RENOVATION COSTS · 2026 GUIDE
How Much Does a Home Renovation Cost in Melbourne?
The useful question is not the average price. It is what your scope includes, what the existing house is hiding and how much structural and services work the project needs.
Short answer
There is no single Melbourne renovation price that is useful for every home. The biggest cost drivers are the amount of structural change, the number of kitchens or wet areas, the condition of the existing building, services that need to move or be renewed, site access and the level of finishes.
The scope matters more than the room count
Two renovations with the same number of rooms can have very different costs. Keeping existing walls, plumbing locations and openings is a different project from removing structural walls, changing levels or relocating a kitchen and bathrooms.
Before comparing prices, define what is being changed, what is staying and what condition the existing work is in.
- ✓Structural walls, beams, openings and floor-level changes
- ✓Kitchen, bathroom, ensuite and laundry work
- ✓Electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling changes
- ✓Windows, doors, roofing and external envelope work
- ✓Cabinetry, appliances, fixtures and finish selections
- ✓Site access, protection, demolition and waste removal
Structural work and wet areas are major variables
Structural changes can require engineering, temporary support and more invasive construction. Wet areas involve coordinated plumbing, waterproofing, cabinetry, fixtures and finishes.
That does not mean these changes should be avoided. It means they need to be designed and priced properly rather than treated as a simple cosmetic allowance.
Allow for the condition of the existing home
Renovation work connects new construction to an existing building. Once finishes are removed, previously hidden conditions can become visible.
A thorough pre-construction review helps reduce uncertainty, but no responsible builder should pretend every concealed condition can be known before work begins.
- ✓Out-of-level floors or movement in older structures
- ✓Previous alterations that do not match the available documentation
- ✓Deteriorated framing, subfloors or external elements
- ✓Old plumbing or electrical services that need renewal
- ✓Hazardous materials requiring specialist assessment or removal
Approvals and documentation affect the budget too
Some renovation work can proceed without a building permit, while other work requires one. Planning controls are separate and depend on the property and proposal.
Design, engineering, surveying and permit-related work should be considered part of the project pathway where they are required, not treated as an afterthought.
How to get a quote you can actually compare
A useful quote starts with the same scope for each builder. If the drawings, specification and selections are vague, the price comparison can be misleading because each builder may make different assumptions.
EBC quotes from the project-specific scope and identifies what is included. If you are still early in the process, register the project first and we can work through the information needed before a detailed quote is prepared.
- ✓Define the rooms and structural changes included
- ✓Use the same plans and specification for each quote
- ✓Check allowances, exclusions and provisional items
- ✓Confirm responsibility for approvals and documentation
- ✓Compare what is included before comparing the final price
Questions homeowners ask
How much does a home renovation cost in Melbourne?+
There is no reliable single figure for a renovation without knowing the scope. Moving structure, changing wet areas, renewing services, access conditions, specification level and approvals can change the price substantially. A useful quote needs plans or a clearly defined scope.
Why can two renovation quotes be very different?+
The inclusions may be different. One quote may include structural work, demolition, electrical, plumbing, waterproofing, cabinetry, finishes and site protection while another may exclude some of them. Compare scope and assumptions, not only the bottom-line number.
Is a cosmetic renovation cheaper than a structural renovation?+
Generally, a renovation that keeps the existing structure and services is simpler to price than one that moves walls, openings, plumbing or major services. The actual cost still depends on the size, existing condition and chosen finishes.
Should I get a quote before choosing finishes?+
You can start earlier, but the more decisions that are defined, the more meaningful the quote can be. Where selections are not final, allowances and assumptions should be clearly identified.
Does a renovation need a building permit?+
It depends on the work. Some renovations do not need a building permit, while work affecting structural soundness or safety commonly does. Planning approval can also be separate. The requirements should be confirmed for the specific project.
Ready to discuss your project?
Tell EBC what you are planning and we will help you work through the practical next steps.
Related EBC pages
- Home renovations with EBC
- Renovate vs extend vs rebuild
- Planning permit vs building permit
- Register your renovation
Reviewed 5 October 2026. General information only; approval requirements depend on the property and proposed work.