Home Renovation Costs in 2026: What to Budget
Why Renovation Costs Vary So Much
Two identical-looking kitchens can cost EUR 3,000 or EUR 30,000 depending on material choices, labour rates in your area, and the condition of the existing space. The key to staying on budget is understanding where the money goes before you start.
This guide breaks down 2026 costs for the most common home renovation projects, using average European prices. Use our free calculators for instant estimates tailored to your exact measurements.
Painting
Interior painting is the most cost-effective renovation with the highest visual impact. DIY costs run EUR 2–5 per square metre for materials alone. Hiring a professional painter typically costs EUR 8–15 per square metre including labour.
| Room Size | DIY Materials | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom (10 sqm) | EUR 50–80 | EUR 150–250 |
| Living room (20 sqm) | EUR 80–150 | EUR 300–500 |
| Full house (100 sqm walls) | EUR 300–600 | EUR 1,200–2,000 |
Get exact figures with our paint calculator or check the paint cost calculator for detailed breakdowns.
Tiling
Tiling costs depend heavily on tile size, pattern complexity, and whether you are tiling walls, floors, or both. Budget tiles start at EUR 15 per square metre, while premium porcelain or natural stone runs EUR 40–80 per square metre.
| Project | Materials (per sqm) | With Labour (per sqm) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic bathroom floor tiles | EUR 20–35 | EUR 55–85 |
| Kitchen backsplash | EUR 25–50 | EUR 65–110 |
| Full bathroom (walls + floor) | EUR 25–45 | EUR 70–120 |
Tile waste adds 10–15% to your material costs. Our tile calculator factors in waste, grout, and adhesive automatically.
Flooring
Laminate and vinyl plank flooring offer excellent value. Material costs range from EUR 10 per square metre for basic laminate to EUR 40+ for luxury vinyl plank (LVP). Underlay adds EUR 2–5 per square metre.
| Flooring Type | Material (per sqm) | Installed (per sqm) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic laminate | EUR 10–18 | EUR 25–40 |
| Mid-range laminate | EUR 18–30 | EUR 35–55 |
| Luxury vinyl plank | EUR 25–45 | EUR 45–70 |
| Engineered hardwood | EUR 35–70 | EUR 60–100 |
Calculate your exact material needs with the flooring calculator or get a cost estimate via the flooring cost calculator.
Insulation
Insulation pays for itself through energy savings within 2–5 years. Loft insulation is the cheapest and most impactful upgrade.
| Project | Material Cost | With Installation |
|---|---|---|
| Loft insulation (50 sqm) | EUR 200–400 | EUR 400–700 |
| Cavity wall insulation | EUR 500–1,000 | EUR 1,200–2,500 |
| Solid wall (internal) | EUR 40–60/sqm | EUR 80–120/sqm |
Use the insulation calculator to work out rolls, vapour barrier, and tape quantities.
Fencing
A standard 15-metre garden fence with 1.8 m panels costs EUR 400–800 for materials (posts, panels, postcrete) or EUR 800–1,500 installed.
| Fence Type | Materials (per metre) | Installed (per metre) |
|---|---|---|
| Lap panel (1.8 m) | EUR 25–40 | EUR 50–80 |
| Close-board | EUR 35–55 | EUR 70–110 |
| Decorative trellis-top | EUR 40–65 | EUR 80–120 |
Our fence calculator tells you exactly how many posts, panels, and bags of postcrete you need.
Decking
A 15 sqm timber deck costs EUR 600–1,200 in materials. Composite decking costs more upfront (EUR 1,000–2,000) but requires virtually no maintenance.
| Decking Type | Material (per sqm) | Installed (per sqm) |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated softwood | EUR 35–60 | EUR 70–120 |
| Hardwood (oak, iroko) | EUR 60–100 | EUR 110–180 |
| Composite | EUR 55–90 | EUR 100–170 |
Try the decking calculator for boards, joists, screws, and membrane quantities.
Concrete
Small concrete projects like a garden path or shed base are very achievable as DIY.
| Project | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Shed base (2 x 2 m) | EUR 80–150 |
| Garden path (10 m) | EUR 200–400 |
| Patio slab (15 sqm) | EUR 500–1,000 |
| Driveway (30 sqm) | EUR 1,500–3,500 |
The concrete calculator converts your dimensions into exact bag counts and volume.
How to Save Money on Your Renovation
- Do the prep yourself. Even if you hire professionals for the finish work, doing demolition, clearing, sanding, and priming yourself can cut labour costs by 20–30%.
- Buy materials in bulk. Most builders' merchants offer 10–15% discounts on large orders.
- Time it right. Material prices and contractor availability tend to be better in autumn and winter.
- Use our calculators. Over-ordering by even 15% on a large tiling job can waste hundreds of euros. Getting the quantities right the first time saves money and trips to the shop.
- Get three quotes. Always compare at least three contractor quotes. The cheapest is not always the best — look for clear itemised breakdowns.
Plan Your Budget
Use our free calculators to build an accurate budget for your renovation project:
- Paint Calculator — walls, ceilings, and trim
- Tile Calculator — floors and walls
- Flooring Calculator — laminate, vinyl, and hardwood
- Concrete Calculator — slabs, paths, and foundations
- Insulation Calculator — loft and wall insulation
- Fence Calculator — posts, panels, and postcrete
- Decking Calculator — boards, joists, and fixings
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