The saving
Two honest paths. Real numbers.
Comparison is to a typical $18,000–$30,000 standalone laundry from a full-service renovator. The full-service price reflects in-house design, project management, supplier markup on cabinetry / washer / dryer / tub, and trade markup — sitting on top of the cabinetmaker, plumber and sparky who actually do the work.
Manager only · no DIY
Saved versus full-service
Run the project. Lift no tools. We handle design, products, trade coordination and conditional payments.
Manager + light DIY
Saved versus full-service
Take on demolition, painting and simple carpentry. We handle the technical scope.
A $22k laundry, broken open.
A realistic indicative budget for a mid-tier standalone laundry. Yours will vary — a European cupboard laundry runs $8-15k, a generous standalone with linen storage + folding bench runs $25-35k. The point is the shape.
Full-service renovator · $22,000
- Cabinetry (carcasses, doors, drawers, broom cupboard)$6,500
- Benchtop (laminate or low-silica engineered)$1,200
- Splashback (tile or glass)$900
- Laundry tub + tapware$1,200
- Washer + dryer (mid-tier, heat-pump)$3,200
- Trades (plumbing, electrical, tiler, plasterer, painter)$4,200
- Design + documentation$1,000
- Renovator margin + supplier markup$3,800
My Reno HQ homeowner-managed · $16,500
- Cabinetmaker direct (Polytec / Laminex)$5,200
- Benchtop (laminate) · member pricing$900
- Splashback (tile or glass) · member pricing$700
- Tub + tapware (Abey) · member pricing$950
- Washer + dryer (heat-pump) · member pricing$2,800
- Trades (direct, vetted)$4,200
- Design + documentation (Stages 1 + 2)$1,098
- Platform · Stage 3$150
- Saving−$5,500
See the full breakdown.
The free Reno Guide walks through what full-service costs, where you save, and what owner-managed renovation actually looks like. Or skip ahead and book your Stage 1 scan + concept now — includes free library access.