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The 5 best renovation builders in Hobart

Hobart builders who take on extensions, second storeys and renovations of older homes. We checked every builder's licence on the Tasmanian occupational licensing register.

Updated October 2026.

Builders listed
5
Licences confirmed on the register
0 of 5
Builders paying to be here
None
  • LicenceA current Building Standards Tasmania builder licence, matched to the business.
  • ReputationIndependent reviews, awards and years trading.
  • Right kind of workExtensions, second storeys and renovations of older homes shown on their own site.
  • No paid placesNobody pays to be listed or to move up.

Renovation builders in Hobart, ranked

A ranked list of licensed Hobart builders whose own sites show renovation and extension work on existing homes, ranked on fit, reputation and track record.

  1. 1

    Zanetto Builders

    West Launceston. Statewide, including Hobart and Southern Tasmania, according to its website

    5.0 from 12 Google reviews

    Best for Renovations and heritage homes with open-book pricing

    • Named HIA Tasmania Professional Small Builder/Renovator three years running, 2023 to 2025.
    • Its Verndene heritage renovation won at the 2026 Master Builders Tasmania Awards, the firm says.
    • Publishes its full 35-step build process online, including client approval hold points.
    • Says it prices every project open-book and offers a 48-hour feasibility estimate.
    Tas builder licence
    CC7565
    Builds
    Extensions, Heritage, Whole-house renovations, Passive House
    Member of
    Master Builders Tasmania, HIA, Australian Passive House Association
    More about Zanetto Builders

    Zanetto Builders is a Tasmanian custom home and renovation builder with its head office in West Launceston and work right across the state, including Hobart and the southern suburbs. According to its website, its renovation work covers whole-house renovations, extensions and heritage homes, and its team is certified to build to the Passive House standard.

    The firm publishes its full build process online, prices projects open-book and offers a 48-hour feasibility estimate before clients commit. HIA named it Tasmania's Professional Small Builder/Renovator in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and the firm says its Verndene heritage renovation won at the 2026 Master Builders Tasmania Awards.

    Awards: 2026 Master Builders Tasmania Awards for Excellence: Heritage Renovation (Verndene), winner (according to the firm); 2026 Master Builders Tasmania Awards for Excellence: New Dwelling (The Hide), winner (according to the firm); 2026 HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards: GreenSmart Home of the Year (Bluebush Passivhaus), winner (according to the firm); 2025 HIA Tasmania Housing Awards: HIA Professional Small Builder/Renovator, winner; 2024 HIA Tasmania Housing Awards: Professional Small Builder/Renovator, winner; 2024 Master Builders Tasmania Awards for Excellence: Small Builder of the Year, winner (according to the firm); 2023 HIA Tasmania Housing Awards: HIA Professional Small Builder/Renovator, winner; 2023 HIA Tasmania Housing Awards: Emerging Builder, winner

    0488 819 315Visit website
  2. 2

    Haven Built

    Hobart. Hobart and surrounds, according to its website

    Best for Extensions with the owner on the job

    • Takes on only one or two projects at a time, according to its website.
    • Owner and registered builder Todd Appleby has more than 30 years in the industry, the firm says.
    • Portfolio shows extensions in Sandy Bay, Rose Bay and View Street.
    • A member of both HIA and Master Builders Tasmania, according to its website.
    Tas builder licence
    CC4802S
    Builds
    Extensions, Renovations, Home offices and pools
    Member of
    HIA, Master Builders Tasmania
    More about Haven Built

    Haven Built is a Tasmanian-owned builder run by Todd and Anna Appleby, working across Hobart and surrounds on residential and commercial jobs. Its residential portfolio includes extensions in Sandy Bay and Rose Bay, a home office pod and pool in Tranmere, and new homes in Lindisfarne and Lenah Valley.

    According to its website, the firm takes on only one or two projects at a time so the owner can work with each client personally from first ideas through to handover. Todd Appleby is the registered builder and, the firm says, has more than 30 years of experience in building and construction.

    0498 000 014Visit website
  3. 3

    Compatible Construction

    Hobart. Hobart, according to its website

    Best for Energy-efficient extensions and renovations in Hobart

    • Finalist in the 2025 HIA Tasmania Renovation/Addition Project award.
    • Says it focuses on thermal efficiency and GreenSmart design suited to Tasmania.
    • Works alongside architects and engineers on design, according to its website.
    • Won the 2024 HIA Tasmania GreenSmart Sustainable Home award for its Longley Treehouse.
    Tas builder licence
    514928688
    Building since
    2021
    Builds
    Extensions, Renovations, Energy-efficient homes
    More about Compatible Construction

    Compatible Construction is a Hobart building company, registered in 2021, that builds new homes, extensions and renovations, along with some commercial work. According to its website, it works closely with architects and engineers and puts real weight on thermal efficiency and GreenSmart design for Tasmania's climate.

    HIA has given it Tasmanian awards for a townhouse development in 2023 and for a bathroom and the GreenSmart Sustainable Home in 2024, and it was a Renovation/Addition Project finalist in 2025. Its licence number and ABN appear across its website.

    Awards: 2025 HIA Tasmania Housing Awards: Renovation/Addition Project, finalist; 2024 HIA Tasmania Housing Awards: GreenSmart Sustainable Home (Longley Treehouse), winner; 2024 HIA Tasmania Housing Awards: Bathroom Design, winner; 2023 HIA Tasmania Housing Awards: Townhouse/Villa Development (Rosetta Heights), winner

    0428 714 918Visit website

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  5. 4

    Jakobovski Homes

    Bellerive. Greater Hobart, including the Eastern Shore, Sorell and the northern suburbs, based on its project gallery

    4.4 from 7 Google reviews

    Best for Family-run builder for renovations and additions

    • Carl Jakobovski has been building since 1990, according to the firm's website.
    • Clients get an online portal with daily site photos and live schedule updates.
    • Says it deliberately limits how many projects it takes on at once.
    • Spec Home finalist at the 2025 HIA Tasmania Housing Awards.
    Tas builder licence
    CC4243G
    Building since
    2005
    Builds
    Renovations, Additions, Custom homes, Ancillary dwellings
    Member of
    HIA
    More about Jakobovski Homes

    Jakobovski Homes is a family-owned builder based in Bellerive, run by builder Carl Jakobovski and Annette Jakobovski. According to its website, Carl completed his first new build in 1990 and the business was formalised as Jakobovski Homes in 2005.

    Alongside custom homes and ancillary dwellings, it takes on renovations and additions across Greater Hobart; its gallery includes a full external renovation in Glenorchy alongside new homes from Lenah Valley to Sorell. Clients use an online system with daily site photos, schedule updates and electronic variation approvals, and the firm says it runs a strict quality checklist on every job.

    Awards: 2025 HIA Tasmania Housing Awards: Spec Home, finalist; 2023 HIA Tasmania Housing Awards: GreenSmart Sustainable Home, winner; 2011 HIA-CSR Tasmanian Housing Awards: Custom Built Homes $400,000 to $600,000, winner (according to the firm); 2011 HIA-CSR Tasmanian Housing Awards: Business Partner of the Year, winner (according to the firm)

    0407 507 250Visit website
  6. 5

    Build It Tasmania

    Hobart. Hobart and Southern Tasmania, according to its website

    Best for Renovations and extensions across Southern Tasmania

    • Covers everything from kitchen and bathroom updates to full home extensions, its website says.
    • Offers a no-obligation consultation followed by a transparent quote, the firm says.
    • Hobart company registered since 2010, according to ABN records.
    Tas builder licence
    CC4620E
    Builds
    Extensions, Renovations, Kitchens and bathrooms
    More about Build It Tasmania

    Build It Tasmania is a Hobart builder, owned by a family, that takes on renovations, extensions, new homes and commercial projects across Southern Tasmania. According to its website, its renovation work runs from kitchen and bathroom updates through to full home extensions, with a focus on keeping disruption down and clients informed.

    It offers a no-obligation consultation, then a transparent quote so clients know what to expect at each stage. The company has been registered since 2010.

    0438 552 836Visit website

What a renovation costs in Hobart

Hobart kitchen and bathroom figures are the lowest of the capitals. Extension rates are national figures.

WorkTypical cost
Ground floor extension (national guide)$2,000 to $4,000 per sqm
Ground floor extension (Hobart guide, incl. GST)$2,500 to $5,000 per sqm
Second storey addition$1,850 to $3,500 per sqm, often $200,000 to $450,000
Kitchen renovation, mid-range$22,500 to $40,500
Bathroom renovation, mid-range$18,000 to $31,500

Extension and second storey ranges are national hipages figures (January 2026), with What's The Damage's Hobart builder guide (October 2026) for comparison. Kitchen and bathroom totals are Hobart figures from What's The Damage, including GST. No quantity surveyor publishes Hobart renovation rates. All figures are indicative and exclude land.

Approvals for a Hobart renovation

A building surveyor certifies the design. The council's permit authority then issues the permit.

Tasmania's process for permit building work, which covers most extensions and structural renovations:

  1. Planning approval from council, if your project needs it under the planning scheme. In the City of Hobart and neighbouring councils, ask early, especially for older homes.
  2. Engage a building surveyor. You engage a building surveyor, who checks the design and issues a certificate of likely compliance.
  3. Building permit. The council's permit authority issues the building permit on the strength of that certificate.

Notifiable building work and permit building work must be done by a builder licensed for that work. There's no dollar threshold in Tasmania, so even a modest structural job needs a licensed builder.

Tasmania's building regulator changed on 1 October 2026: Building Standards Tasmania and Consumer Affairs Tasmania replaced CBOS. Old CBOS links and documents may still turn up.

Tasmanian rules that protect you

Tasmania is the one state with no home warranty insurance in force. Your contract and statutory warranties carry more weight here.

  • Licence: a builder licence in the Builder (General Construction) class, Domestic subclass or higher, for work on a house. The register only shows current licences, so if a builder isn't there, treat them as unlicensed until confirmed. How to check a licence.
  • Written contract: required for residential building work of $20,000 or more, and the builder must give you the Residential Building Consumer Guide before you sign.
  • Deposit: no more than 10% for contracts from $20,000 to under $50,000, and 5% for $50,000 or more. Up to 20% is allowed if off-site work is more than half the price.
  • Cooling-off: 5 business days after you receive the signed contract and the Consumer Guide. If you never got the Guide, you have up to 7 days after becoming aware of that. The builder may keep $100 plus reasonable out-of-pocket costs.
  • Home warranty insurance: not currently required. A 2023 law to bring it in has passed but hasn't started. You rely on statutory warranties, which last 6 years from practical completion and pass to later owners. How home warranty works elsewhere.

Without insurance behind you, keep payments close to work done and avoid paying ahead. On contract types, see fixed price or cost plus. For disputes, raise the problem in writing, get free advice from the regulator, then lodge a notice of dispute for mediation with the Director of Building Control. TASCAT is next if mediation fails.

How to choose a renovation builder in Hobart

With no insurance safety net, the builder's financial strength and track record matter more than anywhere else.

  • Check the licence subclass. Domestic or higher for a house.
  • Ask how long they've been trading and how many jobs they run at once. A stable builder is your main protection if things go wrong.
  • Ask for recent extensions on older homes, with owners you can call.
  • Keep the payment schedule tight. Pay for stages after they're done, and don't agree to large payments for materials not yet on site.
  • Get the Consumer Guide with the contract. Your cooling-off period runs from when you have both.
  • Ask who engages the building surveyor and whether their fees are in the quote.

More in questions to ask a builder.

Checking a Tasmanian builder's licence

It takes a couple of minutes, and it's the same check we ran for every builder above.

  1. Search the occupational licensing register

    Select the Builder category and search by name or licence number. Tasmanian occupational licensing search

  2. No result means unlicensed

    The register only shows current licence holders. If the builder doesn't appear, treat them as unlicensed until they show you otherwise.

  3. Check the class and subclass

    For a house you want the Builder (General Construction) class with the Domestic subclass or higher (Low Rise, Medium Rise or Open). A Demolisher licence can't do new building work.

  4. Match the contract

    The licence details written into the contract should match the register exactly. Building Standards Tasmania: find a licensed tradesperson

How we chose these builders

We started from builders working across Hobart, then kept only those with a current Building Standards Tasmania licence, a clear record of renovation work on their own site, and a solid independent reputation. Order weighs fit for this kind of project, reviews and awards, years trading, and how openly each builder explains its process, licence and warranty. Size and advertising spend don't count.

No builder pays to be listed or ranked. If you request quotes through this page, we pass your project to builders that suit it. Read the full method.

Renovation builders in Hobart: common questions

How much does a home extension cost in Hobart?

National guides put a ground floor extension at $2,000 to $4,000 per square metre, and a Hobart builder cost guide gives $2,500 to $5,000 per square metre including GST, typically about $3,500. A second storey addition usually totals $200,000 to $450,000. Land isn't included.

Is home warranty insurance required in Tasmania?

No. Tasmania has no home warranty insurance scheme in force. A 2023 law to introduce it has passed but not started. Owners rely on statutory warranties, which last 6 years from practical completion.

Do I need a building permit for an extension in Hobart?

Most extensions are permit building work. You engage a building surveyor, who issues a certificate of likely compliance, and the council's permit authority then issues the building permit. Planning approval may also be needed.

How much deposit can a builder ask for in Tasmania?

10% for contracts from $20,000 to under $50,000, and 5% for $50,000 or more. Up to 20% is allowed where off-site work is more than half the price.

How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Hobart?

A mid-range kitchen renovation in Hobart costs about $22,500 to $40,500 including GST, with $31,500 typical. Budget flat pack kitchens start around $10,800 and premium kitchens reach $72,000 or more.

Who regulates builders in Tasmania now?

Since 1 October 2026, Building Standards Tasmania handles building regulation and Consumer Affairs Tasmania handles licensing administration and consumer issues. They replaced CBOS.

This list is a guide only. Check the builder's licence, insurance and contract yourself before you sign.