What's the average cost per square metre for renovations?

Renovation costs are harder to estimate per sqm than new builds due to variability in existing conditions. Rough guides: cosmetic refresh $500-$1,000/sqm, moderate renovation $1,500-$2,500/sqm, major structural renovation $2,500-$4,000+/sqm. These are ballpark figures that can vary significantly based on what you encounter behind the walls.

Why do renovation quotes vary so much between builders?

Renovation quotes vary because builders assess risk differently. Some include generous contingency for unknowns, others quote tight and rely on variations. Scope interpretation also varies as does trade quality. Always compare what's actually included, not just the bottom line price.

Should I renovate in stages to spread the cost?

Staging can work for cosmetic updates but often costs more overall for structural work. You pay for site setup, skip bins, and trade mobilisation multiple times. If work is connected (like kitchen and bathroom sharing plumbing walls), doing it together is usually cheaper. Plan thoroughly before deciding.

Renovation Costs in Adelaide: The Factors That Shift Your Number (2026)

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

Renovation costs are notoriously difficult to predict because every project starts with unknowns. Unlike new builds where you are working with fresh materials, renovations involve discovering what is hidden behind walls, under floors, and in ceilings.

Having realistic expectations helps you plan. This guide walks through the factors that shift the number up or down for each renovation type so you can budget realistically and read your quotes with more confidence.

Room-by-Room: What Shifts the Number

Kitchen Renovation

Cabinet quality is the biggest variable (flat-pack vs custom joinery). Layout changes, plumbing relocation, and structural modifications each push the number up. Benchtop material (laminate, engineered stone, natural stone), appliance selections, and integrated vs freestanding fridges shift finishes cost. Splashback tiling area and pendant lighting also add up.

Bathroom Renovation

Waterproofing, plumbing rough-in, and tiling are core cost lines. Moving fixtures (WC, shower, vanity) adds plumbing work. Heated floors, free-standing baths, frameless glass screens, tapware finish, and stone benchtops each shift the finishes line. Ceiling insulation and ventilation upgrades often surface during renovation.

Laundry Renovation

Frequently combined with a kitchen or bathroom renovation to share trade mobilisation. Scope covers cabinetry, benchtop, tiling, and new fixtures. External-door and clothesline layout also matter for orientation.

Major Renovation Projects

Open Plan Living Conversion

Removing walls, structural steel, new flooring, updated kitchen connection. Popular in older Adelaide homes with separate rooms. Cost depends heavily on whether walls are load-bearing and how services (electrical, HVAC ducting) are affected.

Ground Floor Extension

Adds new footprint of living space. Includes new foundation, construction, roofing, and connection to the existing home. Often combined with kitchen renovation for seamless open-plan living.

Second Storey Addition

Adding bedrooms and bathroom upstairs. Complex work requiring structural engineering, temporary bracing, and often living elsewhere during construction. Maximises land use without extending the footprint.

Whole Home Renovation

Kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, painting, electrical upgrade, possibly some reconfiguration. Transforms dated homes while preserving character. Depending on scope and structural changes, the total can approach knockdown rebuild territory, at which point it is worth comparing the two paths directly.

Hidden Cost Drivers

Asbestos removal. Common in Adelaide homes built through the mid-twentieth century. Eaves, wall cladding, bathroom linings, and flooring tiles can all contain asbestos. Removal must be done by licensed contractors.

Electrical rewiring. Older wiring often does not meet current standards. Opening walls for renovation triggers upgrade requirements. Factor this into any older-home renovation.

Plumbing upgrades. Old galvanised or lead pipes often need replacing. Moving fixtures requires new rough-in work. Sewer upgrades may be required for major works.

Structural surprises. Termite damage, rotten framing, inadequate foundations. Old Adelaide homes can hide expensive issues. Allow contingency for the unexpected.

Council and certification. Building permits, structural engineering, energy assessments, final certification. Required for most significant renovations.

How BuildPilot Helps

*Review quotes and identify what's missing
*Help you understand realistic budgets for your scope
*Coordinate pre-renovation inspections to uncover hidden issues
*Compare renovator quotes on a like-for-like basis

Common Questions

Kitchen renovations range from $15,000-$25,000 for a basic refresh (new doors, benchtops, appliances) to $40,000-$80,000 for a complete gut renovation with new layout. High-end kitchens with custom cabinetry, premium appliances, and stone benchtops can exceed $100,000. The biggest variables are cabinet quality and appliance choices.