Renovating in Melbourne: costs, timelines and your rights (2026 guide)
What kitchens and bathrooms cost in 2026, how long they take, the Victorian deposit and builder rules, and what to ask before you sign.
Planning a kitchen, bathroom or whole-home renovation in Melbourne? This guide covers what it costs in 2026, how long it takes, the Victorian rules that protect you, and the questions to ask before you sign.
What a renovation costs in Melbourne (2026)
| Project | Typical range (incl. GST) |
|---|---|
| Kitchen – cosmetic refresh (doors, benchtop, paint) | $8,400 – $21,000 |
| Kitchen – budget (flat-pack) | $12,600 – $26,000 |
| Kitchen – mid-range (semi-custom, stone-look benchtop) | $26,000 – $47,000 |
| Kitchen – premium (custom cabinetry) | $47,000 – $84,000 |
| Bathroom – basic | $10,500 – $21,000 |
| Bathroom – mid-range | $21,000 – $37,000 |
| Ensuite (same layout) | $15,750 – $31,500 |
The biggest cost drivers are moving plumbing or walls, custom versus flat-pack cabinetry, tile and benchtop choice, and fittings and appliances.
How long it takes
| Project | Time on site |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Usually 4–8 weeks after design sign-off |
| Bathroom | Usually 3–5 weeks, including waterproofing cure time |
| Custom cabinetry lead time | Usually 4–6 weeks from approved drawings |
| Apartment owners corporation approval | Can add 4–8 weeks before work starts |
Your protections in Victoria
- Registered builder: domestic building work over $10,000 must be done by a registered builder under a major domestic building contract.
- Deposit limits: no more than 10% for contracts under $20,000, and 5% for contracts of $20,000 or more.
- Progress payments: paid only when each stage is complete, never in advance.
- Insurance: domestic building insurance (home warranty) is required for most work over $20,000 – ask for the certificate before paying a deposit.
- Waterproofing: wet areas must meet the National Construction Code (AS 3740).
- Plumbing and electrical: licensed trades only, with compliance certificates.
Questions to ask any renovator
- Are you registered, and can I see your insurance certificate?
- Is the quote fixed and itemised, and what is not included?
- Who manages the job day to day, and how often will I get updates?
- Who makes the cabinetry and supplies the flooring?
- What warranty do I get, and who do I call if something goes wrong?
How ATOP renovates
One project manager runs the job from the first measure to the final builders clean. Because we make our own cabinetry and supply flooring from our ATOP Imports showroom in Eumemmerring, there are fewer trades to chase and fewer delays. Every quote is fixed and itemised after a free site visit.
Sources: whatsthedamage.com.au kitchen and bathroom cost guides (verified October 2026); Consumer Affairs Victoria – deposits and payments for building work. Updated October 2026. Prices are market guides, not ATOP quotes.