2026 UK Home Improvement Price Trends: What’s Up, What’s Down
After two volatile years, UK home improvement pricing has stabilised in 2026 — but not uniformly. Material costs for timber, plasterboard and tile have eased; labour rates, especially in the South East, continue to climb.
What’s down vs 2024-25
- Softwood timber: down 8-12 %
- Plasterboard: down 5 %
- UPVC products: down 3-5 %
- Solar panels: down 10-15 %
What’s up
- Skilled labour (electricians, plumbers): up 6-9 %
- Quartz worktops: up 4-7 %
- Bi-fold doors: up 5-8 %
- Bricklayer day rates: up 10 % in London
What it means for your project
If you’re planning a renovation in 2026, the labour share of your budget is bigger than ever. Lock in fixed-price contracts and ask your builder to quote materials with current supplier price lists.