House renovations in Lichfield

House renovations in Lichfield: approvals and local details

There's no planning application for internal work in Lichfield, but Building Regulations still apply to structural changes, electrics, drainage and fire safety. We tell you at the survey which parts need approval or certification.

A house that's been empty for two years or more may qualify for 5% VAT on renovation work where VAT is charged.
Listed buildings need consent from Lichfield District Council for internal as well as external alterations.
Hacking off and re-plastering more than half of an external wall can trigger a requirement to insulate it.

Postcode district: WS13
Planning and building control: Lichfield District Council
From our West Bromwich base: 13 miles

Options to consider in Lichfield

Empty or inherited property

A house standing empty can be renovated faster because every room is free to work in at once. If it has been empty for two years or more, a reduced VAT rate may apply where VAT is charged. Empty houses often need extra checks for frost damage to pipes, damp and security before work starts.

Renovation with layout changes

Adds structural work such as knocking the kitchen and dining room together, moving a bathroom, or forming an en-suite. These changes need structural calculations and Building Regulations approval and are designed before anything else is ordered, because they decide where pipes, cables and lights go in every room affected.

How much should you budget in Lichfield?

For a home in Lichfield, our guide range is £18,000–£130,000 depending on size and specification. Full refurbishment of a three-bed semi: rewire, re-plaster, heating, kitchen and bathroom: usually £50,000–£68,000.

Guide prices for house renovations
Option	Guide price	Good to know
Refresh: rewire, re-plaster and decorate prep	£18,000 – £32,000	Kitchen and bathroom kept
Full refurbishment	£45,000 – £75,000	The usual scope on a three-bed semi
Renovation with layout and structural changes	£75,000 – £130,000	Steels, moved rooms, more trades and a longer programme

Guide ranges include VAT where it applies. A free survey turns this guide into a fixed, itemised price.

Before you book in Lichfield

Is VAT charged at 20% on renovation work?

Renovating an occupied home is normally standard-rated. Where VAT is charged, a house that has been empty for at least two years before work starts can qualify for the reduced 5% rate on qualifying work, with evidence such as a letter from the council confirming how long it's been empty. Your quote sets out exactly how VAT applies to your job.

How do I book a survey in Lichfield?

Send the form on this page, use the guide-price tool or call 0800 088 6248 free. We'll ask a few questions about your renovation and arrange a time to visit.

How long does a whole-house renovation take?

A full refurbishment of a typical three-bed house usually takes 8–16 weeks on site. A refresh with a rewire and re-plaster can take 4–6 weeks, while projects with structural changes take longer. Ordering the kitchen, bathroom and any steel early stops the programme stalling, and plaster needs time to dry before decorating, which is built into the timetable.

Does Lichfield District Council need to approve my renovation?

Not for planning — internal work isn't development unless the house is listed. Building Regulations approval is needed for structural work such as removing a load-bearing wall, through Lichfield District Council or a registered building control approver.

House renovations near Lichfield

More services in Lichfield

Not sure where to start? Show us the house and we'll suggest the order of works, free and with no obligation.