How Long Does a $500k+ Renovation Really Take in Melbourne?
When families ask us how long a $500k+ renovation will take, what they’re really asking is: “When will our home be ready for us?”
It’s a fair question, but one that’s often answered in fragments. A builder might say “construction is about six months” or “permits usually take eight weeks.” Families then add those figures together and assume their renovation will be complete within that timeframe.
The reality is more complex. Renovations involve design, permits, documentation, selections and construction. Each stage depends on the one before it, and each has its own lead times. Without seeing the whole process, it’s easy to form expectations that don’t match reality.
At Dreamline Homes, we approach it differently. We start with your completion milestone, the moment that matters most to your family, and then work backwards. Whether you want to be in before Christmas, settled before the school year begins, or finished in time for a family event, planning around completion gives you clarity and confidence.
The Full Renovation Journey
For a $500k+ extension and renovation in Melbourne’s North-East, the realistic timeframe is around 12 to 18 months from first meeting to handover.
On-site works are usually six to eight months, but the lead-in stages — design, selections, engineering and permits — all add their own timeframes. When families see the process as a whole, expectations become much clearer.
Example Timeline for a $500k Renovation
A typical pathway through our Design and Build process looks like this:
Property information and concept design: 2–3 weeks
Selections process: 1–2 weeks depending on availability
Sketch design and detailing: 2–3 weeks
Structural and civil design: 1–3 weeks
Working drawings: 2–3 weeks
Town planning permit (if required): 3–12 months depending on overlays and council conditions
Building contracts: 1–2 weeks
Building permit: 1–2 weeks
From permit to site start: 1–4 weeks
On-site construction: 6–8 months
Typical Renovation Timeframes
When you add those stages together, the timeline becomes clearer:
Pre-construction without a planning permit: around 12 to 22 weeks (3–5.5 months)
Pre-construction with a planning permit: around 25 to 74 weeks (6–18 months)
Construction: usually 26 to 35 weeks (6–8 months)
That means:
Without a planning permit, the full process generally takes 9 to 13 months from start to finish
With a planning permit, the process usually extends to 12 to 25 months depending on council requirements
Why Renovation Timelines Vary
Several factors influence how long a renovation will take:
Planning permits. Some projects don’t require them at all. Others can take 12 months or more depending on overlays and council response times.
Selections and decisions. Families who finalise cabinetry, appliances and finishes on schedule move more quickly to contract and permits.
Construction scope. A straightforward extension may take closer to six months, while projects with multiple bathrooms, custom joinery or staged works for liveability can take eight months or longer.
Why Completion Dates Matter More Than Start Dates
Asking for a “start date” can give a false sense of certainty. The better question is: “When do we want to be in our home?”
By setting that milestone, we can map the stages backwards, from design and selections through to approvals and construction. This builds a timeline that reflects the entire journey, not just one isolated part.
The Risk of Oversimplified Timelines
Some builders underquote timelines to win jobs, saying “three months on site” without addressing the months of preparation beforehand. Others give isolated estimates, such as “eight weeks for permits” or “six months for construction,” leaving families to piece the puzzle together themselves.
This is how unrealistic expectations form. It’s not because families are careless, but because the information they receive is incomplete.
At Dreamline Homes, we prefer to be upfront. A $500k+ renovation usually takes 12 to 18 months from concept to completion. By giving you the full picture from day one, you can plan your renovation around your life with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renovation Timelines
How long does a $500k renovation usually take in Melbourne?
From first meeting to handover, expect around 12 to 18 months. Without planning permits, timelines are usually closer to 9–13 months. With permits, it can extend to 12–25 months depending on council requirements.
Why do permits take so long?
Planning permits are managed by local councils. If your property has overlays such as heritage, flood, or vegetation controls, approvals can take several months. Dreamline Homes handles this process on your behalf and keeps you updated so there are no surprises.
What if I need the home ready by a certain date, like Christmas or the start of school?
We always plan backwards from your milestone date. That way, we create a timeline that reflects your family’s needs — not just the builder’s schedule. If it looks like a deadline is unrealistic, we’ll tell you upfront and adjust scope or staging to get you as close as possible.
Can we live in the home during construction?
It depends on the scope. For some extensions, families can remain in part of the home while works are staged. For larger renovations involving kitchens, bathrooms or structural works, temporary relocation may be required. We’ll map this out clearly so you can plan ahead.
What delays renovations the most?
The two biggest causes are planning permits and selections. When clients finalise cabinetry, appliances and finishes early, projects progress faster. That’s why we guide you through selections well before contracts are signed.
Do all renovations take over a year?
Not always. Smaller extensions or renovations without planning permits can often be completed within 6 to 12 months. Larger or more complex projects, especially those requiring permits or heritage considerations, take longer.
Behind the Build
A $500k+ renovation is a major investment, not just in money but in time and lifestyle. The key to success isn’t a quick start date — it’s clarity around when you want to move back in, and a process that works backwards from there.
At Dreamline Homes, our Design and Build process ensures every stage, from feasibility and selections to permits, construction and handover, is mapped with care and transparency. That’s how we deliver homes that finish when they should, aligned with your plans, milestones and lifestyle.
Ready to see what’s possible for your renovation? Step Behind the Build with us and start the conversation today.