Laundry renovation cost Australia-wide starts at around $3,500 for a no-frills update and climbs past $18,000 for a fully customised fitout with bespoke joinery and premium finishes. According to the Housing Industry Association, residential renovation activity has remained strong through 2026 as homeowners continue upgrading functional spaces rather than moving. The laundry is one of the most underestimated rooms in the house, small enough that people assume it’ll be cheap, but packed with plumbing, tiling and cabinetry that adds up fast.
Laundry renovation cost Australia sits between $3,500 and $18,000 for most projects. A basic refresh with flatpack cabinetry and a new trough runs $3,500–$6,000. A mid-range renovation with stone benchtops, new tiling and updated plumbing lands around $8,000–$12,000. High-end custom fitouts with joinery, heated flooring and premium appliances push past $15,000.
Most Australian households end up spending $7,000–$12,000 on a mid-range laundry renovation. That’s the realistic number once you’ve factored in a plumber, a tiler, cabinetry, a new trough and some fresh paint. The budget and premium ends are real, but they require either strict trade-offs or a willingness to spend on quality. This guide breaks down what you’ll actually pay and where the money goes.
What a laundry renovation typically costs in 2026
The biggest driver of price spread isn’t location, it’s scope. A basic refresh (new trough, flatpack cabinet, repaint) sits firmly in the $3,500–$6,000 range. A mid-range renovation with new tiling, stone benchtops, updated plumbing and quality cabinetry runs $8,000–$12,000. A high-end custom fitout with integrated appliances, heated flooring and bespoke joinery pushes $14,000–$18,000 or more.
Location does play a role once you’re comparing states. Sydney and Melbourne tradies charge 15–25% more per hour than regional Queensland or South Australia, and that compounds across multiple trades on a renovation. Here’s how prices shake out by state:
| State | Average Cost | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | $10,500 | $5,500 – $18,000 |
| VIC | $9,800 | $5,000 – $17,000 |
| QLD | $8,700 | $4,500 – $15,500 |
| WA | $9,200 | $4,800 – $16,000 |
| SA | $8,000 | $4,000 – $14,500 |
| TAS | $7,500 | $3,800 – $13,500 |
| ACT | $10,200 | $5,200 – $17,500 |
| NT | $9,500 | $5,000 – $16,500 |
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NSW and ACT sit highest because of Sydney and Canberra labour rates. Tasmania and South Australia are typically the most affordable, though even there a full custom reno will push past $13,000 once joinery and multiple trades are involved.
Renovation tier breakdown: what you get at each budget
The gap between a $5,000 and a $15,000 laundry is real, but it’s not always obvious from photos. Here’s what each tier actually includes, and what it doesn’t.
| Tier | What’s Included | What’s Not Included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic ($3,500–$6,000) | Flatpack cabinet, new trough and tapware, repaint, vinyl or laminate floor, basic lighting | Tiling, stone benchtop, plumbing relocation, appliance upgrades |
| Mid-Range ($7,000–$12,000) | Custom or semi-custom cabinetry, stone or quality laminate benchtop, full tiling, plumbing update, overhead storage, new appliances | Heated flooring, bespoke joinery, structural changes |
| Premium ($13,000–$18,000+) | Fully custom joinery, stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling tiling, heated floor, integrated appliances, feature lighting, fold-down ironing board | Nothing, this is the full fitout |
The mid-range tier is where most people land, and honestly it’s the sweet spot. You get a genuinely functional, good-looking laundry without paying the joinery premium that mostly benefits resale photography rather than daily use.
Where the money actually goes
Understanding what drives laundry renovation cost in Australia helps you work out where to spend and where to cut. Labour is the biggest line item on almost every job. Here are the four factors that move the needle most.
Plumbing: the non-negotiable cost
Plumbers are essential for any laundry renovation that involves a trough, washing machine outlet or new tapware. In Sydney suburbs like Surry Hills or Newtown, licensed plumbers charge $180–$250 per hour. In outer Brisbane or Adelaide that drops to $130–$165 per hour. A standard laundry plumbing job (disconnect and reconnect the trough, check waste and inlet lines) takes 2–4 hours, so budget $350–$1,000 just for plumbing if you’re keeping everything in place.
Move a pipe to a different wall? Add $800–$2,500. That’s the single biggest avoidable cost in a laundry reno. You can browse stainless steel laundry troughs to supply your own fixture and ask the plumber to install-only, which saves the tradie’s materials margin of 15–25%.
Cabinetry and joinery: flatpack vs custom
Custom joinery is where laundry budgets blow out. A bespoke built-in laundry cabinet with overhead storage and integrated benchtop runs $3,000–$7,000 in most capital cities. A flatpack equivalent from IKEA, Bunnings or a cabinet supplier does the same job for $600–$1,500, including installation. The visual difference is minimal if you pair flatpack boxes with quality handles and a stone or stone-look benchtop.
For a standard 2-metre laundry run, flatpack is the sensible call. Custom joinery earns its cost in awkward floor plans, floor-to-ceiling fitouts or when the laundry doubles as a butler’s pantry. If you’re thinking about broader storage upgrades for the whole home, our guide on kitchen renovation costs in Australia covers how to compare joinery options across larger rooms.
Tiling: walls, floors, or both
Tiling a full laundry, floor and walls, costs $1,500–$4,500 depending on tile choice and room size. A standard 3m² floor in porcelain tile runs around $600–$900 in materials and $400–$700 in labour. Add a splashback above the trough (around 1.5m²) and you’re looking at another $400–$600 all-up.
Floor-to-ceiling wall tiling is the premium choice that pushes the cost to the higher end. If budget is tight, a quality vinyl plank floor ($30–$55 per m² installed) plus a ceramic splashback is a practical alternative that holds up well to moisture. Tilers in Fremantle, Perth’s northern suburbs and Geelong tend to quote 10–15% less than inner-city Melbourne or Sydney rates.
Appliances: easy to overspend
The laundry renovation itself doesn’t have to include new appliances, but many people take the opportunity to upgrade. A decent front-loader washing machine runs $900–$1,800, and a condenser dryer $700–$1,400. Stack them to save floor space (stackable kits cost $80–$150 extra). Worth noting: appliance costs can easily add $1,500–$3,200 to the total if you’re replacing both at once. Consider whether the existing machines have useful life left before committing.
If you’re managing a broader budget for pet-related costs alongside home renovations, our piece on the cost of owning a Staffy in Australia shows how annual household costs add up across multiple categories.
Questions to ask before you book a tradie
Is this a fixed quote or hourly rate?
Most renovation builders will quote a fixed price for the full scope. Plumbers and tilers sometimes quote hourly, which creates exposure if the job runs long. Push for a fixed quote on any work over $500, and make sure the quote specifies exactly what’s included, especially waste removal and site cleanup.
Who coordinates the trades?
On a mid-range laundry reno, you’ll typically have a plumber, tiler and possibly an electrician. If you’re hiring each separately, you’re the project manager. If you hire a renovation company, they coordinate trades but charge a margin (usually 15–20%) for that service. Know which model you’re buying before you sign anything.
What happens if there’s hidden damage behind the walls?
Old laundries, particularly in homes built before 1990, sometimes have rotted wall cavities, rusty pipes or asbestos-containing materials behind the tiles. Ask specifically what the tradie’s process is for discovering and quoting hidden damage. A good contractor will outline a day-rate for remediation work rather than leaving you exposed to an open-ended cost.
Does the quote include plumbing compliance certificates?
In most states, plumbing work over a certain value requires a compliance certificate. Ask whether the quote includes the certificate fee ($150–$300 typically) and whether the plumber will organise the inspection. You’ll need this paperwork for insurance and resale purposes.
What’s the payment schedule?
A standard schedule is 10–20% deposit, progress payment at rough-in stage, and balance on completion. Be wary of any contractor asking for more than 30% upfront. The MoneySmart website has solid guidance on managing renovation contracts and what to watch for in payment terms.
Can you see a completed laundry job similar to mine?
Photos are easy to cherry-pick. Ask for a reference from a recent laundry or bathroom renovation, specifically a job of similar budget and scope. A contractor who can’t produce a reference for a $10,000 renovation isn’t one you want managing yours.
How to bring the cost down
- Keep plumbing in the same spot. This is the single biggest lever. Moving pipes to a new wall adds $800–$2,500. Design your layout around where the trough and machine currently sit and you’ll save that money for finishes.
- Go flatpack for cabinetry. The visual gap between flatpack and custom joinery is smaller than you’d think, especially with a stone benchtop sitting on top. Flatpack cabinets with quality laundry storage units and good hardware save $1,500–$5,500 compared to full custom builds.
- Tile the splash zone only. Full wall tiling is a premium finish that costs $1,200–$2,500 more than a targeted splashback. A porcelain splashback behind the trough and vinyl plank flooring gets you 80% of the look at 40% of the tile cost.
- Bundle with another renovation. If a plumber or tiler is already on-site for a bathroom, laundry work can often be tagged on at a reduced call-out. Timing jobs together saves $300–$700 on mobilisation costs alone.
- Supply your own fixtures. Buy tapware, troughs and cabinetry directly from a trade supplier and ask tradies to install supply-only. Saves the standard 15–25% materials margin that tradies add.
Comparing the figures compiled for this guide, the pattern that stood out is that labour consistently represents 40–55% of the total renovation cost regardless of tier. Cutting material costs helps, but reducing the number of trade visits and keeping the scope tight does more to bring the final number down. See also our guide on dog boarding costs in Melbourne if you’re planning to relocate pets during the renovation period.
FAQs about laundry renovation cost Australia
How much does a basic laundry renovation cost in Australia?
A basic laundry renovation, replacing the trough, adding flatpack cabinetry and painting, runs around $3,500 to $6,000. That assumes you’re keeping the plumbing in the same position and doing some of the prep work yourself.
Do I need a plumber for a laundry renovation?
Yes, if you’re moving any pipes, adding a new trough, or relocating the washing machine outlet, you legally need a licensed plumber. Even a simple trough swap usually requires a plumber to disconnect and reconnect the waste. Budget $150–$350 per hour for a plumber, and most laundry plumbing jobs take 2–4 hours.
How long does a laundry renovation take?
A basic refresh takes 1–3 days. A mid-range renovation with tiling, new cabinetry and plumbing changes typically takes 3–7 days on-site. A full custom fitout with floor heating and bespoke joinery can take 2–3 weeks from start to finish, particularly if joinery is ordered and needs lead time.
Does a laundry renovation add value to a home?
A well-presented laundry does add value, particularly in the $700,000-plus market where buyers expect functional storage and clean finishes. Agents generally say a tidy, modern laundry removes a negative rather than actively adding premium value. Don’t overspend chasing a return, mid-range is usually the sweet spot.
What’s the most expensive part of a laundry renovation?
Labour is usually the biggest line item, accounting for 40–55% of total cost. Plumbing and tiling together can represent $2,500–$5,000 on a mid-range job. Custom joinery is the single most expensive material choice, a custom-built laundry cabinet can cost $3,000–$7,000 versus $600–$1,500 for a flatpack equivalent.
People Also Ask About Laundry Renovation Cost Australia
Can I renovate my laundry for under $5,000?
Yes, but you’ll need to be disciplined. Keep plumbing in the same location, use flatpack cabinetry, choose porcelain or vinyl flooring instead of natural stone, and skip the custom joinery. A realistic $4,000–$5,000 laundry refresh gets you new cabinetry, a trough, fresh paint, and updated tapware, which covers most of what buyers and renters actually notice.
Do I need council approval to renovate a laundry?
Generally no, if you’re doing an internal renovation that doesn’t alter the building structure or move drainage beyond the existing wall locations. However, if you’re changing the floor plan, adding a wet area, or the work involves stormwater connections, check with your local council. Rules vary by state and municipality.
What benchtop material is best for a laundry renovation?
Laminate is the most popular choice for laundries because it handles moisture, heat and cleaning products well, and costs $200–$600 for a standard run. Stone (engineered or natural) looks premium and adds roughly $500–$1,500 to the benchtop cost but needs sealing. Avoid timber in high-moisture laundries unless it’s properly sealed and ventilated.
How do I find a reliable tradesperson for a laundry renovation?
Word of mouth is still the most reliable method in Australia. Beyond that, platforms like HiPages and ServiceSeeking let you compare quotes, but check reviews and ask to see photos of completed laundry jobs specifically. Always confirm the plumber holds a current licence for your state, you can verify this through your state’s building authority website.
Is it worth hiring a laundry renovation specialist versus a general builder?
For a straightforward refresh, a general builder coordinating a plumber and tiler is fine and often cheaper. A specialist fitout company makes more sense for complex jobs, custom joinery, unusual floor plans, or when you want a single point of accountability for the whole project. Expect to pay a 10–15% premium for the convenience of a specialist managing all trades.
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Going through the renovation pricing data for this guide, the consistent finding is that scope discipline matters more than location when it comes to keeping laundry renovation cost in Australia under control. The jobs that blow out aren’t usually the ones in expensive postcodes, they’re the ones where the brief kept expanding after the first quote was signed. Lock in your scope, get three quotes, and keep the plumber’s visit count low. That’s genuinely the formula. For other renovation and pet ownership cost guides, see our breakdowns on vet consultation costs in Melbourne and French Bulldog costs in Australia to help plan your broader household budget.
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