Guides
DIY cost guides
Practical UK guides on what home improvement jobs really cost, how to estimate materials, and where to save. Each one links to the calculator that does the maths.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Room? (2026 UK Guide)
A full breakdown of what it costs to paint a room in the UK in 2026, from paint and materials to hiring a decorator.
How Many Coats of Paint Do You Really Need?
When one coat is enough, when you need two or three, and how coat count changes how much paint you buy.
Laminate vs Vinyl Flooring: Which Is Cheaper?
A cost comparison of laminate and luxury vinyl flooring in the UK, including materials, underlay and fitting.
How Much Does Decking Cost in 2026?
Timber vs composite decking costs per square metre, plus joists, fixings and labour for a typical UK garden deck.
Wallpaper Pattern Repeat Explained (and Why It Wastes Rolls)
What pattern repeat means, how straight and half-drop matches affect waste, and how to avoid buying too little.
How Much Paint Do I Need Per Square Metre?
Typical coverage rates for emulsion, gloss and masonry paint, and how to turn wall area into litres.
The Real Cost to Tile a Bathroom
Tiles, adhesive, grout and labour costs for tiling a UK bathroom, with ways to keep the budget down.
Artificial Grass vs Real Turf: 10-Year Cost
Upfront and long-term costs of artificial grass compared with laying and maintaining a natural lawn.
How Much Does Plastering Cost Per Room?
Skimming, boarding and full re-plaster costs in the UK, plus how to estimate materials yourself.
Concrete Mix Ratios Explained for DIY
The common concrete mix ratios for paths, footings and posts, and how many bags each project needs.
How to Measure a Room for Flooring
A step-by-step method for measuring any room, including L-shapes, and how much waste to add.
Masonry Paint Coverage: What to Expect
Why textured render drinks more paint than smooth walls, and how to estimate exterior paint accurately.
How Much Does It Cost to Lay a Patio?
Slabs, sub-base, sand and labour costs for a patio, with a worked example for a typical garden.
The Best Order to Decorate a Room
Ceiling, walls, woodwork or floor first? The sequence that saves time and avoids ruining finished surfaces.
How Much Turf Do I Need for My Lawn?
Turning your lawn area into rolls of turf, how much extra to order, and the best time of year to lay it.
Loft Insulation: What Thickness Do You Need?
Recommended loft insulation depths in the UK, how much you'll need, and the savings on your heating bill.
How Much Does a New Kitchen Floor Cost?
Comparing tile, vinyl and laminate for a kitchen, including waterproofing and fitting considerations.
7 Painting Mistakes That Waste Money
Common DIY painting errors that cost you extra paint and time, and how to avoid each one.
How to Paint Skirting Boards (and How Much You Need)
Prep, primer and topcoat for skirting, plus how to work out how much gloss or satinwood to buy.
DIY vs Hiring a Tradesperson: When It's Worth It
How to weigh the cost of doing it yourself against hiring a pro, job by job around the home.