How these estimates work
The ranges come from published Australian cost guides and industry renovation data, cross-checked and rounded into brackets that match what homeowners actually get quoted. They cover supply and install including GST. The calculator then adjusts for the things that move real quotes most — room size, your city or region, layout changes that relocate plumbing or gas, and site factors like deck elevation, balustrades, old-floor removal and high-ceiling access — and shows each adjustment as a line item so the final range is auditable, not a black box.
What they can't know is your house. Access, what's behind the tiles, switchboard capacity and how far you are from the nearest tradie all move real quotes. That's why every result carries a 15–20% contingency line: renovations that blow up rarely blow up on the quoted work — they blow up on what was found along the way.
Australian renovation costs at a glance (July 2026)
The tables below are national ranges for a standard-size room — use the calculator above to adjust for your room size, city and site specifics.
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Australia?
| Finish level | Typical range | What that buys |
|---|---|---|
| Budget refresh | $12,000 – $25,000 | Flat-pack cabinetry, laminate benchtop, existing layout and appliances kept where possible. |
| Mid-range | $25,000 – $45,000 | Semi-custom cabinetry, stone or porcelain benchtop, new mid-range appliances, minor plumbing/electrical. |
| Premium | $45,000 – $80,000 | Custom joinery, premium benchtops and appliances, layout changes with plumbing/gas moves. |
Cabinetry is usually the single biggest line (30–40% of the budget). Keeping the existing layout — sink, stove and fridge where they are — is the cheapest decision you can make. See our kitchen renovation ideas →
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Australia?
| Finish level | Typical range | What that buys |
|---|---|---|
| Budget refresh | $8,000 – $15,000 | New fixtures, vanity and tapware in the existing layout; partial retiling. |
| Mid-range | $15,000 – $35,000 | Full strip-out, new waterproofing, full retile, new fittings throughout, same footprint. |
| Premium | $35,000 – $60,000 | Layout changes, floor-to-ceiling tiling, underfloor heating, premium fittings, custom vanity. |
Labour is 40–50% of a bathroom job. Waterproofing must be done by a licensed installer — keep the certificate. See our bathroom renovation ideas →
How much does a laundry renovation cost in Australia?
| Finish level | Typical range | What that buys |
|---|---|---|
| Budget refresh | $5,000 – $10,000 | New cabinetry and tub in the existing layout, repaint, new tapware. |
| Mid-range | $8,000 – $16,000 | Full refit with stone-look bench, overhead storage, new flooring and splashback. |
| Premium | $16,000 – $30,000 | Layout changes with plumbing moves, custom joinery, integrated drying/hanging systems. |
Laundries share the bathroom trades — renovating both at once saves on call-out and rough-in costs. See our laundry renovation ideas →
How much does interior painting cost per m²?
| Type | Typical range (per m², installed) | What that buys |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (good condition walls) | $20 – $35/m² | Two coats on sound surfaces, minor prep. |
| Full prep (repairs, dark colours) | $30 – $45/m² | Patching, sanding, priming, colour changes, detailed trim work. |
Prep is the price driver — sound, light-coloured walls at the bottom of the range; repairs and dramatic colour changes at the top. See our interior painting ideas →
How much does new flooring cost per m²?
| Type | Typical range (per m², installed) | What that buys |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate | $55 – $110/m² | Supplied and installed, including underlay. |
| Hybrid | $60 – $95/m² | Supplied and installed, standard plank lay. |
| Engineered timber | $125 – $230/m² | Supplied and installed; species and board width move the price. |
Add floor preparation (levelling, old covering removal) if needed — it's quoted separately and can be significant in older homes. See our new flooring ideas →
How much does a deck cost per m² in Australia?
| Type | Typical range (per m², installed) | What that buys |
|---|---|---|
| Treated pine | $200 – $280/m² | Supplied and installed, low-set, including sub-frame. |
| Hardwood (merbau, spotted gum) | $280 – $420/m² | Supplied and installed, low-set, including sub-frame. |
| Composite | $350 – $550/m² | Supplied and installed; solid-core boards at the top of the range. |
Stairs are always quoted separately — allow $1,500–3,500 per flight. See our new deck ideas →
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget for a renovation in Australia?
As a starting point: $12,000–45,000 for a kitchen, $8,000–35,000 for a bathroom, and $5,000–16,000 for a laundry at budget to mid-range finish levels. Whatever the number, hold back a further 15–20% contingency — renovations rarely blow out on the quoted work, they blow out on what's found once walls open.
Why is the estimate range so wide?
Because real quotes are. Access, the state you're in, how much prep is hidden behind the walls and how far your finishes stray from stock all move the price. Use the range to sanity-check quotes, not to replace them — three itemised quotes is still the rule for anything over $2,000.
How do room size and location change the cost?
Size scales the whole job: a compact ensuite runs roughly 15% under the standard bathroom range, while a large family bathroom or open-plan kitchen runs 25–30% over, because tiling, cabinetry and labour all grow with the room. Location shifts it again — Sydney quotes typically land 15–25% above the national average, Melbourne and Canberra around 10% above, and regional areas often 10% under, driven mostly by labour rates. The calculator applies both as line items so you can see exactly what moved your number.
How much does moving plumbing or changing the layout add?
Budget an extra 15–30% on a kitchen, bathroom or laundry the moment fixtures move. Relocating a sink, toilet or gas cooktop drags in new rough-in plumbing, possibly re-slabbing or floor access, extra certification and a longer timeline. It's the single most common cause of a mid-range job quoting like a premium one — which is why keeping the layout is the first money-saving decision.
Do these figures include GST and labour?
Yes — the ranges reflect what Australian homeowners are actually quoted for supply and install, which includes GST and labour. They don't include council or certifier fees, asbestos removal, or structural surprises, which is exactly what the 15–20% contingency is for.
What's the cheapest way to renovate a kitchen or bathroom?
Keep the layout. Leaving plumbing, gas and drainage where they are removes the most expensive trades from the job. In kitchens, flat-pack cabinetry with a quality benchtop gets you most of the visual result; in bathrooms, keeping the footprint and spending on tiling and tapware does the same.
How current is the cost data?
The ranges were last reviewed in July 2026 against published Australian cost guides and industry data. Costs move with trade availability and material prices, so treat anything older than a year with suspicion — ours included.
Sources
Ranges compiled from: HIA renovations data · What's The Damage — Australian renovation cost guides · Three Birds Renovations cost guides · Canstar renovation cost guides. General guidance only — always get itemised quotes from licensed trades for your specific project.