Home extensions and renovation contractor

Homeowners extending or improving a long-term home, and buyers renovating a newly bought property.

Fixed-price contracts or cost-plus agreements with stage payments, with your margin coming from managing labour, materials and the programme well.

• Reading drawings and specifications
• Project management and scheduling
• Pricing large jobs accurately
• Handling clients through disruption and delays

• Public liability, employer's liability (once you hire) and contract works insurance
• Planning permission and building regulations: check requirements with the local council and make sure approvals are in place before starting
• Party wall agreements with neighbours may be needed, so check the rules for your area
• Health and safety duties on site, including safe working at height and CDM responsibilities
• Cash flow and cost overruns on big jobs; take care with stage payments and fixed prices
• Consider membership of a trade body or a deposit protection scheme to build trust

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on your tools, vehicle, insurance and how much you fund before stage payments arrive. Cash flow and cost overruns on big jobs are a risk, so take care with fixed prices.

Monthly revenue is typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on the size and number of projects running at once. This is revenue, not profit, so allow for trades, materials and insurance.

Check planning permission and building regulations with your local council, and that approvals are in place before starting. Also check whether party wall agreements are needed, your site health and safety duties including CDM, and your insurance.