About CalcReckon

CalcReckon is an independent UK website of free calculators. We help you work out the numbers that matter before you commit: what a home improvement job should cost, how much material to buy, and the everyday sums behind money and life decisions, with UK rules and 2026 prices built in.

  • Calculators30
  • Made forUK rules and prices
  • Prices checkedNovember 2026

Why we built CalcReckon

Too many online calculators give one bare number with no explanation, use US rules, or are buried under adverts. We wanted quick, honest UK calculators that show the working: what goes into the answer, which assumptions it uses and where the figures come from. For costs, we show a realistic range for your part of the country so you can plan a budget and compare quotes with confidence.

How we work out prices and results

  • Several sources for every job. We compare published 2026 UK cost guides, trade price surveys and supplier prices, and use the realistic middle of the range rather than the cheapest headline figure.
  • Low and high figures. Every cost calculator shows a range, because real quotes vary with access, ground conditions, specification and the tradesperson.
  • Regional adjustments. Labour costs more in London and the South East than in the North, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so each calculator lets you choose your region (from about +25% in London to −12% in Northern Ireland).
  • Itemised breakdowns. Wherever we can, we split the total into parts (materials, labour, removal, extras) so you can see what drives the price.
  • Standard formulas, checked by hand. We use recognised formulas and official guidance, and test every calculator against worked examples before it goes live.
  • Sources on every page. Each calculator lists the guides it is based on at the bottom of the page, and shows when prices were last checked.

How our building calculators work

Our materials calculators (decking, tiles, topsoil, pond volume, roof pitch, stairs and steel beams) use standard formulas and typical UK product sizes in metric units. Where UK rules apply, we say which ones: for example, the stair calculator checks Approved Document K, and the planning notes refer to permitted development rules in England. The steel beam calculator gives an indicative size for budgeting only; a structural engineer must design any beam that goes into your home.

Sources we use

  • UK trade cost guides such as Checkatrade, MyBuilder, MyJobQuote and BestBuilders.
  • Manufacturer and merchant prices and product data sheets.
  • Official guidance from GOV.UK (Approved Documents), the Planning Portal and HMRC.
  • Industry bodies such as the RIBA and the BCIS for professional fees and rebuild costs.

What our numbers are, and are not

Our results are estimates for planning and budgeting. They are not quotes, valuations or professional, financial or legal advice. For any real project, get at least three written quotes from qualified, insured tradespeople and check the rules on GOV.UK or with your local council.

How CalcReckon is funded

The calculators are free to use and the site may be supported by advertising. Advertisers have no say in our prices, rankings or content, and we do not accept payment to recommend a company or product.

Spotted something wrong?

If a price looks out of date or a calculator gives an odd result, please tell us. We read every message and correct errors as quickly as we can.