Buyers priced out of the market for fully renovated homes are turning to older properties needing work, a trend that industry watchers say could keep tradies busy through the back half of 2026.

The West Australian reports that demand has funnelled heavily into move-in-ready properties, pushing prices on finished homes sharply higher. That gap between renovated and unrenovated stock has created what some buyers’ agents describe as genuine value in the fixer-upper end of the market.

For tradies, the shift cuts two ways. More renovation inquiries should follow as buyers who have stretched to secure a cheaper unrenovated property look to bring it up to standard. At the same time, the ongoing shortage of available tradespeople means quotes are still coming in high and timelines are blowing out, which is enough to give some buyers pause before committing to a project home.

The pressure on labour costs shows no sign of easing in the near term. With new dwelling construction still constrained by material and skills shortages, renovation work is likely to remain a significant share of the tradie workload for the foreseeable future.

Anyone pricing up a renovation job should factor in current lead times and the reality that a tight trades market makes bargain quotes rare.

Frequently asked questions

Why are fixer-uppers becoming more attractive to buyers?

Strong demand for move-in-ready homes has pushed their prices sharply higher, widening the price gap between renovated and unrenovated properties and making unrenovated homes look like better value.

Will this increase renovation work for tradies?

Likely yes. As buyers who purchased unrenovated homes look to upgrade them, renovation inquiries should rise. However, an ongoing shortage of tradespeople means lead times remain long and quotes are still high.

How long will the tight trades market last?

There is no clear sign of relief in the near term. Skills and material shortages continue to constrain new dwelling construction, keeping renovation work a large part of the tradie workload.

What should homeowners budget for when planning a renovation?

Factor in current lead times for tradespeople and the reality that a tight labour market makes low quotes rare. Getting multiple quotes early and building in timeline buffers is advisable.

Sourced from The West Australian. Original article.