Plan your renovation by category, track actual spend against budget, and keep a contingency buffer — auto-saves in your browser. Print or export CSV. Free.
| Category | Budget ($) | Actual ($) | Variance |
|---|
💾 Your figures auto-save in this browser as you type — come back anytime on this device. Export a CSV as backup.
Key takeaways:
A renovation budget planner breaks a project into categories — kitchen, bathroom, electrical, painting — with a budget figure for each, then tracks actual spend against it as quotes and invoices arrive. The variance column is the whole point: it tells you which categories are running over while there's still time to trim elsewhere, instead of finding out at the end when the money's already gone.
The separate contingency line matters too — bundling a safety margin into each category hides how much buffer is left; keeping it as its own number means you can watch it deplete and know exactly how much surprise-absorbing capacity remains.
| This planner | DIY spreadsheet | |
|---|---|---|
| Set-up time | Zero — categories pre-filled | Build formulas yourself |
| Contingency buffer | Built in, adjustable % | Manual, easy to forget |
| Export options | PDF, email, CSV | Depends on the app |
| Cost | Free | Free if you build it |
Renovation blowouts rarely come from one big surprise — they come from twenty small ones: the extra waterproofing, the switchboard that had to be upgraded once the wall opened, the tile delivery that changed. That's why the contingency line exists as its own number rather than padding hidden in each category: you can watch it deplete and know precisely how much surprise-absorbing capacity remains. Older homes deserve a 20% buffer; anything involving wet areas or structural walls, treat 15% as the floor.
Enter actuals from real quotes and invoices as they arrive, not estimates — the variance column then tells you the truth per category while there's still time to trim elsewhere. Renovating to sell or refinance afterwards? Sense-check your end value against our Home Equity Calculator, and if it's an investment property, log the works in the Property Maintenance Tracker — capital improvements matter at CGT time.
How much contingency should I allow?
15% of the budget is the sensible minimum for a straightforward renovation; 20% or more for pre-1980s homes, structural changes, or anything involving plumbing behind walls. If you don't spend it, it's a bonus — if you didn't allow it, it's debt.
What categories should I include?
Beyond the obvious rooms: demolition and disposal, council approvals, electrical, plumbing, waterproofing, painting, floor coverings, and a line for professional fees. The forgotten categories are the ones that blow budgets.
Should GST be in my figures?
Yes — enter quotes as the GST-inclusive amounts you'll actually pay. Homeowners can't claim renovation GST back, so the inclusive figure is your real cost.
Where is my data stored?
In your browser on this device only — it auto-saves as you type and will be here when you return. Clearing browser data erases it, so export the CSV periodically as a backup.
Does renovation spending affect capital gains tax?
For investment properties, capital improvements add to your cost base and reduce CGT when you sell — keep every invoice. Our Capital Gains Tax Calculator shows the effect; your accountant classifies repairs versus improvements.
Can I download this renovation budget as a PDF?
Yes — Download PDF produces a clean summary with every category, your budget-vs-actual figures, and totals, ready to save or send to a partner, builder or accountant. Print / Save as PDF gives the same result via your browser's print dialog.
Can I email my renovation budget to my builder or accountant?
Yes — the Email button opens your mail app with the category totals pre-filled as text. Attach the downloaded PDF or exported CSV to the same email for the full figures.
What's a realistic renovation budget template for a kitchen or bathroom?
Rather than fixed dollar figures — which date quickly and vary hugely by region and finish level — use the category rows to enter your own quotes as they land, and let the contingency percentage do the safety-margin work for whichever room you're doing.