How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Melbourne's northern suburbs?

Kitchen renovations in suburbs like Brunswick, Reservoir and Preston typically range from $15,000 for a cosmetic refresh to $60,000+ for a full structural renovation with new cabinetry, benchtops, splashback and appliances. We collect quotes from multiple local tradies so you can compare real prices side by side.

Are the builders and tradies VBA registered?

Yes. Every tradie we connect you with holds a current Victorian Building Authority (VBA) registration. We don't list unlicensed operators. You can also verify any tradie's licence yourself at vba.vic.gov.au before signing anything.

Will I get cold-called by random tradies after submitting my details?

No. Your details are only shared with tradies who are a genuine match for your job and suburb. We don't sell your information to lead brokers or third-party lists. You choose who to engage — nothing gets passed on without your knowledge.

How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Melbourne?

A basic bathroom renovation runs from around $8,000–$15,000. A full wet area renovation with new tiles, plumbing, waterproofing and fixtures is typically $18,000–$35,000. Getting at least two or three quotes is essential — and that's exactly what we help you do.

Do I need a building permit for a home extension in Victoria?

Most extensions over 10m² require a building permit in Victoria. Your builder is legally required to obtain it before work starts. The tradies we work with handle permits as part of the job.

How long does a kitchen or bathroom renovation actually take?

A bathroom typically takes 2–4 weeks once trades are booked. A kitchen runs 3–6 weeks depending on whether cabinetry is custom or flatpack. Extensions vary widely — a single-storey rear extension might be 10–16 weeks from permit to completion.

What areas in Melbourne do you cover?

We focus on Melbourne's northern suburbs — Brunswick, Coburg, Preston, Reservoir, Thornbury, Northcote, Bundoora, Lalor, Pascoe Vale, Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Strathmore, Oak Park, Glenroy, Hadfield, Fawkner, Broadmeadows, Tullamarine, Gladstone Park, Mill Park, Thomastown, Greensborough, Eltham, Fitzroy North and Diamond Creek.

Is it actually free to get quotes through Melb Renovations?

Yes — completely free for homeowners. You describe your project, we match you with vetted local tradies, they quote you directly. You're under no obligation to accept any quote. We're paid by the tradies, not you.

Home Extension Costs in Essendon 2026

Essendon is one of the few Melbourne suburbs where extending is usually the obvious answer. Blocks are generous — 600m² to 800m² is common, and many lots are 15m or wider — so growing families can add a proper rear living wing or a second storey without sacrificing the garden. Combine that with a median price where moving costs six figures before you even buy, and extension enquiries dominate our Essendon leads.

Below are realistic 2026 extension costs for Essendon, what pushes a project to the top of the range, how the City of Moonee Valley heritage overlay affects design, and how long the whole process actually takes.

Essendon extension costs at a glance

Extension type	Essendon cost range (2026)
Single storey rear extension (open plan living, kitchen, powder room)	80,000 – $320,000
Second storey addition over existing footprint	50,000 – $420,000
Double storey extension (new ground and first floor)	$320,000 – $550,000
Granny flat / self-contained studio	40,000 – 40,000
Garage or carport conversion to living space	$60,000 – 20,000
Full home renovation including extension	50,000 – $400,000+

On a per-square-metre basis, quality Essendon extension work in 2026 sits at roughly $4,200 to $6,500/m² for single storey and $5,000 to $7,500/m² for upper level work, before landscaping and furniture.

What pushes an Essendon extension up or down the range

Whether you go up or out

Going out is cheaper per square metre. Going up means removing the existing roof, upgrading footings, strengthening or replacing floor framing, adding a staircase that eats ground floor space, and weatherproofing the house mid-build. On an Essendon bungalow, a second storey typically carries a $60,000 to

10,000 structural premium over the same floor area added at ground level.

Site access

Many Essendon homes have a driveway down one side, which is a genuine cost saver — machinery and materials reach the rear directly. Where there is no side access and everything must be carried through the house or craned over, add

5,000 to $40,000 in labour, protection and crane hire.

Heritage-sensitive design

In Essendon's overlay areas, matching brickwork, reproducing profiled window joinery and retaining or replicating original roof detail costs meaningfully more than a plain rendered box. Heritage-sympathetic materials and joinery typically add

0,000 to $60,000 on a mid-sized addition, plus $6,000 to

5,000 in planning and heritage consultant fees.

Glazing and thermal performance

Essendon extensions are typically north or rear oriented with large sliding or stacking doors. Double-glazed aluminium is standard; timber-framed or thermally broken systems with 3m-plus stacker openings add

5,000 to $45,000. Meeting energy rating requirements on a glass-heavy addition can also force better insulation and shading — worth designing in early rather than value-managing later.

What you put in the extension

A rear extension that includes the new kitchen and a bathroom is far more expensive than the same shell used as a living room only. Wet areas and joinery are the two densest cost items in any extension: a kitchen inside the addition typically accounts for $40,000 to $90,000 of the total in Essendon, and a new bathroom $30,000 to $50,000.

Essendon extension timeline

Design and documentation: 3 to 5 months for a designed extension, including engineering and energy rating.

Planning permit (if required): 3 to 6 months through the City of Moonee Valley, including neighbour notification.

Building permit: 3 to 6 weeks via a registered building surveyor.

Construction: 5 to 8 months single storey; 8 to 12 months for second or double storey.

Permits and compliance in Moonee Valley

Every extension in Essendon needs a building permit. A planning permit through the City of Moonee Valley is additionally required where a heritage overlay applies, where you seek a variation to rescode standards such as setbacks, site coverage or overshadowing, or where the works affect a tree covered by council controls. Essendon's proximity to Essendon Fields also means some pockets sit under airport-related height and noise controls worth checking early.

Your builder must be VBA-registered for domestic building work — verify at vba.vic.gov.au — and must provide domestic building insurance for contracts over

6,000. On extensions of this size, insist on a fixed-price contract with a documented allowance schedule rather than a cost-plus arrangement unless you have a quantity surveyor involved.

Get free Essendon extension quotes

MelbRenovations matches Essendon homeowners with VBA-licensed builders who have actually completed extensions on period homes in Moonee Valley. It is free, there is no obligation, and we do not cold call. See also our Essendon renovations page, our Essendon kitchen cost guide, and our home extensions service page.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a home extension cost in Essendon in 2026?

In Essendon a single storey rear extension costs

80,000 to $320,000, a second storey addition over the existing footprint costs

50,000 to $420,000, and a full double storey extension costs $320,000 to $550,000. A granny flat or self-contained studio in the rear yard runs

40,000 to

40,000.

Are Essendon blocks big enough to extend without losing the backyard?

Usually yes. A large share of Essendon lots run 600m² to 800m², often 15m wide, which comfortably accommodates a 40m² to 70m² rear addition while retaining useful garden. That is a genuine advantage over inner-north suburbs like Brunswick or Northcote, where narrow 200m² to 350m² lots force homeowners upwards instead of outwards.

Does a heritage overlay stop me extending in Essendon?

It rarely stops an extension, but it shapes it. Within the City of Moonee Valley's heritage overlay areas of Essendon, council generally wants the addition set back behind the original roof form, subordinate in height and bulk, and not visible in the streetscape from directly in front. Rear single storey additions are usually straightforward; second storeys need a design that steps well back from the front facade.

Which council approves extensions in Essendon and how long does it take?

Essendon is in the City of Moonee Valley. If a planning permit is required — because of a heritage overlay, a setback variation or a second storey — allow 3 to 6 months including advertising to neighbours. Where no planning permit is needed, a building permit from a registered building surveyor typically takes 3 to 6 weeks once documentation is complete.

Is it cheaper to extend an Essendon home or buy a bigger one?

At Essendon price points the transaction costs of moving are substantial — stamp duty alone on a

million purchase exceeds

10,000 before agent fees and moving costs. That means a $300,000 extension that adds two bedrooms and a bathroom often makes better financial sense than trading up, provided the finished home does not overtake the top of the street.

How long does an Essendon extension take to build?

Single storey rear extensions take 5 to 8 months on site. Second storey and double storey additions take 8 to 12 months, and require you to move out for part or all of the build because the roof is opened up. Add the design, permit and tender period and the honest end-to-end timeline is 12 to 20 months.