How Much Does a Laundry Renovation Cost in Canberra?

Most laundry renovations in Canberra cost between $8,000 and $20,000 in 2026. A simple refresh can come in under $10,000. A full custom laundry with quality cabinetry, stone benchtops and new appliances can reach $25,000 or more. Where you land depends on the size of the room, the finishes you choose, and whether the plumbing has to move.

The laundry is small, so people expect it to be cheap. Then the quotes come back higher than they guessed. That is normal. A laundry packs plumbing, waterproofing, cabinetry, tiling and electrical into a few square metres, so the cost per square metre is often close to a bathroom.

Here is what your budget actually buys in Canberra.

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Laundry

What different budgets get you in Canberra

$6,000 to $10,000: A refresh

You update the look without changing the layout. New benchtop, new cabinet doors or a flat-pack unit, fresh splashback tiles, new tapware and a new sink. The plumbing and appliances stay where they are. This works well when the room already functions and you just want it to feel new.

$10,000 to $18,000: A full laundry renovation

This is the most common range for a proper laundry renovation in Canberra. New custom or semi-custom cabinetry, a stone or laminate benchtop, full tiling, a new sink and tapware, better lighting and smarter storage. You get a room that looks built-in, not bolted together.

$18,000 to $30,000 and up: A high-end or reconfigured laundry

Now you are moving plumbing, changing the layout, adding floor-to-ceiling storage, or fitting premium finishes and appliances. This suits homeowners who want the laundry to match a renovated kitchen or a full home upgrade.

What drives the price up or down

A few things move the number more than anything else.

Size and layout matter, but moving the plumbing matters more. Keep the sink and taps where they are and you save. Move them across the room and you add plumbing and waterproofing work.

Cabinetry is the next big lever. Flat-pack keeps costs down. Custom cabinetry built for the exact space costs more and lasts longer. Benchtop choice follows the same rule, laminate at the low end, engineered stone higher up.

Appliances and how they fit also count. A simple side-by-side washer and dryer is cheap to plan around. A stacked or integrated setup with cabinetry built around it costs more.

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Laundry

The costs people forget to budget for

Waterproofing. A laundry is a wet area, so waterproofing to code is not optional. Expect roughly $400 to $900 depending on the space. It is often left out of cheap quotes, then added back later.

Older Canberra homes. Once the walls or floor open up, surprises can appear. Water damage, tired wiring or old plumbing. Homes built before 1990 may contain asbestos, which needs licensed removal. A good builder flags this before work starts.

Licensed trades. In the ACT, plumbing and electrical work must be done by licensed practitioners. That protects you, and it is built into a proper quote.

Keep a contingency of 10 to 20 percent of your budget for the unexpected. On a $15,000 laundry, that is $1,500 to $3,000 held in reserve. Most people do not use all of it. The ones who need it are glad it was there.

How long does a laundry renovation take?

On-site build time for a laundry in Canberra is usually one to two weeks for a standard project with no layout changes. Total time from first chat through design, selections and construction is often four to six weeks. Moving plumbing or waiting on custom cabinetry can add to that.

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Laundry

See it before you commit

The easiest way to feel confident about a laundry renovation is to see the finishes in person. At our showroom in Fyshwick you can compare benchtops, cabinetry and tapware at full size, and get honest guidance on what lasts and what dates quickly.

Frequently asked questions

Is a laundry renovation cheaper than a bathroom? Often, but not always. A laundry is usually smaller, so the total can be lower. But it carries the same plumbing, waterproofing and tiling per square metre, so the saving is smaller than people expect.

Can I renovate a laundry without moving the plumbing? Yes, and it is the best way to keep costs down. Keeping the sink and taps in place removes a lot of plumbing and waterproofing work.

Do I need approval for a laundry renovation in Canberra? A like-for-like refresh usually does not need building approval, but work that changes plumbing or structure can. Your builder or a building certifier can confirm what your project needs.

What adds the most value in a laundry? Smart storage and a hard-wearing benchtop. A laundry that is easy to use and easy to clean makes daily life simpler, which is what buyers notice too.

Start your laundry renovation

Want a clear, honest price for your laundry? Book a showroom consultation or call 0405 386 594.

Cost figures are 2026 market estimates for Canberra and will vary with the size and scope of your project. For approval requirements, confirm with a licensed ACT building certifier.