Remodelling a house in Australia is not a cheap process and is dependent on factors such as the extent of the work to be done, the type of materials to be used and the region. These are some of the fees you are likely to encounter when planning to renovate your home, and it is good to have an insight into them to help you plan your budget adequately. This article focuses on the cost of various types of renovations, the cost per room, pre-renovation costs, the major cost categories, hidden costs, extra expenses, and ways to save on your remodelling project. To learn more about what it will cost to renovate a house, continue reading the following article.
What is the Cost of Home Renovation in Australia?
Home renovations in Australia may cost anywhere from $20,000 all the way up to $500,000.
The overall price of the work depends on the volume of the work, the area of the house, and the work performed. For example, a partial renovation can be characterised by simple works such as painting and changing plumbing, while a comprehensive renovation will involve altering the structure, changing the layout, and changing the electrical and plumbing systems.
How Much Does it Cost to Renovate a House per Room?
Here are the average fees for different rooms in a house:
Kitchen Costs
The average cost of renovating a kitchen has been estimated to be between $20,000 and $50,000. This includes the provision of new cabinets, benchtops, appliances, and tiling, as well as any electrical and plumbing work that may be required. Among all the rooms in the house, the kitchen is the most expensive to renovate because of the time and materials involved.
Bathroom Expenses
For bathroom renovations, people will have to invest between $15,000 and up to $30,000. This includes removing the previous fittings, laying new tiles, new plumbing systems, and new fittings such as showers, toilets, and vanity. Bathrooms need specific specialists, which means that the expenses will be higher.
Living Rooms Rates
The renovation process of a living room is estimated to be between $10,000 and $20,000. These are the expenses for demolition of the walls to create open space, new floors, new lights, and painting.
Bedrooms
Bedroom renovation costs range between $2000 for basic changes and $35000 for enhancements such as installing en-suite bathrooms or walk-in wardrobes. Simple improvements may include repainting and new flooring, while advanced improvements consist of structural modifications and closet organisation.
Extension Fees
The cost of a home extension depends on the size and sophistication of the extension that a homeowner wants to make. Small houses can cost $150,000 for minor alterations or improvements. The cost of major home extensions ranges from $250,000 to $350,000 for medium-sized homes and could be more than $500,000 for large homes.
Pre-Renovation Fees
Before starting any renovation work, several pre-renovation costs need to be considered:
Design and Planning: This is because, in the process of designing the renovation plan, one has to hire architects or designers, which is quite expensive. This is because only professionals know the legal requirements of a certain area very well, and this makes the whole planning process easier.
Permits and Approvals: Renovation works might need permits from local councils, and such permits come with a cost. It is important in order to stay legal to check if all the needed permits are obtained or not.
Consultations and Inspections: It will be important to get the opinion of builders who will work on the renovation and conduct property inspections in order to determine the current state of the home before the renovation. These assessments are useful in determining the possible problems and making the necessary changes to the renovation plan.
Major Price Categories
Materials
The cost of materials may differ a lot depending on the quality and the type of material that is used. Top-of-the-line, made-to-order solutions will skyrocket the costs when compared to turning to the market for an out-of-the-box solution. For instance, The selection of granite and marble bench tops will be costly as compared to laminate bench tops. Choosing the correct and strong materials, which are also cheap, is quite helpful in controlling the total expenses.
Labour
Labour is one of the major cost items in any renovation process, thereby affecting the overall cost. The labour cost is different depending on the trades needed like the plumbers, electricians, carpenters or tilers among others. It is crucial to also look at the type of work and the area of work because this also influences the labour costs. Incorporating experienced and licensed workers provide quality services but at a costly rate as compared to the other service providers.
Hidden and Unexpected Costs
Renovation projects often encounter hidden or unexpected costs that can impact the budget:
- Structural Issues: There can be unforeseen structural issues, which might include decayed timber or even bad foundations, and all these can be a big problem during the process of renovation. These problems can also pose some costs which may be quite high.
- Asbestos Removal: Asbestos is deadly, and if seen during the renovation process, it has to be removed by professional asbestos removers, and it is very expensive.
- Delays and Price Increases: It is also important to note that factors such as project delays or increases in the cost of materials may lead to high costs. Other factors, such as market trends and supply chain management, may also impact the availability of the materials as well as the cost.
Additional Costs
Other costs that may not be immediately obvious but can affect the renovation budget include:
- Temporary Accommodation: Major repair or upgrading of the home may necessitate the occupants to find another house to live in during the construction period, hence adding on the cost.
- Storage: This process can cost more for instance, on lodging of furniture and other belongings during the renovation process.
- Utilities: The expenses that may be incurred during construction include high electricity and water bills, which may arise due to construction work.
Some Ways to Cut Down the Costs of Home Remodelling
Thus, the effectiveness of the costs of renovation is very important in order to avoid overspending. Here are some tips to save money: Here are some tips to save money:
- Creating a Detailed Budget: Prepare a detailed list of all possible costs which you may have to incur, and include some extra money for contingencies. It is important to track expenses on a daily basis in order to avoid overspending.
- Staged Renovations: One way of making the project less expensive is to try to do one room at a time to make it easier on the wallet. This way, there is a better way to manage the finances as well as minimal interference.
- DIY Where Possible: For regular chores that don’t require the expertise of professionals, you could try to do them yourself, for instance, by painting or installing shelves. DIY is known to cut down on costs, especially on labour.
- Choosing Economical Materials: Choose economical options that do not affect the quality of the product or service to be delivered. For instance, laminated bench tops instead of granite can help to cut on costs while at the same time giving a good finish.
- Avoiding Custom Work: It should also be noted that custom-made products are usually costly. If you wish to cut down on the costs, opt for off-the-shelf solutions.
Final Checklist
Before commencing a renovation project, use this checklist to ensure you are fully prepared:
- Set a Realistic Budget: It is recommended to provide all the estimated costs and include some amount of money to be spent in case of the unforeseen expenses.
- Get Multiple Quotes: It is advisable to make a comparison of the costs and services of construction from different builders and suppliers.
- Plan for the Unexpected: It is also important to expect delays and unexpected expenses that may occur during the process of the renovation.
- Ensure Proper Permits: Ensure that all the legal requirements for the project are met including permits and approvals before commencing the project.
- Consider Temporary Living Arrangements: Make arrangements for provisional stay if the work is to be done on a large scale.
- Consult Professionals: Consult with architects, interior designers and other professionals who have gone through the process to get the best results.
To plan and carry out a successful renovation project in Australia, it is vital to know the costs involved in home renovation. This also enables you to prepare well and only have to spend what is required or be caught off guard by certain charges, which may vary per room or other charges which may be hidden from the client. Therefore, it is possible to have the dream home that one wants if there is proper planning and guidance. At Renovate Construction, the team is here to make sure that you are satisfied with the decision to choose us. We will be very clear and explicit to ensure that you know what is within the package and what is not, as well as what you will receive in your renovation project. And remember, you are in no way required to do anything that you do not want to do. Therefore, contact Carl by phone at 0478 674 215 or email at carl@renovateconstruction. com. au and let’s get going…