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Thinking about a house refurbishment? We've got you covered.

From refreshing tired spaces to reconfiguring layouts, Checkatrade connects you with the right tradespeople to bring your refurbishment plans to life.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about finding and hiring a refurbishment company in Kirkwall.

Prefer us to do the searching for you? Try our quick request a quote feature and we’ll put you in touch with checked and reviewed refurbishment specialists covering your area.

How much does a full refurbishment cost?

On average, you can expect the following costs for home refurbishments:

• Laminate flooring – £30 per m2
• New carpeting – £30 per m2
• Artex removal – £15 per m2
• General refurbishments – £850 per m2
• Painting – £8.50 per m2

That said, every project is unique, so it’s best to get multiple quotes before committing.

You can find more prices and information in our house refurbishment cost guide.

What is the difference between renovation and refurbishment?

Refurbishment usually means improving or updating existing features – like redecorating, replacing flooring, or modernising a bathroom.

Renovation often goes further, involving bigger changes such as altering layouts, knocking through walls, or restoring a property to its former condition.

How long does a full house refurbishment take?

Here are some average timescales to help plan for your refurbishment project:

• 2–6 weeks for light refurbishments – Like redecorating rooms, replacing flooring, or updating a bathroom without changing the layout
• 2–4 months for medium refurbishments – Like new kitchen or bathroom installations, re-plastering, rewiring
• 6–12 months for full refurbishments – Like whole-house projects involving layout changes, knocking through walls, adding extensions

Tip: Planning, ordering materials, and waiting for approvals can add extra time, so always build in some flexibility.

Speak directly to a refurbishment company to get a better steer on timescales and how much contingency time to add.

What happens during refurbishment?

A refurbishment can include a wide range of jobs, such as:

• Removing old fixtures and fittings
• Rewiring and updating plumbing
• Plastering and redecorating
• Installing new kitchens and bathrooms
• Laying new flooring and finishes

Depending on your project, it may also involve structural changes or layout alterations.

Do I need building regs for a refurbishment?

Not all refurbishment work needs building regulations approval. However, you may need building regs approval for:

• Structural changes (knocking down or altering walls)
• Fire safety measures
• Insulation or energy efficiency upgrades

Tip: Always check with your local authority before starting work.

Can I carry home refurbishments myself?

Cosmetic updates like painting, sanding floors, or fitting shelves are doable yourself if you’re confident with DIY and have the time.

However, larger refurbishment tasks – like rewiring, plumbing, or structural changes – should always be handled by a qualified tradesperson to make your home is safe and compliant.

Why use Checkatrade?

• Fully checked tradespeople covering your local area
• Insurance always listed
• Easy to compare multiple profiles
• Handy reviews from local customers
• Covered by the Checkatrade Guarantee (T&Cs apply)