Home Budget Guide

One of the hardest questions at the start of a renovation, extension or new-build home is knowing what budget is realistic.

Accurate costing needs drawings, specification, consultant input and a proper understanding of the site. But before you get to that point, a broad early-stage sense check can be very useful.

This guide is designed to help you understand the likely scale of budget involved, so you can start to align your brief, ambitions and expectations before committing to the next stage.

1

Project type

Start with the option that best describes the overall project.

Your selection tailors the area inputs and budget assumptions to the likely scope of work.
Approximate new ground-floor area in m².
For two-storey extensions, enter the additional upper-floor area separately. This uses a moderated rate to reflect shared foundations, roof, preliminaries and structure.
For loft or roof conversion work forming part of a wider extension and refurbishment project. Not intended for standalone loft-only enquiries.
Approximate existing floor area affected in m².
For garage conversion work forming part of a wider refurbishment or extension project.
Choose the level that best reflects how deeply the existing house is being altered.
Approximate garden, terrace, driveway or external works area in m².
External works can be a significant part of the overall budget.
2

Finish, design input and approvals

Select the level of finish and the level of architectural service to include in the budget guide.

Affects construction, fixtures, detailing and likely procurement.
A broad allowance for architectural input, consultants, statutory approvals and project support.
3

Building fabric and services

Select any significant fabric or services upgrades likely to form part of the project.

Approximate roof area affected in m².
Approximate external wall or cladding area affected in m².
4

Client-selected extras

Select the items likely to form part of the wider project budget.

Adds an allowance for kitchen units, worktops, appliances and client-selected upgrades beyond the general build rate.
Adds an allowance for sanitaryware, fittings, tiling and client-selected upgrades beyond the general build rate.
These are often outside the building contract but still part of the client’s real-world spend.
5

Show my budget guide

The result is a broad early-stage range intended to help test whether the brief and budget are broadly aligned.

Please select a project type and enter an extension, new-build or refurbishment area so the guide has a building project to calculate.

Your early-stage project budget guide

Indicative total project budget inc. VAT
£—
Discuss my projectIf this range feels broadly aligned — or if you would like help making sense of it — the next step is an initial conversation.

What the figures mean.

This guide gives you a broad early-stage budget range to help you sense-check the scale of your project. It is not a quotation, cost plan or professional fee proposal.

Every project needs to be reviewed individually. The right budget will depend on the property, planning context, brief, specification, consultant input, site conditions and the level of architectural support you would like through the process.

If the range feels broadly realistic, we would be happy to talk it through with you. A short initial conversation can help identify whether your brief and budget are aligned, where the main risks may be, and what the next sensible step should be.

Home projects involve a lot of decisions. Our role is to help make the process clearer, better coordinated and less overwhelming.

  • “They listened carefully to what we wanted and showed great flexibility and patience in the face of our lack of experience and indecision! Frances was a pleasure to work with and comes very highly recommended.”

  • “From the very start of the process both Simon and Frances worked extremely hard to create a vision of a beautiful family home situated in a lovely surrounding garden.They offered advice and support too which was all gratefully received as this is a huge undertaking both financially and emotionally too. Fantastic service.”

  • “Very happy with the work of Sharpe Architecture. Frances saw our project through from concept to completion, built a good working relationship with the builder but also pushed back when construction was not as planned or expected. Overall 10/10.”

Let’s talk about your project.

Sharpe Architecture – RIBA Chartered Architects in Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Email: hello@sharpearchitecture.co.uk
Phone: 01892 527 329

Whether you’re planning an extension, a new build or a renovation, we’d love to hear about your project. Use the contact form below to give us a quick overview of what you’re planning. Once we receive your message, we’ll get back to you promptly to arrange a no-obligation discussion to explore how we might work together.

Thanks for considering Sharpe Architecture. We look forward to talking with you soon.