Malvern 3144
What a renovation
costs in Malvern
Malvern is Edwardian and interwar housing on tree-lined streets, much of it inside a Stonnington heritage precinct. Blocks are generous by inner-Melbourne standards and budgets are high, so projects here tend to be whole-house rather than a rear addition.
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 Malvern conditions: AE Index
What drives cost here
Stonnington heritage precincts
Substantial coverage across the older streets. Assessment concentrates on street presentation, original fabric and the contribution the house makes to the precinct.
Edwardian detail is expensive to restore
Leadlight, pressed metal, decorative timber and original joinery all need skilled trades. Restoration is a specialist cost that no square-metre rate contains.
Generous but not enormous blocks
Room to extend at the rear on most sites, though not the scale of Kew or Balwyn. Side access varies street by street and is worth confirming early.
High specification is standard
As across the premium east, the money is in finish level rather than location. Standard to high nearly doubles the rate, and Malvern projects rarely stop at standard.
Typical Malvern projects
| Project | Why it costs what it does | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-house renovation | Services replacement, restoration of original fabric, high finish throughout. | $985k – $1335k |
| Rear extension to an Edwardian | Heritage assessment on the design plus restoration of the retained front rooms. | $355k – $480k |
| Second storey behind a retained facade | Set-back design to satisfy the overlay, plus structural upgrade below. | $505k – $680k |
| Bathroom only | Below our minimum — referred to a single trade. | $30k – $55k |
Two minutes, no phone call
Malvern 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
Is Malvern in a heritage overlay?
Much of it is. Stonnington maintains extensive heritage precincts across the older streets. Get a planning property report for your address and check whether the house is individually significant or contributory.
What does it cost to restore Edwardian detail?
It varies enormously with condition and extent, and it is genuinely specialist work — leadlight, pressed metal and decorative joinery are not general carpentry. Price it as a separate line rather than assuming it sits inside the square-metre rate.
Why is Malvern more expensive than Camberwell?
Building era and heritage coverage. Edwardian housing needs more structural and services work than interwar bungalows, restoration expectations are higher, and overlay coverage adds design time.
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