RENOVATE OR KNOCK DOWN? WHAT A RENOVATION COSTS IN BYRON BAY IN 2026
Byron's older homes have good bones: Queenslanders on stumps, beach shacks with character, and hinterland cottages built from timber you can't buy anymore. So when the family grows or the house starts to feel tired, the big question is whether to renovate or start again.
Here's an honest look at both, with real 2026 cost ranges and our tips for making your budget go further.
What a renovation costs in Byron
Cost guides put renovation work in an existing home at around $1,600 to $3,900 per square metre (Archicentre 2026).
Byron and the Northern Rivers usually sit 5 to 15% above city figures, because of trade demand, getting materials here, and coastal requirements.
As a rough guide for our area:
A kitchen costs around $20,000 to $70,000.
A bathroom or ensuite costs around $15,000 to $45,000.
An extension costs around $2,500 to $5,000 per square metre.
A full-home renovation costs around $150,000 to $600,000.
A knock-down rebuild costs around $450,000 to $1,000,000 or more.
These Byron figures come from What's The Damage. Every home is different, so treat them as a starting point, not a quote.
Renovate or knock down?
Renovating usually makes sense when the structure is sound, the house has character worth keeping, and the layout can be opened up. It also tends to be faster through council and gentler on the budget. A knock-down starts to win when the footings, termite damage or asbestos mean you'd be replacing most of the house anyway, or when the house sits in the wrong spot on the block for the view, the light or flooding.
Check what's hiding before you design. Asbestos, old wiring, plumbing and uneven floors are the biggest surprises in older homes. A builder walk-through before the drawings are done costs very little and can save thousands.
Keep the wet areas where they are. Moving kitchens, bathrooms and laundries means moving plumbing, which is one of the quickest ways to blow a budget.
Lock in decisions on paper, not on site. Changes after the drawings are done mean redrawing, re-engineering and sometimes going back to council. The more you decide early, the more you save.
Spend on what you touch every day. Put your budget into the benchtop, tapware and flooring you use daily, and keep the rest simple and well made.
Reuse and reclaim. Old timber, doors and windows can often be restored or reused, which saves money and keeps the soul of the house.
Bring your builder in early. A builder who prices the design as it develops keeps it realistic, so you don't fall in love with plans you can't afford.
Award-winning quality, fairly priced
At Skyline Projects we've won MBA NSW awards for our homes, but people are often surprised to find that our pricing is fair and transparent. We take you through costs line by line before you sign, and we'd rather help you shape a design that fits your budget than quote you something you can't build.
Thinking about renovating, or not sure whether to knock down?
Call Nic on 0414 185 011 for a straight conversation about your home and your budget.
*Every home is different so a full estimate is required off plans for a complete picture.
