Why some home-owners won't bother with the HomeBuilder grant

Western Australian man Colin Payne would love to renovate his Kelmscott home, but he doesn't want to spend between $150,000 and $750,000.

That's the requirement to be eligible for the federal government's $25,000 HomeBuilder rebate.

"I can't see too many people dropping $150,000 on a renovation of a house, especially internally," the 44-year-old father said.

While initially excited about the announcement, Mr Payne said when more details emerged, he felt it as a "kick in the guts".

But more cash is on the way.

Just 7000 Australians are expected to renovate because of the HomeBuilders scheme.

But the Western Australian government is planning its own housing package, to be announced soon.

And the state's building industry said the government's scheme is a lifeline.

Perth builder Dale Alcock said it wouldn't just save jobs, but create them.

"It also, I think, will allow us to create jobs within construction, so maybe people who are coming out of other sectors, they could be retrained," he said.