Home renovation and extension contractor
Manage kitchen, bathroom and extension projects for homeowners, coordinating the subbies and trades on site.
- A$6k-30k
- Full-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
You take on residential renovations and extensions from quote to handover. You write the contract, book and supervise subcontractors (carpenters, plumbers, electricians, tilers), order materials and keep the job on time and on budget. You run the business from a home office and spend your days on site.
Your first three steps
- Check your state or territory building licensing body for the licence class and experience you need for residential work
- Get quotes for public liability and contract works insurance, and set up an ABN and a simple quoting and invoicing system
- Build a short list of reliable subcontractors and line up your first few projects through friends, neighbours and local referrals
Who pays
Homeowners, landlords and small property investors who want one person responsible for the whole job.
How it makes money
A fixed-price or cost-plus contract per project. You earn a margin on top of subcontractor and materials costs, plus payment for your own labour if you do some of the work.
Skills that help
- Reading plans and estimating costs
- Organising trades and schedules
- Clear communication with clients
- Building knowledge and site supervision
Watch out for
- A builder's licence is generally needed for larger residential jobs, and thresholds and classes differ by state, so check yours
- Home warranty or builders warranty insurance may be required above certain job values, check your state's rules
- Written contracts with clear variations and progress payment rules, check what your state requires
- Cash flow, because you pay subbies and suppliers before the client's next payment arrives
- Council or private certifier approvals and permits for structural work
- Workers compensation insurance once you employ staff
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: home renovation and extension contractor
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a renovation contractor business in Australia?
Startup costs are typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your setup and the size of the jobs you take on. Cash flow also matters, because you pay subbies and suppliers before the client's next payment arrives.
How much can a renovation and extension contractor earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on the number and size of your jobs. This is revenue, not profit, as you pay subcontractors and suppliers before the client's next payment arrives.
Do I need a licence to manage home renovations in Australia?
Check whether a builder's licence is needed for larger residential jobs, as thresholds and classes differ by state. Also check home warranty insurance, written contract rules, council or certifier approvals for structural work, and workers compensation once you employ staff.
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