A laundry renovation in Melbourne is one of the most underrated investments a homeowner can make. The space is small, which keeps the total cost modest compared to a kitchen or bathroom. The room is used every day, which means the return on a well-designed laundry is immediate and ongoing. And most Melbourne laundries are poorly planned originals from the initial build, which means even a straightforward renovation delivers a significant functional improvement.
This guide covers what a laundry renovation actually costs in Melbourne in 2026, what drives the price across three tiers, and what a real renovation looks like from strip-out to finished installation. The photos in this guide are from real Northside Joinery projects across Melbourne: Epping, Eltham, and East Melbourne, showing the actual work, not stock images.
As a rough guide, every laundry renovation is different. Costs vary based on materials, joinery specification, whether plumbing is being relocated, the trades required, and market conditions at the time of your project. Material costs and labour rates fluctuate in Melbourne's construction market. The figures below are indicative only and should not be used for budgeting without a proper assessment of your specific project.
Why Laundry Renovation Costs in Melbourne Vary So Much
Two laundries of identical size can produce renovation quotes that differ by $15,000 or more. The reason is not margins or markup: it is the scope. A joinery-only refresh that keeps plumbing in place and uses existing tiling as a base costs a fraction of a full strip-out renovation that relocates the trough, re-waterproofs the floor, re-tiles the walls, and installs premium custom joinery throughout.
Understanding where your project sits in that spectrum before you approach any trades is the most valuable planning step available. The three questions that determine your renovation tier are: is the plumbing staying where it is, is the tiling being replaced, and what joinery specification are you targeting?
Material costs and labour rates in Melbourne's construction market also fluctuate significantly. Victorian Ash supply tightened after Victoria ended native timber harvesting in January 2024, pushing Tasmanian Oak, the primary replacement, 10 to 20 percent above pre-2024 Ash pricing with longer lead times. Trade labour rates have risen consistently since 2021 and continue to trend upward. A laundry renovation priced today is pricing into a different market from the same project priced six months ago. These are not reasons to delay: they are reasons to get an accurate quote for your specific project at the time you are ready to proceed.
What a Full Laundry Renovation Actually Involves
Most people planning their first laundry renovation underestimate the scope of a full renovation compared to a joinery-only refresh. The difference is not just cost: it is the number of trades involved, the sequence they need to complete their work, and the time the project takes on site.
The East Melbourne laundry shown above is what a full renovation looks like at the start. The existing joinery, tiling, and fixtures have been removed. The space is stripped back to the plaster substrate, ready for waterproofing and tiling before any new joinery can go in. This stage is invisible in the finished result but it is where a significant portion of the renovation budget is spent.
The correct trade sequence for a full laundry renovation is: strip-out and removal, plumbing rough-in if positions are changing, waterproofing to AS 3740, tiling to walls and floor, joinery installation, plumbing final connection, electrical final connection for lighting and power points. Every trade in this sequence depends on the previous trade completing their work correctly. Waterproofing must cure before tiling starts. Tiling must be complete before joinery installation begins. Getting this sequence wrong creates rework that costs more than doing it correctly the first time.
The East Melbourne laundry shown above is the finished result of the same space. Custom joinery installed after the tiling was complete, stone benchtop fabricated and fitted, plumbing reconnected to the new configuration. The before and after captures what a full renovation delivers that a joinery-only refresh cannot: a completely rebuilt room, not just updated cabinetry over existing surfaces.
The Four Variables That Drive Laundry Renovation Costs in Melbourne
Whether Plumbing Is Being Relocated
Keeping plumbing in its existing position is the single most effective way to control a laundry renovation budget. Moving the trough, the waste outlet, or the washing machine water connections requires a licensed plumber to relocate pipes and waste lines, which typically adds $1,500 to $4,000 to the project cost depending on the complexity of the relocation and whether floor penetrations are involved.
Where the existing plumbing layout works functionally, keeping it in place and redirecting the budget to joinery specification and finishes delivers more visible result per dollar than moving pipes. Where the layout does not work, such as a trough in the wrong position or a washing machine that blocks access to storage, relocation is worth the cost because a poorly laid out laundry remains poorly laid out regardless of how good the joinery is.
Joinery Specification and Door Finish
The joinery specification is the largest single cost variable in a laundry renovation budget. Northside Joinery works across the full range depending on the project:
Melamine doors on moisture resistant MDF carcasses are the most cost-effective option. Melamine is durable, practical, and available in a wide range of colours. It is the right specification for a laundry where budget is the primary consideration. The Macleod laundry in our custom laundry guide uses melamine doors throughout.
Two-pack polyurethane shaker doors are the premium painted finish. Two-pack is harder, more moisture resistant, and more cleanable than melamine in a room that deals with detergent exposure and constant humidity. The Eltham laundries shown in our projects use two-pack shaker doors.
Laminate with timber look finishes suit laundries that connect visually to a living area or hallway. Oak laminate is popular in 2026 and delivers a warm, contemporary result at a lower price point than real timber veneer.
Benchtop Material
The benchtop gets more direct water exposure in a laundry than almost any other surface in the home. Material choice matters more here than in a room with less water contact.
Laminate benchtops are cost-effective and work well in laundries where the primary use is sorting and folding rather than direct wet area work. Modern laminates are significantly better than they were a decade ago and are available in finishes that complement premium joinery.
Stone benchtops, engineered or natural, are non-porous, easy to wipe down, resistant to detergent and water exposure, and last indefinitely in a laundry environment. The price premium over laminate is real but the performance difference in a wet, high-use room is significant. Northside Joinery's Eltham and East Melbourne laundries use stone benchtops.
Trades Required Beyond Cabinet Installation
A joinery-only installation requires a cabinet maker. A full renovation requires a licensed plumber for water and waste connections, a waterproofer for membrane application to AS 3740, a tiler for wall and floor tiling, and potentially an electrician for LED lighting and additional power points. Labour and trades account for 30 to 40 percent of total laundry renovation cost in Melbourne. Under Victorian building law, any building work valued at $10,000 or more requires the contractor to hold a VBA registration as a Domestic Builder.
Laundry Renovation Cost Tiers in Melbourne 2026
The figures below are rough guides based on Northside Joinery's pricing and current Melbourne market data. Every project is different. Material costs and labour rates fluctuate in Melbourne's construction market and these figures may not reflect what your project costs at the time you proceed. Do not use these figures for budgeting without a proper measure and quote for your specific project.
Basic Joinery Refresh: from $5,000
Custom moisture resistant MDF carcasses with melamine doors, laminate benchtop, standard hardware, and joinery supply and installation. No tiling, no plumbing relocation, no waterproofing: joinery only over existing surfaces.
This tier suits a laundry where the existing tiling and plumbing are in good condition and the goal is to replace poor quality flat-pack or original builder's joinery with properly fitted custom cabinetry. The result is a significantly better-looking and better-functioning laundry at a budget that most homeowners can absorb without a major renovation commitment.
What moves this number higher: two-pack doors instead of melamine, stone instead of laminate benchtop, bespoke features such as a pull-out ironing board or integrated hampers, Blum hardware throughout, LED lighting integration, larger laundry with more linear metres of cabinetry.
Mid-Range Renovation: $7,500 to $15,000
Custom joinery with two-pack shaker or quality laminate doors, stone or premium laminate benchtop, Blum soft-close hardware, bespoke storage features, and trades coordination for plumbing reconnection and LED lighting. May include partial tiling where the existing tiling is being updated in a splashback zone only.
This is the most common specification for laundry renovations across Melbourne where the client wants a durable, premium result that performs well in a wet environment for many years. A $10,000 budget within this tier typically delivers custom joinery, a stone benchtop, quality hardware, and minor trades work without a full strip-out.
What moves this number higher: full tiling scope, plumbing relocation, waterproofing to AS 3740, larger laundry dimensions, premium stone specification, combined laundry and mud room or dog wash scope.
Full Renovation: $15,000 to $25,000 and above
A complete laundry renovation covering full strip-out to plaster, waterproofing to AS 3740, full wall and floor tiling, custom joinery with premium finishes throughout, stone benchtop, bespoke storage features, and full trades coordination including plumbing and electrical. The East Melbourne before and after shown in this post represents this tier.
This tier suits laundries where the existing tiling is failing, the room is being reconfigured, a combined laundry and mud room or dog wash is being built out, or the renovation is part of a broader home renovation project where the laundry is being brought to the same standard as the rest of the home.
Important: these figures are rough guides only. Laundry renovation costs in Melbourne fluctuate significantly due to changes in material costs, labour rates, trade availability, and market conditions at the time your project is priced. Two laundries of the same size can produce costs that differ by thousands of dollars depending on specification, existing conditions, and timing. Do not use these figures for budgeting without a proper measure and quote. Every Northside Joinery project is assessed individually by James Taliana before any pricing is provided.
Planning a laundry renovation in Melbourne? Northside Joinery delivers custom laundry joinery and full renovation coordination across Melbourne. Book a Precision Measure to get a clear scope and price for your project before you commit to anything.
What the East Melbourne Before and After Shows About Renovation Value
The East Melbourne laundry shown in this post is a useful reference for anyone weighing the cost of a full renovation against a joinery-only refresh. The before image shows a room stripped to plaster: every existing surface removed, trades completed their waterproofing and tiling, and the space is ready for joinery installation. The after image shows the finished room with custom joinery, stone benchtop, and all trades completed.
The difference between those two images represents the full cost of a renovation in this tier. It also represents the full return: a room that was unusable during the renovation process and completely transformed on completion. That transformation is what the renovation budget buys. Understanding the scope that produces it is what allows the budget to be planned realistically.
For homeowners who are not ready for a full renovation, the joinery-only refresh delivers a meaningful improvement at a fraction of the cost. The Epping laundry shown as the hero image in this post represents that tier: new custom joinery over existing surfaces, without a full strip-out. The difference in outcome between the two tiers is real and visible, but so is the difference in cost and disruption.
How to Get an Accurate Laundry Renovation Quote in Melbourne
Decide whether plumbing is staying before approaching any trades. This single decision determines which tier your renovation sits in more than any other factor. If you are unsure whether the existing plumbing layout works, book a Precision Measure and get an honest assessment of what is achievable within your layout and budget before committing to anything.
Specify the joinery finish before comparing quotes. Melamine and two-pack polyurethane are not the same product at a similar price. Stone and laminate benchtops are not comparable on cost alone. Make sure any quotes you are comparing specify identical materials, not just similar-looking finished results.
Ask about trade coordination. A quote that covers joinery supply and installation only is not comparable to one that covers trades coordination for plumbing, waterproofing, tiling, and electrical. Always ask what is and is not included in any quote you receive before comparing figures.
Allow for market conditions. Material costs and labour rates in Melbourne's construction market fluctuate. A quote issued today reflects today's pricing. If you are planning a renovation for three to six months from now, build a contingency into your budget to allow for cost movement between quote and project start.
For joinery, book a Precision Measure. An accurate joinery quote cannot be produced from a photo or a rough measurement. The existing plumbing positions, wall substrate, floor level, and available dimensions all affect what is achievable and what it will cost. Northside Joinery's Precision Measure ($175, redeemable on your project) produces a detailed scope and a clear price before any commitment is made. Read more about our custom laundry joinery guide for a detailed breakdown of the joinery component specifically.
Ready to plan your laundry renovation? James Taliana has been delivering custom joinery across Melbourne for 16 years. Contact Northside Joinery today for an honest conversation about your laundry renovation before you commit to anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a laundry renovation cost in Melbourne?
As a rough guide, a laundry renovation in Melbourne in 2026 ranges from approximately $5,000 for a basic joinery-only refresh through to $25,000 or more for a full renovation involving strip-out, waterproofing, tiling, custom joinery, stone benchtop, and full trades coordination. Mid-range renovations with custom joinery, stone benchtops, and minor trades work typically sit between $7,500 and $15,000. These figures are indicative only and vary significantly based on the materials chosen, whether plumbing is being relocated, the trades required, and the condition of the existing space. A proper measure and quote is required for accurate pricing on your specific project.
What is the most expensive part of a laundry renovation in Melbourne?
Custom joinery and benchtop specification is typically the largest single cost variable in a laundry renovation. Plumbing relocation, where the trough, waste outlet, or washing machine connections are being moved, is the biggest single cost addition and can add $1,500 to $4,000 to the project. Labour and trades account for 30 to 40 percent of total laundry renovation cost in Melbourne. Keeping plumbing in its existing position and redirecting the budget to joinery specification and materials delivers more visible result per dollar than moving pipes.
Can you renovate a laundry for $10,000 in Melbourne?
Yes, a solid mid-range laundry renovation in Melbourne is achievable for $10,000 in 2026, provided the plumbing is staying in its existing position and no full tiling scope is required. A $10,000 budget typically covers custom joinery with two-pack shaker doors, a stone or quality laminate benchtop, Blum soft-close hardware, and trades coordination for plumbing reconnection. It does not typically extend to full strip-out, complete tiling, plumbing relocation, or premium imported materials. Every project is different and a proper quote is required to confirm what is achievable within your budget.
Does a laundry renovation need a building permit in Victoria?
Most laundry renovations in Victoria that do not involve structural changes or plumbing relocation do not require a building permit. However, under Victorian building law, any building work valued at $10,000 or more requires the contractor to hold a VBA registration as a Domestic Builder. All plumbing work must be completed by a licensed plumber who issues a certificate of compliance on completion. Any waterproofing work must comply with Australian Standard AS 3740 regardless of whether a permit is required.
How long does a laundry renovation take in Melbourne?
As a general guide, most laundry renovations in Melbourne take one to two weeks on site depending on the scope. A joinery-only installation with no tiling or plumbing work can be completed faster. Full renovations involving strip-out, waterproofing, tiling, and joinery take longer due to the sequencing of trades: waterproofing must cure before tiling, and tiling must be complete before joinery installation can begin. The custom joinery is manufactured in Northside Joinery's in-house workshop before the installation day, so on-site time is efficient and predictable.