How much does a house renovation cost?

Renovating your home is an exciting project to upgrade your space and give it a fresh look. But this task can get messy, time-consuming and costly. The average cost to renovate a house is around $38,000. 

If your home is up for renovation, read our price guide to know how much you need to budget for a house renovation cost.

Average house renovation costs

Full-house renovation cost estimate

Small homes

For small home renovations that require a small extension or internal refurbishment, you can expect to spend an average total cost of $50,000.

Medium homes

Renovated medium homes, including an extension to a post-war home, will cost between $90,000 to $250,000.

Large homes

Large house renovations that require a house lift, extension, or a build-under can go up to $300,000.

Types of renovation 

Kitchen

The heart of the home is often the first area homeowners choose to start renovating. You can expect kitchen renovations to include new cabinetry, modify electricity and plumbing, structure work to remove existing walls or to open up the kitchen, and fixtures and appliances.

Bathroom

Renovating a bathroom usually involves plumbing. Take note of this, as it can render a bathroom unusable during the project.

Renovating a bathroom usually involves plumbing and may also include the following:

• Stripping out the existing bathroom
• Adjusting wall frames
• Applying new tiles or tapware
• Adding a fresh coat of paint

Basement

Basement renovations can involve a tremendous amount of work and design depending on its state, so make sure to allocate the proper budget. This renovation typically covers building a frame, running mechanicals, installing walls, painting, and installing flooring.

Home extension

Adding another room to your home is a common upgrade for homeowners with growing families. If you want an orangery, a conservatory, or an extension, you might have to alter the internal structures of the house during the renovation.

A house extension involves adding to a current level to increase floor space. It could go sideways, towards the back, or to the front. Home extension jobs may include a concrete foundation or file foundation, excavation work, wall removal, painting and wall and tile installation.

Exterior

Renovating the outside of your home is a great way to show off your style. You can transform your roof, patio, porch, deck, or landscape. Exterior renovations may also include exterior painting, replacing external cladding, re-roofing, upgrading the landscape, and replacing paving.

Whole house

This type of renovation involves renovating your whole house, including knocking down walls, structural changes, painting, installing walls and floors, modifying plumbing and electricity, and more. You may also alter existing structures and render parts of the home unusable during the renovation period.

Factors that affect house renovation costs

Location

Different locations will present logistical challenges. These issues affect operating costs to transport supplies, materials, and manpower. 

Labour

One of the biggest cost variables is labour and hourly wages, varying from state to state. Prices may also go higher if the plumbing or electrical work is included in the renovation.

Contractor

Different contractors will charge varying rates. Find a contractor that is known for their workmanship and experience in the area of the house you’re getting renovated and the features you wish to include. Then see if their rate fits your budget. 

Materials

Some materials will cost more to produce and transport. They could also be more complex in processing and may run in limited supply. Make sure to budget carefully when choosing materials such as wallpaper, paint, tiles, furniture, and more.

Layout

Houses with square or rectangular rooms will be the most cost-efficient to renovate. The more complex the angle of the house, the more difficult it is for contractors to revamp because it means cutting custom shapes and items to fit the space. 

Old houses may also have special requirements for preservation purposes, and you may need to secure permits before renovation. You can also consider working with a floor planning professional to help you out with the layout. 

Seasonal factors

Many seasonal factors affect businesses, including home renovation costs. Holidays can affect the number of people working, and labour costs may increase. Make sure to schedule your renovation accordingly.

Find a renovation contractor now!

Need a contractor for your renovation project? Kick off your renovation project by finding a reliable builder! When you create a task, mention your location, preferred renovation schedule, budget, building layout, and what you want to do. 

Renovating your home can be an arduous task. Get the help of a pro to make your renovation plans successful!