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Perth Renovation Market Trends 2026 — What Buyers, Sellers and Owners Need to Know
Perth’s property market in 2026 is doing something that no other Australian capital city is doing at the
same speed: rising in value while simultaneously being constrained by a shortage of both listings and
trades. For homeowners, buyers, and sellers, this creates a specific set of decisions — and a specific
set of opportunities — that don’t exist in other markets.
This article draws on published data from REIWA, CoreLogic, Master Builders WA, and other industry
sources to give a clear, grounded picture of where the Perth renovation and property market stands in
April 2026: what properties are worth, what renovations cost, what they return, and what the market is
rewarding right now.
$1,003,804
Perth median house value
CoreLogic Jan 2026
+18.4%
Annual house price growth
CoreLogic Jan 2026
+10%+
REIWA 2026 price forecast
REIWA Jan 2026
0.6%
Rental vacancy rate
Perth Jan 2026
$54B
Annual Australian renovation spend
andid / ABS 2025
+18%
Perth renovation costs vs national avg
Master Builders WA 2026
10–16wk
Trade lead time in Perth 2026
Industry data 2026
55,000
Extra trades WA needs
Master Builders WA 2025
The Perth Property Market in 2026 — Context for Every Renovation Decision
Perth has crossed $1 million for the first time
The Perth median house value crossed $1,000,000 for the first time in early 2026 — a milestone that
would have seemed unlikely to most Perth homeowners as recently as 2021, when the median sat
below $550,000.
The drivers are structural, not speculative. Population growth of 2.2% in the year to June 2025 — the
fastest in Australia — combined with a new housing supply pipeline that has consistently fallen short of targets and rental vacancy rates below 1% have created conditions where demand is chronically
outpacing supply.
| Perth Property Metric | Figure | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median house value | $1,003,804 | January 2026 | CoreLogic |
| Annual house price growth | +18.4% | Year to Jan 2026 | CoreLogic |
| Monthly house price growth | +1.9% | January 2026 | CoreLogic |
| Median unit value | $611,000 est. | Early 2026 | CoreLogic / REIWA |
| Annual unit price growth | +20.1% | Year to Jan 2026 | CoreLogic |
| Median weekly rent (house) | $700 | End 2025 | REIWA |
| Median weekly rent (unit) | $680 | End 2025 | REIWA |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.6% | January 2026 | REIWA / CoreLogic |
| Median days to lease | 16 days | November 2025 | REIWA |
| REIWA 2026 price forecast | >10% growth (house) · 15–20% (unit) | 2026 forecast | REIWA |
What this means for renovation decisions
When a Perth house rises by approximately $156,000 in a single year (CoreLogic’s January 2026
figure for the average dollar gain over the preceding 12 months), the financial calculus of renovation
changes. A $35,000 bathroom renovation that returns $45,000–$55,000 at sale — a strong result on
its own — needs to be understood alongside the fact that the market itself may add a further
$80,000–$120,000 to the property’s value over the same 12-month period.
For Perth homeowners in 2026, the question is not just “does renovation add value?” but “does
renovation add more value than the time and disruption of doing it?” In a rising market, the answer
changes depending on how the renovation is approached. A renovation that takes 6 months longer
than it should because of poor trade coordination or a slow booking process costs more than just the
delay — it costs the market movement during that period.
The gentrification suburbs to watch
Not all Perth suburbs are rising at the same rate. The suburbs showing the strongest renovation
activity and value uplift in early 2026 are those in the gentrification corridor — older housing stock
being progressively improved as buyers arrive from higher-priced adjacent suburbs.
| Suburb / Area | 2-3 Year Price Growth | Renovation Driver | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Park | 25–40% | Spillover demand from South Perth pushing buyers into adjacent areas. Renovation rate high as buyers upgrade older stock. | Bamboo Routes 2026 |
| Maylands | 25–35% | Younger buyers renovating interwar and post-war character homes. Active gentrification. | Bamboo Routes 2026 |
| Inglewood | 20–30% | Character home renovation. Heritage-sensitive renovation in demand. | Bamboo Routes 2026 |
| Willagee | 25–40% | Affordability-driven entry from Melville and Fremantle catchments. | Bamboo Routes 2026 |
| Hilton | 20–35% | 1950s–1970s stock being renovated. Close to Fremantle lifestyle hub. | Bamboo Routes 2026 |
| Inner west (Subiaco, Mt Hawthorn, Leederville) | Continued strong premium growth | Established renovation suburb. Premium buyers expect renovated properties. | REIWA / CoreLogic |
What Renovations Cost in Perth in 2026 — The Numbers That Matter
Perth renovation costs are approximately 18% above the national average in 2026 — a figure cited by
both Master Builders WA and independent industry sources. The gap exists because of three
structural factors that are not going away: trade competition from the resources sector, a freight
premium on materials imported from the eastern states, and a booking window that has extended to
10–16 weeks for key licensed trades.
Average renovation costs by room — Perth 2026
| Service | Entry Level | Mid-Range | Premium | Trend vs 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom renovation | $25,000–$32,00 0 | $32,000–$42,00 0 | $42,000–$50,00 0+ | Up ~8–12% on 2024 primarily from labour |
| Kitchen renovation | $30,000–$42,00 0 | $42,000–$60,00 0 | $60,000–$75,00 0+ | Up ~10–15% on 2024. Cabinet manufacture lead times extended. |
| Laundry renovation | $20,000–$27,00 0 | $27,000–$35,00 0 | N/A (scope limit) | Up ~8% on 2024. Labour component dominant. |
| Ensuite renovation | $20,000–$28,00 0 | $28,000–$35,00 0 | $35,000–$40,00 0+ | Tracking bathroom increases. |
| Alfresco renovation | $15,000–$25,00 0 | $25,000–$45,00 0 | $45,000–$60,00 0+ | Louvre systems strong demand 6–10 week supply lead time on some brands. |
| Home extension | From $80,000 | From $100,000 | From $150,000 | Up ~15–20% on 2021 base. Labour is now the primary cost driver |
Why Perth renovation costs are elevated — and why that's not changing soon
The cost drivers in Perth’s renovation market are structural, not cyclical. They don’t resolve when a
single project finishes or when one supply chain issue is corrected. They reflect persistent conditions
that have been building since 2021.
Trade competition from mining and resources
Perth’s mining and resources industry employs approximately 155,900 people — almost exactly the
same number as the construction sector (155,500). These two sectors compete for the same licensed
tradespeople. When BHP, Rio Tinto, and Fortescue are running capital expenditure programmes,
residential renovation trades are in short supply. Mining wages set a floor that residential renovation
companies must compete against.
Freight premium on materials
Perth is geographically isolated from the eastern state distribution networks that supply most building
products. Tiles, tapware, cabinetry hardware, engineered timber, and stone alternatives are all largely
distributed from Sydney or Melbourne warehouses. The freight premium adds 8–15% to the cost of
most building materials compared to Perth’s eastern state equivalents.
The engineered stone ban and its benchtop market impact
The national ban on engineered stone (effective WA July 2024) has shifted the Perth benchtop market
to Dekton, porcelain, and natural stone alternatives. These materials are genuinely superior in many
applications — but they cost more. The price differential on a kitchen benchtop is $500–$2,000 above
pre-ban specifications for comparable aesthetics. House & Co’s standard specification uses Dekton
and porcelain alternatives.
Copper and services trade cost pressure
Altus Group’s Q4 2025 construction price outlook identifies copper as the next construction cost shock
— with prices surpassing US$13,000 per tonne in early 2026, driven by global electrification demand.
This flows directly into electrical trade costs across all renovation types.
What Renovations Return in Perth in 2026 — The ROI Picture
The renovation return picture in Perth in 2026 is unusually strong — because the market backdrop is
doing additional work alongside the renovation itself. In a year when Perth median house prices rose
by $156,000, a well-executed renovation that adds $40,000 of direct value also benefits from the
underlying market movement during the renovation and marketing period.
The figures below represent the renovation contribution to property value — the uplift attributable to
the renovation itself, separate from market movement. Both matter. The renovation return is what you
earn; the market movement is what the property earns.
IMPORTANT:
The figures below are indicative estimates based on Perth market observations and
published real estate industry data as at April 2026. Property value uplift varies significantly by suburb,
property condition, quality of renovation execution, and market timing. Always obtain a current property
appraisal from a licensed Perth real estate agent or property valuer before making renovation
investment decisions.
Bathroom renovation ROI — Perth 2026
| Renovation Tier | Typical Cost (House & Co) | Indicative Value Add (Inner/Western Suburbs) | Net ROI Indicator | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry level | $25,000–$32,000 | $30,000–$48,000 | Positive — 10–50% | Removes
dated
discount
from buyer
valuation. Strongest where the rest of the home is well-present ed. |
| Mid-range | $32,000–$42,000 | $40,000–$60,000 | Positive — 5–40% | Stone
benchtop
and quality
fixtures. Clear premium in $900K–$1.5 M suburbs. |
| Premium | $42,000–$50,000+ | $50,000–$70,000 | Breakeven to +25% | Return
depends
heavily on
property
price point. Freestandin g bath and luxury tapware appropriate for $1.2M+ properties. |
Kitchen renovation ROI — Perth 2026
| Renovation Tier | Typical Cost (House & Co) | Indicative Value Add (Inner/Western Suburbs) | Net ROI Indicator | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry level | $30,000–$42,000 | $35,000–$55,000 | Positive — 5–45% | Open plan
conversion
+ new
kitchen is
the
highest-return single renovation in older |
| Mid-range | $42,000–$60,000 | $50,000–$75,000 | Positive — 5–30% | Strong in
$850K–$1.5
M suburbs.
Integrated
appliances
and stone benchtop well received by buyers. |
| Premium | $60,000–$75,000+ | $60,000–$85,000 | -5% to +20% | Return
diminishes
at the
premium
end.
Appropriate
for $1.5M+ properties |
Alfresco renovation ROI — Perth 2026
Perth’s climate creates a specific alfresco value premium that does not exist to the same extent in
southern capitals. In inner and western Perth suburbs, a well-executed alfresco renovation — louvre
roof, quality paving, outdoor kitchen — is perceived by buyers as a room addition. Indicative value
add: $25,000–$55,000 for a $25,000–$45,000 mid-range renovation in inner Perth. Return strongest
in lifestyle suburbs (Cottesloe, South Perth, Subiaco, Nedlands) where outdoor entertaining is a buyer
expectation rather than a bonus.
Home extension ROI — Perth 2026
Adding a bedroom through an extension moves a property into a higher buyer category — the 3-to-4
bedroom transition is significant in Perth’s family buyer market. Extensions are the highest absolute
cost renovation but carry strong ROI when the extension adds functional space that the market values
(bedroom, bathroom, or living area) and when the total property value remains within the suburb’s
ceiling. Overimprovement risk is real: a $200,000 extension on a $700,000 property in a suburb with a
$1.1M ceiling has limited return capacity regardless of quality.
What Perth Buyers and Sellers Are Responding to in 2026
Understanding what Perth buyers are responding to in 2026 is more useful than a generic list of
renovation recommendations. The market has shifted — and the expectations it brings to property
inspections have shifted with it.
The figures below represent the renovation contribution to property value — the uplift attributable to
the renovation itself, separate from market movement. Both matter. The renovation return is what you
earn; the market movement is what the property earns.
The fear of missing out is back — and it's shaping renovation timing
REIWA identified a return of FOMO (fear of missing out) in the Perth market in late 2025, driven by
consistently falling new listings and accelerating price growth. Properties in desirable suburbs are
selling quickly and in some cases above asking price. In this environment, a property that is
well-presented — with a renovated kitchen, bathroom, or alfresco — enters the market with a
premium expectation rather than a discount expectation.
The practical implication for homeowners considering renovation before sale: the renovation needs to
be complete and well-presented before the property goes to market. An incomplete renovation or a
renovation that has clearly been rushed is worse than an unrenovated property.
What generates a premium vs a discount at Perth inspections — 2026
| Property Condition | Buyer Response in 2026 | Renovation Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Renovated kitchen and bathroom — quality materials and execution | Premium expectation. Buyer competition. Faster sale. | Highest-value renovation pairing. Both rooms together create the strongest buyer impression. |
| Renovated kitchen only | Moderate premium. Buyer notes dated bathroom. | Still worth doing. Buyers discount bathroom renovation cost and add margin. |
| Renovated bathroom only | Similar to kitchen-only. Still positive. | Bathrooms alone attract premium in $700K–$1.5M price range. |
| Good alfresco in inner/western suburb | Premium in lifestyle markets. Buyers expect it. | Absence creates discount. Presence is expected, not a bonus. |
| Unrenovated but well-maintained, priced correctly | Attracts renovation buyers. Often cash or investor buyers who accept the condition and price accordingly. | No renovation required if priced at unrenovated market value. |
| Unrenovated AND dated presentation | Clear discount applied by buyers. Price expectations reduced 10–20% below comparable renovated properties. | Renovation creates the largest relative return from this starting point. |
| Partially renovated / renovation in progress | Buyer caution. Uncertainty about quality of incomplete work. Often sells below both fully renovated and unrenovated comparables. | Complete the renovation or don't start it before sale. |
The renovation booking timeline is now a market timing decision
In Perth’s 2026 trade market, quality renovation companies are booking 10–16 weeks ahead for key
trades. A homeowner who decides to renovate before selling needs to build this lead time into their
property sale timeline. The renovation window — design approval, trade booking, on-site work — for a
bathroom renovation runs 8–14 weeks in total from first consultation to completion.
For a homeowner targeting a spring 2026 sale campaign (August–October), the renovation
consultation window was February–March. For a summer 2026 campaign (November–December),
the consultation window is May–June. Waiting until two months before a target sale date and
expecting a quality renovation to be complete is not realistic in Perth’s 2026 market.
Should You Buy Unrenovated, Renovate, and Sell — or Just Buy Renovated?
The buy-renovate-sell strategy has a strong track record in Perth’s inner and western suburbs over a
long cycle. But in 2026, the calculus is more nuanced than it was in 2019 or 2021, for three reasons:
renovation costs have risen significantly, trade lead times are long, and the market itself is rising fast
enough that holding an unrenovated property also generates return.
The case for buying unrenovated and renovating
- Perth's market is rewarding quality renovated properties with clear premiums — the renovation return on top of market growth is achievable
- In gentrifying suburbs (Victoria Park, Maylands, Inglewood), the gap between unrenovated and renovated properties is at its widest — creating the largest renovation uplift opportunity
- Purchasing unrenovated gives the buyer design control — the renovation can be executed to their exact brief rather than accepting someone else's choices
- Many Perth buyers in 2026 are priced out of renovated properties — unrenovated stock at a lower entry price creates a more accessible buying position
The risks and considerations
- Renovation costs are 18% above the national average — the renovation budget for a Perth property is materially higher than equivalent eastern state calculations
- Trade lead times of 10–16 weeks mean the renovation timeline is longer than it appears. Holding costs during renovation (mortgage, rates, insurance) eat into return
- Older Perth properties carry hidden surprise risk — asbestos, galvanised plumbing, non-compliant wiring. A 15–20% contingency on the renovation budget is appropriate for pre-1985 properties
- The market is rising fast enough that a property sat unrenovated for 12 months while renovation is planned and executed will also increase in value — the renovation return must exceed the opportunity cost of the renovation period
The bottom line for buyers in 2026
- The buy-renovate-sell or buy-renovate-live strategies remain viable in Perth — but they require more precise execution in 2026 than they did in a lower-cost, shorter-lead-time market. The renovation budget needs to be realistic (not a 2021 number applied to 2026 trades), the trade booking needs to happen before purchase settlement where possible, and the renovation company needs to be selected for execution reliability rather than lowest quote.
What's Trending in Perth Renovation Design in 2026
Design trends in renovation matter because they affect buyer response at inspection — and buyer
response at inspection affects sale price. What Perth buyers are responding to in 2026 is informed by
both national design media and the specific character of Perth’s housing stock and lifestyle.
Warm organic — the shift away from grey-on-grey
The cool grey and white palette that dominated Perth renovations from approximately 2015–2022 is
being replaced. In 2026, Perth renovation clients are requesting warmer, more textural finishes:
terracotta tiles, limewash plaster, warm timber cabinetry, fluted glass, and brushed brass hardware.
This shift is genuine and nationally consistent — but some specific expressions of it will date faster
than others. The underlying warmth is enduring; the most specific tile choices are more directional.
Open plan — still the most transformative renovation in older Perth homes
Removing the wall between a closed kitchen and adjacent dining and living remains the most
transformative single renovation move in pre-1990 Perth homes. The open plan brief has not peaked — in older suburbs with significant unrenovated stock (Maylands, Victoria Park, Hilton, parts of Mount
Lawley), it remains a high-demand, high-return renovation move.
Alfresco as the centrepiece — louvre roofs in strong demand
Louvre roof systems are in strong demand across Perth in 2026. Supply lead times for some major
brands (Vergola, Stratco, Outrigger) have extended to 6–10 weeks. Outdoor kitchens continue to grow
in popularity — the brief has shifted from “built-in BBQ” to “genuine outdoor cooking and entertaining
space.” Perth buyers in lifestyle suburbs in 2026 are expecting an alfresco that functions as a room,
not a covered paved area.
Sustainability and energy efficiency
Solar, battery storage, and EV charging infrastructure are increasingly on renovation briefs in 2026 —
not primarily for ideological reasons, but for practical cost management. Perth’s long, hot summers
and sustained energy price increases have made these practical investments. Renovation companies
that can integrate electrical upgrades for solar and EV infrastructure alongside standard renovation
work are in demand. House & Co coordinates with licensed electricians who can scope these
additions as part of a broader renovation.
What Perth Homeowners Should Do Right Now — A Practical Checklist
The market context above generates a specific set of practical actions depending on where you are in
your property journey.
If you own a Perth property and are planning to sell in the next 12 months
Get a current appraisal from a local agent before deciding on renovation scope. The gap
between renovated and unrenovated in your suburb determines whether renovation is
financially worthwhile.
Book the renovation consultation now — not two months before your sale campaign. Trade lead
times of 10–16 weeks mean the booking and design window needs to start well in advance of
the on-site work.
Prioritise kitchen and bathroom. These two rooms have the strongest and most consistent
buyer response in Perth’s current market.
Complete the renovation properly or don’t start it. A partially renovated property sells worse
than an unrenovated one.
If you own a Perth property and plan to stay in it
The rising market makes renovation easier to justify on both quality-of-life and financial
grounds. A well-executed bathroom or kitchen renovation in 2026 improves your daily life
immediately and is very likely to return more than its cost when the property is eventually sold.
Book renovation early — quality companies in Perth are filling calendars 10–16 weeks out. A
renovation you want completed by end-2026 needs to be in design now.
Set a realistic budget. Perth renovation costs are not what they were in 2021. Use current
pricing, not prices from a quote you received two years ago. The cost guides in the Renovation
Hub reflect April 2026 pricing.
If you're buying in Perth and considering an unrenovated property
Factor Perth’s current renovation costs into your purchase budget — not a national average.
Perth trades cost 18% more than the national average in 2026.
Have a renovation contingency. For pre-1985 properties, budget 15–20% above the renovation
quote for hidden surprises
Investigate trade availability before settlement where possible. Knowing your renovation
company and booking window before you own the property reduces holding cost risk.
Focus on inner and gentrifying suburbs where the gap between unrenovated and renovated is
widest — that gap is your renovation return potential.
From Market Context to Your Project
Plan your renovation
Cost guides — current 2026 pricing
Services
Bathroom Renovations Perth
From $25,000
House & Co delivers kitchen renovations across Perth exact dimensions, stone benchtops, and all licensed trades under one agreement.
Kitchen Renovations Perth
From $30,000
House & Co delivers kitchen renovations across Perth exact dimensions, stone benchtops, and all licensed trades under one agreement.
Home Extensions Perth
From $80,000
House & Co builds home extensions across Perth
granny flats and room additions, all with full permit management and every licensed
Alfresco Renovations Perth
From $15,000
Perth’s climate makes the alfresco one of the most-used spaces in any home. House & Co renovates
alfresco areas across Perth
Ready to renovate in 2026? Talk to House & Co
Free in-home consultation. 3D design before you commit. Fixed-scope quote. (08) 9480 0408