A good renovation starts long before the first wall comes down. Most of the problems we’re called in to fix come from skipping the planning: no clear budget, the wrong approval, or a design that doesn’t suit how the house is built. Here’s how to plan a renovation in Sydney so it runs smoothly.
1. Decide what you’re really trying to fix
Write down what isn’t working: not enough bedrooms, a dark kitchen, a tired bathroom, no connection to the backyard. This decides whether you need a cosmetic update, a renovation that moves walls and plumbing, or an extension that adds space. It also stops the scope creeping once work starts.
2. Set a realistic budget
Renovation costs depend far more on what’s behind the walls than on the tiles you pick. The biggest cost drivers are:
- Structural changes: removing load-bearing walls needs an engineer and new beams.
- Moving plumbing: keeping kitchens and bathrooms where the pipes already run saves a lot.
- The age of the house: older homes can hide old wiring, rotten timber or asbestos that has to be dealt with.
- Finishes: joinery, stone, tapware and tiles can double the cost of a kitchen or bathroom.
Keep a contingency for surprises, especially in older Sydney homes. It’s far easier to plan for it than to find the money halfway through.
3. Check whether you need approval
Many internal renovations, such as a new kitchen or bathroom in the same place, don’t need council approval. Work that changes the structure, the outside of the house or its footprint usually does:
- Complying development certificate (CDC): for work that meets the state’s set standards. Usually the fastest option.
- Development application (DA): through council, for work outside those standards, heritage areas or more complex sites.
Heritage homes and terraces, like our Selwyn St, Paddington project, need extra care with council. We work out the right path and manage the approval for you.
4. Plan the timeline, and where you’ll live
A single bathroom can take a few weeks; structural renovations and additions typically take several months, with industry figures putting them at around 5 to 9 months from start to finish (What’s The Damage, 2026). Approval time comes on top. If the kitchen or only bathroom is out of action, plan where you’ll stay, or ask your builder whether the work can be staged.
5. Choose a builder who supervises the work
Renovations involve more unknowns than new builds, so who’s on site matters. Before you sign, check:
- that the builder’s licence is current with Building Commission NSW
- that Home Building Compensation insurance is in place, which is required for work over $20,000 including GST
- a written contract with a clear scope, price and payment schedule
- who will actually be on site day to day, and how they’ll keep you updated
Planning a renovation? Talk to us first
We’re a family-run, licensed builder (licence 215084C) based in Rydalmere, and renovations and extensions are where our business started over 20 years ago. Andrew supervises every job on site. Tell us what you’d like to change and we’ll talk through what’s possible, what approval you’ll need and a realistic budget. See our renovation service.
This article is general information, current as of October 2026. Approval requirements depend on your property, so confirm with your council or a certifier.