You’ve been planning it for months. A new kitchen, updated bathrooms, and fresh flooring throughout. Then the first quote lands, and it’s nothing like what you expected.
Most online renovation guides use national averages that are 20–30% below what Sydney builders actually charge. That gap leads to under-budgeting, project stress, and unpleasant surprises once work begins.
This guide gives you real Sydney-specific costs, a room-by-room breakdown, and a clear picture of what drives prices higher so you can plan with confidence.
A full house renovation in Sydney typically costs between $120,000 and $500,000+, depending on property size, finish level, and scope. Per square metre, expect to pay $1,500 to $3,500. Cosmetic renovations sit at the lower end, while full structural renovations with premium kitchens and bathrooms land at the higher end.
The table below reflects current Sydney market rates across three finish levels.
Property Size
Cosmetic
Mid-Range
Premium
Small (under 100m²)
$80,000 – $150,000
$150,000 – $250,000
$250,000 – $400,000
Medium (100–200m²)
$120,000 – $200,000
$200,000 – $350,000
$350,000 – $550,000
Large (200–300m²)
$180,000 – $280,000
$280,000 – $450,000
$450,000 – $750,000+
What each finish level means:
Sydney Premium: Sydney runs 20–30% higher than Melbourne and up to 45% higher than Brisbane for equivalent renovation scope, driven by labour costs, tight builder availability, and stricter council compliance.
The kitchen is typically the single largest line item in any full renovation.
Kitchen Scope
Estimated Cost (Sydney)
Budget refresh
$15,000 – $30,000
Mid-range full replacement
$30,000 – $60,000
Premium custom kitchen
$60,000 – $120,000+
Stone benchtops, custom cabinetry, and any relocation of plumbing or electrics all push costs toward the upper end.
Sydney bathroom renovation costs have risen sharply since 2022 due to tiling labour shortages and updated NCC waterproofing compliance requirements.
Bathroom Scope
Estimated Cost (Sydney)
Small ensuite
$12,000 – $20,000
Standard bathroom
$20,000 – $40,000
Premium bathroom
$40,000 – $80,000
A 3-bedroom home with two bathrooms can have $50,000 to $100,000 in bathroom costs alone.
Flooring Type
Cost Per m² (Supply and Install))
Carpet
$50 – $100/m²
Hybrid / Laminate
$60 – $120/m²
Engineered Timber
$100 – $180/m²
Porcelain Tile
$80 – $160/m²
For a 150m² home, flooring alone ranges from $9,000 to $27,000, depending on material choice.
Note: m² (square meter) is a unit of area in the metric system.
Simple explanation:
m = meter → a unit of length
m² = meter × meter → length × width = area
Scope
Estimated Cost
Internal painting (3-bed house)
$8,000 – $14,000
Carpentry (doors, trims, built-ins, skirting)
$5,000 – $20,000
Partial electrical upgrade
$5,000 – $15,000
Full rewire (older home)
$15,000 – $35,000
Carpentry is one of the most overlooked line items in renovation budgets. New internal doors, skirting boards, architraves, and any built-in storage or cabinetry outside the kitchen add up quickly, particularly in larger homes.
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These are the costs that blow budgets, and they rarely appear in initial builder quotes.
Sydney tradespeople charge some of the highest rates in the country. A licensed plumber bills $120 to $180 per hour. Tilers charge $60 to $120 per m² for labour alone on standard formats.
NSW has detailed building codes and council approval pathways. Compliance documentation, certifiers, and inspections add layers that other states do not require to the same degree.
A large share of Sydney’s housing stock was built between 1940 and 1985. These homes regularly contain asbestos, outdated wiring, old cast iron plumbing, and structural irregularities that increase renovation complexity.
Specificity matters. “New kitchen” is not a scope item. “Custom cabinetry, stone benchtop, integrated appliances, and reconfigured plumbing layout” is a scope item.
Structural changes add trades, time, and council involvement. Identify these early so your budget reflects the true complexity.
Build your preliminary budget range, then add your 15% contingency before speaking to any builder.
Line-itemised, written quotes from licensed builders only. Compare them against each other and against your preliminary number.
All renovation builders in NSW must hold a valid licence. Unlicensed work is not insurable and creates serious problems at the point of sale.
Most full-house renovations in Sydney take between 3 and 12 months. Cosmetic-only projects run faster at 3–5 months, while projects requiring DA approval often take 9–15 months from planning to completion.
Cosmetic changes generally do not require approval. Structural changes, additions, or significant external alterations typically require either a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) or a Development Application (DA). Always confirm with your local council before committing to structural work.
A mid-range renovation of a 3-bedroom Sydney home typically costs $180,000 to $350,000. This covers a full kitchen replacement, two bathroom upgrades, new flooring, painting, and basic electrical updates.
Using national or interstate cost averages instead of current Sydney-specific pricing. The second most common mistake is skipping a contingency allowance. Sydney homes built before 1990 almost always reveal unexpected conditions once construction begins.
For most homeowners, yes. Well-executed renovations in established Sydney suburbs can generate returns of 10–30% above the renovation cost at resale. The key is avoiding over-capitalisation. Keep your total investment below 80% of the post-renovation property value in your suburb.
The homeowners who navigate Sydney renovations successfully are not the ones with the biggest budgets. They are the ones who plan the most thoroughly before a single wall comes down.
Before you commit, ask yourself this: Are you renovating to live better, to increase resale value, or both — and does your budget honestly reflect that answer?
Getting clear on that question first makes every decision that follows easier.
