When contemplating renovating, one of the main factors to take into consideration will be how much it will cost. House renovation costs in Melbourne can be anywhere from $10,000 to $400,000 depending on a number of factors like the amount of rooms and type of materials used. In this article, we will guide you through everything to do with house renovation costs, types of renovations, and how you can make potential savings.
House Renovation Costs in Melbourne
House Renovation Costs in Melbourne
What is a House Renovation?
A house renovation is a revamping or remodelling of a room or rooms in the home to upgrade or transform them. It can include simple cosmetic changes like painting, replacing floors, windows and doors to complete makeovers changing the design and layout. A house renovation may also be necessary for safety reasons to fix electrical problems, cracks in the foundation or roof leaks. It is the process of modernising or enhancing to improve the aesthetics, safety and functionality of a property.
What is the Home Renovation Cost Per Square Metre in Melbourne?
On average, house renovation prices typically range from $1,200 to $4,000 per square metre. This is just a rough estimate for a basic renovation and it is important to understand that the final cost can vary significantly with more comprehensive work. Although price per square metres can seem a good metric to determine the overall cost of a renovation, it does not fully represent the final price and is more like a ball park figure.
The cost to renovate a home will depend on a number of factors, including the size and scope of the project, quality of materials used, the function of the rooms being renovated, the location and professional fees. Once you have a detailed quote of costs for a renovation project, you will be able to calculate a more reliable estimate of cost per square metre.
Types of House Renovations and Costs
There are different types of house renovations and they will all have different costs. You may be considering renovating the entire home or perhaps you want to breathe new life into the kitchen. We look at the types of house renovations, what they involve and approximate costs for each.
Full house renovation
A full house renovation may cost between $20,000 and $400,000.
A full renovation is when every room is renovated to completely transform the cosmetic or structural aspects of the house. The interior of the house layout can be redesigned to change the floorplan and features to suit your lifestyle and needs. A full house renovation is the largest type of renovation you can undertake and you will often need to leave the home while it is being renovated.
Full house renovations can be anything from cosmetic including painting, new floors and small repairs to major with a total redesign and layout change. Major renovations will require a host of professional tradespeople and cost substantially more than cosmetic or mid range refurbishment.
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- Cosmetic renovation: $20,000 – $40,000
- Mid range renovation: $40,000 – $100,000
- Major renovation: $100,000 – $400,000 plus
Kitchen renovation
A kitchen renovation may cost between $20,000 and $70,000.
Renovating a kitchen is one of the most popular renovations, as it adds substantial value to a home. When you choose to renovate the kitchen, you are updating the space to make it more aesthetically pleasing and functional. This could be cosmetic by painting or adding new tiles and countertops or a major overhaul with a new layout and appliances. While painting and tiling could be a DIY project, it is advisable to hire professional tilers and cabinetmakers for benchtops, cabinets and tiling. In the case of a major renovation where the kitchen is gutted and totally overhauled, a professional builder or registered trade will need to be hired.
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- Cosmetic renovation: $20,000 – $35,000
- Mid range renovation: $35,000 – $65,000
- Major renovation: $70,000 plus
Bathroom renovation
A bathroom renovation may cost between $3,000 and $30,000.
A bathroom renovation improves functionality and aesthetic appeal, and is a popular way to add value to a home. Bathroom renovations can be an upgrade of the style with cosmetic touches like wallpaper, painting, and new vanity drawers. Without changing the plumbing you may also replace the appliances with a new rainhead shower and freestanding bathtub. Then there is the total overhaul of the bathroom with structural and plumbing changes, requiring a team of professional tradespeople.
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- Cosmetic renovation: $3,000 – $5,000
- Mid range renovation: $5,000 – $15,000
- Major renovation: $15,000 – $30,000 plus
Living /dining room renovation
A living/dining renovation may cost between $5,000 -and $30,000.
The living and dining room is one room you can renovate without having to make many structural changes unless you want to knock down a wall to make a large, open plan area. A living and dining room renovation can include cosmetic changes like new paint or wallpaper, mid range changes including new flooring, new windows and doors, or major changes involving structure and design. The latter should be carried out by a professional builder.
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- Cosmetic renovation: $5,000 – $10,000
- Mid range renovation: $10,000 – $15,000
- Major renovation: $15,000 – $30,000 plus
Bedroom renovation
A bedroom renovation may cost between $2,000 and $80,000.
Bedroom renovations can often be achieved on a small budget particularly if it is simply changing some cosmetic features like painting, wallpaper and furnishings. If you choose to add new flooring or even larger robes, the choice of materials and tradespeople will increase the price. Major renovations on a larger scale can become an expensive exercise, particularly if extending the bedroom to make it bigger, changing the layout or even converting a living area to a bedroom. Your choice of materials and furnishings for a more luxurious bedroom will impact the cost too.
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- Cosmetic renovation: $2,000 – $5,000
- Mid range renovation: $5,000 – $20,000
- Major renovation: $20,000 – $80,000 plus
How You Can Estimate Renovation Costs
There are three ways you can start understanding renovation estimates. These are via an online
renovation calculator, contractor quotes, and cost estimates per square metre. Each can be helpful for initial cost planning.
| Cost estimate type | What is it? | Why is it useful? |
| Contractor quote | This is when you obtain at least 3 quotes from builders for the same plans and specifications. Compare each and make sure you understand what the quote covers. | This will help you understand
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| Cost per square metre | This is the estimate of building costs per square metre for the renovation | This is a very rough idea of costs for the overall project which can be a good starting point. Cost per square metre is best determined after quotes are in. |
| Cost calculator | This is an online calculator that estimates cost based on renovation size, labour prices, materials and location. | This can be helpful at the initial stages of budget planning as it gives a quick online estimate of renovation costs and is easy to use. |
How Builders Estimate Renovation Costs
To estimate renovation costs a builder will usually take into account these factors.
- Project scope: The scope and size of a renovation project will have a big impact on renovation costs. Naturally a larger project like a full house renovation will cost a lot more than renovating one room with more demands on materials, labour and time.
- Labour: When it comes to home renovation, labour costs can be a big chunk of the budget. Depending on the type of renovation, labourers needed may include builders, plumbers, electricians, concreters, painters, cabinetmakers, or tilers to name a few. The cost for labour is influenced by the wage rates, skill levels, and labour productivity.
- Materials: Material choice will impact house renovation cost estimates. Materials of a higher quality like hardwood floors will cost more than laminate flooring. Any luxurious inclusions like customised cabinetry or high end finishes will increase costs compared to their standard counterparts. The cost of materials will also depend on availability and price fluctuations.
- Location: Where the home is located can influence the cost estimate for a renovation. This is because properties in more affluent areas may need to renovate with higher quality materials and strategies to maintain or improve their home value.
How To Save Money When Renovating
To manage your budget and keep expenses to a minimum when renovating, these tips on saving money may help.
- Use professional trades: It is important to hire the right professional trades for your home renovation to help save money. Engaging the right builder and tradesperson will ensure the job is done properly and to the correct standards. Trying to oversee a building project yourself can end up costing you more time and money than hiring professionals.
- Don’t change plumbing/ electrics: If you keep the plumbing and electrics in the same spot in a bathroom or kitchen, you will save a substantial amount of money. Changing plumbing and electrical wiring can blow out a budget. You can still upgrade all the appliances and do a complete overhaul by keeping plumbing and electrics in the same place.
- Make cosmetic fixes: By simply making cosmetic fixes and avoiding the expense of structural changes, you can still give rooms or the home a new look without spending a fortune. Painting, new lighting, replacing flooring, and adding new fixtures and fittings are all ways to update a room without having to break the bank.
Renovating a house is an exciting time but it is important to understand your budget and have a realistic expectation of what it will cost. In this article we have explained the types of renovations and how much each is likely to cost to help you decide on the right renovation for your home. For further information, contact the experts in building and home renovation at Forme Homes.
