Key Takeaways
- Sydney apartment renovation costs depend heavily on strata approval, access, waste removal, building rules and the number of wet areas being renovated
- A coordinated kitchen, bathroom and laundry package can reduce duplicated trade visits and access costs compared with disconnected single-room renovations
- Custom joinery is often one of the highest-value apartment upgrades, but it must be planned around circulation and storage needs
- Realistic apartment budgets should include design, strata documents, common-area protection, wet-area work, waste removal and contingency
- Most cost and timeline surprises happen before site work starts, usually from unclear scope, late selections or unresolved approval requirements
2026 Apartment Renovation Cost Guide for Sydney
An apartment renovation in Sydney often costs more than a similar scope in a freestanding home because the work has to fit within strata rules, shared services, lift bookings, building access windows, waste-management limits, and neighbouring apartments.
The most important planning decision is whether you are completing one room, combining wet areas, or renovating the apartment as a coordinated package. Coordinated planning usually reduces duplication because plumbing, electrical, demolition, access, protection, waste, and finishes can be scheduled together.
| Apartment Renovation Scope | Typical Inclusions | Indicative Sydney Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Targeted wet-area refresh | One bathroom, laundry, or kitchen update with limited layout changes | $25,000 - $45,000 |
| Bathroom and kitchen renovation | Two major rooms, coordinated trades, cabinetry, tiling, plumbing, electrical work | $55,000 - $95,000 |
| Kitchen, bathroom and laundry package | Full wet-area package, joinery, appliances, strata access coordination, waste removal | $75,000 - $140,000+ |
| Premium full-apartment renovation | Multiple rooms, custom joinery, flooring, lighting, premium finishes, detailed project staging | $140,000+ |
These figures are practical planning ranges only. The final cost depends on building access, apartment age, strata requirements, scope, finish level, waterproofing, cabinetry complexity, appliance choices, and whether services are being moved.
Main Cost Drivers in Sydney Apartment Renovations
Strata Approval and Building Coordination
Strata approval is not just paperwork. NSW Government strata guidance explains that kitchen and bathroom renovations need permission, and that work involving waterproofing or structural changes can fall into a higher approval category. Check the current guidance here: Strata renovation rules.
Many Sydney apartment buildings also have their own renovation rules. These may include lift protection, working hours, noisy-work windows, common-area protection, contractor induction, parking limits, waterproofing certificates, waste removal processes, and evidence of licence and insurance.
Access, Waste and Site Protection
Apartment renovations need careful logistics. Materials may need to be delivered through a loading dock, held in a small unit, moved through common corridors, or lifted under strict time windows. Demolition waste may need to be removed in smaller loads rather than by a standard skip bin.
These details add time and coordination cost, but they also protect the building and reduce friction with strata managers and neighbours.
Bathroom, Kitchen and Laundry Scope
The most expensive apartment rooms are usually wet areas and kitchens because they involve several trades in a small footprint. Bathroom work can include demolition, waterproofing, tiling, plumbing, electrical, ventilation, fixtures, shower screens, and cabinetry. Kitchen work can include joinery, benchtops, appliances, splashbacks, electrical upgrades, plumbing, lighting, and floor make-good.
Laundry work is often smaller in area but can be complex if it is concealed, combined with a bathroom, or tied into apartment ventilation and drainage.
Custom Joinery and Storage
Custom joinery is one of the best ways to improve an apartment because it turns dead space into usable storage. It is also a major budget driver. Full-height pantry cabinets, appliance towers, concealed laundries, bathroom shaving cabinets, banquette seating, media storage, and robe upgrades all need careful measurement and durable hardware.
For resale-focused apartment renovations, the best joinery feels built-in and practical without becoming overly personalised.
Contracts, Licensing and Compliance
NSW contract guidance states that residential building work over $5,000 including GST generally needs a written contract, with larger jobs requiring more detailed contract requirements. The current NSW Government guidance is here: Contracts for residential building work.
For apartment renovations, ask for a clear scope, licence details, insurance details, payment schedule, inclusions, exclusions, variation process, and any strata-specific documentation required before work starts.
Apartment Renovation Budget Allowances
A realistic apartment renovation budget should include:
- Design and planning: layout decisions, selections, joinery planning, strata documents, and buildability checks
- Strata and access: approvals, lift bookings, protection, inductions, access windows, and building manager coordination
- Wet-area works: demolition, waterproofing, plumbing, electrical, tiling, fixtures, screens, and ventilation
- Kitchen works: cabinetry, benchtops, appliances, splashbacks, lighting, flooring interfaces, and installation
- Waste and protection: common-area protection, rubbish removal, dust control, floor protection, and make-good
- Contingency: usually 10-20% for older buildings, concealed services, or projects requiring strata coordination
How Long Does an Apartment Renovation Take?
A single-room apartment renovation can often be completed in 3-6 weeks once approvals and materials are ready. A kitchen, bathroom and laundry package can take 8-14 weeks or more, depending on strata approval lead time, cabinetry manufacture, tile availability, access windows, and the number of rooms being renovated at once.
The biggest delays usually happen before site work starts. Finalising selections, documenting the scope, receiving strata approval, and confirming access requirements early will usually save more time than rushing demolition.
Apartment Renovation Advice
Before comparing quotes, ask each contractor how they handle strata documents, lift bookings, waste removal, common-area protection, waterproofing evidence, and neighbour disruption. These details matter as much as the visible finishes.
Getting an Apartment Renovation Quote
Artistic Bathroom & Kitchen Renovations works across bathroom, kitchen, laundry and apartment renovations in Sydney. The business holds NSW contractor licence 341562c and public liability cover listed in its business information.
To discuss a Sydney apartment renovation, call 0412 661 661 or request a consultation through the contact page.
Artistic Bathroom & Kitchen Renovations
Sydney's Premium Renovation Specialists
Artistic Bathroom & Kitchen Renovations is a trusted renovation company serving all areas of Sydney. With over two decades of experience in premium bathroom and kitchen transformations, our team delivers quality craftsmanship on every project. Our methodical approach and commitment to excellence have made us trusted advisors to homeowners, property investors, and strata managers throughout Sydney.
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