AE INDEX
Melbourne Renovation Cost Index
Cost guides
Straight answers to the questions people actually search for, with real numbers rather than "it depends". Published free, no email required.
Published guides
How much does a ground-floor extension cost in Melbourne?→
How much does a second-storey addition cost in Melbourne?→
What does a renovation actually cost per square metre?→
Do I need a planning permit for an extension?→
Can I extend a house in a heritage overlay?→
Why do two builders quote the same job $80,000 apart?→
How long does a renovation take in Melbourne?→
In preparation
Restumping, rewiring and re-plumbing — the costs nobody quotes upfront. Knockdown rebuild versus renovating. What a kitchen actually costs in Melbourne. Bathroom renovation costs. Do I need to move out during a renovation. What a fixed-price contract does and does not protect you from.
Or skip straight to numbers
Estimate your own project
Eight questions, an indicative range, and every line of the calculation shown.
Last updated 28 July 2026
AE Index publishes indicative cost data for Melbourne residential renovation. Estimates are budget-setting figures, not quotes. Square-metre rates are drawn from the Archicentre Australia CostGuide 2026 and are GST inclusive. AE Index refers projects to a builder from its verified network and receives a fee on work that proceeds.