Home renovation builder

Run small renovations, extensions and repairs for homeowners, managing licensed subcontractors on each job.

A construction crew working on the exterior of a house under renovation.
Startup costA$8k to A$40k
Monthly revenueA$8k to A$40k
Time needed35+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • A$8k-40k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
  • Licence or permit needed

Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.

What it is

A small building business that takes on residential jobs such as bathroom and kitchen renovations, decks, extensions and repairs. You quote, manage the job, and either do the carpentry yourself or engage licensed subcontractors for trades like plumbing and electrical.

Your first three steps

  1. Check your state's building licensing body for the licence class and qualifications needed for the work you want to do
  2. Set up an ABN, a business bank account and simple quoting and invoicing templates
  3. Get insurance quotes and build a short list of reliable licensed subcontractors you can call on
Who pays

Homeowners, landlords, strata managers and small property investors, paid under a written contract in stages.

How it makes money

Fixed-price or cost-plus contracts paid in progress stages, with a margin on labour and materials and on subcontractor work you coordinate.

Skills that help
  • Building or carpentry trade experience
  • Accurate quoting and costing
  • Managing people and schedules
  • Clear communication with clients
Watch out for
  • Building work above a certain value usually needs a state licence, and thresholds differ by state, so check yours before quoting
  • Home warranty or home building compensation insurance may be required for residential work, check your state's rules
  • Public liability, tools and contract works insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire
  • Written contracts, deposit limits and progress payment rules vary by state
  • Cash flow risk if clients pay late or costs blow out, and check whether permits or council approvals are needed

Deep research report · Australia

Everything you need to start: home renovation builder

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
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a renovation business?

Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your tools, vehicle, insurance and licensing fees. These are estimates, so get quotes for your own setup and state requirements.

How much revenue can a renovation builder make?

Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on job size, how many jobs you run and your use of subcontractors. Late client payments or cost blowouts can hurt cash flow.

Do I need a licence to do renovation work in Australia?

Building work above a certain value usually needs a state licence, and thresholds differ by state, so check yours before quoting. Also check home warranty insurance, permits or council approvals, and written contract and deposit rules.

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