Journeys/Melbourne Journey

Home Renovation Journey in Melbourne

Melbourne renovations are shaped by heritage overlays (40% of inner + middle-ring blocks), long trade waitlists (10-16 weeks in 2026), and sub-floor waterproofing challenges in Victorian and Edwardian character homes. Here is the honest sequence.

Typical cost

$180K - $650K

full renovation - kitchen + 2 bathrooms + flooring + paint

Typical timeline

6 - 14 months

design to move-back-in

Join the Victoria waitlist How much a Melbourne reno costs

Melbourne home mid-renovation with tradespeople on site

What this means in practice

Character homes worth preserving

This journey suits you if

Character homes worth preserving
Heritage-overlay blocks where KDR is blocked
Owners loving location + wanting layout updates

What goes wrong most

Hidden asbestos in pre-1985 bathrooms + kitchens ($3k-$18k)
Sub-floor waterproofing in period bathrooms ($6k-$14k)
Planning permit delays in heritage suburbs (3-6 months)

How it actually unfolds

The steps that move the needle. We sit beside you on each one.

1
Overlay check before design
Heritage Overlay controls what you can change externally. Internal-only renovations rarely need a planning permit.
2
Certified inspection for asbestos + termite + structural
$800-$1,500 for a full pre-reno inspection. Cheaper than discovering surprises mid-build.
3
Design + build permit (potentially planning permit)
Internal only = building permit (2-6 wks). Any external change or heritage = planning permit (3-6 months).
4
Order cabinetry the week you sign
Not after demolition. Melbourne cabinetry lead times are 14-20 weeks in 2026 - see our post on the sequencing trap.
5
Build sequence + move back in
Full-home renos usually displace family; single-room renos let you stay. See our whole-home-vs-single-room comparison.