How much does it cost to renovate a house in Melbourne in 2026?

A kitchen renovation in Melbourne runs $28,000-$95,000 depending on scope. A bathroom is $22,000-$65,000. A full internal renovation (whole ground floor, new kitchen + 2 bathrooms + flooring + paint) is $180,000-$450,000. A two-storey rear extension is $280,000-$650,000. Heritage overlay suburbs add a 15-30% premium because trades are pickier, materials must match originals, and planning permits stretch timelines.

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Melbourne Renovation 2026

How Much Does It Cost To Renovate A House In Melbourne?

Name: BuildPilot Adelaide Building Industry Dataset
Creator: BuildPilot
License: https://buildpilot.com.au/terms

Real 2026 Melbourne renovation pricing by scope, the heritage-overlay premium, and the trades that quote highest across inner + middle-ring suburbs.

Talk to BuildPilot Melbourne 1300 885 919

By George Giannakakis · B.Arch.Studies · M.Arch (UniSA) · RLA300580

Last reviewed: 5 March 2026 · How we research

Kitchen renovations - Melbourne 2026 pricing

Budget refresh (bench + splashback + doors, keep layout): $18,000-$35,000. Mid-range full kitchen (new cabinetry, stone bench, quality appliances): $40,000-$70,000. Premium/architect-led (custom joinery, integrated appliances, stone slab bench, feature lighting): $75,000-$150,000+ in inner suburbs. Add 20% for character homes needing plaster cornice, timber floor and skirting integration.

Bathroom renovations - Melbourne 2026 pricing

Budget bathroom (re-tile, new vanity + toilet + shower screen, keep footprint): $18,000-$32,000. Mid-range full bathroom (new plumbing, floor-to-ceiling tiles, quality tapware, custom vanity): $38,000-$58,000. Premium (stone finishes, freestanding bath, heated floors, architect design): $65,000-$120,000+. Heritage suburbs add 10-25% because waterproofing older sub-floors is trickier and asbestos disposal is common.

Full internal renovations

Cosmetic-only (paint, floors, kitchen freshen, bathroom re-tile): $80,000-$150,000. Substantial internal (new kitchen, 2 new bathrooms, new flooring throughout, some wall changes): $180,000-$350,000. Full internal + rear extension (adding open-plan living / master suite): $380,000-$800,000. Character home restoration (original plaster, timber floors, cornice, VJ walls): add 20-40% on any of the above.

The planning-permit premium

Any renovation that changes external appearance, adds a storey, extends footprint or sits inside a Heritage Overlay needs a planning permit from council. Yarra, Stonnington, Bayside, Boroondara and Port Phillip average 4-9 month planning-permit queues. Total project length is 2-3x an equivalent SA renovation because of this. Budget $6,000-$18,000 in professional fees (architect, town planner, heritage consultant) before you break ground.

Frequently asked

What is the average cost of a Melbourne home renovation?

The Melbourne median for a full-home renovation (kitchen + 2 bathrooms + flooring + paint on a 3-4 bed home) sits around $220,000-$320,000 in 2026. Add $200k+ for any structural change (opening the back for open-plan living) and another $150k+ for a rear extension.

Do I need a planning permit to renovate in Melbourne?

Internal-only renovations that do not change use or external appearance rarely need a planning permit - just a building permit via a private surveyor. Any change to external appearance, any extension, any heritage-overlay work, or any dual-occupancy conversion needs a planning permit from your council. VicPlan (mapshare.vic.gov.au) shows overlays for any block.

Which Melbourne suburbs have the highest renovation costs?

Heritage-overlay suburbs where original materials must be matched and trades are in tight supply - Fitzroy, Carlton, Richmond, South Yarra, Prahran, St Kilda, Hawthorn, Malvern, Kew, Camberwell, Elwood, Middle Park, Albert Park. Expect 20-35% higher trade rates than outer Melbourne for equivalent work.