Kew 3101
What a renovation
costs in Kew
Kew has some of the largest residential allotments in inner Melbourne, substantial Edwardian and interwar housing, and topography that catches people out. The blocks are generous; the ground underneath them frequently is not.
Indicative ranges
50 m², mid finish, one new wet area
60 m², mid finish, one new wet area
150 m² internal, high finish, kitchen and bathroom
Rates: Archicentre Australia CostGuide 2026 · GST inclusive
Site adjustments for Kew conditions: AE Index
What drives cost here
Steep sites toward the Yarra
Studley Park and the streets falling to the river are genuinely steep. Slope drives deeper footings, retaining walls and engineered drainage — and it can add 5 to 20% before anything above ground begins.
Very large blocks
Space to extend outward rather than upward, which is usually the cheaper direction per square metre. It also means side access is common, removing a premium that inner-city sites carry.
Boroondara heritage precincts
Significant coverage, particularly around the older estates. Assessment focuses on street presentation and the contribution the building makes to the precinct.
Large-format projects
Kew jobs tend to be whole-house rather than a rear addition. That changes the cost structure — services replacement across a big footprint often exceeds the extension itself.
Typical Kew projects
| Project | Why it costs what it does | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-house renovation | Services replacement across a large footprint, plus restoration of original fabric. | $1030k – $1395k |
| Rear extension on a sloping block | Retaining, deeper footings and drainage before the shell starts. | $370k – $500k |
| Second storey addition | Large existing houses often need substantial structural upgrade to carry a new floor. | $525k – $710k |
| Kitchen only | Below our minimum — referred to a single trade. | $35k – $65k |
Two minutes, no phone call
Kew is already selected. Answer eight questions and you will see an indicative range, the full calculation behind it, and what to ask any builder quoting the job.
Common questions
Does a sloping block in Kew add much to cost?
It can add 5 to 20% depending on severity. Deeper footings, retaining walls and engineered drainage are all required before the visible building starts, and none of it is in a published square-metre rate.
Is it cheaper to extend out or up in Kew?
Usually out, because Kew blocks are large enough to allow it and new structure on new footings avoids upgrading the existing house to carry load. The trade-off is garden, which on a large block matters less than it does closer to the city.
Are Kew houses in heritage overlays?
Many are, particularly in the older estates. A planning property report for your address will confirm it and tell you whether the building is individually significant or contributory.
What is not included in these ranges?
Landscaping and external works, appliances, furniture and window furnishings, council planning application fees, driveway reinstatement, and anything found once walls are opened. Design fees, engineering, building surveyor, permit levy and energy assessment are included.
Related
When you are ready to build
AE Index is not a building company. When a project is ready to be priced properly, we pass it to a builder from our verified network — who will walk the site, inspect what is under the floor, and put a fixed price in writing. We are paid a fee by them on work that proceeds, and you are under no obligation to use them.
- Current domestic builder registration, confirmed with the Victorian Building Authority
- Domestic building insurance current and sighted
- Two completed projects contacted directly — not supplied testimonials
- Fixed-price contracts with a written variations policy
- Re-checked annually, and removed from the network on any lapse
Last updated 28 July 2026