House renovations in Sussex

Some houses need more than a coat of paint. A proper renovation can sort out tired wiring, failing plaster, old heating and awkward layouts, while keeping the character that made you want the house in the first place. Whether you have bought a property that needs a full refurbishment or want to bring your current home up to date, we can pass your details to up to 3 checked local builders who can each quote for the work. Many renovations also include an extension or a loft conversion to add space at the same time, and comparing quotes side by side helps you see what each builder is offering.

House renovations across Sussex

House renovations in Sussex range from updating a single room to a complete refurbishment of a property bought specifically to do up. Much of the county's housing is older stock, including Victorian and Edwardian terraces and inter-war semis, and these houses often benefit from sympathetic work that keeps original features while improving warmth, comfort and safety. If your home is listed or in a conservation area, check with your local council before planning any work that changes its appearance.

Costs depend almost entirely on the scope of the job, and no national guide publishes Sussex figures. Checkatrade puts a typical full renovation of a three bed house at £43,530 to £110,350, with an average of £76,690, and within that gives £7,000 to £25,000 for a new kitchen and £4,000 to £8,500 for rewiring. MyBuilder says a full renovation typically starts at around £43,500 and gives £650 to £2,800 per m², with £2,500 to £12,000 for a bathroom. The Federation of Master Builders says the average homeowner spend over the past five years was around £52,000, and MyJobQuote puts the average cost of rewiring a three bed house at £6,500. Quotes vary a great deal, so use these as a rough guide and read our house renovation cost guide for more detail.

VAT is worth understanding before you set a budget. GOV.UK says work to an existing building is normally standard rated, but a reduced rate of 5% can apply to the renovation or alteration of a home that has not been lived in during the 2 years before work starts, subject to the conditions in VAT Notice 708. Ask each builder how their quote treats VAT so you can compare like with like.

Older houses often bring their own challenges, such as lime plaster that needs compatible repair materials, timber that needs careful structural assessment and original features worth keeping. When you ask for quotes, it is worth asking each builder about their experience with houses of a similar age, and asking them to itemise their quote so you can see where the money goes.

Sources for the prices on this page

• Checkatrade: House renovation cost breakdown 2026, checked October 2026
• MyBuilder: How much does a house renovation cost?, checked October 2026
• Federation of Master Builders: How much does a house renovation cost?, checked October 2026
• MyJobQuote: How much to rewire a house in the UK?, checked October 2026
• GOV.UK: Buildings and construction (VAT Notice 708), checked October 2026