6 tips for working out your renovation costs

1. Decide on the scope of your renovation

The scope and size of your renovation has a huge impact on the cost. Start with a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves, because at some point during planning you’ll need to review the scope of your project. You'll need to prioritise.

2. Use a budget calculator for a rough guide

There are some helpful renovation and building calculators out there. They'll give you a rough estimate of costs and help you plan. Building and renovating businesses often have calculators on their websites to use as a guide before you start getting quotes.

If you’ve never done a renovation or build before, the cost may come as a bit of a shock. Because the whole point of this exercise is to be realistic about what you can afford.

If you think you’re about to blow your budget, you should review the scope of your project now.

3. Break down costs with a detailed cost guide

You may have had some designs or plans drawn up by now. If you do this, you’ll have a much better idea of the work involved.

Want advice around the cost of building and renovating? Speak to architects, quantity surveyors and the consumer affairs or fair trading department in your state or territory.

4. Get professionals to check your plans

If you haven’t already got plans for your renovation or extension, get them done before you finalise your budget. They’re crucial if you want to nail down your project’s costs.

The build costs will depend on things like the:

• materials you want to use
• tradespeople you employ
• quality of work, finishes and fittings
• size of the job
• location of your site.

5. Get three quotes from your tradespeople

You’ve probably heard it a hundred times, but get at least three quotes from builders or tradespeople. You'll be surprised how much these quotes vary.

Looking in your local paper, asking friends or family—putting the word out—can be good ways to find good tradespersons. You could also try using an online quote service like Home Improvement Pages, opens in new window.

6. Add 10 - 20% to your final budget as a contingency

This is what you call a back-up plan or 'contingency'.

Overspends are very common on building projects. Renovation experts recommend you factor in an additional 10% of your project costs into your renovation budget.

Finally, you can never do too much research. A great resource to start with is Your Home, opens in new window, a government website about building, buying and renovating a home. And, here are some consumer affairs or fair trading departments that offer helpful consumer protection advice about building and renovating.

• Consumer Affairs Victoria, opens in new window
• Queensland Building and Construction Commission, opens in new window
• Fair Trading NSW, opens in new window
• Building, buying and selling a home | SA, opens in new window
• Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety | WA, opens in new window
• Housing, property and land | NT, opens in new window
• ACT Revenue Office, opens in new window
• Housing and property | Service Tasmania, opens in new window