Frequently Asked Questions

It depends heavily on scope, size and finish level. As a guide, a cosmetic refresh of a few rooms can sit in the tens of thousands, while a full whole-home renovation with structural change in Sydney commonly runs from around $150,000 into the several hundred thousands. Materials are usually the largest single cost, with labour a significant share on top. The only reliable figure is a written fixed-price quote from a licensed builder for your specific home.

A budget kitchen refresh - new doors, benchtop and splashback with no layout change - often starts in the low-to-mid tens of thousands. A mid-range full kitchen with new cabinetry, stone-look benchtops, appliances and services updates typically lands higher, and premium custom joinery with a butler's pantry and integrated appliances higher again. Costs vary with cabinetry material, benchtop choice and the amount of plumbing and electrical work. Get a written quote for an accurate price.

Bathroom cost is driven by size, tiling extent, whether the layout moves and the quality of fixtures. A straightforward same-layout renovation is usually the most affordable path; moving plumbing, enlarging the room or using premium tiling and tapware increases the figure. Waterproofing to Australian Standard AS 3740 is a non-negotiable part of any compliant bathroom. A licensed renovator will price the work in writing after seeing the room.

Extensions are usually quoted per square metre of new floor area, and a second-storey addition costs more than a ground-floor extension because of structural reinforcement, access and weatherproofing. Site conditions - slope, access for machinery, and existing foundations - move the number significantly. Engineering, approvals and any temporary accommodation should be factored in. A builder will provide a fixed-price quote once a design and engineering scope are set.

A self-contained secondary dwelling is generally one of the more cost-effective ways to add usable space or rental income in Sydney. The figure depends on size (up to 60 square metres of internal living area under the NSW Housing SEPP), site access, slope, and the level of finish. Service connections and any site works such as retaining or drainage also affect the total. A builder in our network can assess feasibility and quote the build.

Heritage and terrace work tends to cost more because of conservation requirements, the care needed to match or restore period detail, restricted site access on narrow inner-city blocks, and the unknowns often found once old fabric is opened up - such as ageing structure, wiring or plumbing. Good planning and an experienced builder reduce surprises, and a detailed quote should allow for the realities of working on an older home.

Often yes for staged or single-area renovations, where the builder isolates the work zone and keeps key facilities running. For a full whole-home renovation, many homeowners choose to move out for part or all of the build for safety, dust and practicality. Your builder can talk through staging options and what is realistic for your project so you can plan accommodation if needed.

Look for an appropriately licensed builder with experience in your type of project, a clear written quote and contract, the right insurances, and a willingness to show recent work. Check the licence on NSW Fair Trading and read the contract carefully before signing. Submitting your project details here is a simple way to work with accredited Sydney renovation builders suited to your job, so you can compare on the things that matter.

Kitchens and bathrooms consistently return strong value because they are the rooms buyers scrutinise most. Adding usable space through an extension, a second storey or a granny flat can also lift value and liveability, particularly in Sydney's tight, high-value market. The best return comes from work that suits the home and the street rather than over-capitalising, which a good builder or designer will advise on.

Timelines vary with scope. A single-room renovation may take a few weeks on site, a kitchen typically several weeks including cabinetry and stone lead times, and a full home renovation or extension often runs several months from site start to handover. Design, engineering and approvals happen before that and can add weeks to months depending on whether a DA is needed. A builder will give you an indicative program in their quote.

Once cabinetry and benchtops are ordered, on-site work for a typical kitchen runs a few weeks, covering demolition, rough-in for plumbing and electrical, cabinetry install, benchtop templating and fit, splashback, and finishing. The longest part is often the lead time for custom cabinetry and stone fabrication, which happens before site work starts. Your renovator will sequence trades so the kitchen is out of action for as short a period as practical.

A full bathroom renovation usually takes a few weeks on site. Waterproofing needs curing time before tiling, and tiling, grouting and silicone each need to set, so the schedule has built-in waiting periods that cannot be rushed without risking the finish. If it is your only bathroom, your builder can plan the sequence and discuss temporary arrangements so you are not left without facilities longer than necessary.

After design, engineering and approval, an extension's build phase commonly runs from a few months for a single-room ground-floor addition to longer for a second storey, which involves structural work, roof integration and weatherproofing. Weather, site access and approval timeframes all influence the program. A builder will provide a construction schedule as part of the contract so you know the key milestones.

It depends on the work. Many internal renovations and minor works can proceed as exempt development with no approval, while larger projects follow either a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) through a certifier or a Development Application (DA) lodged with your council. Heritage items, conservation areas and certain overlays usually require a DA. Your designer or builder will confirm the right pathway for your property before work begins; the rules are set by NSW planning legislation and your local council.

Yes. Under the NSW Home Building Act, residential building work must be carried out by an appropriately licensed contractor, and the licence holder details appear on the contract. A written contract is required once the price is more than $5,000 (including GST), and Home Building Compensation cover is required on work over $20,000. The builders in our network hold the relevant NSW licences and provide their licence and insurance details in writing before any work starts, and you can verify a licence on the NSW Fair Trading website.

For residential building work in NSW above $5,000 (including GST), a written contract is required under the Home Building Act. The contract should set out the scope of works, the price, the payment schedule, start and completion arrangements, the variations process and warranty terms. Read it before signing and make sure the licensed contractor's details and insurance are included. This protects both you and the builder.

Under the NSW Housing SEPP, a secondary dwelling (granny flat) of up to 60 square metres of internal living area can often be approved as Complying Development on a residential lot of at least 450 square metres that meets the setback, access and other standards. Some sites need a DA instead - for example in certain heritage or environmentally constrained areas. A builder or certifier can confirm whether your block qualifies for the CDC pathway.

Yes, but heritage items and properties in conservation areas - common across the inner suburbs - usually require a Development Application and a sympathetic approach to street-facing facades and period detail. Rear and internal changes are often more achievable than front alterations. Working with a builder experienced in heritage and terrace work helps the design satisfy council while still modernising the home for the way you live.

Yes. Engineered stone containing one per cent or more crystalline silica was banned for manufacture, supply, processing and installation across Australia from 1 July 2024 under the model Work Health and Safety Regulations administered by Safe Work Australia. New benchtops are now installed in alternatives such as porcelain or sintered stone, natural granite or marble, solid timber, stainless steel, laminate, or low-silica products under one per cent silica. Existing engineered-stone benchtops fitted before the ban can stay in place.

Internal wet-area waterproofing in Australia is governed by Australian Standard AS 3740. It sets where waterproof membranes are required - shower areas, floors and wall junctions - and how they must be applied. Compliant waterproofing is essential to prevent leaks and long-term damage, and it is one of the items a certifier looks at. A licensed renovator will waterproof to the standard and can arrange the required inspections.

Yes. In NSW a secondary dwelling on the same lot as the main house can generally be rented out separately, which is one of the main reasons homeowners build them. The dwelling must be approved and built to the relevant standards, and it cannot be subdivided onto its own title under the standard secondary-dwelling provisions. Check current council requirements for your area before committing.

Terrace renovations usually balance keeping a heritage street frontage with opening up dark, narrow interiors and adding light and a connection to the rear yard. Common work includes reconfiguring the ground floor, a sympathetic rear extension, structural changes to party-wall-bounded spaces, and upgrading services in an older building. Access is tight, so logistics matter. An experienced terrace renovator manages council, neighbours and the sequencing involved.