By Nemo Home Premium | Perth, Western Australia | Last reviewed: August 2026
Nemo Home Premium is a premium home builder in Perth. We deliver home renovations, extensions, custom home design and construction across Western Australia. This guide covers what "premium" really means in a home builder. It also walks through how to plan a renovation, extension or custom build in 2026. Along the way, we look at what Perth homeowners are searching for right now — from kitchen renovations and non-structural updates to second storey additions, granny flats and landscaping.
For most of the past three years, Australian property was defined by resilience. Prices kept climbing despite repeated interest rate rises and a sustained cost-of-living squeeze. That conversation has shifted. Since June 2026, national housing values have been falling. Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Hobart are still recording gains, even as Sydney and Melbourne retreat. For local homeowners, that two-speed market is one more reason home renovations are climbing: staying put and improving the property you already own is, for many households, the smarter move right now.
Why Perth Homeowners Are Choosing Home Renovations Over Moving in 2026
A softer sales market does not mean less activity — it means the activity is moving indoors. When buying and selling becomes more expensive and less certain, more homeowners choose to invest in home renovations on the property they already have, rather than compete in a slower market.
It is a question we hear constantly: is it cheaper to renovate or move? For most established homes near Perth's CBD and inner suburbs, the answer is renovate. Stamp duty, agent fees and finance costs on a new purchase add up fast. They quickly outweigh the cost of a well-planned renovation — particularly when the existing home already sits on land, and in a location, worth keeping.
This is also why searches for home renovations near me and renovation builder near me have climbed sharply over the past six months. Homeowners are not just researching renovation ideas. They are actively looking for a home renovation builder in Perth they can trust with the project, from concept through to completion.
What to Look for in Premium Home Builders in Perth
Not every builder markets itself as a premium home builder, and the label should mean something specific. A genuinely premium home builder in Perth brings three things together on every project: considered design, high-quality finishes, and construction that is properly planned and managed from the first sketch to handover.
At Nemo Home Premium, that means an in-house approach to design and engineering coordination. It means a clear scope of work before a single wall comes down. And it means a finish level that holds up in the mid-to-premium end of the Perth market — on custom homes, renovations and targeted extensions alike.
Bespoke Design for Balcatta, Ballajura and Beyond
Perth is a city of distinct suburbs, and a bespoke home builder needs to understand the character of each one. We work as bespoke home builders across Balcatta, Ballajura, Malaga and the wider northern and eastern suburbs. Every design is tailored to the block, the streetscape and the way a family actually wants to live — not a one-size-fits-all template.
Custom Home Design and Build Services
For homeowners building from scratch, the choice usually comes down to a standardised project home or a genuine custom home design. Project homes offer efficiency through repeated, proven layouts. A custom home build responds specifically to the block, orientation, family needs, materials and long-term goals. It suits unusual sites, sloping blocks, or owners who want the architecture to fit their lifestyle rather than the other way around.
Custom home designs from Nemo Home Premium bring architectural design, structural engineering and construction planning together from day one. That coordination is what separates a smooth build home experience from one defined by delays, variations and cost blowouts. The right starting point is always the same: a proper site and design assessment before committing to a fixed plan — whether you are comparing custom home builders in Perth for the first time, or you already have a block and a brief.
Kitchen Renovations in Perth
Kitchen renovations remain one of the highest-return projects a Perth homeowner can undertake, and one of the most searched. Older homes often treat the kitchen as an isolated, purely functional room. Contemporary Perth homes fold it into a broader living and dining zone instead.
A well-planned kitchen renovation is rarely just about new cabinetry. Electrical capacity, plumbing, ventilation, lighting, structural walls and circulation between rooms all shape the final result. Opening up a kitchen by removing a wall can turn an interior design decision into a structural project requiring proper engineering assessment. That is exactly why our kitchen renovations in Malaga, Balcatta and across greater Perth start with a full site review, not a showroom catalogue.
Kitchen renovation cost varies significantly with scope. A cosmetic refresh of cabinetry, benchtops and appliances sits at one end. A full reconfiguration involving new plumbing, electrical work and structural changes sits at the other. Getting a fixed, itemised quote early is the only reliable way to budget a kitchen renovation properly.
Bathroom and Non-Structural Renovations
Not every renovation touches the structure of a home. Non-structural renovations are updates that do not involve load-bearing walls, footings or roof changes. They are often the fastest, most cost-effective way to lift a property's value. Cosmetic remodeling of a bathroom, kitchen or living space can transform how a home feels — without triggering the engineering and approval requirements of structural work.
Bathroom renovations sit firmly in this category for most Perth homes. Walk-in showers, better waterproofing, ventilation, storage and lighting are now central to good bathroom design, particularly for homeowners planning to stay in their property long term. Even a non-structural bathroom or kitchen remodel benefits from proper trade coordination. Waterproofing, plumbing and electrical work still need to be sequenced correctly to avoid costly rework.
Home Extensions and Second Storey Additions
A house extension can add bedrooms, a larger living area, an extra bathroom or a home office, while keeping most of the original structure intact. It often costs a fraction of the time, money and disruption of selling and buying again.
As an experienced home extension builder in Perth, we are regularly asked for ground-floor additions, garage extensions and full second storey additions. Where there is little room left around an established home, building up rather than out can deliver extra bedrooms, a bathroom or a parents' retreat — without eating into the backyard. But adding a level, or extending an existing footprint, is fundamentally a structural undertaking. Existing foundations, load-bearing walls, framing and local planning requirements all need proper assessment before a design is finalised. This is where the right extension builder earns their value.
Home extension cost depends heavily on floor area, structural complexity, services, and how closely the new build needs to integrate with the existing house. A garage extension in Perth, for example, is typically more straightforward than a full second storey. Both benefit from an early feasibility check, so the design that gets approved is one that can actually be built to budget.
Granny Flats and Secondary Dwellings
Granny flats are the fastest-growing renovation category in Western Australia. Housing Industry Association data shows builders expect to construct roughly ten times more granny flats in 2026 than in 2022. Planning reform and demand for smaller, more affordable housing are driving that growth.
What WA planning law calls an ancillary dwelling can generally reach a maximum internal floor area of 70m² under current deemed-to-comply provisions. The former 350m² minimum lot size has also been removed, opening up granny flat approvals to far more Perth properties than in previous years. Being exempt from planning approval does not mean being exempt from building requirements. A building permit is typically still required, along with compliance with the National Construction Code.
A well-located granny flat can add rental income, house family, or lift a property's long-term value. That is why homeowners researching granny flat cost and granny flat builders near me should start with a site-specific assessment, rather than assuming a standard design will fit.
Interior Design, Home Design and Remodeling
Good design work underpins every successful renovation, extension or custom build. Whether you want a full interior designer service, or simply an experienced eye on layout, materials and finishes, home design decisions made early save money and rework later.
Our home design and remodeling scope typically covers floor plan reconfiguration, material and finish selection, lighting design, and exterior home design — including street-facing façade updates that lift kerb appeal without a full rebuild. As one of the more established home designers in Perth, working across both renovation and new-build projects, we treat interior and exterior design as one connected brief, not two separate jobs handled by different trades.
Landscaping Across Perth Suburbs — Balcatta, Ballajura and Beyond
Renovation conversations tend to focus on the house itself. But considered landscape design is one of the highest-leverage, lowest-cost ways to lift a property's value. First impressions form at the front fence. A well-planned garden can make a home feel considerably larger, more private and more finished than the floor plan alone suggests.
We deliver modern landscaping projects across Perth, including landscaping in Ballajura and the surrounding northern suburbs — from specimen trees and low-maintenance native planting to defined outdoor rooms, paving, retaining and lighting. Back yard ideas that work in Perth's climate include shaded alfresco zones, drought-tolerant gardens, and durable hard landscaping. These should be part of the renovation or new-build brief from the outset, not an afterthought once construction finishes.
Why Homeowners Choose Nemo Home Premium
Nemo Home Premium delivers residential building, renovation and project management services across Perth. Our scope covers custom homes, home and kitchen renovations, bathroom remodeling, house extensions, second storey additions, granny flats, and integrated design and landscaping coordination.
As a home construction company based in Perth, we bring design, engineering and construction considerations together from the outset. Every project is assessed not just on how it looks, but on how it can realistically be designed, approved and built to budget. If you are ready to talk through a renovation, extension, custom home or granny flat, book a home consultation with our team for an initial, no-obligation assessment of your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Nemo Home Premium a premium home builder in Perth? We combine in-house design and engineering coordination, a clearly defined scope of work, and premium-grade finishes on every project — from custom homes and extensions to kitchen and bathroom renovations — rather than treating design and construction as separate, disconnected stages.
Is it cheaper to renovate or move in Perth? For most established homes near the CBD and inner suburbs, renovating strategically costs less than selling and buying again once stamp duty, agent fees and moving costs are factored in, particularly in a slower market where the next property takes longer to find.
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Perth? Cost depends on scope: a cosmetic refresh of cabinetry, benchtops and appliances sits at the lower end, while a full reconfiguration involving plumbing, electrical and structural changes costs considerably more. A fixed, itemised quote after a site visit is the most reliable way to budget.
What counts as a non-structural renovation? A non-structural renovation updates finishes, fixtures or layout without touching load-bearing walls, footings or roof structure — common examples include cosmetic kitchen and bathroom remodeling, flooring, painting and joinery updates.
How much does a home extension cost in Perth? It depends on floor area, structural design, materials, services, site access and how closely the new build needs to integrate with the existing house. Garage extensions and single-room additions are typically more affordable than a full second storey addition.
Can I add a garage extension or second storey to my home? Many Perth homes can support a garage extension or second storey addition, but feasibility needs to be assessed properly first — existing foundations, load-bearing walls, framing and local planning rules all shape what is possible.
Should I use a custom home builder or a project home builder? A project home builder offers efficiency through repeated, proven designs. A custom home builder designs specifically around your block, orientation and lifestyle — the better fit for unusual sites or owners who want the home built around them rather than a template.
Are granny flats a good investment in Western Australia? Yes, for many properties. Planning reform has made granny flat approvals more accessible, and a well-located ancillary dwelling can add rental income, house family, or lift a property's overall value.
Does Nemo Home Premium work in Balcatta, Ballajura and Malaga? Yes. We deliver home renovations, extensions, custom builds and landscaping across Balcatta, Ballajura, Malaga and the wider Perth metropolitan area.
How do I book a home consultation? Get in touch with Nemo Home Premium for an initial assessment. We will walk through what suits your property, your budget, and whether a renovation, extension, custom build or granny flat is the right fit.
Building and Renovating in Perth with Nemo Home Premium
Planning a home renovation, extension, custom build or granny flat in Perth? Contact Nemo Home Premium to arrange your initial home consultation.
References & Sources
- Cotality, national Home Value Index — June 2026 figures showing a 0.4% monthly decline (largest since December 2022) and a further 0.7% decline in July 2026.
- Domain, Quarterly House Price Report, June 2026 quarter — combined capital city house prices down 1.4% and unit prices down 1.2%, ending the longest run of quarterly growth since 2012–2015.
- ABC News, "Australia's property market enters downturn as prices fall for the first time in three years," 23 July 2026.
- Cotality, "Australia's housing market downturn widens," August 2026 — regional and capital-city breakdowns including Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and regional WA performance.
- Housing Industry Association (HIA), "Granny Flats Set to Take Off," 15 August 2025, and "National Approach to Granny Flats to Unlock Thousands of New Homes," 12 March 2026.
- Government of Western Australia, Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) and Ancillary Dwelling Information Sheet.
- Google Search Console, nemohp.com.au performance data, last 3 months to 25 August 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, planning, engineering or legal advice. Property values, market conditions, planning rules and building requirements vary by location and change over time. Readers should obtain current, personalised advice from a qualified financial adviser, accountant, buyer's agent, planning professional and/or licensed builder before making any property, renovation or investment decision.
Last reviewed: August 2026.
