How much will it cost to extend my bedroom and en-suite in Australia?

ARTICLE Stephanie Matheson

Even a small update or moderate extension can have a dramatic impact on the look and feel of your bedroom, and have a significant impact on your day-to-day lifestyle. Spacious master bedrooms with an en-suite and a well-organised wardrobe are hugely popular and can increase the market value of your home.
Every home is different, of course, with differently sized master bedrooms and varying numbers of bedrooms and layouts. To that end, every renovation project is different too. As a rule of thumb, planning is key and it really pays to do your research both in terms of materials and tradies. A complex renovation project like this required many different types of tradespeople including builders, plumbers, tilers and electricians. Trying to organise all these independent contractors can sometimes lead to delays and frustration in terms of quality and responsibility.
“That’s where we come in,” says Paul Cree from Refresh Renovations. “As renovation specialists, we take care of the whole process and make it easy for homeowners. We manage all the trades and take care of any building consents or other types of consents that are generally applicable in Australia.”
By planning well from the outset and getting the right team of renovation specialists on board, you can end up saving a lot of money in the long run as you are less likely to make costly mistakes.

How much does it cost to extend a bedroom and en-suite within the existing house footprint?

It is sometimes an option to use space from an adjoining room to increase the size of the master bedroom and en-suite. This is the most cost-effective method of creating a larger master bedroom and en-suite.  Such a change of layout of both the en-suite and the master bedroom with basic finishes could cost you anywhere from about AU$30,000+*.
If internal changes of the layout result in a modification of load-bearing walls a structural engineering assessment will likely be required and a building permit will need to be obtained. To keep costs down, try to avoid modifications to load-bearing walls, and minimise changes to electrical fittings and plumbing fittings. You might be able to reuse existing en-suite fixtures and fittings, but changing the size of an en-suite will generally mean that the whole room will need to be retiles. Similarly, changes to the size of the bedroom normally mean that new flooring is required.  
To make your money go the extra mile, choose basic materials and keep any unnecessary extras to an absolute minimum. You can always add fittings and furnishings at a later stage, but while work is underway and the plasterboard is off the walls it’s wise to get the basics done right. Insulation, heating and electric wiring with future needs in mind are the key here and should be part of your makeover. A renovation can also uncover unforeseen problems, so make sure you have included a contingency budget of 10-20% in your plans.
When you undertake work to one-bedroom or generally a limited area of the house, it should be manageable to live in your home while the building work is underway. While this can be a hassle at times, it will save you time and money in finding rental accommodation. Speak to your builders about installing a plastic barrier where this is suitable, to control the levels of dust and noise in the rest of the house. As an upside, you will be able to monitor the progress of the work and be available to answer any questions the builders may have right there and then.

How much will it cost to renovate a bedroom & ensuite on a basic budget?

From $30,000+*
See how Refresh helped this homeowner achieve a luxurious new ensuite for just $16,710

What should I include in a high-end bedroom and en-suite renovation?

To really tick all the boxes and include all the latest high-end must-haves, a budget of AU$200,000+* is what it takes. You’ll be able to extend the footprint of the house significantly, either via a large scale same level extension, or a loft conversion or basement conversion. Think luxury fitting and furnishings – perhaps even a his and hers en-suite.
The cost for high-end bedroom and en-suite renovations partly lays in the larger added area in terms of square metres, but of course also includes high-end material from tiles and tapware through to home automation. Your bedroom is your oyster and there is a huge range of bedroom suites, accessories, lighting and audio-visual systems on the market. Home automation is becoming more and more popular and automation systems allow you to control lighting, shutters, entertainment systems and more with a single tap of your hand – from your bed!

How much will it cost to add a bedroom and ensuite to my home?

Take a look at how Refresh helped these St Kilda homeowners achieve a second storey extension with a new bathroom for $205,000*. 

Get in touch if you're thinking about renovating

If you would like to discuss options and ideas for your next renovation project, please use the enquiry form alongside to provide us with your contact details. We will get in touch with you at a time that suits you to discuss your project. If you would like to provide us with more information about your project, we have a more comprehensive enquiry form on our "Get in touch" page too.
*Costs are rough estimates and are subject to change. For a fixed-quote accurate to your specific project, please consult your local Refresh Renovations specialist. All Refresh Renovations franchises are independently owned and operated.
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