Renovation project types compared
How common Australian renovation projects differ in scope, approvals, cost drivers and risk.
This table compares project types, not builders or prices. Use it to understand which approvals, trades and risks come with each kind of work before you ask for quotes. Cost notes are qualitative; for illustrative dollar ranges use the renovation cost estimator and read the guide for each project.
Select a column header to sort.
| Project type | Typical scope | Approvals usually involved | Main cost drivers | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | Paint, flooring, lighting, joinery doors, minor repairs | Usually none, unless strata by-laws or heritage controls apply | Area, prep work, product choice | Lead paint in older homes; electrical work still needs a licensed electrician |
| Kitchen renovation | Cabinetry, benchtops, appliances, splashback, plumbing and electrical | Often none for like-for-like; structural or layout changes may need approval | Cabinetry and benchtop material, moving plumbing, appliance package | Low prime cost allowances; walls removed without engineering |
| Bathroom renovation | Strip-out, waterproofing, tiling, fixtures, ventilation | Usually none for like-for-like; strata approval common in apartments | Number of trades per m², waterproofing, tile and fixture choice | Waterproofing done by unlicensed workers; hidden water damage |
| Ground-floor extension | New rooms, slab or subfloor, roof tie-in, services | Development approval or complying development plus building approval | Footings, roof junction, glazing, kitchen or bathroom in the extension | Site classification surprises; stormwater and boundary setbacks |
| Second-storey addition | New upper floor, stairs, structural upgrade below | Development and building approval almost always | Structural engineering, temporary roofing, scaffolding, stairs | Moving out for months; existing frame not able to carry the load |
| Granny flat / secondary dwelling | Self-contained small dwelling on the same lot | State-specific pathways; some states have streamlined approval for small secondary dwellings | Services connections, slab, kitchen and bathroom fit-out | Rules on renting it out, council contributions and separate metering |
| Knock-down rebuild | Demolition and a new house on the same block | Demolition approval plus full new-dwelling approvals | Demolition, site costs, house size and design | Temporary housing costs and longer timeframes |
| Full refurbishment | Several rooms at once, often with rewiring and replumbing | Depends on structural and external changes | Number of wet areas, rewiring, structural repairs | Scope creep; living on site during works |
Approval pathways and thresholds differ by state and by council. Check your state planning portal (for example the NSW Planning Portal, Planning Victoria or the Queensland planning system) and your local council before relying on any row. Builder licensing, contract and insurance rules are summarised in renovation rules by state. Roofing, heating and cooling, solar, leak repairs and window replacement are covered only briefly here.