New skip bin data reveals Melbourne’s reno hotspots | Mobile Skips

2 days ago 5

Melbourne homeowners are ditching the idea of moving as soaring stamp duty costs and renovation demand reshape the property market.

More Melbourne homeowners are ripping into renovations instead of relocating, as soaring moving costs push families to transform the homes they already own.

New national research from Mobile Skips analysing about 61,000 skip bin bookings between 2021 and 2025 shows Victorians are increasingly choosing to upgrade their homes rather than pay the huge costs associated with buying and selling property.

Victoria recorded about 32,000 skip bookings over the five-year period, the highest of any state, with inner Melbourne suburbs leading the renovation surge.
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South Melbourne topped the country for clean-up activity, while Frankston, Mornington, Port Melbourne and Richmond also ranked among Victoria’s busiest home improvement hotspots.

Mobile Skips chief executive Jacob Spencer said the figures pointed to a clear “improve rather than move” mindset emerging across Australia’s biggest cities.

“What that data really tells us is that more Australians appear to be renovating instead of relocating,” Mr Spencer said.

“Moving house has become incredibly expensive, especially when you factor in stamp duty and the broader costs associated with relocating.

Mobile Skips chief executive Jacob Spencer says renovation activity is surging across Melbourne as more homeowners choose to improve rather than move. Picture: Supplied

“So what we’re seeing is homeowners asking a different question: how do I improve the asset I already own?”

The report also revealed a strong geographic divide across Melbourne, with renovation projects dominating in established inner suburbs while outer growth areas were more likely to be tackling household clean-outs.

About 62 per cent of waste in inner Melbourne was linked to renovation projects, compared with roughly 43 per cent in outer suburbs where residents were more likely to be clearing garages, spare rooms and storage areas.

The Block judge Marty Fox and wife Charlotte Fox renovated their home, as more Victorians weigh up upgrading in place instead of paying hefty moving costs. Picture: Ash Koek

Block judge and Whitefox director Marty Fox said rising transaction costs were forcing homeowners to rethink whether moving made financial sense.

“When people actually calculate the cost of moving — agent commissions, stamp duty and transaction costs — the numbers add up very quickly,” Mr Fox said.

“So they start asking a different question: what could that same money achieve if it was invested into the home I already own?”

Instead of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars relocating, many homeowners were choosing to reinvest into kitchens, bathrooms and other improvements that dramatically changed how their homes functioned.

Whitefox Stonnington sales director Peter Zervas says rising stamp duty bills are pushing homeowners to renovate, with many choosing to reinvest in their current properties.

Whitefox Stonnington sales director Peter Zervas said stamp duty alone was often enough to make families reconsider upgrading to a new property.

“If you’re buying a $2m property, stamp duty can easily exceed $100,000,” Mr Zervas said.

“When homeowners see that figure, they start thinking about what else that money could do.

“Instead of handing over that amount in tax, people realise it could fund a completely new kitchen, bathroom renovations, new flooring and fresh paint that transform the home they already own.”

Renovation activity is booming across Melbourne, with homeowners opting to upgrade their homes instead of entering a costly property market.

Mr Zervas said lifestyle was another powerful factor keeping families rooted in Melbourne’s inner and middle-ring suburbs.

“In many cases people become very attached to the location,” he said.

“They’re close to schools, transport, cafes and the community they’ve built around them, so rather than uprooting their lives they choose to improve what they already have.”

Property stylist Kirsty Ristevski says decluttering and smart styling can dramatically lift a home’s appeal and drive stronger buyer competition.

Curatd design director Kirsty Ristevski said homeowners were increasingly focusing on cosmetic upgrades that made homes feel more beautiful and functional without changing their footprint.

“When homeowners decide to improve their homes, I’m definitely seeing cosmetic changes on the rise,” Ms Ristevski said.

“There’s a strong move towards home entertainment spaces that feel unique, elevated and a little bit unexpected, as well as spa-like retreat zones within the home.”

She said decluttering played a critical role in redesigning a space.

“Decluttering allows you to see the blank canvas and really understand the true potential of a room,” Ms Ristevski said.

“When everything has its place, people feel better. Clear surfaces, practical storage and a sense of order all have a big impact on how calm and functional a home feels.”