Reno jobs tradies can’t keep up with ahead of Christmas

The most popular reno jobs in the lead-up to Christmas have been revealed, but is it too late to call a tradie?

Demand for tradies to build granny flats has surged in the lead up to Christmas as homeowners look to make room for the in-laws this festive season.

New data from online tradies platform, hipages, reveals the most popular renovation jobs in the nation as we approach the summer holiday season, with many people rushing to get their job requests in before Santa comes.

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After weeks of watching The Block, the most in-demand requests from homeowners are for granny flat builds, followed by pool builds, extensions, and IKEA kitchen installations.

New data from online tradie platform, hipages, reveals a year-on-year increase in requests for jobs in the lead-up to Christmas.

Hipages vice president of marketing, Nick Ellery, said there had been a year-on-year increase in the number of jobs posted in October, reflecting an urgency to have renovation jobs completed before Christmas.

“The peak months for home improvement jobs are October and November, with homeowners looking to complete any outstanding jobs before the festive season,” Mr Ellery said.

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“We can also see this in the types of jobs that are performing on our platform. IKEA kitchen installations, granny flat builds and extensions are all up year on year; showing that homeowners are prioritising those renovation jobs that help with entertaining.”

A separate granny flat at this newly built Burleigh Waters property.

A granny flat in the yard of a house in Holland Park. Demand for tradies to build granny flats has increased.

But if you’re hoping to find a tradie between now and the end of the year, it will likely be more difficult and cost more.

“Consider the urgency of the work that needs to be done and consider if it’s better to wait until the new year when finding a tradie and sticking to budgets will be easier,” Mr Ellery said.

Data from Tradies Network reveals a typical kitchen renovation now costs $50,000, compared to $30,000 in 2020, while the price of a bathroom makeover has doubled. And it’s taking 25 per cent longer to complete a project, on average.

Builder Dennis Boca from Tradies Network on a job site at Alexandra Hills. Picture: Lachie Millard.

Tradies Network founder and Queensland builder Dennis Boca said the lack of housing supply and strong demand was driving home improvements.

Mr Boca said he was seeing strong demand for “cosmetic renovations”, with the average spend around $200,000 to $300,000, compared to $150,000 four years ago.

That usually included reconfiguring some rooms, painting and improving the facade of the home, and other minor upgrades, he said.

The most popular room to renovate is still the bathroom, according to Mr Boca, although garage conversions had also become more common.

Originally published as Reno jobs tradies can’t keep up with ahead of Christmas