How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Australia?

Bathroom renovation costs – what’s involved?

The cost of a bathroom renovation will depend on a range of factors, including:

• Bathroom size

• Materials (e.g. tiles, paint)

• Fittings (e.g. tap ware, bath)

• Hiring tradespeople

• Permits (if required)

• Structural work

• The movement of plumbing and features

How much does it cost to renovate a bathroom?

Here’s a cost guide to give you a bathroom renovation estimate so you can start working towards your renovation goals.

How much to redo a small bathroom on a budget?

The cost of a small bathroom remodel can cost you somewhere between $5,000 and $15,000. We’ve pulled together some tactics to help you create more floor space while undertake your budget bathroom renovations.

How much do budget bathroom features cost?

On a budget, you can purchase the following features for as little as the prices listed below from Reece Plumbing.

How much does waterproofing and tiling a bathroom cost?

Before you get started on tiling, it’s important to ensure your bathroom is waterproofed to avoid any future damage to your bathroom due to water damage. Waterproofing can cost between $750 and $1000 for an average sized bathroom. In most cases, your tiler will include waterproofing costs within their quote.

Tilers generally charge on an hourly basis. You can expect to pay as little as $30 to up to $120 per square metre for laying out new tiles. But remember, the cost of the tiles alone are a completely separate cost. And a tiler does a lot more than simply lay the tiles. If you’re renovating a bathroom with existing tiles that need removal, you’ll need to factor that in too. Additional costs could include leveling, grouting and sealing or polishing tiles.

It’s important to note that if you’re planning on laying asymmetrical, contrasting tiles, or tiles with lots of cut outs, your job may cost more due to the level of fine detail in the job.

You can create more space by:

1. Removing the bathtub (or combine the bath and shower into one)

2. Mount the vanity on the wall, creating more floor space

3. Incorporate storage where you can, e.g. within mirrors or walls

You can create an illusion of additional space by:

1. Tiling all the way up to the roof

2. Installing large mirrors

3. Painting or tile the walls using white or light colours

4. Installing additional lights, for example a bracket above the mirror

Achieving a low cost bathroom renovation

Some of the best budget bathroom renovations don’t even involve changing your existing plumbing and electrical points, which saves thousands if dollars. If you want spend as little as possible on your bathroom, simple updates such as installing new tap ware and giving the bathroom a fresh coat of paint can still make the world of difference your bathroom.

DIY bathroom renovation costs

If you’re a handy person and you would like to go ahead with cheap bathroom renovations, you can replace vanity/door handles, mirrors and even towel racks yourself, without hiring a tradesperson. So, how much will this cost you?

If you’re on a budget, you can purchase a decent towel rack to install on the wall for as little as $35. You can purchase bathroom mirrors for a price within the same ballpark. Vanity doorknobs can be purchased at a very cheap price, depending on the material you’re looking for. You can spend as little as $20 for attractive knobs.

If you’re confident in painting your bathroom yourself, you save on costs. However, if your bathroom needs a lot of work, it could be a good idea to get a painter in.

Two updates you’re not legally permitted to undertake yourself are 1) tiling, due as you need to get a professional in to do waterproofing and 2) installing electrical connections.

How much to renovate a standard sized bathroom?

You can expect to pay between $15,000 and $25,000 on bathroom renovation costs for a standard sized bathroom renovation.

If you’ve got a house of medium value, buyers aren’t going to expect an extravagant bathroom. They’ll be looking for a functional bathroom that is fitted with quality features. If you decide to fit it with luxury features, you may not get the return on investment you’re looking for as you’re probably attracting buyers who’re looking for medium-priced properties.

Large, luxury bathroom renovation costs

Looking to renovate a large bathroom into a large, luxurious bathroom? You’ll be looking at spending over $25,000 because you have a bigger space to work with. Naturally, costs go up when you cover more space with materials such as paint, vanity tops and tiling. Costs will also go up depending on how much you’d like to spend on premium fittings and materials.

Luxury bathroom renovation ideas include:

• A free-standing bath

• Floor heating

• Elaborate lighting

• A heated towel rack

• Premium tiles, floors, and walls, e.g. natural stone

What are the plumbing costs for a new bathroom?

You can expect to pay an hourly rate of somewhere between $70 and $90 per hour for plumbing services. However, the cost may also depend on the type of features you’re installing. For example, they may charge a set fee depending on the type of installation. For example it’s generally much more expensive to install a toilet (approx. $1,200) than new taps (approx. $300).

What other tradespeople will I need for a bathroom renovation?

• Electricians if you’re going to install new light fittings, power points, heating, fans, heated towel racks or hot water heaters.

• Tilers if you require any new waterproofing and tiling.

• Painters if you’d prefer to get a professional in.

According to ServiceSeeking.com.au, you can expect to pay the following rates for tradespeople across Australia:

How much should I spend on bathroom renovations when selling?

If you plan on renovating your bathroom for profit, it’s important to make sure you get a return on investment, and don’t over-capitalise.

The good news is, bathrooms are generally a great room to renovate, especially in older properties. If you spend $5000 to $10,000 on bathroom improvements, you can increase the value of your property by tens of thousands of dollars.

In older properties, many buyers prefer renovated bathrooms and kitchens over bedrooms and living areas. This is because they like to be left with a blank canvas to play with, and may prefer these other rooms to remain in the style of the property’s era.

If you decide to renovate your bathroom for profit, it’s important to do your research and get an idea on what your buyers will be looking for. How? You can talk to your real estate agent and seek their advice as they talk to local buyers on a daily basis.

You can compare real estate agents using our agent comparison tool. Here, you can compare agents including their commission information, marketing strategies, sales history and homeowner reviews.

*The costs in this article are based on research at the time of publication and should be used as a guide only.