Apartment Renovation Cost Guide
Transparent pricing information for Sydney apartment renovations
Understanding Renovation Costs
Apartment renovation costs in Sydney vary based on several factors including size, scope, material selection, and building requirements. This guide gives the starting price for each level of finish so you can budget for your renovation project. Every job is delivered as a fixed-price quote through our apartment and unit renovation service.
About Our Pricing
The prices below are starting points based on our experience renovating more than 1,000 apartments across Sydney, updated August 2026 to reflect current trade and material costs. Every apartment is different, and your scope and finishes decide the final number, so we show where each level starts instead of quoting a top end. You get a detailed fixed-price quote after we assess your space, and that price is the price.
Kitchen Renovation
Basic
from $31,000
INCLUDES:
- Standard laminate benchtops
- Polyurethane cabinet doors
- Basic appliance package
- Standard sink and tapware
- Basic lighting
Mid-Range
from $39,000
INCLUDES:
- Engineered stone benchtops
- Quality cabinetry with soft-close
- Mid-range appliance package
- Designer sink and tapware
- Feature lighting
Premium
from $53,000
INCLUDES:
- Natural stone or Corian benchtops
- Custom cabinetry with special features
- Premium appliance package
- High-end sink and tapware
- Designer lighting package
Bathroom Renovation
Basic
from $28,000
INCLUDES:
- Standard ceramic tiles
- Basic vanity and toilet
- Standard shower screen
- Basic tapware and accessories
- Standard lighting
Mid-Range
from $39,000
INCLUDES:
- Quality porcelain tiles
- Custom vanity
- Frameless shower screen
- Quality tapware and accessories
- Feature lighting
Premium
from $53,000
INCLUDES:
- Premium tiles or natural stone
- Designer vanity with stone top
- Custom shower solutions
- High-end tapware and accessories
- Luxury features (heated floors, smart mirrors)
Complete Apartment Renovation
Basic
Studio/1 Bed: from $85,000 2 Bed: from $110,000 3 Bed: from $140,000
INCLUDES:
- Standard materials throughout
- Basic kitchen and bathroom
- Standard flooring
- Basic lighting package
- Fresh paint throughout
Mid-Range
Studio/1 Bed: from $110,000 2 Bed: from $140,000 3 Bed: from $180,000
INCLUDES:
- Quality materials throughout
- Mid-range kitchen and bathroom
- Engineered timber or quality tile flooring
- Custom lighting package
- Custom joinery in select areas
Premium
Studio/1 Bed: from $140,000 2 Bed: from $180,000 3 Bed: from $225,000
INCLUDES:
- Premium materials throughout
- Luxury kitchen and bathroom
- Premium flooring solutions
- Designer lighting package
- Extensive custom joinery and features
Factors Affecting Renovation Costs
Room and Apartment Size
Size is the first thing we price. For bathrooms, a compact room up to 5 m² needs less tiling, waterproofing and labour than a 5–10 m² family bathroom, and anything over 10 m² is priced closer to a small full renovation. The same logic scales up: studios and one-bedroom apartments cost less to renovate than two or three-bedroom apartments.
Layout Changes and Wall Removal
Keeping fixtures where they are is the single biggest saving. Moving the toilet, shower or kitchen plumbing means new in-wall services and re-waterproofing. Removing a wall adds engineering, approval and make-good costs, and whether it is a plasterboard partition or structural concrete changes the price by thousands.
What's Behind the Surfaces
Timber-stud walls are cheaper to open and modify than solid concrete or masonry, which most Sydney apartments have. The floor matters too: a concrete slab takes different levelling and waterproofing preparation than a suspended timber floor. We confirm both at the free assessment, so the quote already accounts for them.
Design Level
Budget, standard or luxury finishes drive the widest price swing. The construction cost of a bathroom barely changes between tiers; what moves is tiles, stone, tapware, joinery and appliances. Our tier tables above show where each level starts.
Material Selection
Material choices can dramatically affect your budget. Premium materials like natural stone, hardwood, and designer fixtures cost significantly more than standard options like laminate, ceramic tile, and basic fixtures.
Building Requirements
Older buildings may have additional requirements or challenges such as asbestos removal, upgrading electrical systems to current code, or addressing structural issues, all of which add to renovation costs.
Strata Requirements
Some buildings have specific requirements for renovations, such as using approved waterproofers or installing acoustic underlay for flooring, which can impact your budget.
Access and Logistics
Limited access, parking restrictions, and elevator limitations can increase costs due to additional labor required for material delivery and waste removal.
Beware of Unrealistically Low Quotes
Be cautious of quotes that seem too good to be true. Unusually low quotes often lead to quality compromises, hidden costs, or contractors cutting corners. At Fine Touch Group, we provide transparent, detailed quotes that account for all aspects of your renovation, ensuring no surprises along the way.
Return on Investment
A well-executed apartment renovation can significantly increase your property's value. Typically, kitchen and bathroom renovations offer the highest ROI, often returning 1.5-2 times the investment when selling. Complete renovations of dated apartments can increase property value by 10-20%.
For investment properties, strategic renovations can also increase rental returns by 10-15%, providing ongoing benefits beyond the initial investment.
Get a Personalized Quote
Every apartment is unique. Contact us for a detailed quote tailored to your specific needs.