Home Renovation Budget Checklist
Everything you need to budget accurately for your Australian home renovation. Cost guides for all 11 major trades, phase-by-phase breakdown, and a printable checklist for every tradie you hire.
Your Checklist Progress
0/72 itemsExpand each trade below and tick off items as you confirm them with your tradies.
How to Allocate Your Renovation Budget
A typical home renovation budget is split across four phases. Use these percentages as a starting point, then adjust based on your specific project.
- Architect or draftsperson fees ($2,000–$15,000)
- Structural engineer report ($800–$3,000)
- Council permit fees ($500–$5,000)
- Building surveyor ($1,000–$3,000)
- Soil test if required ($500–$2,000)
- Demolition and site preparation
- Structural framing and carpentry
- Plumbing rough-in
- Electrical rough-in
- Roofing and waterproofing
- Tiling and flooring
- Cabinetry and joinery
- Painting (interior and exterior)
- Fixtures and fittings
- Appliance installation
- Driveway and paths (concreting or paving)
- Fencing and gates
- Landscaping and turf
- Outdoor entertaining area
- Pool or spa (if applicable)
Always Budget a Contingency
Renovations almost always uncover surprises — hidden water damage, asbestos, outdated wiring, or structural issues. A contingency buffer protects you from budget blowouts.
Budget Calculator
Rule of thumb: Never start a renovation without at least 15% contingency in the bank. Many experienced renovators keep 20%.
Cost Guides for Every Trade
Click any trade to expand the full cost guide link and a printable checklist of questions to ask before hiring.
Quick Reference — All 11 Trades
| Trade | Avg Cost | Range | DIY Friendly | Licence Req. | Cost Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plumbing | $130/hr | $150–$25,000 | No | Required | View guide → |
Electrical | $150/hr | $150–$15,000 | No | Required | View guide → |
Roofing | $82/m² | $300–$35,000 | No | Required | View guide → |
Painting | $38/m² | $400–$15,000 | Partial | Not required | View guide → |
Landscaping | $85/hr | $150–$80,000 | Partial | Not required | View guide → |
Cleaning | $50/hr | $100–$1,200 | Yes | Not required | View guide → |
Tiling | $70/m² | $500–$15,000 | Partial | Not required | View guide → |
Fencing | $120/m | $80–$800/m | Partial | Not required | View guide → |
Concreting | $85/m² | $1,500–$35,000 | No | Not required | View guide → |
Solar | $5,500 (6.6kW) | $2,800–$22,000 | No | Required | View guide → |
HVAC | $145/hr | $150–$20,000 | No | Required | View guide → |
Pest Control | $280/treatment | $150–$8,000 | Partial | Required | View guide → |
Universal Money-Saving Tips for Any Renovation
These apply regardless of which trades you hire.
Always get 3 quotes
Prices can vary 30–50% between tradies for the same job. Never accept the first quote.
Verify licences before hiring
Check licence numbers on your state's licensing authority website before any work starts.
Book in off-peak periods
Winter is quieter for most trades. You'll get faster availability and sometimes lower rates.
Get everything in writing
A written contract protects you. Include scope, price, timeline, and payment schedule.
Bundle jobs where possible
Having multiple tradies on site at once reduces mobilisation costs and speeds up the project.
Never pay more than 10% upfront
Reputable tradies don't need large deposits. Pay in stages tied to completed milestones.
Related Cost Guides — All 11 Trades
Each guide includes national averages, city-by-city comparison, job tiers, and suburb-level pricing.
Need suburb-specific pricing?
Every cost guide includes suburb-level pricing adjusted for local labour rates and market conditions. Find your suburb from any service cost guide page.
Related Renovation Resources
DIY vs Professional Guide
Task-by-task cost comparisons for all 11 trades. Know exactly what you can DIY and what needs a pro.
Renovation Guides Hub
Kitchen, bathroom, roofing, painting and landscaping renovation guides with permit advice.
All Cost Guides
Detailed cost breakdowns for every trade — labour vs materials, city-by-city comparison, and suburb-specific estimates.
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