,600	£109	£120	£130
Northern Ireland	£11,006	£11,593	£12,560	£101	£110	£120
Scotland	£11,385	£12,420	£13,455	£108	£118	£128
South East	£12,649	£14,143	£15,523	£120	£135	£148
South West	£11,711	£13,361	£14,664	£114	£127	£140
Wales	£11,472	£12,828	£13,997	£109	£122	£133
Average	£11,710	£12,946	£14,114	£111	£123	£134

All costs exclude VAT, overheads, and profit.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of decorating a house to a standard spec:

 

• The minimum cost is £11,006, and the maximum cost is £15,803.
• The total average cost is £12,923, or £123 per square metre.

 

Cost Of Decorating A 3-Bed House – Premium Spec

Here’s a table showing the average costs of decorating a house to a premium spec in the UK:

 

3-Bedroom Detached House (Premium)	Total Average Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£12,953	£14,484	£15,751	£123	£138	£150
London	£14,257	£15,942	£17,497	£136	£152	£167
Midlands	£12,636	£13,785	£14,933	£120	£131	£142
North England	£12,841	£14,058	£15,230	£122	£134	£145
Northern Ireland	£12,385	£13,098	£14,189	£118	£125	£135
Scotland	£12,764	£13,924	£15,084	£122	£133	£144
South East	£14,027	£15,685	£17,215	£134	£149	£164
South West	£13,089	£14,903	£16,356	£125	£142	£156
Wales	£12,851	£14,370	£15,627	£122	£137	£149
Average	£13,089	£14,472	£15,765	£125	£138	£150

 

All costs exclude VAT, overheads, and profit.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of decorating a house to a standard spec:

 

• The minimum cost is £12,385, and the maximum cost is £17,947.
• The total average cost is £14,442, or £138 per square metre.

 

Average Cost To Decorate A House Gym In 2026

So, how much does it cost to decorate a house in the UK? Based on the three different projects covered in this article, you can expect decorating a 3-bed house to cost on average (when using a mid-benchmark contractor):

• Basic Spec: £11,401, or £109 per square metre.

• Standard Spec: £12,946, or £123 per square metre.

• Premium Spec: £14,472, or £138 per square metre.

 

Please remember that these costs exclude a contractor’s overheads and profit and VAT. There may be additional costs, such as addressing unforeseen repairs, undertaking more extensive preparation, completing bespoke finishes, or accommodating access constraints and programme requirements.

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Start your free trial with BuildPartner today to get the most accurate estimate for decorating a house based on your own dimensions and specifications.

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FAQs About Home Decoration Costs In The UK

Here are some frequently asked questions about home decoration costs in the UK.

What are some eco-friendly paints?

Eco-friendly paints are basically low or zero VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, which contain fewer nasty chemicals, smell less, and are better for indoor air quality.

Brands like Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, and Earthborn are all water-based, low-odour, and much nicer to work with in occupied homes compared to older solvent-heavy paints. 

They’re especially popular on live-in refurbs, family homes, and higher-end jobs where clients are more conscious about fumes and finish quality.

What is a breakdown of the costs of decorating a house?

As an example, based on a project totalling £14,369, costs typically break down into £919 for building materials (protection and preparation sundries), £10,796 for labour (surface preparation and all painting works), and £2,653 for finishing materials (paints and final coatings).

• Building Materials: 6.4%
• Labour: 75.1%
• Finishing Materials: 18.5%

This represents the base cost of the works and excludes VAT, overheads, and contractor profit, which could add approximately 15 to 30% to the overall total.

What additional factors can significantly increase the cost of decorating a property?

Costs can increase significantly where additional access requirements are needed, such as scaffolding for high ceilings, stairwells, or hard-to-reach areas. Further cost increases can also arise from specialist protection or handling of fixtures, such as chandeliers, bespoke lighting, artwork, or high-value goods that require careful removal and reinstallation. 

In addition, any damp, mould, or moisture-related issues may require investigative works and remedial treatment (such as damp-proofing) before decoration can proceed.

The real cost of building a carport isn’t just the frame, it’s everything that supports it, from the ground preparation, drainage, and whether you’re integrating with existing surfaces or starting from scratch. Once you factor in those site-specific details, the same carport can vary dramatically in price even on similar-looking projects.

This article structures costs across different regions, three different build types, and benchmarks, allowing professionals to align design intent with budget from the outset and support feasibility studies, budget estimates, and early client conversations.

Building A Carport In The UK

Included in the project costs are a basic concrete pad (except in the example with tarmac), timber posts, roof structure, roofing membrane, EPDM roofing, lead flashing, guttering, soffit boards, and downlights. In terms of build specification, BuildPartner gives you three broad options to choose from:

• Basic spec is a basic finish; e.g., Leyland, Everest, Wickes.
• Standard spec is a standard finish; e.g., Dulux, Hamilton, Slim Line.
• Premium spec is a high-spec finish; e.g., Farrow & Ball, Fine Line, Siemens.

 

In this article, we’ve provided a breakdown of the cost of building a carport according to a standard specification. In addition, we have provided three different benchmarks to show the range of pricing you can expect among different contractors. These are: 

• Low benchmark – smaller companies are generally lower cost but less specialised and with low project management function; good for low/mid-spec projects and tight budgets.

• Mid benchmark – medium-sized companies offer a balanced mix of cost-effectiveness and specialisation; good for mid-range projects for effective execution within moderate budgets.

• High benchmark – larger companies generally have a higher cost base but can handle a wide variety of specialist tasks; good for mid/high-spec projects and project management.

 

The specification and benchmark you choose will have a major impact on the overall cost of building a carport, so it’s important to align them with your budget and the finish you’re aiming for.

 

Cost Of Building A Single Carport

Here’s a table showing the average costs of building a single carport for a standard-spec project in the UK:

 

Single Carport	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£6,567	£7,344	£8,060	£438	£490	£537
London	£7,288	£8,161	£9,028	£486	£544	£602
Midlands	£7,064	£7,718	£8,477	£471	£515	£565
North England	£6,766	£7,857	£8,392	£451	£524	£559
Northern Ireland	£6,371	£7,017	£7,435	£428	£468	£496
Scotland	£6,317	£6,730	£7,080	£421	£449	£472
South East	£6,916	£7,387	£7,796	£461	£492	£520
South West	£6,922	£7,617	£8,087	£465	£508	£539
Wales	£6,874	£7,513	£7,986	£458	£501	£532
Average	£6,787	£7,482	£8,038	£453	£499	£536

All costs exclude VAT, overheads, and profit.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a single carport to a standard specification:

 

• The minimum cost is £6,317, and the maximum cost is £9,028.
• The total average cost is £7,436, or £496 per square metre.

 

Cost Of Building A Double Carport

Here’s a table showing the average costs of building a double carport for a standard-spec project in the UK:

 

Double Carport	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£9,975	£11,154	£12,242	£333	£372	£408
London	£11,070	£12,396	£13,713	£369	£413	£457
Midlands	£10,730	£11,722	£12,875	£358	£391	£429
North England	£10,277	£11,934	£12,747	£343	£398	£425
Northern Ireland	£9,677	£10,658	£11,293	£325	£355	£376
Scotland	£9,595	£10,222	£10,753	£320	£341	£358
South East	£10,504	£11,219	£11,842	£350	£374	£395
South West	£10,514	£11,569	£12,283	£353	£386	£409
Wales	£10,441	£11,411	£12,130	£348	£380	£404
Average	£10,309	£11,365	£12,209	£344	£379	£407

All costs exclude VAT, overheads, and profit.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a double carport to a standard specification:

 

• The minimum cost is £9,595, and the maximum cost is £13,713.
• The total average cost is £11,294, or £377 per square metre.

 

Cost Of Building A Double Carport With Tarmac

Here’s a table showing the average costs of building a double carport with tarmac for a standard-spec project in the UK:

 

Double Carport With Tarmac	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£12,042	£13,717	£15,263	£401	£457	£509
London	£13,363	£15,244	£17,097	£445	£508	£570
Midlands	£12,953	£14,416	£16,052	£432	£481	£535
North England	£12,407	£14,676	£15,893	£414	£489	£530
Northern Ireland	£11,682	£13,107	£14,080	£389	£437	£469
Scotland	£11,583	£12,571	£13,407	£386	£419	£447
South East	£12,681	£13,797	£14,764	£423	£460	£492
South West	£12,692	£14,228	£15,314	£423	£474	£510
Wales	£12,605	£14,033	£15,123	£420	£468	£504
Average	£12,445	£13,977	£15,221	£415	£466	£507

All costs exclude VAT, overheads, and profit.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a double carport with tarmac to a standard spec:

 

• The minimum cost is £11,583, and the maximum cost is £17,097.
• The total average cost is £13,881, or £463 per square metre.

 

Average Cost To Build A Carport In UK

So, how much does it cost to build a carport in the UK? Based on the three build types covered in this article, you can expect building a carport to cost on average (when using a mid-benchmark contractor):

• Single carport: £7,842, or £499 per square metre.

• Double carport: £11,365, or £379 per square metre.

• Double carport with tarmac: £13,977, or £466 per square metre.

Please remember that these costs exclude a contractor’s overheads and profit and VAT. There may be other additional costs, such as obtaining planning permission, conducting structural surveys, making unexpected repairs, and completing custom finishes.

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Start your free trial with BuildPartner today to get the most accurate estimate of building a carport based on your own dimensions and specifications.

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FAQs About Carport Building Costs In The UK

Here are some frequently asked questions about carport building costs in the UK.

What factors affect the cost of building a carport?

Groundworks can vary massively depending on whether you’re laying tarmac, block paving, or a concrete slab, and whether you need to dig out and build up a proper sub-base. If the ground isn’t already flat and well-prepared, that can end up costing as much as the carport frame itself.

 

Future-proofing adds another layer. Even if you don’t have an electric car now, installing armoured cable while the ground is open is far cheaper than retrofitting later.

 

And once you start adding nice-to-haves like drainage channels and lighting, the whole thing stops being a simple shelter and becomes a more luxury driveway feature.

 

What is the breakdown of labour and material costs for building a carport?

Costs for a standard-spec carport, excluding additional construction or luxury features, roughly break down as follows:

• Building materials: 45.4%
• Labour: 49.2%
• Finishing materials: 5.5%

Price excludes VAT, contractor’s overheads, and profit.

What are the main benefits of building a carport?

Carports give you covered parking, which protects the car from rain, frost, sun damage, and bird mess, and a dry place to unload. They’re also a cost and space compromise. A garage is expensive, takes more land, and often needs planning and heavier construction, whereas a carport is a simpler build. For added security, a gate can be installed, which is a common upgrade for those wanting the carport to function more like a “soft garage” rather than an open shelter.

March 31st 2026

For architects and contractors, budgeting a garage project isn’t just about footprint, it’s about understanding how materials, finishes, and site-specific factors impact the overall cost. 

 

Whether you’re looking to build a small single garage or a spacious double garage, understanding the costs provides early-stage cost feasibility, giving your client a practical starting point for budgeting.

 

In this article, we provide a detailed comparison of four popular garage types (single and double, flat and pitched roofs) along with regional rate variations and costs per square metre across the UK.

Building A Garage Construction Cost Calculations

In our calculations, we assume the garage is an extension to an existing dwelling, not a new detached structure, and these cost excludes the installation of appliances and EV chargers.

 

The typical sizes of garages in the UK are:

 

• Single – 10 x 18 feet (3m × 5.5m, with a gross external area of 16.5m2)
• Double – 18 x 18 feet (5.5m × 6m, with a gross external area of 33m2)

 

We have used both of these measurements to calculate the costs in this article.

 

In terms of build specification when using our BuildPartner pricing tool, our pricing calculator gives you three broad options (which can be revised by item at a later point):

 

• Low spec is a basic finish; e.g. Leyland, Everest, Wickes.
• Standard spec is a standard finish; e.g. Dulux, Hamilton, Slim Line.
• Premium spec is a high-spec finish; e.g. Farrow & Ball, Fine Line, Siemens.

 

To keep this comparison simple, we have chosen standard spec in all our cost estimations. 

 

In addition to this, we have also provided three different benchmarks to show the range you can expect amongst different contractors, which are:

• Low benchmark – smaller companies are generally lower cost but less specialised and with low project management function; good for low/mid-spec projects and tight budgets.

• Mid benchmark – medium-sized companies offer a balanced mix of cost-effectiveness and specialisation; good for mid-range projects for effective execution within moderate budgets.

• High benchmark – larger companies generally have a higher cost base but can handle a wide variety of specialist tasks; good for mid/high-spec projects and project management.

 

In short, contractor pricing varies due to factors such as expertise, location, and project intricacies.

 

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Single Garage With A Flat Roof?

Here’s a table showing the average building costs of a single garage with a flat roof for a standard-spec project in the UK:

 

Single Garage With Flat Roof	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£35,718	£39,940	£43,836	£2,165	£2,421	£2,657
Greater London	£40,022	£44,751	£49,803	£2,426	£2,712	£3,018
Inner London	£36,726	£42,497	£44,857	£2,226	£2,576	£2,719
Midlands	£34,451	£38,522	£42,280	£2,088	£2,335	£2,562
North England	£39,202	£43,835	£48,112	£2,376	£2,657	£2,916
Northern Ireland	£34,856	£37,078	£41,713	£2,060	£2,247	£2,528
Scotland	£35,723	£39,945	£43,842	£2,165	£2,421	£2,657
South East	£40,409	£45,184	£49,592	£2,449	£2,738	£3,006
South West	£34,646	£39,876	£43,766	£2,161	£2,417	£2,652
Wales	£33,631	£37,605	£40,326	£2,038	£2,279	£2,444
Average	£36,538	£40,923	£44,813	£2,215	£2,480	£2,716

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a single garage with a flat roof:

 

• The minimum cost is £33,631, and the maximum cost is £49,803.
• The total average cost is £40,758, or £2,470 per square metre.

 

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Single Garage With A Pitched Roof?

Here’s a table showing the average building costs of a single garage with a pitched roof for a standard-spec project in the UK:

 

Single Garage With Pitched Roof	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£42,815	£47,875	£52,545	£2,595	£2,901	£3,185
Greater London	£47,458	£53,067	£58,929	£2,876	£3,216	£3,571
Inner London	£44,345	£51,151	£54,195	£2,688	£3,100	£3,285
Midlands	£41,096	£45,953	£50,436	£2,491	£2,785	£3,057
North England	£46,091	£51,538	£56,566	£2,793	£3,123	£3,428
Northern Ireland	£41,313	£43,745	£49,213	£2,430	£2,651	£2,983
Scotland	£42,527	£47,552	£52,192	£2,577	£2,882	£3,163
South East	£47,863	£53,520	£58,741	£2,901	£3,244	£3,560
South West	£41,383	£47,702	£52,356	£2,585	£2,891	£3,173
Wales	£40,106	£44,845	£48,216	£2,431	£2,718	£2,922
Average	£43,500	£48,695	£53,339	£2,637	£2,951	£3,233

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a single garage with a pitched roof:

 

• The minimum cost is £40,106, and the maximum cost is £58,929.
• The total average cost is £48,551, or £2,940 per square metre.

 

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Double Garage With A Flat Roof?

Here’s a table showing the average building costs of a double garage with a flat roof for a standard-spec project in the UK:

 

Double Garage With Flat Roof	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£54,344	£60,621	£66,415	£1,647	£1,837	£2,013
Greater London	£56,645	£63,340	£70,204	£1,717	£1,919	£2,127
Inner London	£50,872	£59,105	£62,153	£1,542	£1,791	£1,883
Midlands	£47,654	£53,286	£58,484	£1,444	£1,615	£1,772
North England	£55,289	£61,823	£67,854	£1,675	£1,873	£2,056
Northern Ireland	£48,234	£51,151	£57,545	£1,462	£1,550	£1,744
Scotland	£49,580	£55,440	£60,849	£1,502	£1,680	£1,844
South East	£57,279	£64,048	£70,297	£1,736	£1,941	£2,130
South West	£47,958	£55,375	£60,778	£1,453	£1,678	£1,842
Wales	£46,393	£51,875	£55,703	£1,406	£1,572	£1,688
Average	£51,425	£57,606	£63,028	£1,558	£1,746	£1,910

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a double garage with a flat roof:

 

• The minimum cost is £46,393, and the maximum cost is £70,297.
• The total average cost is £57,353, or £1,738 per square metre.

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Double Garage With A Pitched Roof?

Here’s a table showing the average building costs of a double garage with a pitched roof for a standard-spec project in the UK:

 

Double Garage With Pitched Roof	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£60,558	£67,715	£74,321	£1,835	£2,052	£2,252
Greater London	£68,051	£76,094	£84,203	£2,062	£2,306	£2,552
Inner London	£62,572	£72,377	£76,492	£1,896	£2,193	£2,318
Midlands	£57,857	£64,695	£71,007	£1,753	£1,960	£2,152
North England	£65,889	£73,676	£80,864	£1,997	£2,233	£2,450
Northern Ireland	£58,172	£61,429	£69,108	£1,706	£1,861	£2,094
Scotland	£60,033	£67,128	£73,677	£1,819	£2,034	£2,233
South East	£68,695	£76,813	£84,307	£2,082	£2,328	£2,555
South West	£58,292	£67,366	£73,938	£1,826	£2,041	£2,241
Wales	£56,338	£62,996	£67,822	£1,707	£1,909	£2,055
Average	£61,646	£69,029	£75,574	£1,868	£2,092	£2,290

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a single garage with a pitched roof:

 

• The minimum cost is £56,338, and the maximum cost is £84,307.
• The total average cost is £68,749, or £2,083 per square metre.

 

Summary Of The Average Cost To Build A Garage

So, how much does it cost to build a new garage in the UK? Based on the four different types of garages covered in this article, you can expect building a garage to cost on average (when using a mid-benchmark contractor):

• Single with flat roof: £40,923, or £2,480 per square metre
• Single with pitched roof: £48,695, or £2,951 per square metre
• Double with flat roof: £57,606, or £1,746 per square metre
• Double with pitched roof: £69,029, or £2,092 per square metre

 

Last year, we ran the numbers on these same garage builds to the exact same specification, and since then, prices have seen an average increase of around 7.7%. 

 

Please remember that all costs exclude VAT.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Cost To Build A Garage

These frequently asked questions cover key considerations and costs for building a garage, helping architects, contractors, and homeowners plan effectively.

What additional costs should I budget for when building a garage?

Beyond the base construction, costs can vary depending on your specifications. Common extras include drainage relocation; connecting the garage roof to the existing house roof; matching soffits and fascias; brickwork, plaster, and paint over any removed or altered windows; and the installation of side doors (access from the main building into the garage).

 

Additionally, garage doors can vary massively in cost depending on size and whether they are manual or electric, and other considerations such as installing EV charge points can add further to the budget (up to around £1,500).

 

You should also budget for a suitable driveway and landscaping to ensure the garage can be used effectively. Some homeowners take the opportunity to relocate the boiler to free up additional space.

 

Do I need planning permission to build a garage in the UK?

Many garages fall under permitted development, meaning you usually don’t need planning permission if the garage is detached, single-storey, under 4 meters in height for a pitched roof (or 3 meters for a flat roof), and doesn’t cover more than 50% of the property’s total garden area.

 

Permission is usually required if the garage is too close to boundaries, typically within 2 meters of a neighbour’s property line. It’s always best to check with your local council before starting.

 

How long does it take to build a garage?

Based on a typical timeline, it would take approximately 4.5 weeks to build a garage with an average of two tradespeople. 

The stages that take the longest are constructing the external wall structure and lining (about 9 days), laying foundations and substructure (around 6.5 days), and demolitions and site prep. 

Everything else, like roof structure, windows and doors, drainage, wiring, and finishes, typically take less than two days each.

March 31st 2026

A porch is usually a straightforward addition, but while the scope is typically modest, costs can vary depending on size, materials, and how it ties into the existing building. Like most projects, clients are keen to understand a rough budget for the options available to them at the outset.

In this guide, we break down the key factors affecting porch costs in the UK, comparing four types: brick, rendered, enclosed timber, and open porches. We haven’t included uPVC porches here because they are often mass-produced and less customisable, with costs that tend to be more uniform.

Additionally, we have included costs from across different regions of the UK to provide more localised accuracy, and benchmarks across different contractors to give you a price range for small to large contractors.

Building A Porch Construction Cost Calculations

Our cost comparisons are based on a gross external floor area (GEFA) of 3m². The only exception is the open porch, which is based on a GEFA of 2m2. Since an open porch is primarily an aesthetic shelter, a smaller size better reflects its typical usage.

 

In terms of build specification, BuildPartner gives you three broad options to choose from:

 

• Basic spec is a basic finish; e.g., Leyland, Everest, Wickes.
• Standard spec is a standard finish; e.g., Dulux, Hamilton, Slim Line.
• Premium spec is a high-spec finish; e.g., Farrow & Ball, Fine Line, Siemens.

 

To keep this comparison simple, we have chosen standard spec in all our cost estimations. In addition to this, we have also provided three different benchmarks to show the range you can expect amongst different contractors, which are:

 

• Low benchmark – smaller companies are generally lower cost but less specialised and with low project management function; good for basic/standard-spec projects and tight budgets.

• Mid benchmark – medium-sized companies offer a balanced mix of cost-effectiveness and specialisation; good for mid-range projects for effective execution within moderate budgets.

• High benchmark – larger companies generally have a higher cost base but can handle a wide variety of specialist tasks; good for standard/premium-spec projects and project management.

 

Cost Of Building A Brick Porch

Here’s a table showing the average cost of building a 3m2 brick porch in the UK:

 

Brick Porch	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£8,597	£9,613	£10,551	£2,866	£3,204	£3,517
Greater London	£8,746	£9,780	£10,734	£2,915	£3,260	£3,578
Inner London	£8,742	£10,177	£10,679	£2,914	£3,392	£3,560
Midlands	£8,261	£9,238	£10,139	£2,754	£3,079	£3,380
North England	£8,730	£9,761	£10,714	£2,910	£3,254	£3,571
Northern Ireland	£8,447	£9,073	£10,207	£2,772	£3,024	£3,402
Scotland	£8,578	£9,591	£10,527	£2,859	£3,197	£3,509
South East	£8,107	£9,065	£10,058	£2,937	£3,284	£3,605
South West	£8,302	£9,521	£10,450	£2,838	£3,174	£3,483
Wales	£8,089	£9,045	£9,710	£2,696	£3,015	£3,237
Average	£8,460	£9,487	£10,377	£2,846	£3,188	£3,484

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a brick porch:

 

• The minimum cost is £8,089, and the maximum cost is £10,734.
• The total average cost is £9,441, or £3,173 per square metre.

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Cost Of Building A Timber Porch

 

Here’s a table showing the average cost of building a 3m2 timber porch in the UK:

 

Timber Porch (Enclosed)	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£7,222	£8,076	£8,863	£2,407	£2,692	£2,954
Greater London	£7,259	£8,117	£8,909	£2,420	£2,706	£2,970
Inner London	£7,306	£8,447	£8,923	£2,435	£2,816	£2,974
Midlands	£6,909	£7,725	£8,479	£2,303	£2,575	£2,826
North England	£7,069	£7,904	£8,676	£2,356	£2,635	£2,892
Northern Ireland	£7,028	£7,543	£8,486	£2,305	£2,514	£2,829
Scotland	£7,141	£7,985	£8,764	£2,380	£2,662	£2,921
South East	£6,743	£7,540	£8,275	£2,443	£2,732	£2,998
South West	£6,670	£7,341	£8,057	£2,188	£2,447	£2,686
Wales	£6,775	£7,575	£8,125	£2,258	£2,525	£2,708
Average	£7,012	£7,825	£8,556	£2,350	£2,630	£2,876

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a timber porch:

 

• The minimum cost is £6,670, and the maximum cost is £8,923.
• The total average cost is £7,798, or £2,619 per square metre.

 

Cost Of Building A Rendered Porch

 

Here’s a table showing the average cost of building a 3m2 rendered porch in the UK:

 

Rendered Porch	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£7,031	£7,862	£8,629	£2,344	£2,621	£2,876
Greater London	£7,097	£7,935	£8,709	£2,366	£2,645	£2,903
Inner London	£7,120	£8,258	£8,700	£2,373	£2,753	£2,900
Midlands	£6,672	£7,461	£8,189	£2,224	£2,487	£2,730
North England	£6,887	£7,701	£8,452	£2,296	£2,567	£2,817
Northern Ireland	£6,749	£7,547	£8,283	£2,250	£2,516	£2,761
Scotland	£5,974	£6,617	£7,226	£1,991	£2,206	£2,409
South East	£6,572	£7,349	£8,154	£2,191	£2,450	£2,718
South West	£6,723	£7,674	£8,423	£2,241	£2,558	£2,808
Wales	£6,582	£7,360	£7,913	£2,194	£2,453	£2,638
Average	£6,741	£7,576	£8,268	£2,247	£2,525	£2,756

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a rendered porch:

 

• The minimum cost is £5,974, and the maximum cost is £8,709.
• The total average cost is £7,528, or £2,509 per square metre.

 

Cost Of Building An Open Porch

 

Here’s a table showing the average cost of building a 2m2 open porch:

 

Open Porch	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£3,825	£4,277	£4,694	£1,912	£2,138	£2,347
Greater London	£3,872	£4,329	£4,752	£1,936	£2,165	£2,376
Inner London	£3,892	£4,505	£4,751	£1,946	£2,253	£2,376
Midlands	£3,695	£4,132	£4,535	£1,847	£2,066	£2,267
North England	£3,855	£4,311	£4,732	£1,928	£2,156	£2,366
Northern Ireland	£3,759	£4,029	£4,533	£1,847	£2,015	£2,266
Scotland	£3,825	£4,277	£4,694	£1,912	£2,138	£2,347
South East	£3,593	£4,018	£4,458	£1,953	£2,184	£2,397
South West	£3,561	£3,915	£4,296	£1,750	£1,957	£2,148
Wales	£3,693	£4,048	£4,332	£1,810	£2,024	£2,166
Average	£3,757	£4,184	£4,578	£1,884	£2,109	£2,306

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building an open porch:

 

• The minimum cost is £3,561, and the maximum cost is £4,752.
• The total average cost is £4,173, or £2,100 per square metre.

 

Summary Of The Average Cost To Build A Porch

So, how much does it cost to build a new porch in the UK? Based on the four different types of porches covered in this article, you can expect building a porch to cost on average (when using a mid-benchmark contractor):

• Brick porch: £9,487, or £3,118 per square metre
• Timber porch: £7,825, or £2,630 per square metre
• Rendered porch: £7,576, or £2,525 per square metre
• Open porch: £4,184, or £2,109 per square metre

 

Last year, we ran the numbers on these same porch builds to the exact same specification, and since then, prices have seen an average increase of around 16%. 

 

Please remember that all costs exclude VAT.

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Start your free trial with BuildPartner today to get the most accurate estimate of your construction project.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Building A Porch

Here are some frequently asked questions about building a porch.

Do I need planning permission to build a porch?

Many porches fall under permitted development, but you’ll need planning permission if your porch exceeds 3 meters in depth at the front, is on a listed building, or is within 2 meters of the boundary with a road. Always check with your local council.

What are the most common unexpected costs when building a porch?

The most common additional costs include drainage work, alterations to the existing roof, reflagging or block paving around the porch, and the cost of the front door (including glazing, frame, and hardware).

What is a typical cost breakdown for building a porch?

For an example project (excluding overheads, profit, and VAT), the cost split might look like this:

• Building Materials: £2,129.51 (27%)
• Finishing Materials: £2,167.06 (27%)
• Labour: £3,616.03 (46%)

Labour typically accounts for the largest portion of the budget, while materials and finishes make up the rest. Percentages are approximate and illustrate how costs are distributed across the project.

Planning an in-ground swimming pool project? It’s a high-impact addition that can completely transform an outdoor space and significantly elevate a property’s value and appeal. But before you dive in, it’s important to understand the costs involved. 

From groundworks and materials to finishes, the price of building an in-ground pool can vary significantly depending on size, design and specification. This guide outlines the core cost drivers, giving you the insight needed to scope accurately and budget with confidence from the outset.

Building A Swimming Pool In The UK

There are three main ways to build an in-ground pool in the UK:

1. Concrete – built on-site and offering the most flexibility in shape, size and finish, making them the premium (and usually most expensive) option.
2. Fibreglass – pre-formed shells lowered into place, which makes installation quicker and typically mid-range in cost, though you’re limited to set designs.
3. Vinyl liner – constructed using a panel system with a fitted liner to hold the water; often the most affordable upfront, but the liner needs replacing every 7 to 12 years.

In this article, we’ll focus on concrete pools and break down the costs involved in building them. In terms of build specification, BuildPartner gives you three broad options to choose from:

 

• Basic spec is a basic finish; e.g., Leyland, Everest, Wickes.
• Standard spec is a standard finish; e.g., Dulux, Hamilton, Slim Line.
• Premium spec is a high-spec finish; e.g., Farrow & Ball, Fine Line, Siemens.

 

In this article, we’ve provided a breakdown of the cost of building a swimming pool according to a standard specification. In addition, we have provided three different benchmarks to show the range of pricing you can expect among different contractors. These are: 

• Low benchmark – smaller companies are generally lower cost but less specialised and with low project management function; good for low/mid-spec projects and tight budgets.

• Mid benchmark – medium-sized companies offer a balanced mix of cost-effectiveness and specialisation; good for mid-range projects for effective execution within moderate budgets.

• High benchmark – larger companies generally have a higher cost base but can handle a wide variety of specialist tasks; good for mid/high-spec projects and project management.

 

The specification and benchmark you choose will have a major impact on the overall cost of building a swimming pool, so it’s important to align them with your budget and the finish you’re aiming for.

 

Cost Of Building A 10x6m Swimming Pool (Detached)

Here’s a table showing the average costs of building a 10x6m swimming pool (detached build) for a standard-spec project in the UK:

 

10x6m Swimming Pool - Detached Build	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£270,993	£303,019	£332,582	£1,694	£1,894	£2,079
London	£277,042	£319,683	£338,264	£1,732	£1,998	£2,114
Midlands	£261,494	£292,398	£320,925	£1,634	£1,827	£2,006
North England	£283,516	£317,022	£347,951	£1,772	£1,981	£2,175
Northern Ireland	£264,786	£284,057	£319,564	£1,627	£1,775	£1,997
Scotland	£269,186	£300,999	£330,365	£1,682	£1,881	£2,065
South East	£292,798	£327,401	£359,343	£1,830	£2,046	£2,246
South West	£262,277	£301,078	£330,452	£1,683	£1,882	£2,065
Wales	£255,298	£285,469	£305,656	£1,596	£1,784	£1,910
Average	£270,821	£303,458	£331,678	£1,694	£1,896	£2,073

All costs exclude VAT, overheads, and profit.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a 10x6m swimming pool (detached build) to a standard specification:

 

• The minimum cost is £255,298, and the maximum cost is £359,343.
• The total average cost is £301,986, or £1,888 per square metre.

 

Pool Building Cost Breakdown By Project Stage – London

 

Here’s an example of the associated costs for the different stages of building a 10x6m swimming pool (detached build) to a standard-spec – when using a mid-benchmark contractor in London:

 

Total	£319,683	100.0%
External wall structure and lining	£38,815	12.1%
Preliminaries	£37,533	11.7%
Wiring and fuseboards	£33,974	10.6%
Drainage and pipework	£31,868	10.0%
Wall preparation and finishes	£30,773	9.6%
Foundations and substructure	£26,419	8.3%
Roof structure and coverings	£25,887	8.1%
Floor structure and lining	£21,297	6.7%
Floor preparation and finishes	£15,075	4.7%
Heating and cooling	£14,834	4.6%
External windows and doors	£9,520	3.0%
Internal wall structure and lining	£7,880	2.5%
Fixtures and fittings	£7,644	2.4%
Steel and structural supports	£6,361	2.0%
Wired appliances	£4,617	1.4%
Plumbed appliances	£2,613	0.8%
Internal doors and frames	£1,535	0.5%
Ceiling structure and lining	£1,209	0.4%
Demolitions	£865	0.3%
Decoration	£742	0.2%
Ceiling preparation and finishes	£224	0.1%

 

Cost Of Building A Swimming Pool With Facilities

Here’s a table showing the average costs of building a detached pool house comprising a 10x6 swimming pool with a wet room and sauna for a standard-spec project in the UK:

 

10x6m Swimming Pool, Detached With Facilities	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£295,962	£330,940	£363,227	£1,741	£1,947	£2,137
London	£302,271	£348,805	£369,073	£1,778	£2,052	£2,171
Midlands	£285,296	£319,013	£350,136	£1,678	£1,877	£2,060
North England	£307,601	£343,954	£377,510	£1,809	£2,023	£2,221
Northern Ireland	£288,972	£310,236	£349,015	£1,673	£1,825	£2,053
Scotland	£293,561	£328,254	£360,279	£1,727	£1,931	£2,119
South East	£318,097	£355,690	£390,392	£1,871	£2,092	£2,296
South West	£286,123	£328,367	£360,403	£1,727	£1,932	£2,120
Wales	£278,584	£311,508	£333,556	£1,639	£1,832	£1,962
Average	£295,163	£330,752	£361,510	£1,738	£1,946	£2,127

All costs exclude VAT, overheads, and profit.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a 10x6m swimming pool with a wet room and sauna to a standard specification:

 

• The minimum cost is £278,584, and the maximum cost is £390,392.
• The total average cost is £329,142, or £1,937 per square metre.

 

Cost Of Building A Swimming Pool In Existing Building

Here’s a table showing the average costs of building a 10x6m swimming pool in an existing building for a standard-spec project in the UK:

 

10x6m Swimming Pool in Existing Property	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£141,745	£158,497	£173,960	£886	£991	£1,087
London	£145,536	£166,232	£177,574	£910	£1,039	£1,110
Midlands	£137,766	£154,047	£169,076	£861	£963	£1,057
North England	£139,525	£156,014	£171,235	£872	£975	£1,070
Northern Ireland	£139,012	£150,417	£169,219	£869	£940	£1,058
Scotland	£140,142	£156,704	£171,992	£876	£979	£1,075
South East	£144,411	£161,478	£177,231	£903	£1,009	£1,108
South West	£137,690	£157,300	£172,646	£861	£983	£1,079
Wales	£134,705	£150,624	£160,752	£842	£941	£1,005
Average	£140,059	£156,813	£171,521	£875	£980	£1,072

All costs exclude VAT, overheads, and profit.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a 10x6m swimming pool in an existing building to a standard spec:

 

• The minimum cost is £134,705, and the maximum cost is £177,574.
• The total average cost is £156,131, or £976 per square metre.

 

Average Cost To Build A Swimming Pool In UK

So, how much does it cost to build a swimming pool in the UK? Based on the three different specifications covered in this article, you can expect building a swimming pool to cost on average (when using a mid-benchmark contractor):

• 10x6 pool - detached build – £303,459, or £1,897 per square metre.

• 10x6m pool, detached with facilities – £330,752, or £1,946 per square metre.

• 10x6m pool in existing property – £156,813, or £980 per square metre.

Please remember that these costs exclude a contractor’s overheads and profit and VAT. There may be other additional costs, such as obtaining planning permission, conducting structural surveys, making unexpected repairs, and completing custom finishes.

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Start your free trial with BuildPartner today to get the most accurate estimate of building a swimming pool based on your own dimensions and specifications.

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FAQs About Swimming Pool Building Costs In The UK

Here are some frequently asked questions about swimming pool building costs in the UK.

What factors affect the cost of a swimming pool?

The cost of a swimming pool mainly comes down to size, depth, and the type of pool you choose. Bigger and deeper pools need more digging, materials and labour, so the price climbs quickly.

 

Concrete pools usually cost more than fibreglass or liner options, and things like tricky ground conditions, poor access to the garden, or choosing an indoor pool can all push costs up. Then there’s everything around the pool, such as decking, paving, or landscaping. 

 

The more bespoke or high-end you go, the higher the final figure will be.

 

Do I need planning permission to build a swimming pool?

Most outdoor swimming pools in the UK fall under permitted development, so planning permission is not needed as long as the pool is within your garden and doesn’t take up more than 50% of the land around the house. 

 

However, if you’re planning a large pool house or enclosure, you’ll likely need approval. Indoor pools that involve significant structural alterations can also trigger planning requirements. Planning permission is also needed if your property is listed or in a conservation area.

 

How long does it take to construct a swimming pool in the UK?

With an average of two tradespeople on site, a typical in-ground pool takes around 14 weeks to complete from start to finish.

What is the breakdown of labour and material costs for building a swimming pool?

Costs for a standard-spec swimming pool in South East England, excluding additional construction or luxury features, break down as follows:

• Building materials: 43%
• Labour: 30%
• Finishing materials: 26%

Price excludes VAT, contractor’s overheads, and profit.

With a rise in health and fitness consciousness across the UK, more homeowners are considering dedicated workout spaces within their own property. While a home gym is a luxury feature, for many homeowners it’s a highly practical one, especially for those far from local amenities or wanting the convenience of training on their own schedule.

A home gym offers privacy, flexibility, and long-term value, but costs can vary considerably depending on space, specification, region, and contractor. This article outlines the cost of building a home gym in the UK in 2026, offering benchmark costs for new builds and space conversions.

Building A Home Gym In The UK

In this article, our home gym build costs are based on a gross internal floor area of 40m². The two detached examples feature pitched roofs, and all three options include air conditioning and ducting. Please note that gym apparatus and equipment are excluded. 

 

Here are the three project types covered in this article:

 

1. Detached gym with wet room and sauna.
2. Detached gym without wet room or sauna.
3. Remodelling of an existing space (e.g., garage) into a gym.

 

In terms of build specification, BuildPartner gives you three broad options to choose from:

 

• Basic spec is a basic finish; e.g., Leyland, Everest, Wickes.
• Standard spec is a standard finish; e.g., Dulux, Hamilton, Slim Line.
• Premium spec is a high-spec finish; e.g., Farrow & Ball, Fine Line, Siemens.

 

In this article, we’ve provided a breakdown of the cost of building a home gym according to a standard specification. In addition, we have provided three different benchmarks to show the range of pricing you can expect among different contractors. These are: 

• Low benchmark – smaller companies are generally lower cost but less specialised and with low project management function; good for low/mid-spec projects and tight budgets.

• Mid benchmark – medium-sized companies offer a balanced mix of cost-effectiveness and specialisation; good for mid-range projects for effective execution within moderate budgets.

• High benchmark – larger companies generally have a higher cost base but can handle a wide variety of specialist tasks; good for mid/high-spec projects and project management.

 

The specification and benchmark you choose will have a major impact on the overall cost of building a home gym, so it’s important to align them with your budget and the finish you’re aiming for.

Cost Of Building A Detached Gym With Wet Room & Sauna

Here’s a table showing the average costs of building a detached gym (40m2) with a wet room and sauna for a standard-spec project in the UK:

 

Detached Gym With Wet Room & Sauna	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£129,067	£144,320	£158,400	£3,227	£3,608	£3,960
London	£132,709	£154,577	£162,196	£3,318	£3,827	£4,055
Midlands	£123,268	£137,836	£151,284	£3,082	£3,446	£3,782
North England	£134,613	£150,522	£165,207	£3,365	£3,763	£4,130
Northern Ireland	£124,601	£133,004	£149,630	£3,048	£3,325	£3,741
Scotland	£127,281	£142,324	£156,209	£3,182	£3,558	£3,905
South East	£139,634	£156,136	£171,369	£3,491	£3,903	£4,284
South West	£123,912	£142,414	£156,308	£3,184	£3,560	£3,908
Wales	£120,462	£134,698	£144,872	£3,012	£3,367	£3,622
Average	£128,394	£143,981	£157,275	£3,212	£3,599	£3,932

All costs exclude VAT, overheads, and profit.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a detached gym (40m2) with a wet room and sauna to a standard spec:

 

• The minimum cost is£120,462, and the maximum cost is£171,369.
• The total average cost is£143,217, or£3,581 per square metre.

 

Home Gym Build Cost By Project Stage – London

 

Here’s an example of the associated costs for the different stages of building a home gym for a standard-spec project – when using a mid-benchmark contractor in London:

 

Total	£154,578	100.0%
External wall structure and lining	£20,837	13.5%
Preliminaries	£20,282	13.1%
Foundations and substructure	£19,787	12.8%
Roof structure and coverings	£15,703	10.2%
Wall preparation and finishes	£12,811	8.3%
Heating and cooling	£11,581	7.5%
Drainage and pipework	£10,471	6.8%
Internal wall structure and lining	£6,914	4.5%
Floor preparation and finishes	£5,504	3.6%
Steel and structural supports	£5,483	3.5%
Floor structure and lining	£5,205	3.4%
Decoration	£3,594	2.3%
External windows and doors	£3,185	2.1%
Plumbed appliances	£2,613	1.7%
Wired appliances	£2,283	1.5%
Fixtures and fittings	£2,138	1.4%
Internal doors and frames	£2,064	1.3%
Wiring and fuseboards	£1,620	1.0%
Ceiling preparation and finishes	£1,120	0.7%
Ceiling structure and lining	£806	0.5%
Demolitions	£576	0.4%

 

Cost Of Building A Detached Gym (No Wet Room Or Sauna)

Here’s a table showing the average costs of building a detached gym (40m2) with no wet room or sauna for a standard-spec project in the UK:

 

Detached Build - No Wet Room Or Sauna	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£102,284	£114,372	£125,530	£2,557	£2,859	£3,138
London	£105,492	£121,894	£128,953	£2,637	£3,047	£3,224
Midlands	£97,732	£109,282	£119,944	£2,443	£2,732	£2,999
North England	£108,750	£121,602	£133,465	£2,719	£3,040	£3,337
Northern Ireland	£98,728	£105,026	£118,155	£2,407	£2,626	£2,954
Scotland	£101,183	£113,141	£124,179	£2,530	£2,829	£3,104
South East	£112,461	£125,752	£138,021	£2,812	£3,144	£3,451
South West	£98,331	£113,128	£124,164	£2,529	£2,828	£3,104
Wales	£95,492	£106,777	£114,931	£2,387	£2,669	£2,873
Average	£102,272	£114,553	£125,260	£2,558	£2,864	£3,132

All costs exclude VAT, overheads, and profit.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a detached gym (40m2) without a wet room or sauna to a standard spec:

 

• The minimum cost is£95,492, and the maximum cost is£138,021.
• The total average cost is £114,028, or£2,851 per square metre.

 

Cost Of Remodelling Existing Space Into Gym

Here’s a table showing the average costs of remodelling an existing space into a home gym (40m2) for a standard-spec project in the UK:

 

Remodel Existing Space Into Gym	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£13,129	£14,680	£16,112	£328	£367	£403
London	£13,616	£15,575	£16,652	£340	£389	£416
Midlands	£12,369	£13,831	£15,180	£309	£346	£379
North England	£12,500	£13,978	£15,341	£313	£349	£384
Northern Ireland	£12,437	£13,430	£15,109	£311	£336	£378
Scotland	£12,564	£14,048	£15,419	£314	£351	£385
South East	£13,388	£14,970	£16,431	£335	£374	£411
South West	£12,345	£14,101	£15,476	£309	£353	£387
Wales	£12,080	£13,507	£14,569	£302	£338	£364
Average	£12,714	£14,236	£15,588	£318	£356	£390

 

All costs exclude VAT, overheads, and profit.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of remodelling an existing space into a gym (40m2) to a standard spec:

 

• The minimum cost is£12,080, and the maximum cost is£16,652.
• The total average cost is£14,179, or£354 per square metre.

 

Average Cost To Build A Home Gym In 2026

So, how much does it cost to build a home gym in the UK? Based on the three different projects covered in this article, you can expect building a home gym to cost on average (when using a mid-benchmark contractor):

• Detached gym with wet room and sauna (40m2) –£143,981, or£3,600 per square metre.

• Detached gym without wet room or sauna (40m2) –£114,553, or£2,864 per square metre.

• Remodel existing space into a gym (40m2) –£14,236, or£356 per square metre.

 

Please remember that these costs exclude a contractor’s overheads and profit and VAT. There may be other additional costs, such as obtaining planning permission, conducting structural surveys, making unexpected repairs, and completing custom finishes.

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Start your free trial with BuildPartner today to get the most accurate estimate for building a home gym based on your own dimensions and specifications.

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FAQs About Home Gym Building Costs In The UK

Here are some frequently asked questions about home gym building costs in the UK.

How much space is needed for a home gym?

The required floor area depends on the equipment needed. A 10–20m² studio accommodates a basic gym with a rack, bench, and cardio machine; 20–30m² allows a multi-zone layout including strength, cardio, and stretching zones; and 30m²+ is suitable for a fully equipped home gym, comfortably fitting racks, machines, treadmills, rowing machines, exercise bikes, and space for light circuit training.

What ceiling height is required for a home gym?

Ceiling height is a key design consideration in any home gym, particularly where free weights and mounted equipment are involved. For barbell overhead work and pull-ups:

• Minimum: 2.4m
• Comfortable: 2.7m+
• Commercial feel: 3m+

Always account for floor build-up; for example, rubber matting can add up to 40mm.

Does the floor need reinforcing for a home gym?

Yes, the floor may need reinforcing to handle point loads from power racks, impact from dropped weights, and vibrations from treadmills. Concrete slabs or screeding are ideal, while suspended timber floors often require strengthening.

What’s the best way to mitigate noise and vibration in a home gym?

Mitigation of noise and vibration is critical in residential settings, which can include acoustic insulation in walls and ceilings, triple glazing, and strategies like air conditioning to reduce the need to open windows when playing loud music.