Planning a brisbane renovation means juggling three things at once: a realistic budget, the right licensed trades, and council approval where the work needs it. This guide sets out the cost bands seen across Brisbane in 2026, explains how QBCC licensing and Brisbane City Council approvals fit together, and walks through the order a project actually runs in. It is written for owners weighing up a kitchen, bathroom, Queenslander, extension or full home project before they commit.
What a brisbane renovation typically costs
Renovation pricing in Brisbane varies with scope, finishes and the age of the home, but the market sits in fairly predictable bands. Heritage and Queenslander work tends to sit at the higher end because timber framing, restumping and character detailing add labour. Brisbane has seen strong demand, with more than $1.08 billion in approved renovations across the local market, which keeps quality trades busy and makes early booking sensible.
| Project type | Typical Brisbane cost | Main cost drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom renovation | $22,000 to $35,000+ | Waterproofing, tiling, plumbing relocation |
| Kitchen renovation | $25,000 to $60,000+ | Cabinetry, benchtops, appliances, layout change |
| House extension | From $150,000 | Footings, roofing, structural and council work |
| Full home renovation | From $150,000+ | Scope, finishes, heritage or Queenslander factors |
These are planning figures, not quotes. The provider behind this market, Brisbane Renovation, is a network of QBCC-licensed specialists covering kitchens, bathrooms, Queenslander renovations, house extensions, full home renovations and heritage work, and aims to return a quote within roughly 48 hours.
Licensing: who can legally do the work
In Queensland, building work is regulated by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC). Any building work valued above $3,300, including labour and materials, must be performed by a QBCC-licensed contractor, and work over $3,300 generally requires a written contract. This protects the homeowner: a licensed builder carries the right insurance, is covered by the statutory home warranty scheme on eligible residential work, and can be held to account through the QBCC if something goes wrong. When you compare quotes, confirm the builder's licence is current and matches the class of work.
How a brisbane renovation runs, step by step
- Brief and budget. Define the rooms, the must-haves and a ceiling figure before you call anyone.
- Site visit and quote. A licensed builder inspects the home, measures up and returns a written, itemised quote.
- Contract and approvals. Sign a QBCC-compliant contract; lodge building approval and any planning approval with Brisbane City Council where the scope requires it.
- Build. Demolition, structural work, services, fit-off and finishes proceed in sequence with mandatory inspections.
- Handover. Final inspection, defects check and certification before the space is signed off.
Council approvals and when you need them
Not every job needs a development approval, but many structural changes do. Brisbane City Council assesses building work and town-planning matters, and in a character or heritage area even modest external changes can trigger assessment. As a rule of thumb, internal cosmetic work such as a like-for-like kitchen or bathroom refresh is often building-approval territory only, while extensions, raising or lowering a Queenslander, removing walls, or altering the street-facing character of a protected home usually need planning approval as well. Because Brisbane has extensive character-protection overlays, the safest path is to confirm the requirements with the Council and a licensed builder before design is locked in.
Renovate, extend or rebuild
| Option | Best when | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Renovate within the footprint | Layout works, you want updated finishes | Lower cost and fewer approvals, but space is fixed |
| Extend or raise | You need more space and the block allows it | More cost and council assessment, keeps the home |
| Knock down and rebuild | The structure is failing or unsuited | Highest cost, longest timeline, character rules may block it |
Who this applies to
This guide is most useful if you are:
- An owner of an inner-Brisbane home in suburbs such as Paddington, New Farm, Bulimba, Toowong or West End planning a kitchen or bathroom upgrade.
- A Queenslander or character-home owner considering raising, extending or restoring heritage detail.
- A buyer in greater Brisbane regions such as Moreton Bay, Logan, Redlands or Ipswich budgeting a full home renovation.
- Anyone needing to confirm whether their project needs a QBCC-licensed builder and a Brisbane City Council approval.
It is general information, not building or planning advice. Building work over the QBCC threshold of $3,300 must be carried out by a licensed builder, and approval questions should be confirmed with Brisbane City Council and a licensed builder before you proceed.
Common questions
Do I need a QBCC-licensed builder for a small renovation? If the building work is valued over $3,300 including labour and materials, yes. Below that figure a licence is not mandatory, but using a licensed builder still gives you the statutory protections.
How long does a renovation take in Brisbane? A bathroom can be a few weeks, a kitchen several weeks, and an extension or full home renovation commonly runs a few months once approvals are in place. Timelines stretch when council assessment, heritage rules or custom finishes are involved.
Will my Queenslander need planning approval? Often yes, because many are in character or heritage overlays. Internal work may be lighter-touch, but raising, extending or changing the street frontage usually triggers a Brisbane City Council planning assessment.
This guide covers brisbane renovation cost bands, QBCC licensing, Brisbane City Council approvals, the order a project runs in, and how to choose between renovating, extending and rebuilding in 2026. It does not provide personal building or planning advice.