How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a Brick House in Melbourne?

Melbourne’s full of brick homes — especially in the north, west, and southeast suburbs. Whether it's a post-war brick veneer or a 1990s double brick build, these houses are built tough… but many are stuck in another era.

So how much does it actually cost to bring one up to standard?

Let’s break it down.

1. What Type of Brick Home Are You Renovating?

Not all brick houses are the same. And that matters.

• Brick Veneer Homes
  Most common in Melbourne — a timber frame with an external brick layer. These are easier to renovate internally, especially when reconfiguring bathrooms, kitchens, or living spaces.

• Double Brick Homes
  Solid internal and external brick. Harder to modify — especially if you want to open things up or relocate services.

Understanding the structure helps you avoid budget blowouts and bad design calls.

2. Typical Brick Renovation Scenarios and Their Costs

Here’s what we see most across Melbourne — and what each project scope usually costs:

• Surface-Level Refresh
  Includes paint, new flooring, replacing fittings and fixtures — no structural or layout changes.
  Estimated Cost: $30,000–$60,000

• Wet Area Renovation
  Focused on bathrooms, kitchen, laundry — including waterproofing, plumbing changes, tiling, and cabinetry.
  Estimated Cost: $70,000–$110,000

• Full Internal Reno
  Layout changes, multiple wet areas redone, new lighting, rewiring, replumbing, and new finishes throughout.
  Estimated Cost: $120,000–$180,000+

• Extension or Second Living Zone
  Adding square metreage to the home, reworking rooflines, external brickwork, major permit coordination.
  Estimated Cost: $200,000+

Every project is different — but these are realistic figures based on the jobs we’ve scoped and delivered across Melbourne suburbs like Glenroy, Sunshine, Essendon, and Pascoe Vale.

3. What Can Blow Out the Budget?

• Moving plumbing or electrical without a clear plan

• Removing load-bearing walls without engineering

• Fixing DIY jobs from previous owners

• Permits that get triggered mid-build

• Cheap materials that fail before the project’s even complete

We work through all of this with you up front — no guesswork.

4. Can You Renovate in Stages?

Yes. In fact, we often help Melbourne families plan their renovation across two phases:

1. Bathrooms, laundry, and electrical upgrades first

2. Kitchen, flooring, and living zones later

This keeps costs manageable and avoids debt-fuelled shortcuts like “pay monthly” deals.

Renovating a Brick House? Let’s Get It Right.

We don’t do generic quotes or guesswork. Bluestone Build Co. specialises in Melbourne’s brick homes — and we engineer every project to suit your budget, layout, and goals.

📞 Book a free consultation and let’s talk about your home.
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