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

Find my Melbourne builder How much a Melbourne reno costs

Melbourne home mid-renovation with tradespeople on site

What this means in practice

Character homes worth preserving

Get matched with the right builder for your build

A 3-minute questionnaire on budget, block type and build style. We shortlist Adelaide partner builders that fit, and hand you a comparison table. No pushy calls, no commitment.

Match me with builders Or speak to a human

Under 3 minutes. 8 quick questions, no email required to see results.
Ranked shortlist. Match score, price band, and where each builder actually builds.
Independent. Editorial layer over paid ranking. Builders can't buy their way to the top.

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.