Renovation loans
Overview
Renovating your home is an exciting step that can add huge value, but it also comes with big financial decisions. Choosing the right loan is key to keeping your project on budget and your cash flow under control.
Our salaried brokers specialise in renovation finance, helping you structure funding that works with your builder’s schedule so your project runs smoothly from start to finish.
Plan your renovation with the right finance
Hear what makes Clarity different
Clarity is a dedicated team of financial professionals committed to providing tailored solutions for your financial needs. With a focus on clarity and transparency, we guide our clients through the complexities of financial planning, investment strategies, and wealth management. Our experienced advisors work closely with you to ensure your financial goals are met with confidence and clarity.
Backed by proven results
Frequently
asked questions
The “best” way depends on the scale of your project and your financial situation. The four most common options in Australia are:
- Home Loan Top-Up: Increasing the limit on your existing mortgage to access available equity. Best for small to medium-sized projects.
- Refinancing: Moving your entire home loan to a new lender for a better deal and borrowing extra funds for the renovation at the same time.
- Construction Loan: A more structured loan for major structural renovations. Funds are released in stages (progress payments) as work is completed.
- Personal Loan: An unsecured loan with a higher interest rate. Best for very small, cosmetic updates under $30,000 where you don’t have enough equity.
Yes, this is one of the most popular ways to fund a renovation. You can do this through a home loan top-up or by refinancing. Both methods allow you to borrow against the equity in your home, often at a much lower interest rate than a personal loan. The additional borrowed amount is consolidated into your mortgage, meaning you’ll continue to make a single regular repayment.
The process generally follows these steps:
- Define Your Project: Get detailed, written quotes from licensed builders for the work.
- Assess Your Equity: Determine how much usable equity you have in your property.
- Speak to a Broker: A specialist can assess your financial situation and recommend the right loan structure.
- Submit Your Application: Provide your quotes, income documents, and property details to the lender.
- Valuation: The lender will order a valuation of your property, sometimes based on its “as if complete” value.
- Approval & Funding: Once approved, the funds are made available either as a lump sum or as progress payments.
The amount you can borrow depends on three key factors:
- Your Usable Equity: Most lenders will let you borrow up to 80% of your property’s value (LVR). Your usable equity is this amount minus what you still owe on your mortgage.
- Your Borrowing Power: The lender will assess your income and expenses to ensure you can comfortably afford the repayments on the new, larger loan amount.
- Cost of the Renovation: You’ll need to provide quotes to justify the amount you’re requesting.
It can be more complex than a standard home loan, but it’s very achievable with the right preparation. Lenders will want to see:
- Sufficient equity in your property.
- A strong credit history and stable income.
- Detailed, professional quotes for the planned work.
- For major renovations, you may need council-approved plans.
The key difference is how you receive the money.
- A home loan top-up provides the funds as a single lump sum in your account.
- A construction loan pays your builder directly in stages (e.g., after the slab is down, frame is up, etc.). This gives the lender more control and is mandatory for large-scale structural renovations.
If you have sufficient equity in your home, you may not need significant cash savings. You can use your home’s equity to fund 100% of the renovation costs. The funds borrowed can cover everything from the builder’s fees to materials. The key is having enough equity to act as your “deposit” for the project.
For cosmetic updates like painting or a new kitchen, you generally don’t. However, for any structural renovations—like removing a wall, adding a room, or building a deck—most lenders will require you to have council-approved plans as a condition of the loan approval. It’s best to secure these before you formally apply for finance.
This depends entirely on the property’s use.
- For your own home (Principal Place of Residence): No, the interest on the loan is considered a personal expense and is not tax-deductible.
- For an Investment Property: Yes, the interest on the portion of the loan used for the renovation is generally tax-deductible. It’s crucial to speak with your accountant to structure this correctly.




