Renovate your utility room.

A utility room renovation in the UK typically costs £3,500–£12,000 for a full refit, depending on size, finish level and whether plumbing, electrical or boiler relocation is involved. Most utilities are 4–8 m² and house a washing machine, dryer, sink, boiler and storage — getting the layout and ventilation right matters more than the cabinet choice.

The work usually takes 1–3 weeks. The variable that swings cost most is whether the boiler is being replaced or relocated as part of the project — a swap can add £2,000–£4,500 by itself.

Typical UK costs

Layout — the room's job is the layout

A utility's whole point is to take the noisy, mucky parts of housekeeping out of the kitchen. Good utilities cluster wet appliances together, give you somewhere to dump muddy boots and wet coats, and keep dryer venting short. A few layout fundamentals:

• Wet zone in one place — washing machine, dryer, sink, boiler all on one wall to keep plumbing simple.
• Worktop over the appliances — gives a folding/sorting surface and hides the appliances visually.
• Floor-to-ceiling cupboard near the door — coats, boots, hoover, ironing board.
• Dryer venting — condenser dryers don't need venting but produce humidity, so you need a fan; vented dryers need a short, straight duct to outside.
• Sink position — single-bowl 1.5 sized, deep enough to soak a baking tray. Mixer tap with a pull-out spray is endlessly useful.

Ventilation and humidity

Utilities pump out a lot of moisture from drying clothes, mopping, and the boiler. Without good ventilation, mould appears within 12 months. Building Regs Part F requires:

• An extractor fan with continuous low-rate operation (boost when humidity is high), or
• An MVHR system if the rest of the house has one.

A 100 mm extractor with a humidistat is the standard fit — £180–£380 supplied and installed.

Boiler considerations

If the boiler is staying, factor in the manufacturer's clearance requirements (typically 5 cm sides, 30 cm front, depending on model) when specifying cupboard depths. Don't box in a boiler with no service access — a Gas Safe engineer will refuse to service it.

If the boiler is being replaced or relocated, this is the moment — boiler swaps are far cheaper as part of a wider refurb than as a standalone job, because pipe runs, flue routing and electrical work can share the disruption.

Things people often miss

• Anti-vibration mat under washer/dryer — utilities are often above living rooms; cheap rubber mats £15 each transform the noise level on spin.
• Stand-pipe and waste height — washing machine waste needs the right height standpipe to prevent siphoning. Easy to get wrong on DIY; a plumber will spec correctly.
• Boiler service access — always check the manufacturer's service-access spec. Boxing in a boiler with insufficient clearance fails Gas Safe checks.
• Water-softener spec — hard-water areas (most of southern England) benefit hugely from softener-served washing machines and dishwashers. Plumbing in a softener costs £400–£700 and is best done during a refurb, not retrospectively.
• Catch the leaks — washing machines and dishwashers leak occasionally. A waterproof tray under each, and a sealed-floor finish (vinyl, LVT, or tile with proper grouting) limits damage.

Frequently asked questions

Want a local pro to handle this? A general builder coordinates the trades for a utility refurb — plumber, electrician, tiler, sometimes a joiner for cabinetry. For boiler work, the gas-safe engineer should be involved from the design stage so flue routes and clearances are baked in.