Home renovation project manager

Run kitchen, bathroom and small home renovations for homeowners, hiring licensed trades to do the work.

Builder renovating a kitchen with new cabinets in a house under refurbishment.
Startup costA$3k to A$15k
Monthly revenueA$4k to A$20k
Time needed20+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • A$3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
  • Licence or permit needed

Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.

What it is

You quote, plan and manage renovations such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundries. Licensed subcontractors (plumbers, electricians, tilers) do their parts while you coordinate the job and hold the contract with the homeowner.

Your first three steps

  1. Check your state's building licensing body for what licence or registration you need to contract renovations, and the limits on job value
  2. Build a network of reliable licensed subcontractors and get written quotes for typical jobs
  3. Set up an ABN, a standard quote and contract template, and offer a first project to friends, family or neighbours for a reference
Who pays

Homeowners updating their own home, and landlords refreshing rental properties.

How it makes money

A fixed price or cost-plus contract per job. You earn the margin between what the client pays and what you pay trades and suppliers.

Skills that help
  • Reading plans and estimating costs
  • Scheduling trades and suppliers
  • Clear communication with clients
Watch out for
  • Contracting for building work usually needs a state or territory licence, check yours before quoting
  • Home building insurance or warranty insurance may be required above certain job values, check your state
  • Public liability and contract works insurance
  • Cost blowouts and variations, put everything in writing
  • Council or private certifier approvals for some work
  • Workers compensation once you hire staff

Deep research report · Australia

Everything you need to start: home renovation project manager

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 project management business?

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your insurance, vehicle, software and how much setup you need. Subcontractors do the trade work, so tool costs are usually lower.

How much can a renovation project manager earn?

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many renovations you run and their size. The estimate assumes about 20 hours a week or more, and cost blowouts can affect your income.

Do you need a licence to manage home renovations in Australia?

Contracting for building work usually needs a state or territory licence, so check yours before quoting. Also check whether home building or warranty insurance is required above certain job values, and whether council or certifier approvals apply.

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