Is it worth renovating an investment property on the Gold Coast?
Yes, when the work is planned as one complete, durable renovation rather than a string of quick patch-ups. An investment property renovation on the Gold Coast pays off when it uses hard-wearing materials, fixes the rooms tenants judge first (kitchen, bathrooms, flooring and storage), and is timed for a gap between tenancies so the property is off the market for as short a time as possible.
Last updated: October 2026
Complete Homes is a family-owned Gold Coast renovation business, operating since 1985 and run by Fouad and his father William. We renovate homes for owner-occupiers and investors across the Gold Coast, from Robina and Varsity Lakes to Arundel, Gaven and Ormeau.
With a rental, you're not renovating for your own taste. You're renovating for tenant appeal, durability and fewer maintenance call-outs. The good news is that the same thing drives all three: doing the work properly, once.
What's worth spending on in a rental renovation?
Spend on the rooms and finishes tenants notice and use every day. Save on extras that only suit one person's taste.
- A full kitchen renovation with durable finishes
- Bathrooms that are fully waterproofed and easy to clean
- Hard, low-maintenance flooring throughout
- Storage: built-in robes and linen cupboards
- A neutral, hard-wearing paint finish
- A secure, low-maintenance outdoor area
- Statement feature walls or bold colours
- Delicate, high-maintenance natural finishes
- Smart-home gadgets tenants won't value
- One-off designer light fittings
- Trend-driven details that date quickly
- Anything that needs special care to clean
Kitchens and bathrooms
Tenants judge a rental by its kitchen and bathrooms first. A full kitchen renovation on the Gold Coast or a properly waterproofed bathroom renovation gives you rooms that stand up to years of use, instead of surfaces that need fixing again after the next tenant moves out.
Our Ormeau project combined a bathroom and laundry renovation in one job, and in Tallai we renovated two bathrooms and the flooring together. Grouping rooms like this means one period of disruption instead of several.
Flooring and storage
Hard flooring in living areas and hallways is easier to clean between tenants and lasts far longer than carpet. Built-in robes and linen storage are simple additions that tenants look for when comparing rentals.
How much does an investment property renovation cost on the Gold Coast?
The ranges below are our premium-tier figures, the same ones used in our Gold Coast renovation cost estimator. Premium is the tier most investors choose: quality, durable finishes without luxury extras.
| Room or item | Typical cost (premium) | Why it matters in a rental |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen renovation | $45,000 – $70,000 | The room tenants judge first |
| Bathroom renovation (each) | $20,000 – $35,000 | Waterproofing protects the building |
| Laundry renovation | $6,000 – $12,000 | Easy to group with a bathroom |
| Built-in robe (each) | $3,500 – $8,000 | Storage tenants look for |
| Paved patio | $8,000 – $22,000 | Low-maintenance outdoor space |
For the detail behind these numbers, see our kitchen renovation cost guide and our bathroom renovation guide. If you're renovating most of the house, a whole-home renovation on the Gold Coast lets you do every room in one program.
What Queensland rules apply when you renovate a rental?
Since 1 September 2024, every general tenancy in Queensland must meet the state's minimum housing standards, set by the Residential Tenancies Authority. They cover things like the property being weatherproof and structurally sound, in good repair, and free of damp and mould caused by the building.
A renovation is a good time to deal with any of these issues for good. Wet areas need correct waterproofing to Australian standards, which matters even more in the Gold Coast's humid climate.
If your plans need council or certifier approval, have it finalised before you contact a builder, and allow around 4–8 weeks for it.
Renovation costs on an investment property can be treated differently for tax purposes depending on whether they count as repairs, maintenance or capital works. Speak with your accountant before starting work, as this can affect what you claim and when.
"The best investment property renovation is the one you only have to do once."
Should you renovate with a tenant in place or wait until it's vacant?
For anything bigger than a single room, renovating a vacant property is almost always faster and simpler. Time the work for a natural gap between tenancies and talk to your property manager early about notice periods and lease end dates.
Start planning 3 to 6 months ahead. That gives you time to sort approvals, lock in your preferred start date and line the work up with the end of a lease. A single bathroom typically takes 3–5 weeks to build, and a whole-home renovation 12–24 weeks. Our week-by-week renovation guide shows how the stages fit together.
Talk to your property manager before you finalise the scope. They know what tenants in your area and price bracket are asking for, and which features help a property lease quickly.
Investment property renovation FAQs
Is it worth renovating an investment property on the Gold Coast?
Yes, when it is planned as one complete, durable renovation. Renovating the kitchen, bathrooms, flooring and storage properly, with hard-wearing materials, gives tenants a home they want to stay in and reduces maintenance between tenancies. Time the work for a gap between leases so the property is off the market for as short a time as possible.
What should I renovate first in a rental property?
Start with the kitchen and bathrooms, because tenants judge a rental by those rooms first. Then look at hard flooring in living areas, built-in storage and a low-maintenance outdoor area. Grouping these into one renovation means one period of disruption and one vacancy, instead of several smaller jobs spread over years.
How much does it cost to renovate a rental kitchen or bathroom on the Gold Coast?
At the premium tier most investors choose, a Gold Coast kitchen renovation typically costs $45,000 to $70,000 and a bathroom $20,000 to $35,000 each. A laundry is usually $6,000 to $12,000. Our free renovation cost estimator gives a range for your own scope, including contingency.
Can I renovate my rental with tenants living in it?
For a single small job it can be possible, but for a kitchen, bathrooms or several rooms it is almost always better to wait until the property is vacant. The work is faster and simpler, and tenants are not living on a building site. Plan the renovation around the end of a lease with your property manager.
Do I need approval to renovate an investment property in Queensland?
It depends on the work. Many internal renovations need no approval, but structural changes and some plumbing or building work can need council or certifier approval. If your plans need it, have the approval finalised before you contact a builder, and allow around 4 to 8 weeks for it.
Are renovation costs on a rental property tax deductible?
Some can be, but it depends on whether the work counts as a repair, maintenance or a capital improvement, and each is treated differently. Talk to your accountant before you start, because the way the work is scoped and invoiced can affect what you can claim and when.
Thinking about renovating your investment property?
We'll help you plan a durable renovation that suits tenants and lasts for years. Free consultations for Gold Coast property investors.
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