Setting a renovation budget is one thing. Splitting it sensibly across labour, materials, fixtures, permits, and the inevitable contingency is where most people come unstuck. This free renovation budget tracker lets you enter your total budget, allocate across categories with a running total, and see instantly whether you’re over or under. Your data is saved in your browser so you can come back to it.
No sign-up, no server, no sharing. Your budget stays on your device.
Sensible default splits for a $35,000 mid-range renovation
This is a typical breakdown for a mid-range Australian bathroom or kitchen renovation. Adjust to your project:
- Trades / labour: 40-45%. The largest cost. Plumbing, electrical, tiling, cabinetry install, waterproofing.
- Materials: 20-25%. Tiles, cabinetry carcase, benchtop, subfloor materials, plasterboard.
- Fixtures & fittings: 15%. Taps, showerhead, sink, oven, dishwasher, appliances.
- Contingency: 15%. Assume you’ll need it. Old pipes behind walls, subfloor rot, minor scope creep — the money you don’t spend is your first snag-list buffer.
- Permits / fees: 1-3%. DA or CDC application, engineer sign-off if required.
- Design / consultants: 2-3%. Architect, interior designer, kitchen designer. Skip if you’re DIY-designing.
- Misc / rubbish removal: 1-2%. Skip bins, disposal fees. Often bundled into trades quotes.
The 15% contingency isn’t optional
Every Australian renovator we’ve talked to says the same thing: the surprises always come. Old plumbing that needs replacing when you open up a wall. Sub-floor damage under old tiles. A council inspector requiring an extra structural element. Delays that push you into a higher trade rate. The 15% contingency isn’t pessimism — it’s realism. If you don’t need it, you’ve just saved yourself $5,000+. If you do, you’re not scrambling for it mid-build.
How the tracker saves your data
Your budget and category allocations are stored in your browser’s local storage — that means only this browser on this device can see them. If you clear your browser data, use a different device, or use private / incognito mode, your data won’t persist. If you need a permanent copy, take a screenshot or export the numbers manually.
Frequently asked questions
Can I share my budget with my partner?
Not directly through this tool — browser localStorage is device-specific. Screenshot the summary and share, or set up the same categories on each device.
Why can I go over budget?
Because sometimes you have to. The tracker warns you (in red) when allocation exceeds total, but it doesn’t stop you — you might use it to plan a phased renovation where you spend more in stage 1 and less in stage 2.
Are these default splits accurate for extensions?
For extensions and additions, the labour percentage rises (often 50-60%) and the fixtures percentage drops. Adjust the defaults to match your project type.
Related renovation cost tools
- Cost Calculators (5 by category)
- Renovation Quote Comparator
- Materials Calculator
- Renovation Timeline Planner
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