Laundry Renovation Cost Sydney: 2026 Price Guide

How much does a laundry renovation cost in Sydney?

As of October 2026, a laundry renovation typically costs about $5,000 to $30,000. The low end is a simple refresh. The high end is a full rebuild that moves plumbing or changes the layout. These prices are indicative only. They come from Three Birds Renovations and CO-architecture.

We could not find a recent Sydney-only laundry guide, so these are national figures. Sydney prices may sit higher. Here is how the two sources compare:

• Three Birds Renovations (July 2025): budget or cosmetic $5,000 to $10,000; mid-range $10,000 to $18,000; high-end $18,000 to $30,000 and up
• CO-architecture (2026): refresh $3,000 to $8,000; mid-range $8,000 to $18,000; full renovation or move $18,000 to $30,000 and up

CO-architecture suggests $7,000 to $15,000 as a useful starting range for most homeowners who keep the laundry where it is.

Only a written quote after a site visit can tell you what your laundry will cost.

What drives the cost of a laundry renovation

The item ranges below are from CO-architecture unless noted.

• Moving plumbing: this is the biggest swing factor. Moving the tub or washing machine can add about $1,500 to $5,000 for plumbing and drainage.
• Cabinetry: about $2,500 to $7,000 or more. Custom joinery with tall storage costs more.
• Benchtop: about $600 to $2,500 or more, depending on the material.
• Sink and tapware: about $300 to $1,500 or more.
• Flooring: about $700 to $2,500 or more.
• Ventilation: about $300 to $800 or more for an exhaust fan.
• Labour: Three Birds Renovations notes labour can take up 40 to 50 per cent of the budget.
• Waterproofing and tiling: laundries are wet areas. Replacing tiles usually means redoing the waterproofing as well.
• Room size and access: a laundry inside a bathroom, cupboard or apartment can be harder to work in.

What a laundry quote usually includes, and what it may leave out

Ask each tradie to mark every item as included, excluded or an allowance. Give everyone the same brief, including your washer and dryer sizes.

Items that are often included:

• Removing the old tub, cabinets and rubbish
• Supplying and fitting new cabinets and a benchtop
• Installing the sink and tapware
• Plumbing and electrical connections by licensed trades

Items that are often left out, or shown only as an allowance:

• Waterproofing and tiling, if the quote is for cabinetry only
• Moving taps, drains or power points
• A new exhaust fan or ducting
• Painting and repairs to walls or ceilings
• Asbestos testing and removal
• Appliances, and stacking kits for a washer and dryer

How to save money without cutting corners

• Keep the layout: leaving the plumbing where it is keeps costs down.
• Refresh before you rebuild: if the floor and waterproofing are sound, new cabinets, a benchtop and tapware can change the room a lot.
• Use standard cabinets: flat-pack or standard modules usually cost less than custom joinery.
• Plan around your appliances: measure them first so nothing has to be changed later.
• Choose hard-wearing finishes: a laminate benchtop and simple tiles can look good and cost less than stone or feature tiles.
• Keep a buffer: Three Birds Renovations suggests setting aside 10 to 20 per cent for surprises.
• Do not skip licensed work: plumbing, electrical work and waterproofing should be done properly the first time.

NSW rules that apply to laundry renovations

Licences: in NSW, a contractor licence is needed for residential building work worth more than $5,000 including GST. This includes waterproofing. Plumbing and electrical work need a licence no matter how small the job.

Licence check: look up the person or company on the NSW Government’s online licence check (verify.licence.nsw.gov.au). It shows the licence holder’s name, licence categories, expiry date and current status. Make sure the name matches the business on your quote and contract.

Written contract: your tradie must give you a written contract if the job is worth more than $5,000 including GST. Jobs over $20,000 need a more detailed contract, and you get a cooling-off period of five clear business days.

Deposit: the most you can be asked to pay as a deposit is 10 per cent of the contract price.

Home Building Compensation insurance: for work worth more than $20,000, the contractor must take out this insurance before asking you for any deposit or payment. It protects you as a last resort if the contractor can’t finish the job or fix defects because they have become insolvent, died, disappeared or lost their licence. Ask for the certificate.

Warranties: NSW law gives you statutory warranties on home building work. The period is 6 years for major defects and 2 years for other defects.

Apartments: under NSW strata rules, changes that need waterproofing are “major renovations” and need a special resolution of the owners corporation. Smaller changes, such as new cupboards, may be minor renovations that still need approval. Check with your strata manager before you start.

Asbestos: homes built or renovated before 1990 may contain asbestos, including in walls, flooring underlay and behind tiles. Asbestos NSW warns not to sand, cut or drill suspected asbestos.

Questions to ask your tradie

• What is your licence number, and which business will sign the contract?
• Does the quote include waterproofing, tiling and the floor?
• Who will do the plumbing and electrical work?
• Will my washer and dryer fit, with the clearances the makers require?
• Is there enough ventilation, and is an exhaust fan included?
• Which items are allowances, and how were they worked out?
• How long will I be without a working laundry?
• How will changes be priced and agreed in writing?

Get matched with local laundry renovators

Ready to update your laundry? Describe your job to MyTradeCrew. Tell us the room size, your appliances and what you want to change. We will match you with vetted, licensed and insured local trades who can look at the space and give you a written quote.

Frequently asked questions