The Collective
If you’ve typed “home renovation cost Sydney 2026” into Google at 11pm, you’re not alone.
Every week, hundreds of Sydney homeowners do exactly that — and most of them walk away more confused than when they started. One website says $30,000. Another says $500,000. A forum post from 2019 quotes prices that haven’t existed since before COVID.
So here’s what we’re going to do differently.
We’re going to give you real prices, from real projects, completed in Sydney in 2024 and 2025 — with context that actually helps you plan.
At Acron Projects, we’ve completed over 500 home renovations across Sydney. We know what things cost. We know what blows budgets. And we know how to help you get the most value from every dollar you spend.
Let’s get into it.
Why Renovation Costs in Sydney Vary So Much
Before we get to numbers, you need to understand why two kitchens that look identical on Pinterest can cost $28,000 or $95,000 to build.
The three biggest cost variables in any Sydney renovation are:
1. Scope and Complexity A cosmetic kitchen refresh — new benchtops, cabinet doors, splashback and tapware — is a very different job to a full structural kitchen renovation that relocates plumbing, moves walls and installs custom joinery from scratch.
2. Materials and Finishes The difference between a laminate benchtop and a Calacatta marble benchtop is around $3,000–$12,000 for a standard kitchen. Multiply that across every surface in a full home renovation and the gap becomes enormous.
3. Site Conditions An older home in Balmain with asbestos, undersized plumbing and no cavity insulation will cost more to renovate than a 1990s brick home in Castle Hill — even if the finished result looks the same.
With that context, here are the real numbers.
Kitchen Renovation Cost Sydney 2026
The kitchen is usually the highest-impact room in any renovation — and one of the highest cost areas.
What drives cost up in kitchen renovations:
- Moving or removing walls
- Relocating plumbing or gas
- Underfloor heating
- Custom joinery vs flat-pack
- High-end appliance packages (Miele, Fisher & Paykel, Gaggenau)
What keeps cost down:
- Keeping plumbing and gas in existing locations
- Using semi-custom or flat-pack cabinetry with quality hardware
- Selecting engineered stone over natural marble
💡 Acron Projects Insight: The single biggest kitchen renovation mistake we see is homeowners spending 80% of their budget on appliances and 20% on joinery. A great kitchen is about the build quality of the cabinets and the craftsmanship of the installation — not just the brand of the oven.
👉 See our full page for more detail.
Bathroom Renovation Cost Sydney 2026
Note on compliance: Every bathroom renovation in NSW must comply with AS3740 waterproofing standards. This is non-negotiable and applies to all wet areas. for more information.
What drives cost up:
- Moving plumbing to a new layout
- Heritage tile matching in older homes
- Heated floors
- Freestanding baths and custom niches
- Ensuite additions (structural work required)
👉 See our full page for complete pricing.
Full House Renovation Cost Sydney 2026
A full house renovation is the most significant investment most Sydney homeowners will make — outside of buying the property itself.
What’s included in a whole house renovation:
- Kitchen and bathrooms
- Flooring throughout
- Electrical and plumbing updates
- Structural changes (walls, extensions)
- New windows and doors
- Painting, plastering, ceiling work
- Outdoor/landscaping (if in scope)
DA or CDC? Most whole house renovations in Sydney require either a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC). Check eligibility via the before you begin.
👉 See our page for full scope detail.
Unit Renovation Cost Sydney 2026
Renovating a strata unit adds one important variable to the mix: strata approval.
Before starting any unit renovation, check with your strata manager about by-law requirements under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015.
👉 See our page for strata-specific guidance.
What Are Sydney Homeowners Actually Spending in 2026?
Based on projects completed by Acron Projects and industry data from 2024–2025:
- Average kitchen renovation spend: $55,000–$75,000
- Average bathroom renovation spend: $38,000–$55,000
- Average full house renovation spend: $380,000–$520,000
- Most common total project budget: $150,000–$350,000
The biggest shift we’ve seen in 2025 heading into 2026 is that more homeowners are investing in quality over quantity — doing fewer rooms but doing them exceptionally well.
What's Driving Renovation Costs Higher in 2026?
If your quotes are coming in higher than expected, here’s why:
Labour costs have increased significantly. The skilled trades shortage in Sydney is real. Licensed tilers, waterproofers, electricians and cabinetmakers are in high demand, and their rates reflect that.
Materials costs remain elevated. Timber, structural steel, and imported fixtures are still priced above pre-COVID levels. Some categories have softened, but not to 2019 levels.
Compliance requirements are stricter. The 2022 NCC updates added requirements around energy efficiency, accessible design and waterproofing that add real cost to renovation projects.
What you can do:
- Lock in your builder and pricing early
- Avoid scope changes mid-build (these are the #1 budget killer)
- Get a fixed-price contract — not a cost-plus arrangement
How to Get the Most From Your Renovation Budget
Here are the principles our project managers live by:
Spend on structure first. Waterproofing, electrical, plumbing and structural work must be done right. You can change a tap. You can’t easily change a failed waterproof membrane.
Invest in joinery. Custom cabinetry with quality hardware will last 20+ years. Flat-pack with cheap hinges won’t.
Be selective with stone. You don’t need $8,000/m² Calacatta marble everywhere. Use it as a feature and balance with more affordable surfaces elsewhere.
Don’t move plumbing unless you have to. Every metre of plumbing relocation adds cost. Keep fixtures in their existing locations wherever possible.
Use a licensed, insured builder. Unlicensed work is not only illegal in NSW — it voids your insurance and your ability to sell.
