Home improvement costs, area by area

Labour rates, parking and permit costs, and restricted access on terraced and flat conversions push London well above the national average.

Strong demand and overspill from London keep day rates high, though materials and waste costs are close to the national average.

Commuter-belt demand lifts prices near the London fringe, while rural areas sit much closer to the UK average.

Travel time across a dispersed region and a high share of period property add cost, offset by lower overheads than the South East.

A deep pool of trades and central location for merchant deliveries keeps pricing slightly below the UK average.

Competitive local trade market and lower business overheads make this one of England's better-value regions.

Lower day rates and plentiful trade availability outside the city centres, with stone-built stock adding cost on some jobs.

Large trade base across the Manchester and Liverpool city regions keeps quotes competitive.

Consistently the lowest labour rates in England, with a high proportion of pre-1945 terraced stock.

Low day rates, though rural travel surcharges and solid-wall properties can offset the saving on larger jobs.

Separate building standards and tenement access affect some work types; labour rates sit below the UK average.

The lowest labour and materials costs in the UK, with its own building control and planning system.