{"id":825927,"date":"2026-07-27T00:46:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T00:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/825927\/"},"modified":"2026-07-27T00:46:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T00:46:14","slug":"skyrocketing-renovation-costs-leaving-perth-homeowners-questioning-big-makeover-projects-before-selling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/825927\/","title":{"rendered":"Skyrocketing renovation costs leaving Perth homeowners questioning big makeover projects before selling"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fixing up outdated homes used to make Perth owners a decent return and it was also how many moved up the property ladder.<\/p>\n

However, the cost of renovating has skyrocketed and few can now afford to sign up to big makeover projects.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s left many homeowners wondering if renovating their outdated home before selling will be worth their time and money in today\u2019s market.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to look at the property, what it offers and what condition it is in,\u201d Richard Young, principal at Caporn Young Estate Agents, told Western Suburbs Weekly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt also comes down to the renovating cost and the timelines of renovating.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe cost to renovate is very high at the moment and I think people are aware of that now.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said renovating the wrong kind of property risks money down the drain.<\/p>\n

To guarantee a profit, he said numerous factors need careful consideration.<\/p>\n

These include the property\u2019s location, features, the renovation type and buyer preferences.<\/p>\n

Mr Young said his team are handling homes for sale at the moment that are fully renovated and getting between eight and 10 groups through.<\/p>\n

By contrast, a property in \u201coriginal condition\u201d on Bedford Street in East Fremantle saw 46 groups, indicating good bones and location can sometimes trump renovation.<\/p>\n

He said the 1920s character home on 663sqm is on a desirable street and has wide jarrah floorboards, sash windows, high ceilings, pretty stained glass, a traditional hallway and spacious rooms, some with fireplaces.<\/p>\n

Offered for sale \u2018as is, where is\u2019 and asking for offers in the mid to high $1 millions, the strongest interest has been from young couples \u2013 not investors wanting to flip the home.<\/p>\n

\"24Camera Icon24 Bedford Street in family-friendly East Fremantle is being sold in its original condition and attracting huge interest. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are a lot of buyers out there in this sector of the market wanting to get into the market and also add value,\u201d Mr Young said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been saying to people who are viewing Bedford Street that if you are looking to buy this home and do a renovation and extension and flip it, I don\u2019t know that this will work out for you with your perceived purchase price.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut if you are buying a home to renovate it and extend it and live in it and enjoy it for the next 10 years then this is absolutely a worthwhile investment.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Vivien Yap, director of Ray White Dalkeith and Claremont, to make good money when renovating to sell you need the right dwelling in the right area.<\/p>\n

She said well-executed renovations on the best streets in the western suburbs are still being snapped up for premium prices.<\/p>\n

She cited a fully-renovated property on Hotchin Street in Dalkeith, which she sold this month for a staggering $500,000 over reserve at auction, shocking both herself and the sellers.<\/p>\n

\"TheCamera IconThe sellers were blown away by the price they got at auction for their fully renovated Dalkeith home. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone had just said, \u2018You know, high $3m maybe low $4m and… you would not believe it, we had four registered bidders and 63 bids on the Saturday and it sold for $4.601m to a couple relocating back to Australia from the US,\u201d Ms Yap said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe cost of renovating has gone up – it is crazily expensive – but people can see value when it is all done for them.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a beautiful renovation – without going overboard – and it still had the character feel to it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey (the owners) really put their heart and soul into the renovation and clearly the buyers could see that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the astonishing result, she said some people still ought to tread with caution if they are thinking of renovating in the hope they will reap the rewards at the point of sale.<\/p>\n

You can have the best presented house in the street but if it isn\u2019t in the right location – such as in the right school catchment area – it will limit the number of people who consider it to be a good potential purchase.<\/p>\n

Sellers then risk overcapitalising.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese factors make a lot of difference because renovations can be expensive so each property must be looked at individually based on what the house has to offer, the location and the street it is on,\u201d Ms Yap added.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have met the owners of a few properties who are wondering should we renovate before selling or not and I am saying to them to get their quotes and let\u2019s look at it.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlso consider the level of finishes you want because, yes, you may enjoy them but you also do not want to overcapitalise with the work you are doing if you are selling.<\/p>\n

\"11Camera Icon11 Hotchin Street in Dalkeith just sold at auction for $4.601m. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n

\u201cThe cost of renovating and building has gone up tremendously so it is about doing things that are going to add value to the end result.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ms Yap said sometimes minor cosmetic improvements are all that is needed to add considerable value.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll you want to do is, number one, make sure it is structurally sound,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cNumber two you want to make it look very liveable or rentable.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want to take it to the next level then you need to get multiple quotes and do very good research, and make sure that whatever you do is also cost effective.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interior designer Tamlin Prince, owner and principal designer at Prince Design, said for a straight-forward new kitchen expect to pay from around $35,000 to $45,000 in Perth, excluding appliances and provided the existing layout and plumbing remain largely unchanged.<\/p>\n

This should get you new cabinetry, sintered\/mineral stone or porcelain benchtops, a tiled splashback and new tapware, sink and painting.<\/p>\n

A larger custom kitchen with premium finishes and significant layout changes can cost between $60,000 and $100,000, or more.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen renovating specifically for resale, I would focus first on the kitchen, main bathroom and the home\u2019s overall presentation,\u201d said Ms Prince.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are the areas buyers tend to scrutinise most and where an outdated finish can make the whole property feel tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"TamlinCamera IconTamlin Prince is owner and principal designer at Prince Design and a qualified interior designer. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n

She said a standard bathroom renovation typically costs between $30,000 and $40,000, assuming there are no major structural issues and the plumbing stays close to its current location.<\/p>\n

Costs can start soaring beyond $40,000 when you include premium tiles, custom cabinetry, extensive stone, feature lighting or moving plumbing.<\/p>\n

She said the key is ensuring the finishes are appropriate to the likely sale price and expectations of buyers in that particular suburb.<\/p>\n

It is also critical to have a contingency plan in the budget – a surprising number of renovators forget to include a suitable buffer for unexpected building, plumbing or waterproofing issues.<\/p>\n

And don\u2019t underestimate the power of more cost-effective strategies like repainting, replacing flooring and updating the lighting throughout the home.<\/p>\n

She said even new sheer curtains can transform spaces.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese can be a relatively cost-effective way to create a more cohesive and move-in-ready result,\u201d Ms Prince. said<\/p>\n

\u201cIn many cases, a strategic cosmetic update, thorough maintenance and professional styling, will deliver a better return than a major renovation completed purely for sale.\u201d<\/p>\n

She suggested beginning by speaking to two or three experienced local selling agents and asking what the property may achieve in its current condition compared with after the proposed work.<\/p>\n

Then obtain \u201crealistic quotes,\u201d rather than relying on television renovation budgets.<\/p>\n

\u201cRenovating before selling can be worthwhile when the home is in a premium suburb, has strong underlying value and buyers expect a finished product,\u201d Ms Prince said.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor example, a well-located character home in Nedlands, Claremont or Mount Lawley may achieve a substantial premium when thoughtfully renovated, particularly if the work improves the layout and respects the home\u2019s original architecture.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said she\u2019d be cautious about renovating certain dwellings in first-home buyer areas because that market is often focused on affordability.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey may prefer the opportunity to renovate gradually and build equity themselves,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Tamlin Prince\u2019s top tips for renovating to sell<\/p>\n

1. Declutter, depersonalise and invest in professional styling.<\/p>\n

Remove excess furniture, family photographs and highly personal items so buyers can more easily imagine themselves living in the home. A good staging company with experienced stylists can improve the sense of space, highlight the home\u2019s best features and create a more cohesive presentation. This is particularly valuable when existing furniture is the wrong scale or style for the property.<\/p>\n

2. Don\u2019t underestimate window treatments Replacing heavy, dated curtains with new sheer curtains can completely transform a room. Install them as high as possible \u2014 ideally to the ceiling or directly beneath the cornice \u2014 to create a greater sense of height and make the room feel larger. Sheers also soften the interior, filter natural light and give the home a more polished and luxurious feel without the cost or disruption of structural work.<\/p>\n

3. Fix the small details before adding expensive finishes Buyers quickly notice peeling paint, cracked grout, damaged skirting, loose handles and poorly finished silicone. Addressing these relatively inexpensive maintenance items can make a home feel well cared for and may have more impact than adding one costly feature.<\/p>\n

4. Keep the design cohesive Using the same flooring, paint colours, tapware finishes and hardware throughout creates a sense of consistency and makes the home feel more considered. Avoid renovating one room in a completely different style, as this can highlight the areas that have not been updated.<\/p>\n

5. Spend where buyers will notice it Focus your budget on the areas that shape a buyer\u2019s first impression, including the entry, kitchen, main living area and primary bathroom. A dated secondary bathroom may be acceptable, but a tired kitchen can make the entire home feel like a major project.<\/p>\n

6. Improve the lighting before the open home Replace dated fittings, use warm, consistent light temperatures and make sure darker areas such as hallways, entries and kitchens are well lit. Good lighting can make rooms feel larger, cleaner and more inviting, while poor lighting can make even a newly renovated home feel flat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Fixing up outdated homes used to make Perth owners a decent return and it was also how many…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":825928,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[64,63,99,1625,1003],"class_list":["post-825927","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-business","tag-lifestyle","tag-real-estate"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/825927","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=825927"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/825927\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/825928"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=825927"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=825927"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=825927"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}