How Much Does a Home Renovation Cost on the Gold Coast in 2026?

If you are planning a renovation on the Gold Coast, the first question on your mind is almost certainly: how much is this going to cost? The honest answer is that renovation costs vary enormously depending on what you are doing, the condition of your existing home, and the level of finish you want. But after 30+ years in building and design on the Gold Coast, I can give you realistic ranges that reflect what projects are actually costing in 2026.

Gold Coast Renovation Costs by Project Type

These are construction cost ranges based on Gold Coast projects. They do not include design fees, council application fees, or specialist consultant fees (structural engineer, energy assessor, etc.), which are additional.

Bathroom Renovation: $25,000 – $60,000

A straightforward bathroom renovation where plumbing stays in the same location will sit at the lower end. Once you start relocating plumbing, changing the room size, or specifying high-end fixtures and finishes, costs climb quickly. Waterproofing, tiling, and plumbing are the three big cost drivers in any bathroom renovation — and the quality of these elements is not somewhere you want to cut corners. A bathroom that leaks will cost you far more than the money you saved on cheaper waterproofing.

Kitchen Renovation: $30,000 – $80,000+

Kitchen costs are driven by cabinetry, benchtops, and appliances. A kitchen where the layout stays the same and you are replacing cabinetry, benchtops, and appliances will sit around $30,000–$50,000. If you are changing the layout, moving plumbing and electrical, opening up walls, or installing premium materials like stone benchtops and integrated appliances, expect $60,000–$80,000 or more. Kitchens are the most used room in the house — they need to work as hard as they look.

Single-Room Extension: $80,000 – $200,000

Adding a room to your home involves new foundations, structural connections to the existing building, roofing that integrates with the current roofline, and services connections. The cost depends on size, structural complexity, and how the extension connects to the existing house. A simple ground-floor addition on a flat site will cost less than an extension that requires significant structural work to tie into an older building. Site access also matters — if a crane or special equipment is needed, that adds cost.

Second-Storey Addition: $250,000 – $500,000+

Adding a second storey is one of the most complex renovation types. The existing structure needs to support the additional load, which often means strengthening foundations and ground-floor framing. The family typically needs to live somewhere else during construction (or at least during the roof removal phase). Temporary weather protection, scaffolding, and the engineering required to verify structural adequacy all add cost that homeowners often do not anticipate.

Whole-House Renovation: $150,000 – $500,000+

A comprehensive renovation that touches multiple rooms, reconfigures the layout, and potentially extends the footprint. The cost depends on how much of the existing structure is being retained versus modified. In some cases, a whole-house renovation approaches the cost of a knockdown rebuild — which is worth considering if the existing structure requires extensive remediation.

Outdoor Living Areas: $40,000 – $150,000

Covered outdoor areas, decks, and alfresco spaces are extremely popular on the Gold Coast given our climate. Costs depend on size, roofing type (flat, pitched, or extending the existing roof), flooring, and whether the area includes an outdoor kitchen or built-in barbecue. Structural requirements for the roof and any connection to the existing building are the biggest cost drivers.

What Drives Renovation Costs Up?

After pricing and building hundreds of renovation projects, I can tell you the factors that most often push costs beyond the initial estimate:

• Structural surprises. Opening walls to discover inadequate framing, termite damage, or non-compliant previous work. This is the single biggest source of renovation cost blowouts — and the single best argument for thorough site assessment before design begins.
• Scope creep. “While we are at it, can we also…” is the most expensive phrase in renovation. Every addition to the scope adds cost, delays the timeline, and often triggers additional compliance requirements.
• Poor design documentation. Vague or incomplete plans mean builders must make assumptions — and they price those assumptions conservatively. Detailed construction documents reduce uncertainty and produce more competitive quotes.
• Services relocation. Moving plumbing, electrical, or gas services is expensive. Designs that work with existing service locations where possible save significant money.
• Site access and staging. Tight sites, steep blocks, or renovations where the family is living in the house during construction all add complexity and cost.
• Material and finish selections. The difference between standard and premium finishes can double the cost of a bathroom or kitchen. Make finish selections during the design phase, not during construction.

How Design Documentation Reduces Your Renovation Cost

This is the point most homeowners miss: spending money on proper design saves you money on construction. I have seen it hundreds of times — a homeowner tries to save $5,000 on design fees and ends up spending $30,000 more in construction variations, delays, and compromises.

Detailed renovation plans achieve three things that directly reduce cost:

1. Competitive quoting. When every builder is pricing the same detailed scope of work, you get genuine competition. Without plans, builders are guessing different scopes — the quotes are meaningless to compare.
2. Fewer variations. Construction variations (changes during the build) are the number one cause of budget blowouts. Comprehensive documentation means fewer surprises on site.
3. Smarter design decisions. A designer who understands construction costs can show you where your money is going and where changes to the design can achieve the same result for less. I do this naturally because I have priced and built the same types of work I am now designing.

Renovation design fees typically run 4–7% of the construction cost. On a $200,000 renovation, that is $8,000–$14,000 in design fees. If proper documentation saves you even one major variation during construction — and it almost always saves you more than one — the design has paid for itself. Read more about building designer fees.

How to Budget for Your Gold Coast Renovation

Based on what I see working with Gold Coast homeowners every week, here is my practical budgeting advice:

• Start with the end in mind. Know what you want to achieve before you talk to anyone. Browse renovation projects, save images, make notes about what you like. The clearer your brief, the more accurate the cost estimate.
• Add a contingency. For renovations, I recommend a 10–15% contingency on top of the quoted construction cost. Existing buildings always have surprises — this is not pessimism, it is experience.
• Budget for design, approvals, and consultants separately. Design fees, council application fees, structural engineering, energy assessment, and building certification are all separate from the construction cost. On a $200,000 renovation, expect $15,000–$25,000 in professional fees.
• Do not chase the cheapest quote. The cheapest builder quote is almost always the builder who has made the most assumptions. Compare quotes on a like-for-like basis using detailed plans, and ask each builder to explain any allowances or exclusions.

For a broader view of the entire renovation process — from choosing professionals to council approval to common mistakes — read our complete guide to home renovations on the Gold Coast. And if you are unsure whether to hire a builder or designer first, the short answer is: get the design documentation done first, then approach builders.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a kitchen renovation cost on the Gold Coast?

A Gold Coast kitchen renovation typically costs between $30,000 and $80,000 or more, depending on the scope. If you are keeping the existing layout and replacing cabinetry, benchtops, and appliances, expect $30,000–$50,000. Changing the layout, relocating plumbing and electrical, or specifying premium materials like stone benchtops and integrated appliances will push costs to $60,000–$80,000+. The best way to control kitchen renovation costs is to finalise your layout and material selections during the design phase, before construction begins.

Should I get a fixed-price or cost-plus contract for my renovation?

For most Gold Coast homeowners, a fixed-price contract provides more budget certainty. The builder agrees to complete the defined scope for a set price, and variations are only triggered by changes you initiate or unforeseen site conditions. However, a fixed-price contract is only as reliable as the documentation it is based on. Vague plans produce vague pricing with generous allowances. Detailed construction drawings from a building designer give builders the information they need to price accurately, which is why thorough design documentation is the foundation of a reliable fixed-price contract.

How much contingency should I allow for a renovation?

I recommend a contingency of 10–15% of the quoted construction cost for renovation projects. Existing buildings always contain surprises — concealed termite damage, non-compliant previous work, deteriorated framing, or services that are not where you expected. A contingency is not a sign of poor planning; it is a realistic acknowledgement that renovation work involves opening up an existing structure where conditions cannot be fully assessed until work begins. If you do not use the contingency, you have money left over. If you do need it, you are not scrambling to find additional funds mid-project.

Does a building designer save money on my renovation?

Yes — and the savings typically exceed the design fee several times over. A building designer produces detailed construction documentation that allows builders to quote accurately and competitively, reducing the risk of costly variations during construction. As a dual-licensed builder and building designer, I understand what work actually costs to build, so I can identify where design changes will save money without compromising the outcome. Design fees of 4–7% of the construction cost routinely save 10–20% or more compared to renovations that proceed with minimal documentation.

Is it cheaper to renovate or do a knockdown rebuild on the Gold Coast?

It depends on the extent of work required and the condition of the existing structure. Minor to mid-range renovations are almost always more cost-effective than starting from scratch. However, once a whole-house renovation approaches $400,000–$500,000, the numbers start to overlap with what a knockdown rebuild would cost — and a new build gives you a home with no compromises, new warranties, and modern compliance throughout. During a design consultation, I can assess your existing home and give you an honest comparison of both options so you can make an informed decision.

For the decision framework, see our knockdown rebuild vs renovation comparison. For the rebuild service itself — assessment, design, documentation — see Knockdown Rebuild Gold Coast.

What Should Your Next Step Be?

If you are at the early stages of planning a renovation, the most valuable thing you can do is book a design consultation. In a single session, I can assess your existing home, discuss your goals, give you a realistic cost range for the work, and outline the design and approval process. My consultation fee is $280, credited if you proceed to design.

I have been designing and building on the Gold Coast for over 30 years. As a dual-licensed builder and building designer, I bring a perspective to renovation design that most designers simply cannot — because I have been on the other side, pricing and building from other people’s plans. That experience means your renovation design will be buildable, cost-realistic, and detailed enough for builders to quote with confidence.

Request a consultation to discuss your renovation project and get a realistic picture of what it will involve.

Related: Our renovation design services | Knockdown rebuild vs renovation | The biggest renovation mistake | Our design process | About Design Science