Renovating a Brick House in Australia: What to Know Before You Start
If you live in a brick house in Melbourne — odds are, it was built in the 70s, 80s or 90s. Solid structure. Good bones. But inside? Probably dated.
Whether you’re dealing with a tired bathroom, a pokey kitchen, or just a dark, closed-off layout, renovating a brick home has its own challenges — and big potential.
Here’s what you need to know before you get started.
1. Know Your Brick: Veneer vs. Double Brick
Most suburban homes in Melbourne are brick veneer — timber frame inside, brick cladding outside. But older builds (especially pre-1980s) might be double brick, meaning solid brick internal and external walls.
Why does it matter?
Brick veneer is easier to reconfigure — internal walls are lighter.
Double brick is harder (and costlier) to modify — especially for moving plumbing or knocking out walls.
We’ll help you figure it out before you touch anything.
2. Wet Areas Are the First to Go
In almost every brick reno we do, the bathroom, laundry, and kitchen are the first upgrades. These areas:
Often have poor ventilation
Contain old waterproofing or plumbing
Are layout-limited by the original structure
But we’ve opened up dozens of these brick homes without touching the external shell — just smart internal work.
3. Can You Open Up the Layout?
Yes — but it depends.
Many brick homes have load-bearing internal walls, especially in older builds. You can still knock them out and create open-plan living, but it takes:
Engineering
Proper permits
Structural steel where needed
It’s not as scary (or expensive) as it sounds.
4. Budget Breakdown: What Does It Cost?
Cosmetic Renovation
Surface updates only — no layout changes.
Estimated Cost: $30,000–$60,000Partial Structural Renovation
Reworking one or two areas (e.g. bathroom + kitchen), possibly removing a wall or updating services.
Estimated Cost: $70,000–$110,000Full Renovation
Major upgrades throughout — rewiring, replumbing, new wet areas, layout changes.
Estimated Cost: $120,000–$180,000+
Every job is different. But we’ll give you a clear scope before we lift a hammer.
5. What About Permits?
You don’t always need a permit — but if you’re:
Moving structural walls
Changing plumbing/electrical layouts
Increasing floor area or window openings
Then yes — and we can sort that paperwork for you.
6. The Best Part? The Bones Are Already Good
Renovating a brick home isn’t about starting from scratch — it’s about respecting the structure and making it work for how you live now.
We don’t bulldoze. We refine, modernise, and future-proof.
Thinking of Renovating Your Brick Home?
Bluestone Build Co. has helped dozens of Melbourne homeowners transform their older brick houses — without blowing the budget or losing the charm.
📞 Let’s talk about your renovation plans today.
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