2026 Melbourne Cost Guide
Laundry Renovation Cost Melbourne 2026
Laundries are small rooms with a lot of trade work packed into them. Cabinetry, storage, plumbing, drainage, electrical, ventilation, flooring and finishes all influence the final cost.
Brownlow Planning Reference
$18,000–$30,000 for a Laundry Renovation
Brownlow's current planning reference for a laundry renovation is approximately $18,000–$30,000. The range is indicative only and needs to be checked against the actual cabinetry, service changes, finishes, access and condition of the existing room.
A simple cabinetry refresh and a full laundry reconfiguration with new plumbing, flooring, storage and adjoining works are not the same project, even if the room is the same size.
What Drives Laundry Renovation Cost?
Because the room is compact, a large proportion of the budget is often tied up in cabinetry and licensed trade work rather than floor area. That is why online per-square-metre calculators are especially unreliable for laundries.
Cabinetry & Storage
Tall storage, broom cupboards, hampers, overheads, linen storage and custom joinery can make a small room surprisingly cabinetry-heavy.
Appliances & Layout
Washer and dryer configuration, stacking, bench depth, appliance clearances and door swings all influence the room design and cabinetry scope.
Plumbing & Drainage
Relocating the laundry tub, washing machine connections or waste points can add plumbing and building work, particularly in older homes.
Electrical & Ventilation
Dryer requirements, power points, lighting, exhaust and appliance loads need to be coordinated with the final layout.
Benchtops, Splashbacks & Flooring
Surface selection, tile set-out, flooring changes and adjoining finishes affect both material and labour cost.
Existing Conditions & Adjoining Work
Water damage, old services, wall changes or combining the laundry with kitchen, mudroom or hallway works can expand the scope quickly.
When Does a Laundry Move Above the Typical Planning Range?
Why Small Does Not Mean Cheap
A laundry can contain nearly the same number of trade interfaces as a much larger room: plumber, electrician, cabinetmaker, tiler, painter, flooring installer and builder coordination.
The smaller room simply compresses that work into less floor area. This is why scope and trade intensity matter more than room size.
Standalone Laundry vs Combined Renovation
A standalone laundry can be perfectly sensible, but if the kitchen, hallway or bathroom is already being renovated, there may be value in coordinating cabinetry, flooring, services and trade sequencing together.
The right approach depends on the home and the actual scope rather than assuming a combined project will always be cheaper.
How Brownlow Develops a Laundry Budget
Understand the current room, appliance requirements, storage needs, budget expectations and whether other rooms are involved.
Check layout, access, visible conditions and likely plumbing, drainage, electrical and ventilation implications.
Set an early budget direction before detailed cabinetry and selections progress too far.
Develop cabinetry, appliance positions, benchtops, splashbacks, flooring and the required service coordination.
Price the agreed scope once the inclusions, exclusions and allowances are sufficiently defined.
Planning a Laundry With Other Renovation Works?
If the laundry connects to the kitchen, mudroom, hallway or broader renovation, planning those spaces together can make the cabinetry, finishes and service coordination much cleaner.
Laundry Renovation Cost FAQs
How much should I budget for a laundry renovation in Melbourne?
Brownlow uses an indicative planning range of about $18,000–$30,000 for a laundry renovation, depending on cabinetry, services, finishes, access and existing conditions. It is a budgeting guide only, not a quotation.
Why can a small laundry still cost a lot to renovate?
Laundries are small but trade-intensive. Cabinetry, plumbing, drainage, electrical work, ventilation, flooring, splashbacks and appliances are all concentrated into a compact room, so floor area alone is a poor guide to cost.
Is $18,000–$30,000 a fixed Brownlow price?
No. It is a planning reference only. The actual price depends on the condition of the room, cabinetry, service changes, selections, access and whether the laundry is part of a larger renovation.
Is it better value to renovate the laundry with the kitchen or bathroom?
Sometimes. If the rooms share cabinetry suppliers, trades, flooring, services or construction sequencing, planning them together can improve coordination. Whether it reduces cost depends on the actual project.
Can a laundry include mudroom or pet-washing functions?
Yes, where the space and services allow. Mudroom storage, hanging rails, pet-washing areas and utility zones can be incorporated into the design, but they increase the cabinetry and construction scope.
Related Planning Guides
Ready to Work Out Your Laundry Budget?
Talk to Brownlow Building about your cabinetry, storage, appliance layout, services and whether the laundry forms part of a larger renovation.
Indicative planning guidance only · Project-specific pricing follows scope development