Reports that the costs of renovating have fallen 2.2% in Victoria is welcome news for homeowners. But lower prices are hitting the back pockets of Victorian tradies, as they become the cheapest labourers in the country.

The average cost for a tradie across 10 industry sectors in Victoria is $57.28, 7.1% less than the national average of $61.65.

ServiceSeeking.com.au CEO Jeremy Levitt said the low cost of tradespeople and climbing property prices mean now could be a good time to renovate in Victoria.

“Victoria is the state to get stuck into home renovations. It might be the cheapest place to find a tradie, but it is the fastest growing state with the hottest property market right now. Utilising such low trade prices to renovate and sell in a hot market could be a smart move for many astute owners and investors,” he said.

Victorian landscapers charge 25% less than their Queensland counterparts, or $18.59 an hour less.

Plumbers in WA charge 19.3% more (or $18.24 an hour) than their Victorian friends, and painters would earn 16.2% more (or $7.60 an hour) if they were working in NSW.

The only trades to actually charge more in Victoria as opposed to the national average were tilers ($50.86 up 13.2%) and concreters ($69.50 up 6.1%).

The average prices were determined by comparing 52,000 quotes submitted through online services marketplace ServiceSeeking.com.au during the FY16 Q4.  

www.serviceseeking.com.au/renovations

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