Laundry Renovation Cost in Melbourne: Small Space, Big Return

The laundry is one of the most used rooms in any home and one of the most consistently overlooked when it comes to renovation planning. Melbourne homeowners routinely invest in kitchen and bathroom upgrades while leaving a cramped, poorly lit, and inefficient laundry unchanged for decades. The result is a room that makes a daily chore harder than it needs to be and contributes nothing to the presentation or value of the home.

A well-planned laundry renovation does not need to be expensive. Because the space is typically small, even a modest investment can transform the functionality and finish of the room entirely. This guide covers realistic laundry renovation costs in Melbourne across two tiers, what drives those costs, and what you get for your money at each level.

What Does a Laundry Renovation Cost in Melbourne?

Laundry renovation costs in Melbourne typically fall between $5,000 and $25,000 for most residential projects. The range is wide because laundry spaces vary significantly in size, configuration, and the scope of what needs to change.

A basic laundry refresh at $5,000 to $12,000 typically covers new cabinetry, a replacement sink and tapware, updated tiling, and a fresh coat of paint. A full laundry renovation at $12,000 to $25,000 covers a complete reconfiguration with custom cabinetry, quality fixtures, a proper folding and ironing station, upgraded plumbing and electrical, and premium tiling throughout.

Laundry renovations that involve structural changes, relocating plumbing to a different wall, or converting a non-laundry space into a laundry will typically sit at the higher end or above the ranges above.

Cost Breakdown by Component

The table below breaks down typical costs by component across the two main renovation tiers. These figures reflect Melbourne market pricing for labour and materials combined.

Note: figures are indicative ranges. Your actual cost will depend on the specific products selected, the condition of the existing laundry, and whether any plumbing or electrical work requires significant modification.

What Drives Laundry Renovation Costs Up

Relocating plumbing

Moving the washing machine connection, sink waste, or cold water supply to a different position is one of the most significant cost drivers in a laundry renovation. In a ground-floor laundry with accessible underfloor plumbing, relocation adds $800 to $2,000 to the project cost. In a first-floor laundry or a slab-on-ground home where pipes are embedded in the slab, relocation is significantly more complex and expensive.

For most laundry renovations, keeping the plumbing in its existing position and redesigning the layout around it is the most cost-effective approach. A good designer can achieve a substantially improved layout within the existing plumbing footprint in the majority of cases.

Custom versus flat-pack cabinetry

Cabinetry is typically the largest single cost item in a laundry renovation. Flat-pack cabinetry from major suppliers offers a cost-effective result and is appropriate for standard laundry configurations. Semi-custom and fully custom cabinetry costs more but allows for precise sizing, integrated appliance housing, and design details that make a laundry function better in a non-standard space.

For laundry cupboards and alcoves with unusual dimensions, or for homeowners who want a premium result, semi-custom cabinetry in the $4,000 to $8,000 range delivers a noticeably better outcome than flat-pack at $1,500 to $3,500.

Tiling extent and tile selection

A fully tiled laundry, floor and walls to full height, costs more than a partially tiled one. However, full tiling in a laundry has practical benefits: it is more durable, easier to clean, and better protected against the moisture that washing machines and drying cycles generate. For a small laundry of 3 to 5 square metres, the additional tiling cost of going full height on the walls rather than a partial splashback is typically $400 to $900 and is generally worth it.

Tile selection also affects cost. Standard ceramic tiles for walls and floor cost $20 to $50 per square metre. Large format porcelain tiles or premium feature tiles cost $60 to $150 per square metre or more. For a laundry, a practical mid-range tile that is easy to clean and slip-resistant on the floor is usually the right priority.

Ventilation and exhaust

A common deficiency in older Melbourne laundries is inadequate ventilation. Poor ventilation leads to moisture accumulation, condensation on walls and cabinetry, and eventually mould. A laundry renovation is a good opportunity to install or upgrade the exhaust fan and, where possible, to provide an external vent to the outside of the building rather than into a ceiling cavity.

A quality inline exhaust fan with an external duct costs $400 to $900 installed, including the electrician's time. This is a modest investment for a significant improvement in air quality and moisture management.

Laundry Layout Types and Their Renovation Implications

Melbourne homes have laundries in several different configurations, and the type of laundry space you have affects what is achievable and at what cost.

The All-in-One Sink Cabinet: The Best Investment for Small Laundries

For laundry cupboards, alcoves, and other compact configurations, an all-in-one sink cabinet is one of the most practical and cost-effective products available. These units combine a laundry trough, a cabinet below for storage and washing machine housing, and often an overhead cabinet, all in a single freestanding or semi-freestanding unit.

All-in-one sink cabinets in the Australian market are available in standard widths of 600mm, 750mm, and 900mm and are priced from around $400 to $1,500 depending on the material, finish, and configuration. A 750mm unit with overhead cabinet and a quality tapware fitting represents one of the best value investments in a laundry renovation, transforming a bare plumbed space into a functional, finished laundry for a modest outlay.

APD Design stocks a range of laundry cabinets and all-in-one sink cabinets at our Nunawading showroom. Our team can help you select the right unit for your space dimensions and connect you with a licensed plumber for installation.

What a Laundry Renovation Adds to Your Property

The return on investment from a laundry renovation is consistently underestimated by Melbourne homeowners. Real estate agents and property valuers in Melbourne's eastern suburbs note that a well-presented laundry contributes to the overall impression of a property during a sale campaign, particularly in the family home market where buyers pay close attention to the practical spaces of a home.

A laundry renovation does not need to match the investment level of a kitchen or bathroom to add value. A clean, organised, well-lit laundry with quality cabinetry and a proper folding station reads as a well-maintained home. A dark, cramped, original laundry with a 1980s cabinet and a cracked trough reads as deferred maintenance, which affects buyer confidence across the whole property.

For homeowners planning to sell within the next three to five years, a laundry renovation at the $8,000 to $15,000 level is one of the highest return-on-investment renovations available, particularly if the rest of the home has been updated and the laundry is the last room showing its age.

Practical Features Worth Including in a Laundry Renovation

Beyond the basics of cabinetry, sink, and tiling, the following features are worth considering when planning a laundry renovation. Each adds function without significantly increasing the project cost.

• Overhead cabinets with adjustable shelving for cleaning products, spare linens, and ironing supplies. This is one of the most effective uses of wall space in a small laundry.
• A pull-out or fold-down ironing board integrated into the cabinetry. These units cost $200 to $600 and eliminate the need to store and retrieve a freestanding ironing board.
• A hanging rail or retractable clothesline inside the laundry for items that cannot go in the dryer. Wall-mounted retractable options cost $80 to $200 and make a practical difference to daily use.
• A dedicated powerpoint at bench height for appliances, plus a separate circuit for the washing machine and dryer if they are not already on dedicated circuits. This is a basic electrical requirement that is often not present in older laundries.
• Under-cabinet lighting in the same configuration used in kitchen renovations. LED strip lighting under overhead cabinets costs $150 to $400 and transforms the usability of the workspace.

Do You Need a Building Permit for a Laundry Renovation in Victoria?

For most laundry renovations in Victoria, a building permit is not required if the work involves like-for-like replacement of fixtures and cabinetry within the existing layout. If the renovation involves relocating plumbing to a new position, removing a wall, or converting a non-laundry space into a laundry, a building permit will generally be required.

A licensed plumber must issue a Certificate of Compliance for all plumbing work regardless of whether a building permit is required. A Certificate of Electrical Safety is required for any new electrical work. Both documents should be provided to you at the completion of the project.

Getting a Quote for Your Laundry Renovation

APD Design provides laundry renovation services across Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Our Nunawading showroom stocks laundry cabinets, all-in-one sink cabinets, tapware, and laundry accessories from quality Australian and international brands.

To discuss your laundry renovation and receive a fixed-price quote, contact our team on 03 9034 6490 or at APD@apadanadesign.com.au. Our showroom at Unit 64, 31-37 Norcal Road, Nunawading is open Monday to Friday, and we offer free in-home consultations for renovation projects across Melbourne's eastern suburbs.