Avoid expensive mistakes on your next project
Free guides, realistic UK 2026 cost ranges, calculators and checklists to help you hire the right tradesperson, budget properly and keep your project on track.
Hire Vetted Trades People
Browse identity-checked, certified tradespeople available for direct hire in your area.
Permissions & Regulations (England)
Notifiable electrical work, how far you can extend without planning permission, conservation areas, listed buildings, party wall notices and building control — in plain English.
Smart Technology & Gadgets
Smart heating, lighting, doorbells, leak sensors and EV chargers — what they do, what you can fit yourself, and when you need a qualified professional.
Ask the AI for a price
Type or speak your question — get realistic average costs for hiring tradespeople in your area.
Free Tools
Quick calculators to plan your budget and materials.
Renovation Cost Calculator
UK 2026 ballpark estimates
Estimated total
£8,000 – £15,000
Indicative only — get 3 written quotes for an accurate price.
Paint Calculator
Walls only — estimate litres and 5L tins
Enter your room dimensions to estimate.
Before You Hire
How to choose, vet and compare tradespeople before you commit.
How to Choose a Builder You Can Trust
A practical framework for shortlisting, checking and picking a builder for your project.
6 min read · Updated 2026
25 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Tradesperson
Print this list and ask these questions before you agree to any work.
7 min read · Updated 2026
How to Compare Quotes Properly
Stop looking at the bottom line and start comparing what is actually included.
5 min read · Updated 2026
Fixed Price vs Day Rate — Which Is Better?
The pricing model you agree changes your risk and your final bill. Here is how to choose.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Warning Signs of Rogue Traders
Know the red flags that should make you walk away, however good the price looks.
5 min read · Updated 2026
What Insurance Should a Builder Have?
The policies that protect you if something goes wrong, and how to check they are real.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Should You Pay a Deposit to a Tradesperson?
When a deposit is reasonable, how much is too much, and how to protect the money.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Cost Guides
Realistic UK 2026 price ranges for common projects.
Kitchen Renovation Costs UK 2026
What a new kitchen really costs, from budget flat-pack to a full bespoke fit-out.
6 min read · Updated 2026
Bathroom Renovation Costs UK 2026
From a simple suite swap to a full wet-room conversion, with realistic price ranges.
5 min read · Updated 2026
Loft Conversion Costs UK 2026
Velux, dormer and mansard conversions compared, with realistic total costs.
6 min read · Updated 2026
House Extension Costs UK 2026
Single-storey, double-storey and wrap-around extensions with realistic per-square-metre costs.
6 min read · Updated 2026
New Roof Costs UK 2026
Re-roofing a typical house, replacing a flat roof, and what drives the price.
5 min read · Updated 2026
Rewiring Costs UK 2026
What a full house rewire costs, and how to keep disruption and price down.
5 min read · Updated 2026
Boiler Installation Costs UK 2026
Combi, system and regular boilers compared, with realistic fitted prices.
5 min read · Updated 2026
Plastering Prices UK 2026
Skimming a room, dry-lining and rendering, with per-room and per-m² rates.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Painting and Decorating Costs UK 2026
Per-room and per-day rates for decorators, and what moves the price.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Planning & Regulations
Plain-English guides to planning permission and building regs.
Do I Need Planning Permission?
A plain-English guide to what usually needs permission and what does not.
6 min read · Updated 2026
Building Regulations Explained
What Building Regulations cover, when you need approval, and how to get it.
5 min read · Updated 2026
The Party Wall Act Explained
What the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 covers and when you need to serve notice.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Permitted Development Rights Explained
What you can build without planning permission, and the limits to watch.
5 min read · Updated 2026
Trade Guides
What each trade does, typical prices and questions to ask.
Electricians: What They Do and What to Check
When you need a qualified electrician and how to make sure they are Part P registered.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Plumbers: What They Do and When to Call One
From leaks to full bathroom fits, here is what a plumber covers and what to check.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Builders: What They Do and How to Hire
General builders cover everything from extensions to renovation — here is how to choose.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Roofers: What They Do and What to Check
New roofs, repairs and flat roofs — plus the extras that catch quotes out.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Carpenters: What They Do and When You Need One
First and second fix, joinery and bespoke work — with realistic prices.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Plasterers: What They Do and How to Book
Skimming, rendering and dry-lining, with per-room and per-m² rates.
3 min read · Updated 2026
Bricklayers: What They Do and What to Check
Walls, foundations and pointing — with realistic UK prices and common pitfalls.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Groundworkers: What They Do and When You Need One
Foundations, drainage and site prep — the first trade on any extension.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Painters & Decorators: What They Do and Realistic Prices
Prep, priming and topcoats — with per-room and per-m² rates.
3 min read · Updated 2026
Tilers: What They Do and What to Check
Floor and wall tiling — with per-m² rates and the prep that matters.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Kitchen Fitters: What They Do and How to Budget
Installing units, worktops and appliances — with realistic UK prices.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Bathroom Installers: What They Do and What to Check
Rip-out, first fix, tanking and fit — with realistic UK prices.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Window Installers: What They Do and What to Check
Replacement windows and doors — with FENSA compliance and realistic prices.
3 min read · Updated 2026
Landscapers: What They Do and Realistic Prices
Patios, decking, fencing, lawns and planting — with per-m² rates.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Driveway Installers: What They Do and What to Check
Tarmac, block paving and resin — with per-m² rates and drainage rules.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Safety
Asbestos, gas, electrical, damp — what every homeowner should know.
Asbestos in Your Home: What to Do
Where asbestos is found, when it is dangerous, and how to deal with it safely.
5 min read · Updated 2026
Electrical Safety in the Home
How to keep your home electrics safe and when to call a professional.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Gas Safety in the Home
Carbon monoxide, annual checks, and the legal duties of landlords.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Damp and Mould: Causes and Fixes
Tell the difference between condensation, rising and penetrating damp and fix each.
5 min read · Updated 2026
How to Fix Damp: A Homeowner's Guide
What damp is, the three main types, how to diagnose yours, and the step-by-step fixes for each.
7 min read · Updated 2026
Trade Guides
What each trade does, typical prices and questions to ask — then find vetted local tradespeople.
Downloadable Checklists
Click to view and print.
Ready to hire?
Post your job and let vetted local tradespeople come to you with quotes.