Home Renovation Cost Sydney 2026: Complete Room-by-Room Guide
Home renovation costs in Sydney in 2026 vary enormously — from a $25,000 bathroom refresh to a $600,000+ whole-house transformation. The most common question we receive from homeowners is not “how do I renovate?” but “how much should I budget?” This guide provides realistic, up-to-date price benchmarks for every major room and renovation type in Sydney, based on what licensed builders are quoting and completing right now.
According to the HIA Renovations Roundup 2025, renovation activity in NSW has remained robust through 2024–2025 with homeowners continuing to invest heavily in their existing properties rather than upgrade and move — a trend driven by high transaction costs (stamp duty, agent fees) and the difficulty of finding equivalent homes in preferred suburbs.
Summary: Home Renovation Costs by Room (Sydney 2026)
| Room / Project | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen renovation | $25,000 – $40,000 | $40,000 – $75,000 | $75,000 – $150,000+ |
| Bathroom renovation | $18,000 – $28,000 | $28,000 – $50,000 | $50,000 – $90,000+ |
| Ensuite renovation | $15,000 – $22,000 | $22,000 – $40,000 | $40,000 – $70,000 |
| Laundry renovation | $8,000 – $15,000 | $15,000 – $25,000 | $25,000 – $45,000 |
| Open-plan living area | $30,000 – $60,000 | $60,000 – $100,000 | $100,000 – $200,000+ |
| Bedroom (fit-out) | $5,000 – $12,000 | $12,000 – $25,000 | $25,000 – $50,000 |
| Home office conversion | $8,000 – $18,000 | $18,000 – $35,000 | $35,000 – $60,000 |
| Full house renovation | $200,000 – $350,000 | $350,000 – $600,000 | $600,000 – $1,000,000+ |
Kitchen Renovation Costs in Sydney 2026
A kitchen renovation is consistently one of the highest-return investments in residential property. In Sydney, kitchen renovation costs range from $25,000 for a basic refresh (new benchtop, cabinetry doors, appliances, and splashback in existing footprint) to $150,000+ for a full custom kitchen with premium joinery, stone benchtops, butler’s pantry, and integrated high-end appliances.
What drives kitchen renovation costs:
- Cabinetry: The single largest cost component. Flat-pack cabinets from $8,000–$15,000; custom-made polyurethane or two-pack cabinets $20,000–$60,000+
- Benchtops: Laminate from $1,500; engineered stone (Caesarstone, Silestone) $4,000–$8,000; marble or premium stone $10,000–$20,000+
- Appliances: Mid-range suite $5,000–$12,000; premium (Miele, Gaggenau, Fisher & Paykel) $15,000–$40,000
- Plumbing relocation: If the sink or dishwasher moves, add $2,000–$6,000
- Structural wall removal: Opening to an adjacent room adds $8,000–$25,000 (structural engineer, steel beam, make-good)
Read our detailed guide to kitchen renovation costs in Sydney for more granular pricing.
Bathroom Renovation Costs in Sydney 2026
Bathroom renovations in Sydney typically cost $18,000–$90,000+ depending on size, specification, and whether plumbing requires relocation. Most standard family bathrooms (2.5–4m²) fall into the $28,000–$50,000 range for a full renovation including new waterproofing, tiling, fixtures, vanity, shower screen, and exhaust fan.
Key cost drivers:
- Waterproofing: Non-negotiable under the NCC. Budget $1,500–$3,500 for compliant waterproofing membrane application
- Tiling: Labour and tiles together typically $8,000–$20,000 depending on tile size, material (porcelain, marble, travertine), and wall height
- Plumbing fixtures: Budget range $2,500–$6,000; mid-range $6,000–$14,000; premium $14,000–$30,000+
- Shower screen: Framed from $800; semi-frameless $1,500–$3,000; frameless $3,000–$6,000
Full pricing breakdown in our bathroom renovation cost guide.
Open-Plan Living Renovation Costs
Converting a compartmentalised layout to open-plan living — typically removing walls between kitchen, dining, and living areas — is one of the most impactful changes you can make to an older Sydney home. Costs vary significantly based on whether the walls being removed are load-bearing.
- Non-load-bearing wall removal: $3,000–$8,000 per wall (including make-good to ceiling, floor, and adjacent walls)
- Load-bearing wall removal: $12,000–$28,000 per wall (requires structural engineer, steel lintel or portal frame, temporary propping)
- Open-plan with new kitchen, flooring, and lighting: $80,000–$150,000 for a comprehensive transformation
See our guide to open-plan renovation and structural wall removal in Sydney.
Laundry Renovation Costs
Laundry renovations are often underestimated in scope. A basic laundry update (new cabinet, tub, tapware, and tiling) starts around $8,000. A full internal laundry with custom joinery, overhead cabinets, folding station, and new tiling runs $15,000–$30,000 in Sydney.
Bedroom and Home Office Renovation Costs
Bedroom renovations (excluding bathrooms and ensuites) typically involve new flooring, wardrobe installation, painting, and electrical upgrades. Costs range from $5,000–$12,000 for a standard bedroom upgrade to $25,000–$50,000 for a master bedroom suite with custom walk-in robe and atmospheric lighting.
Home office conversions from a spare bedroom or garage are increasingly popular post-2020. Expect to spend $8,000–$35,000 depending on insulation, acoustic treatment, joinery, and technology infrastructure.
Full House Renovation Costs in Sydney
A whole-house renovation — tackling the kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, painting, electrical, and structural modifications simultaneously — typically costs $200,000–$600,000 for a standard 3–4 bedroom home, rising to $600,000–$1,000,000+ for premium finishes or complex structural work.
What’s included in a full house renovation:
- Kitchen and bathrooms (largest cost components)
- Flooring throughout (timber, engineered, tiles, or carpet)
- Internal painting (walls, ceilings, trims)
- Electrical upgrades (switchboard, lighting throughout)
- Plumbing (hot water system, tapware, drainage)
- Window and door replacement (if specified)
- Any structural modifications
Council Approval for Renovations
Most internal renovations under a certain cost threshold do not require development approval. However, any renovation that:
- Alters the external appearance of the building
- Changes structural elements
- Adds or modifies wet areas
- Exceeds $50,000 in cost (BASIX may apply)
…may require a CDC or DA. Your builder should advise on this before commencing work. See our CDC vs DA guide for details.
How to Budget Your Renovation
A common rule of thumb used by Sydney builders is to budget 10–15% above the quoted price as a contingency for variations discovered once walls are opened. Older homes routinely reveal unexpected plumbing, electrical, or waterproofing deficiencies that must be addressed to achieve a compliant result. Resist the temptation to cut this buffer — it will almost always be needed.
Get a Free Renovation Quote
Pearson Industries is a licensed NSW builder (licence 292515C) with extensive renovation experience across Sydney’s Hills District, Hornsby, North Shore, and Parramatta regions. We provide detailed, fixed-price renovation quotes and handle all required approvals.
Contact us for a free renovation consultation — we’ll assess your home and provide a realistic cost estimate within 5 business days.
