The cost of home improvements has risen by 20 per dent over the past two years according to the RICS Property Makeover Price Guide 2008.  The Guide aims to give homeowners an insight in to what they should expect to pay for particular home improvement projects.

With around half of the UK based Polish tradesmen on their way home, competition for labour is pushing up costs.  Higher fuel prices are adding to the cost of transport and global demand for raw materials is also pushing up prices.

As a result, costs have risen for almost all kinds of home improvement.  In the last two years, roofing costs have risen by 26 per cent, plumbing and electric work by 22 per cent and painting has risen by 17 per cent.  Costs, however, vary across the country.  A typical single storey extension would cost £23,940 in Greater London, but £19,320 in the North West of England.

The Property Makeover Price Guide is packed with useful costs and advice about how to budget for repair, improvement; alterations and extension work; clearly setting out what they should expect to pay for over 1,300 different types of work to their home. It covers everything from inspecting blocked drains to fixing window panes, from replacing chimney pots to doing a loft conversion.