5 Things to Know Before Renovating Your Canberra Home

Renovating your home is one of the most rewarding investments you can make — but it's also one where poor planning leads to costly mistakes. After working on renovation projects across Canberra and the ACT, here are the five most important things every homeowner should understand before work begins.

1. You May Need ACT Government Approval Before You Start

Many Canberra homeowners are surprised to learn that renovation work requires formal approval before a single wall can be touched. According to the ACT Planning Directorate, most renovation and building projects in the ACT require building approval — and some also require a development application (DA) depending on the nature and scale of the work.

Building approval is required for structural changes, extensions, additions, and most significant alterations. Development approval may be required if your project changes the footprint, height, or use of your property.

The approvals process takes time, so factor this into your project timeline. A good builder will manage approvals on your behalf and advise you on exactly what's needed for your specific project.

2. Older Canberra Homes May Contain Asbestos

If your home was built before 1990 — particularly in inner south suburbs like Griffith, Yarralumla, Ainslie, or Campbell — there is a real chance it contains asbestos-containing materials (ACM). Asbestos was commonly used in fibro sheeting, ceiling tiles, floor tiles, and insulation in Australian homes built through the 1980s.

Before any renovation work begins on an older property, a licensed asbestos assessor should inspect the home. If asbestos is found, it must be removed by a licensed removalist before construction starts. According to Rentoule Projects, asbestos removal can add $5,000–$30,000 to a renovation project depending on how widely the material is present throughout the home.

This is not a cost to cut corners on — improper asbestos handling is a serious health and legal risk.

3. Always Budget a 15% Contingency

No matter how carefully you plan, unexpected costs emerge on almost every renovation project. Hidden structural damage, outdated wiring, old plumbing, and soil surprises all appear once walls come down and floors come up.

Industry experts consistently recommend setting aside a contingency of at least 15% on top of your quoted renovation price. On a $100,000 renovation, that means keeping $15,000 in reserve. On a larger project, the buffer should be even higher. According to GTC Constructions, a 15% contingency is non-negotiable on any Australian renovation project in 2026.

If you don't end up using the contingency — great. But having it there means a surprise discovery won't derail your entire project.

 4. Get At Least Three Detailed, Written Quotes

Price shopping is smart, but comparing quotes requires care. Not all renovation quotes include the same scope of work — the cheapest quote often excludes items that other builders price in, such as demolition, waste removal, plastering, or painting.

When requesting quotes, be as specific as possible about the finishes, fixtures, and appliances you want. The ACT Planning Directorate recommends being specific about fittings and finishes so you receive more accurate quotes that are genuinely comparable.

Ask each builder to provide a fixed-price contract — not an estimate — so you know exactly what you're committing to before work starts.

5. Choose a Builder Who Manages the Whole Project

One of the most common causes of renovation stress is coordinating multiple trades — a separate architect, builder, electrician, plumber, tiler, and painter, all managed by you. Delays in one trade cascade through the entire project, adding time and cost.

The smoothest renovations happen when a single experienced builder manages the entire project — design, approvals, trades coordination, and construction — under one contract. This means one point of contact, clear accountability, and no gaps between what was designed and what gets built.

Planning a Renovation in Canberra?

At Dezone Studio, we manage renovations across Canberra and the ACT from concept through to completion — including handling all ACT approvals, coordinating trades, and delivering a result you'll love. Contact us today for a free consultation.