How Much Does it Cost to Renovate your Home? [2024]

Whether you want to modernise an old kitchen or enhance your outdoor space by adding a deck, a major concern when planning any renovation project is figuring out how much the renovation costs.

Read this guide for average renovation costs and tips to help you get off to a good start, covering:

• How to save on renovation costs
• Kitchen renovation costs
• Garden and deck renovation costs
• Bathroom renovation costs
• Living room renovation costs
• Master bedroom renovation costs

How to save on renovation costs

Renovation costs can quickly get out of hand without good planning. Follow these 4 tips to help you avoid surprises and keep your project on budget:

• Get lots of inspiration
• Make a detailed plan
• Allow plenty of time
• Compare quotes

Get lots of inspiration

You should have a clear idea of what you want before you start getting quotes and choosing materials. If you know you want to redo your kitchen, but aren't sure what style you want, you can get inspiration from home improvement and design magazines or use Pinterest to find creative ideas and bookmark them for later.

Make a detailed plan

A detailed plan will help to keep your renovation project on track and on budget. While your contractor can certainly help with this, there are some decisions you'll need to make yourself beforehand, including your budget and preferred materials and finishes.

Allow plenty of time

Renovation and remodelling projects can often end up taking a lot longer than anticipated, so you should allow plenty of time for unexpected delays. A kitchen renovation, for example, can easily take nine weeks to finish. Factoring in more time than you think you'll need can prevent unnecessary stress if things move more slowly than expected.

Compare quotes from renovation builders

It's best to get quotes from a few different contractors before you make your final decision so you can compare the costs and companies and make sure you're getting a good deal. Of course, high quality materials cost more, and skilled contractors often charge more than less experienced ones, so be sure to check the contractor's reputation, ask plenty of questions and look for hidden fees.

Read more: Getting approvals checklist

 

Kitchen renovation costs

If you're ready to get started, here's a breakdown of how much different types of home renovation projects will cost you in Australia and how much time and effort they're likely to involve.

Your kitchen renovation cost could be anywhere from $10,000 to $45,000 (or even more), depending on the work you want done, the materials you use and the size of your kitchen.

Labour will likely be your biggest expense when renovating a kitchen, because you'll need to hire licensed tradespeople such as electricians, builders, plumbers, tilers and cabinet makers to handle different aspects of the project.

Coordinating multiple tradespeople requires a bit of know-how, so if you're undertaking a major kitchen renovation, it's usually more efficient to hire a contractor who will manage the project for you.

How much does a kitchen renovation cost?

Kitchen renovations can be divided into three approximate categories:

Budget kitchen renovations	$10,000 - $23,000
Standard kitchen renovations	$20,000 - $45,000
Premium kitchen renovations	$40,000 - $70,000

• Budget renovations

Budget kitchen renovations involve simpler alterations like replacing light fixtures and appliances, installing new cupboards or adding a tile splashback. This sort of renovation project generally costs between $10,000 and $23,000.

• Standard renovations

Standard kitchen renovations may involve structural changes, such as putting in new flooring, replacing windows and moving light fixtures, but won't alter the layout very much. These renovations can cost between $20,000 and $45,000, depending on the size and condition of your kitchen, as well as the materials you choose to use.

• Premium renovations

A premium kitchen renovation includes everything from installing floor heating to changing the entire layout by knocking out or relocating walls. Premium renovations can cost between $40,000 and $70,000, depending on how much work is needed and the materials used.

Regardless of what your budget is, some kitchen renovations will give you more bang for your buck. Kitchen renovations that pay off the most include adding storage space and opening up the kitchen by removing walls.

How long will a kitchen renovation take?

Kitchen renovations can take as little as 2 weeks or as long as 9 weeks, depending on the scale of the job. For example, resurfacing your cabinetry and painting the walls would likely be a fairly quick job, whereas knocking out walls to create an open plan kitchen will take considerably longer.

How can I save money on my kitchen renovation?

Although specialist work like tiling, plumbing and electrical work should be left to licensed professionals, you can still save some money by carrying out some simpler tasks yourself. For instance, you could cut costs by painting the walls and installing window treatments yourself once the main work is finished.

Other small ways in which you can save money include:

• Leaving electrical outlets, dishwashers and sinks where they are, rather than moving them
• Choosing acrylic splashbacks over wall tiles
• Using vinyl flooring instead of ceramic or porcelain floor tiles

Garden and deck renovation costs

Garden and deck renovations can greatly enhance your outdoor space and are a good investment in your home. Good landscaping can add around 11% to a property's perceived value if you decide to sell in the future.

How much do garden and deck renovations cost?

Depending on how elaborate your plan is, building a deck and doing up the garden can cost between $2,000 and $10,000 on average.

You'll need to hire a carpenter, a landscaper and maybe even an electrician if you're planning to add outdoor lighting, but your biggest expense will likely be the timber used for the deck and frame. This can cost between $200 and $320 per square metre, depending on the type of wood.

Other affordable ways to enhance aesthetic appeal and add value to your property include adding an outdoor BBQ or kitchen area and outdoor lighting features.

How long will garden and deck renovations take?

Garden and deck renovations usually take between 1 and 2 weeks, but the exact timeframe depends on what your plan entails.

A larger renovation project that involves building a deck, laying walkways and adding outdoor lighting could take 2 weeks or more, whereas smaller ones that focus on upgrading an existing deck or adding garden plants and mulching would likely be completed within a few days.

How can I save money on my garden and deck renovations?

While the building of the deck itself should be left to a professional deck builder, you can save money by tackling weeding, planting and mulching yourself and adding your own potted plants, furniture and other accessories once the deck is complete.

You can also see whether less expensive decking materials would work for you. The most popular decking materials in Australia include native hardwoods like Blackbutt, Spotted Gum and Ironbark, but depending on where you live, less expensive timbers like treated pine or Merbau may also be an option.

Bathroom renovation costs

As with kitchen renovations, managing a bathroom renovation can involve hiring multiple tradies, including plumbers, tilers and electricians. Managing the project on your own can be tricky, so you may want to hire a contractor to organise and oversee the work for you.

How much does a bathroom renovation cost?

Bathroom renovations cost anywhere from $10,000 to $35,000 or more, depending on the size of your bathroom and the materials you intend to use. Simple renovations using budget materials and fittings can usually be kept under $15,000, while high end renovations will cost upwards of $25,000.

Adding storage space or upgrading vanities will give you the best bang for your buck, and tiles are likely to be your biggest expense. If you're keeping it simple with standard white ceramic wall tiles expect to pay between $20 and $28 per square metre. More luxurious wall tiles can easily cost between $68 and $159 per square metre.

How long will a bathroom renovation take?

Bathroom renovations usually take between one and three weeks, although this depends on a few factors. Any structural works or jobs that require electrical elements or plumbing to be moved will take longer. If you have a large bathroom, it will also take longer to lay tiles.

How can I save money on my bathroom renovation?

You can save money on your bathroom renovation by tackling the painting and decorating on your own, but be sure to do some research beforehand. For example, areas that aren't covered by tiles will need to be painted with moisture and wear-resistant paint, and certain types of window treatments may not work well in certain bathrooms.

Living room renovation costs

The living room is where you entertain guests and relax at the end of a long day, so renovating this space is a great way to increase your home’s aesthetic appeal.

How much does a living room renovation cost?

Living room renovations usually cost between $10,000 and $15,000, depending on the size of your living room. Simple jobs like painting won't cost too much, but if you want to replace flooring, put in a new lounge suite, add light fixtures or move electrical elements, you can expect to spend $15,000 or more.

While you may need to hire a tiler, electrician or painter for some of the work, the decoration of your living room will give you the most value for your money, while new furniture will cost you the most.

How long will a living room renovation take?

Depending on how much you want to change the room, renovating your living room should take no more than a week. If you're doing your own painting, it could end up taking slightly longer.

How can I save money on my living room renovation?

You can save money on your living room renovation by doing the painting and decorating yourself. If you're laying carpet or installing floorboards, you may be able to do these jobs yourself too, but keep in mind that it will take you longer than it would a professional.

Master bedroom renovation costs

Although the master bedroom is a very personal space, renovating it can still add real value to your home.

How much does a master bedroom renovation cost?

The cost of renovating a master bedroom can be as low as $2,000 or as high as $35,000. It all depends on what you want to add or change.

If you're just looking to make simple changes, like putting in a new carpet and adding some storage space, your costs will probably be somewhere in the $2,000 range. Adding a walk-in closet might be closer to $4,000, while an ensuite bathroom could bring you up to $35,000 or more.

How long will a master bedroom renovation take?

Renovating the master bedroom generally won't take more than a week, but the time required will vary depending on the scope of the work. Replacing carpet or changing light fixtures can be done in a day, for example, but if you're adding an ensuite bathroom, you should count on a week or more.

How can I save money on my master bedroom renovation?

If you're renovating your master bedroom on a budget, tackling the painting and decorating work yourself can help you save a lot of money. Check out home improvement blogs and magazines for inspiration and then do some research on how to properly prepare your walls for decorating.

*Costs and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used as a guide. They also vary locally and are subject to market forces

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