Renovating in Sydney: Where Do You Start?
Renovating in Sydney can be transformative — adding value, improving liveability, and modernising an aging home. But the process varies significantly depending on your suburb, council, property type, and scope of work.
This guide covers what Sydney homeowners need to know before picking up the phone to a builder — from planning rules to realistic budgets.
Council Requirements by Area
Each local council has its own Development Control Plan (DCP) affecting what you can build. Key considerations include:
• Heritage overlays — common in inner-west and eastern suburbs • Floor space ratios — limiting how much you can extend • Setback requirements — affecting side and rear extensions • Tree preservation orders — restricting removal during construction • Bushfire zones — additional compliance in Hills and Macarthur areas
Buildana conducts a full site and planning assessment before design begins, ensuring your renovation is feasible under local rules.
Popular Renovation Types
The most common renovations in Sydney include:
• Kitchen and bathroom upgrades — highest ROI for resale • Rear extensions — adding living space and indoor/outdoor flow • Second-storey additions — maximising space on small lots • Granny flat additions — rental income or multi-generational living • Full gut renovations — updating 1950s–1980s housing stock
Each type has different approval requirements, cost profiles, and construction timelines. Buildana helps you identify the best approach for your property and budget.
Renovation Costs in 2025
Renovation costs in Sydney depend heavily on scope and finish level:
• Minor cosmetic (paint, flooring, fixtures): $500–$1,000/sqm • Mid-range renovation (kitchen, bathroom, structural): $2,000–$3,500/sqm • High-end renovation (premium finishes, custom joinery): $3,500–$5,500/sqm • Second-storey addition: $3,600–$4,500/sqm
Always budget a 10–15% contingency for unexpected discoveries — particularly in older homes where structural, plumbing, or electrical issues may be hidden.
How Buildana Approaches Renovations
Buildana treats renovations with the same rigour as new builds:
1. Site inspection and feasibility assessment 2. Design development with 3D visualisation 3. Fixed-price quotation with detailed scope 4. Council approval management (where required) 5. Construction with dedicated project manager 6. Quality handover with warranty documentation
We specialise in Western Sydney renovations where we understand the housing stock, council expectations, and local trades network.
Buildana builds across Sydney. Visit /homes/custom-homes to learn more or /construction/internal-fit-out to discuss your project.
