Western Australians spending $3.5b to renovate homes rather than move

Western Australians are spending $3.5 billion on renovations to avoid buying a new home and moving, according to the Housing Industry Association.

The state's reno market has boomed significantly in the past year.

At the same time, Perth's total property listings has fallen more than 20 per cent while prices continue to rise.

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Dion Dredge is one resident who has opted to remodel his home rather than move his family of four elsewhere.

A second storey was built off site and will go on top of his Harrison Street home.

"We need more room, got two girls, they're sharing one room at the moment so they'll get their own room, more importantly mum and dad get their own room upstairs," he said.

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The decision has cost the family $300,000 and has taken five months from design to completion.

But building the storey off site has meant the family has avoided the stress of finding alternative accommodation, able to live at the same place while work continues. 

"A lot of people are attracted to the concept of doing a modular second storey install, just for the low impact on the family, the fact that it's so rapid," Summit Homes senior designer Deb Pearcey said.