The First Step to a Successful Renovation
Renovating your home is one of the best methods of enhancing your lifestyle, increasing your home’s value, and creating a home that better suits your family’s needs. However, one of the initial queries that most Sydney homeowners have is: “How much does a home renovation cost in Sydney?”
The answer is dependent on many factors: the size of your home, the scope of work, material selections, structural changes, and the level of customisation involved. Though each renovation is unique, knowing the common home renovation costs can help you determine your budget before you get started.
For over 35 years, Brindabella have been assisting Sydney homeowners to remodel their homes with our wide range of design and construction capabilities. From concept development to design and construction, through to project completion, our team manages all aspects to ensure a stress-free renovation experience.
Average Home Renovation Costs in Sydney in 2026
As a general guide, Sydney renovation costs in 2026 typically fall within the following ranges:
- Cosmetic Renovation: $20,000 – $80,000
- Partial Home Renovation: $80,000 – $200,000
- Major Interior Renovation: $200,000 – $500,000+
- Full Home Renovation & Remodelling: $300,000 – $1M+
These figures are indicative only and can vary significantly depending on property size, design complexity, structural modifications, and the quality of finishes selected.
Luxury renovations involving custom joinery, premium fixtures, high-end appliances, bespoke interiors, or home extensions typically sit at the higher end of the pricing spectrum.
What Factors Affect Renovation Costs?
Knowing the factors that affect the cost of renovations will assist in making decisions during the planning process.
1. Scope of Work
The most important factor in the cost of renovating a home is the work that is needed.
A cosmetic renovation may involve:
- Painting
- Flooring updates
- Lighting upgrades
- New fixtures and fittings
A major renovation may include:
- Removing walls
- Reconfiguring layouts
- Structural alterations
- New plumbing and electrical systems
- Kitchen and bathroom renovations
- Home extensions
The more extensive the changes, the larger the investment required.
2. Kitchen Renovation Costs
The kitchen is often one of the most expensive areas to renovate due to cabinetry, appliances, plumbing, electrical work, and custom finishes.
Typical kitchen renovation costs include:
- Basic kitchen renovation: $25,000 – $40,000
- Mid-range kitchen renovation: $40,000 – $70,000
- Luxury kitchen renovation: $70,000 – $150,000+
Custom cabinets, stone benchtops, top-quality appliances and architectural finishes can add up quickly.
3. Bathroom Renovation Costs
A plumber, waterproofers, electricians, tilers and cabinet makers are all required for the bathrooms.
Typical bathroom renovation budgets in Sydney can range from:
- Standard bathroom renovation: $20,000 – $35,000
- Mid-range bathroom renovation: $35,000 – $55,000
- Luxury bathroom renovation: $55,000 – $100,000+
High-end fixtures, custom-made vanities, natural stone finishes and designer finishes can add to both the aesthetic appeal and the cost.
4. Structural Changes
Many homeowners undertake renovations to create more open-plan living spaces.
Structural works can include:
- Removing load-bearing walls
- Installing support beams
- Creating larger living areas
- Adding new rooms
- Home extensions
These projects typically involve engineering, approvals and specialised construction tasks and are thus a major cost factor.
5. Material and Finish Selections
Material choices have a substantial impact on the final renovation budget.
For example:
- Laminate benchtops versus natural stone
- Standard tiles versus imported designer tiles
- Stock cabinetry versus custom joinery
- Standard fittings versus premium fixtures
Premium finishes typically have a higher initial cost, but can offer increased durability, appearance, and return on investment.
Renovation Costs by Area of the Home
Different spaces within a home require varying levels of investment.
Living Areas
Most living room renovation projects include things such as cabinetry and lighting, as well as layout changes and even flooring. The cost depends on the scope and will be approximately $10,000 to $50,000.
Bedrooms
When remodelling a bedroom, most people pay attention to storage and built-in wardrobes, lighting and cosmetic changes. Costs generally range from $5,000 to $30,000 per room.
Laundry Renovations
Depending on the cabinetry, plumbing changes and custom storage, modern laundry renovation costs can be anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000.
Home Extensions
One of the bigger investments for renovation is adding additional living space. The price of the extension will vary greatly depending on the requirements of the design, site conditions, and the size and complexity of the extension.
Why Detailed Planning Saves Money
The best way to keep renovation work costs under control is to plan well in advance before work commences.
One of the most common causes of home renovation budget “blow-outs” is when homeowners drastically change their plans once work has begun.
At Brindabella, each project is designed and planned in a structured manner. This enables homeowners to make decisions, complete their choices, create a sensible budget and also reduce the expensive surprise when the job is finished. The process includes consultation, concept development, concept refinement, tendering, project scheduling and construction management.
Should You Renovate or Move?
Sydney property prices continue to remain strong, and many homeowners are opting to renovate rather than relocate.
Renovating allows you to:
- Stay in a location you love
- Avoid stamp duty and moving expenses
- Customise your home to suit your lifestyle
- Increase property value
- Improve functionality and comfort
Renovating can be a more affordable and rewarding solution for many families than buying a new home.
How to Budget for a Home Renovation
When establishing your renovation budget, consider:
- Design and planning costs
- Construction costs
- Fixtures and finishes
- Council approvals (where required)
- Engineering requirements
- Temporary accommodation if necessary
- Contingency allowance of 10–15%
Having a contingency fund helps accommodate unforeseen site conditions or design adjustments without causing unnecessary stress.
Choosing the Right Renovation Partner
Renovations are more about success than just price. Experience, project management skills, workmanship, communication and attention to detail are all key to a successful outcome.
Brindabella combines over 35 years of renovation expertise with a fully integrated design-and-construction service. Being a licensed builder, the team can oversee the project from start to finish while ensuring that communication, transparency, and quality workmanship are in place, with clear pricing. They have won numerous awards and accolades throughout the property renovation in Sydney for their commitment to quality.
Final Thoughts
Renovating a home in Sydney can cost anywhere from basic to expensive, depending on what you’re looking to achieve, the property type you’re renovating, your design tastes and the complexity of the renovation project. Some cosmetic upgrades can run into the thousands of dollars, but larger renovations and luxury home upgrades can cost more.
The main thing to take into consideration for the best possible outcome is to take time to plan carefully, budget appropriately, and work with a seasoned renovation professional with design and construction expertise.
Whether you’re thinking about a home renovation in Sydney, the Brindabella team can help you through the entire process, from initial concept and design to construction and final handover, to ensure that your home ends up being as you envisioned it, while also providing you with long-term value.
