How Much Does a Full Home Renovation Cost in Canberra?
A full home renovation in Canberra typically costs between $150,000 and $600,000 or more in 2026. As a rough guide, plan for around $1,500 to $5,000 per square metre depending on the finish level and how much you change. A cosmetic whole-home update sits at the lower end. Structural change, new layouts and high-end finishes push toward the top.
That is a wide range, and for good reason. “Full home renovation” means very different things to different people. For one family it is new kitchens, bathrooms, floors and paint throughout. For another it is knocking out walls, adding a room and rebuilding from the studs. The number follows the scope.
Here is how to think about your budget.
A per square metre guide for Canberra
$1,500 to $2,500 per square metre: Cosmetic refresh
New paint, flooring, lighting, and updated kitchen and bathrooms without moving walls. The house feels new. The bones stay the same.
$2,500 to $3,800 per square metre: Mid-range renovation
New kitchens and bathrooms, some layout changes, better insulation and windows, quality finishes throughout. This is where most considered whole-home projects land.
$3,800 to $5,000-plus per square metre: High-end or structural
Removing or moving walls, reconfiguring the floor plan, extending, and fitting premium finishes and joinery. This is a rebuild of how the home works, not just how it looks.
On a 150 square metre home, those bands work out to roughly $225,000 at the cosmetic end and $570,000 or more at the high end.
What changes the price the most
Structural work. Moving or removing walls, changing the roofline, or adding space is the single biggest cost driver. Cosmetic work is far cheaper per square metre than structural work.
Kitchens and bathrooms. These are the most expensive rooms per square metre because of plumbing, waterproofing, tiling and cabinetry. The number and quality of them drives a large part of the budget. For reference, a bathroom in Canberra runs about $20,000 to $35,000 and a mid-range kitchen about $30,000 to $55,000.
Finish level. Standard, mid-range or premium finishes can change the total by hundreds of dollars per square metre across a whole home.
The age and condition of your home. Older Canberra homes often need wiring, plumbing or insulation brought up to standard once work begins.
Why Canberra costs sit where they do
Canberra has a smaller pool of licensed trades than Sydney or Melbourne, which affects labour pricing. Some materials carry freight costs that major metro areas avoid. The ACT also requires licensed plumbing and electrical work and strict compliance with the building code. Homes built before 1990 may contain asbestos that needs licensed removal.
Together these factors often add 10 to 20 percent over a comparable Sydney or Melbourne project. None of it is a reason to delay. It is a reason to budget from local numbers, not national averages.
The costs people forget to budget for
A whole-home renovation has more moving parts than a single room, so the hidden costs matter more.
Building approval, development approval where needed, and certifier fees are real line items in the ACT. Older homes can hide water damage, old wiring and asbestos behind the walls. If you move out during the build, factor in rent or temporary accommodation. If you stay, factor in the disruption.
Keep a contingency of 10 to 15 percent of your total budget. On a $300,000 renovation, that is $30,000 to $45,000 in reserve. On a project this size, that buffer is what keeps a surprise from becoming a crisis.
How long does a full home renovation take?
Most full home renovations in Canberra run three to nine months on site, depending on size and whether the work is structural. Total project time, including design, approvals and selections, often stretches to nine to fifteen months. Approvals and the scope of structural work are usually what move the timeline most.
Plan it with a team that does the whole home
A whole-home renovation lives or dies on planning and coordination. We confirm a clear scope before construction, set timelines before work begins, and keep you updated through the build. You can see real materials and finishes at our showroom in Fyshwick before you commit, and we take on a limited number of projects at a time so yours gets real attention.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to renovate or knock down and rebuild? It depends on the home. If the structure is sound and the layout mostly works, renovating is often better value. If the home needs major structural change throughout, a rebuild can sometimes cost less per square metre. A builder can help you compare honestly.
Should I renovate room by room or all at once? Doing it all at once is usually cheaper per square metre and faster overall, because trades are coordinated in one program. Room by room spreads the cost over time but often costs more in total.
Can I live in my home during a full renovation? Sometimes, for staged work. For a whole-home structural renovation, most people move out for at least part of the build. We plan the program to keep disruption manageable either way.
What adds the most resale value in a full home renovation? Kitchens, bathrooms and a layout that suits how people live. Quality finishes that do not date quickly protect the value over time.
Get a real number for your home
The best way to budget a full home renovation is a proper conversation about your home and goals. Book a showroom consultation or call 0405 386 594.
Cost figures are 2026 market estimates for Canberra and will vary with the size, condition and scope of your project. For approval requirements, confirm with a licensed ACT building certifier.
