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Renovation cost Sydney 2022

Calculate your renovation cost Sydney with our comprehensive yet simple guide.

renovation-cost-sydney

You will be walking away with a good understanding of how much you realistically need to budget for the:

  • renovation and
  • planning and design fees.

Let’s start.

What rooms to you wish to makeover?

Have a look at the table below and sum up the cost of all the rooms you wish to redo.

Renovation Cost Sydney by Room

ROOMBASICMID
RANGE
HIGH
END
Kitchen25 to 40K40 to 70K70 to 120K
Butlers Pantry10 to 15K15 to 25K25 to 45K
Bathroom20 to 28K28 to 40K40 to 80K
Powder Room10 to 15K15 to 25K25 to 50K
Laundry10 to 20K20 to 30K30 to 60K
Flooring per m280 to 100100 to 180180 to 300

This assumes that qualified, licensed builders and tradespeople carry out the renovation.

Depending on the sort of room you wish to refurbish, your expenses vary drastically. A square meter bathroom is so much more expensive than a square meter of the bedroom to redo.

Do you consider relocating any walls?

Have you always dreamt of open plan living? Now it’s the time to consider the removal or relocation of some interior walls to give you this continuous flow throughout the house.

Learn how much this may add to the cost in the table below.

complete-home-renovations-sydney

If you carry out structural work and some window locations, you need to obtain a building permit for your project.

You can either get a Development Application (DA) through Council or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) with a private certifier. If this sounds gibberish to you, don’t worry, our team will take care of this.

As a consequence, the building permit triggers additional planning and design fees which are shown below.

SERVICEBUILDING
PRO
COST / FEE
Con­struc­tion costBuilder10 to 80K
Land surveySurveyor2.5 to 3.5K
DrawingsBuilding Designer
or Architect
5 to 20K
Engineer’s planStructural Engineer3 to 5K
DA or CDCCouncil or
Private Certifier
2 to 4K
Interior DesignInterior Designer10 to 20K

Add these amounts to the renovation costs per room from above.

Changing the layout can chew up a fair bit of your budget. Having said that, it can also completely transform your home and boost up the return on investment when it comes to selling your place. It’s definitely worthwhile exploring this option.

Martina with DA plans and documentation

Read further to learn about what the expenses are including.

House renovation cost Sydney

In this renovation cost table, we assume that all work is carried out by qualified, licensed builders and tradespeople. Therefore, GST is included in those prices.

Subsequently, with advanced DIY skills and a bit of elbow grease, you can save some serious money when you bring this into the equation.

But if you prefer to get the professionals on board, you can find a master builder here.

Kitchen renovation cost Sydney

The kitchen renovation cost includes custom-made cabinets, benchtops, splashback, sink and tapware. You’ll need to add prices for new appliances such as fridge, cooktop, oven, steam oven, dishwasher, microwave etc. to get the total cost. By the way, while you’re here, don’t forget to get some kitchen inspiration here.

Contemporary kitchen

The same is valid for the butler’s pantry. The costs include the cabinets, benchtop, sink, tapware and splashback, but not any appliances you might wish to buy.

Bathroom renovation cost Sydney

The bathroom renovation cost includes the supply of tiles, bathroom items and accessories. But a big chunk of the cost is owed to labour expenses:

  • tiling
  • water proofing
  • plumbing
  • electrical
  • painting
  • manufacturing of custom vanity
Bathroom with contemporary finishes and double basin

While you’re here don’t forget to grab some bathroom inspiration on the way.

How much does renovation cost

Please be aware that the amounts outlined represent a guideline only. Most importantly you wish to allow for some budget contingency of 10 to 20% for any unforeseen expenses.

To receive an individual quote from a builder we are happy to develop some conceptual plans for you to get the planning of your dream house underway. This way you learn exactly how much to factor in and what you will be getting.

Please schedule an initial chat with Martina below, or alternatively, call her on 0434 498 450 or fill out this contact form. We love to hear from you.

All information is collated conscientious and with the utmost care. However, the team of Martina Hayes can’t be held responsible for any errors and misinterpretations.

Filed Under: Renovation Design, Residential Interior Design Tagged With: bathroom renovation cost, building permit fees, Council fees, kitchen renovation cost, renovation cost

Interior renovation Sydney – before and after

This house was in dire need of a complete interior renovation to bring out the best of it. Being conveniently located in Sydney’s lower north shore the 60 year old duplex had a lot going for it:

  • Good bones
  • Beautiful North facing backyard
  • Charm of a small 2-bedroom house
  • Narrow hallway prior to renovation
  • Narrow hallway with dark ceiling
A bit of drama was added to the narrow hallway

For more inspiration, head to our Gallery of completed projects.

Internal flow needs improvement

The layout was awkward and didn’t take advantage of the sunny backyard at all. Instead, the bathroom was located in the most beautiful part of the house. It had an old bathtub cramped into the tiny space and a basin barely large enough to wash one’s face. In addition, the property’s kitchen was impractical and lacked storage. Located on the outside, the laundry forced residents to walk over uneven ground and face trip hazards just to do their laundry.

Flowers on vanity top
The new bathroom became a sanctuary

In case you had any doubt, this property needed a complete overhaul. We started the process by planning the new layout and recommended relocating the bathroom towards the bedrooms. Increasing functionality and flow we were also able to allocate space for a small indoor laundry.

Colour samples for interior renovation
Neutral colour scheme for a rental home

Building permit for interior renovation

The plans required the relocation of a structural wall and therefore a building permit. We recommended applying for a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) as opposed to getting Council approval because we wanted to speed up and simplify the planning process for the interior renovation. Hence, our team developed the necessary drawings and documents for the certifier to grant the building permit and the construction work to begin.

  • Old bathroom before interior renovation
  • Renovated bathroom with vanity
Ample storage in the new bathroom

Relocation of existing bathroom

With the bathroom being relocated, we opened up the house towards the backyard to take advantage of this lovely lush view. Because of that, the residents have now an abundance of natural light flowing into the kitchen, dining and living room.

We transformed the bathroom into a small sanctuary with a modern walk-in shower, toilet and vanity with a mirrored cabinet on top to provide ample storage. The colour scheme looks welcoming and ties in with the new kitchen.

  • Kitchen before interior renovation
  • New kitchen after internal makeover
The new kitchen is light-flooded and inviting

Complete interior renovation

The kitchen now includes all appliances and smart storage solutions you would expect from a modern kitchen. We recommended a light and classic colour scheme combining oak timber with white. Saving valuable space, we butted up the dining table against the island bench where space is at its premium. In addition, we created a bar to the spacious deck inviting the residents to enjoy a snack and drink outdoors. At the same time, the new awning window protects the residents conveniently against any weather conditions.

bar with fruit basket
New outdoor bar with awning window

Being an investment property, the entire transformation was carried out keeping an eye on the cost involved to maximize return on investment. Furthermore, we selected all the appliances and finishes to be solid quality and hardwearing while oozing out the desired cottage atmosphere.

New kitchen with flowers
Oak and white for a cottage feel

Facelift for the timber flooring

The existing cypress pine timber flooring needed some replacement patches here and there. To ensure that the transitions are hardly noticeable, the builder’s tradespeople sanded back and resealed the entire floor. The treated floorboards turned out beautifully. As a result, it’s now nearly impossible to distinguish between the old and new boards and where the previous walls have been located.

Transformation into a cosy home

What a transformation from an unloved rental property to a cute little cottage home. Not only is the house now functional and beautiful, but the makeover also added significant value to the property.

If you have an older home in Sydney that needs an interior renovation, feel free to contact us for an initial chat. Feel free to book a suitable time for you in the table below.

Alternatively, email martina@martinahayes.com.au or call me on 0434 498 450. You can also use this contact form.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Filed Under: Renovation Design, Residential Interior Design Tagged With: bathroom design, complete makeover, Interior Design, interior renovation, kitchen design, layout changes

4 Interior Decorators Secrets

interior design inspiration

Interior decorators can furnish every space beautifully to enhance or even completely transform your home to make it the best it can be.

Our interior decorators’ style secrets

But ramping up your space should not be reserved for professional interior decorators only. That’s why we share our top 4 secrets on how you can furnish like a pro.

Secret no. 1: Create a brief for yourself

For your decoration project to be successful create a clear brief. Take the time to figure out what you wish to achieve by asking yourself the following questions:

  • Who is this space for?
  • How is it going to be used?
  • How is it going to improve daily life?
  • What decorating style do I like?

If you find it difficult to determine your individual interior decorating style, here’s our tip. Head to Pinterest and browse through its vast amount of inspirational pictures. Pin your favourite images without overthinking, and you will end up with a board that clearly shows your style preferences.

Clear vision for decoration decision

Too often do we see that the initial brief has been neglected and the final result is not to your liking. But having a clear vision enables you to make positive and confident decisions. This leads to beautiful rooms which will wow your friends and family.

Blue side board and golden mirrors
Side board in a muted blue

Secret no. 2: Identify the pros and cons of your space

Now that you have created a strong interior decorating vision it is time to consider the given attributes of your space. Have a good look around the room and think about what you like most about it. Here are a few examples:

  • It has a lovely view into the backyard
  • Lots of natural light
  • I admire the detailed ceiling rose

But there might be a few characteristics you are not so keen on. This could be for instance:

  • It’s a small space
  • The shape of the room is funny
  • It has low ceilings

Endowed with the room’s pros and cons your aim is to highlight the positives while ideally hiding any parts you’re not very fond of. This secret is all about creating distractions, illusions and techniques of manipulation to bring the best out of your room.

Interior decorators draw attention to a room’s best side

Bring the focus to your beautiful outlook by creating some cosy bench seating right underneath the window and decorate it with fluffy scatter cushions where everyone immediately wants to sink in. Or install some velvet curtain scarfs on either side of the window framing your invigorating view into this lush backyard of yours. Either way, it will successfully draw attention to your room’s best side while this funny shape of the space might become completely overlooked.

How to create the illusion of a higher ceiling

A low ceiling in your living room can easily be addressed by manipulating your space. Choose a wallpaper with a vertical pattern that visually stretches the walls. Furthermore, paint the ceiling in a white colour irrespective of what the current trend may suggest. If you are renovating your bathroom, choose a small rectangular wall tile and lay it stacked vertically to create the illusion of a higher room.

Entry hall with dark ceiling and white walls
Consider painting the ceiling in a dark, dramatic colour when you have high rooms

In a nutshell, our secret number 2 is to respect and highlight the qualities of your existing space. Never go against its grain.

Secret No. 3: Interior decorators get the proportions right

From our experience, most people struggle with this furnishing rule. Haven’t we all heard of someone who purchased a dining table that overwhelmed the space or of someone who committed to expensive artwork that looked tiny like a postage stamp on the wall?

Getting the proportions right does not need to be difficult. If the room is on the smaller side we recommend selecting furniture that is small in scale as well. But this is easier said than done. The lounge you selected looked so delicate in this spacious showroom, but once delivered it seems to be bulky and dominant in your small-sized living room at home.

It can also go the other way around. Just imagine you purchased a gorgeous and costly rug just to discover at home that it looks way too small for your lounge area.

Tip on how to determine the right scale

Before we interior decorators recommend any furniture to our clients, we draw up the floorplan to scale and place the furniture inside. This ensures that the proportions are harmonious. But it’s not everyone’s cup of tea to measure up their space, convert the dimensions to the right scale and draw up the floorplan. That’s why we have a simple trick for you. Get the measurement of your desired couch from the shop or their website and place post-it notes on the floor where the four corners of your lounge would go. This shows how much space is left to walk around the sofa and helps to visualise the size of the furniture piece in situ. And once you found the right sized lounge the post-it notes are easily removed without leaving any marks.

interior-wallpaper-design

But it’s not only about the actual size of the furniture. Its style and build is equally important, too. For a small space, you could choose a lounge with legs rather than one that sits completely on the ground. This makes the room feel a lot more spacious. Same with the coffee table. One with thin metal legs and a glass top looks more appropriate in a compact lounge room than a rustic timber one.

Secret No. 4: Choose colour and pattern consciously

Selecting colours and patterns is a fun and exciting part of the interior decorating process. Don’t choose colours on a whim, think again about your vision and the space. Colour will greatly impact how your space feels in terms of scale and size as well as a deeper emotional connection.

With the right choice of colour you can easily manipulate your room, making it feel warm or cold, small or bigger. If your room is rather small and dark use lighter colours in furniture and for the walls. How do you feel about pastel hues, also called ice cream colours, which can transform any dark space into a cosy little gem of yours.

living-room-mosman

If you are working from home, you may consider a colour palette that is stimulating as well as motivating for your mind. Your colour scheme will be different again to that of a bedroom which may have a softer palette to feel more peaceful and tranquil. Wallpaper is another great way to add colour and pattern to a room. There are so many wallpaper designs to choose from that will be perfect for your decoration vision. Have a look at Kerrie Brown, one of our favourite wallpaper and fabric designer in Sydney.

If you wish to create more character in the space consider artwork. Artwork is an emotional choice and affects all people differently, it can add a splash of colour and a lot of personality to your home.

Next time you find yourself decorating we hope you will consider these interior decorators’ secrets. Creating spaces that make you feel great every day.

If you have any questions about interior decorating, please call me on 0434 498 450 or email to martina@martinahayes.com.au. If you prefer, you can also use this contact form.

Filed Under: Residential Interior Design Tagged With: interior decorating, interior decorating secrets, interior styling

Online Interior Design Services

Online Interior Design Services Laptop
Our pets love us spending time at home

Online interior design services are a convenient and affordable way to spruce up your home from the edge of your lounge. No need to leave the house or to let someone enter. Because all you need is a computer or a smart phone to show us around your space and discuss what’s bothering you.

Design consultation via phone

Choose your favourite app to connect with us:

  • WhatsApp
  • Facetime
  • Zoom
  • Skype

Or any other technology that works for you.

Renovate with electronic assistance

When you are working from home and spending a lot of time indoors, you might be looking at your space with a different set of eyes. Cast your eyes over your living area, home office, kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms. Then ask yourself, is there an area that has been needing some TLC?

living room
Living room with open kitchen in loft house

Design dilemma solved virtually

If you face a design dilemma that makes your head spin, now is a good time to get it sorted once and for all. Get your mobile phone into gear and call the interior design experts. Our virtual consultant listens to your design issues, develops options and discusses them with you. We often come up with a solution you might have not considered\t.

Open plan living design per computer

Maybe there is this wall between your family room and the tiny bedroom next door that has always been a thorn in your side. What if you could remove this wall to create an open plan living area that you always wanted. Sure, that can’t be too difficult, can it?

Kitchen design online

And what about the kitchen which is no longer functional let alone its style and colour that has dated written all over it. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a big island bench in the centre of the space for friends to gather around having a good time. A brand new kitchen also makes preparing dinner for the family a breeze.

kitchen design

Bathroom design online

If you’re in the fortunate situation of having a large master bedroom, you might be wondering if you could hijack a corner to transform it into an ensuite for your private bathroom heaven. This way you could enjoy some additional me time and it would also make those pesky queues in the morning a thing of the past.

Luxurious bathroom

Our online interior design services encompass

  • Whole house renovation
  • Floor plan changes
  • New bathroom
  • New kitchen
  • Interior decorating and flooring advice
  • Colour guidance

Get the ball rolling

Whatever your home improvement goal may be, now is the time to start tackling this project that is long overdue.

Let’s have an initial phone chat on how your dream space can become a reality. This is free of charge and with no obligation to proceed.

Select a time that is convenient for you

On Thursday nights we have late appointments available.

Alternatively, call us on 0434 498 450 for an intial chat or send us a message.

Filed Under: Residential Interior Design Tagged With: decorating advice via phone, interior decorating online, online interior design services

Select finishes that wow

Select finishes for your house is such an exciting part of the building or renovation process but it can be also quite daunting.

Looking at a house from the kerb or entering the foyer, the first things one will notice are the colours and finishes. That’s why it’s crucial to get this right. But at the same time, there are so many textures and hues to choose from that you may feel overwhelmed with all the decisions to make.

finishes-home-renovation
Beautifully matched finishes bring out the best of your house

The finishes make or break a house, not only do they determine whether you feel comfortable in your home, they also crucial when it comes to the resell value of your property.

Decisions during construction process

There are so many decisions to be made that affect how comfor­table you will feel in your home; but also how the value of one of your biggest assets may progress moving forward.

Assistance in selecting finishes

We discuss the look you have in mind ensuring your finishes all tie together giving your house a good flow. I assist you with some critical choices, such as:

  • timber flooring
  • carpet
  • tiles
  • fabrics
  • paint colours
  • wallpaper
  • kitchen finishes
  • bathroom tiles
  • outdoor paving

and any­thing else you wish to get a profes­sional opinion on.

Please contact me, if you wish to learn more about selecting the right finishes.

Filed Under: Residential Interior Design Tagged With: colours, fittings, select finishes

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Recent Posts

  • Renovation cost Sydney 2022
  • Interior renovation Sydney – before and after
  • Homeowner grant overview NSW
  • 4 Interior Decorators Secrets
  • Online Interior Design Services

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