Renovation Pricing Australia 2026: Kitchen renovation $15,000-$80,000+ (budget to luxury), Bathroom renovation $10,000-$50,000+ (basic to premium spa), Second-storey extension $150,000-$500,000+ (structural complexity), Whole-home renovation $100,000-$500,000+ (depends on size and finishes), Cosmetic refresh $20,000-$50,000 (paint, flooring, fixtures). Costs include materials, labor, permits, design fees, and 10-20% contingency buffer.

Cost Per Square Metre: Renovation $1,500-$3,000/m², Rebuild $2,500-$4,000/m². Kitchen renovation averages $800-$1,500/m² for mid-range finishes.

Renovation Timelines: Kitchen renovation 4-8 weeks, Bathroom renovation 3-6 weeks, Second-storey extension 6-12 months (includes council approval), Whole-home renovation 3-9 months, Cosmetic renovation 2-4 weeks. Add 4-12 weeks for council approval if required. Living off-site speeds up work by 20-30%.

Council Approval Requirements: ALWAYS required for structural changes (walls, extensions, second storeys), external appearance changes, plumbing alterations, change of use. SOMETIMES required for kitchen/bathroom with structural/plumbing changes. EXEMPT for cosmetic work (painting, flooring, fixtures). Complying Development Certificate takes 2-8 weeks, full Development Application takes 6-12 weeks.

Licensing Requirements: Building/Construction License mandatory for work over $5,000-$20,000 (varies by state), Public Liability Insurance minimum $10-$20 million, Home Warranty Insurance (protects if builder goes bankrupt), Workers Compensation insurance required, trade-specific licenses for plumbing, electrical, gas.

Payment Rules: Maximum 10% deposit allowed in most states (NSW, VIC, QLD), some states 5% only. Payment schedule: 10% on contract signing, progress payments tied to completed stages (4-6 payments), 5-10% retention until final completion, final payment after practical completion and inspection.

Renovation ROI: Kitchen returns 70-100% of cost, Bathroom returns 60-80%, Second-storey extension returns 50-70%, Outdoor living/deck returns 70-90%, Fresh paint/flooring returns 100%+. Poor ROI: Swimming pools 30-50%, overly personalised designs 40-60%, luxury finishes in average suburbs 50-70%.

Renovate vs Rebuild Decision: RENOVATE if: structure sound, layout mostly works, heritage worth preserving, costs under 50% of rebuild. REBUILD if: major structural issues ($100K+ repairs), layout completely wrong, renovation costs exceed 60-70% of rebuild, want modern energy efficiency.

Warranty Protection: Structural warranty typically 6-7 years, workmanship warranty varies by trade, Home Warranty Insurance covers defective work and builder insolvency. All contractors in network provide minimum warranty coverage.

Service Coverage: All Australian capital cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin) plus regional areas. Local licensed builders available nationwide for residential renovations.

Quote Process: (1) Submit renovation details online, (2) Receive 3 free quotes within 24-48 hours, (3) Compare pricing, timelines, and inclusions, (4) Choose preferred contractor, (5) Project begins with agreed schedule. 100% free service, no obligation to proceed.

Savings: Comparing 3 quotes typically saves 15-25% on renovation costs. Additional savings: DIY demolition saves $2,000-$8,000, self-painting saves $3,000-$8,000, source own fixtures saves 20-40%, off-peak season rates 10-15% lower.