Garage with workbench and shelving, prepared for a potential conversion project

How much does a garage conversion cost in Australia?

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Price guide

$6,000 - $40,000

low

$6,000

median

$12,000

high

$40,000

Low, median and high bar chart distribuiton

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Key Facts

  • Garage conversion costs in Australia typically range from $6,000 to $15,000, but can go up to $40,000 depending on room type and project complexity.
  • Converting to a kitchen or bathroom may significantly increase costs due to added plumbing and electrical work.
  • Hiring professionals ensures compliance with building regulations and safety standards, especially for plumbing, heating, and electrical work.


If you need more space in your home, converting your garage into a new room is an economical choice. After all, you get to skip the hassle and expense of building a house extension or buying a new home.

Various things can be done in garages. They can be converted into a new bedroom, an additional kitchen or bathroom, or an entertainment area. If you want to know more about the average cost of garage conversion, this price guide will help you understand the whys behind each service.

Garage conversion price list

Disclaimer: Airtasker’s cost estimates come from thorough research on industry and third-party rates. Please only use the listed prices as a benchmark when setting your budget.

Here's a quick look at the average costs of different garage conversions — from a simple bedroom or home office to compact yet cosy granny flat.

Type of room Price

Simple bedroom

$5,000 to $10,000

Living room

$5,000 to $10,000

Kitchen conversion

$6,000 to $25,000

Granny flat

$5,000 to $25,000

Gym

Starts at $6,000

Home office

Starts at $5,000

You can choose any type of room to convert your garage into a functional living space. Just make sure that the new space follows building regulations and other safety measures.

Factors affecting garage conversion costs

A few things affect how much it costs to convert a garage into a room. We'll discuss them below:

Target room type

The costs of converting your garage differ according to the type of room you want to transform it into. Costs can quickly escalate and reach $25,000 when converting a space to a kitchen or bathroom since these rooms need additional plumbing to get clean, flowing water in.

Garage to bedroom conversion costs could also go higher based on the design, style, and finishing, especially if you hire a floor planner or designer. Bear these in mind when finalising your budget. 

Garage Conversion Cost - Checking door mechanics before starting a garage-to-room renovationPreparing the garage for conversion by checking door function and access points. (Source: iStock)

Building and structure costs

The cost of converting a garage would also depend on the project’s complexity. This means checking the current state of your existing garage and taking note of the alterations and installations needed in the doors, windows, flooring, ceiling, lighting, and plumbing. To give you a better idea of the estimated costs, see the table below:

Building Components

Price

Insulation

  • $1 per square foot of wall and floor

  • $650 for a 60-square-metre space

Windows

  • $1,000 for a basic window

  • $3,500 for an Egress window

Door installation

$40 to $70 per hour*

Flooring

$1,500 to $4,500

Interior walls

$1,700 to $2,000

Storage cabinets

Starts at $1,000

Heating and cooling

$500 to $2,000

Electrical wiring

$50 to $100 an hour*

*Includes labour costs only

Aside from these essential building components, transforming a garage also requires obtaining permits, which involve additional costs ranging from $1,000 to $1,500. Phone and internet connections should be considered as well, as they often cost an extra $300 to $500

Consider rendering and visualising your garage transformation plan to eliminate guesswork. If you plan to get professional design advice, fees typically range from $2,000 to $11,000.

Reasons to convert your garage

Now that you’re familiar with the factors that affect costs, here are some of the advantages of garage conversion: 

  • It creates a more liveable space in your home while reducing house extension costs.
  • It frees up space inside your home to avoid overcrowding while making more use of a ’junk room.’
  • It increases property value and helps add more practical areas to your home (e.g., entertainment room or mini office).

It’s wise to work with a residential architect before you find a builder or coordinate with them at the same time for a solid design plan.

You might also like: How much does an architect cost?

Garage Conversion Cost - Residential garage with bikes and bins, showing space available for conversion Ample room and storage make this garage suitable for a future conversion project. (Source: iStock)

Why you should hire a garage removal professional 

Professionals are good at various high-risk tasks involving electrical wiring, plumbing, and heating mechanisms. Also, they have training in house remodelling and installation and provide quality output that can last years of wear and tear. 

Finally, they're familiar with fire, safety, and building regulations, as well as the permits to acquire. Some states, like New South Wales, require property owners to apply for a construction certificate. Professionals know the essential details, helping you save time. 

Post a task for garage conversion

If you're ready to move forward with your garden conversion and remodelling project, you can post a task on our platform. Be sure to include the following details in the request form to connect with the right specialist.

  • Your budget

  • Your location

  • The room type you want to turn the garage into

  • Special requests

Get personalised quotes from a selection of reliable tradesmen when you hire a garage conversion contractor. With Taskers, remodelling your space is now within reach!

FAQs

Garage conversion to a granny flat costs around $5,000 to $25,000, but can go higher or lower depending on the size of the space, location, and complexity of the project. Garage-to-studio conversion costs are similar to those of granny flats since these are both under garage-to-loft remodelling.

Other factors include permits ($1,000), insulation and drywall ($2,000), air conditioning ($2,000) and electrical rewiring ($300). But before getting anything started, the granny flat must follow the National Construction Codes and comply with local planning policies to ensure safety and legality. 

An architect knows how to make the most of your space, which can increase its monetary value if you plan to put the house up on the market. They can also help you navigate building permits and planning permissions if needed. 

A building permit is needed in conversion projects since you will be changing the usage of your home space. Securing a permit ensures that the new space complies with building regulations and that the safety of inhabitants and the surrounding area is preserved. 

The application starts with submitting plans to your city’s zoning department. An architect or a building designer can help you with the overall process. The cost of the permit ranges from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the state. It’s best to consult your local authority regarding practices and fees to make sure you know the rules governing your area.

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