How much does a bathroom renovation cost?

One of the quickest and easiest ways to add to the value of your home is to renovate your bathroom. From a few small changes to a complete bathroom renovation, changes to your bathroom aesthetic and functionality can make a huge difference to the way people see your home.

So how much does a bathroom renovation cost, and how do I find a bathroom renovator near me? Great question. In metropolitan areas, finding a qualified and experienced tradie is as simple as going to the BorisDoes Tasker List and finding someone who suits your requirements. So if you live in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth you shouldn't have any trouble at all. If you live in a regional area, start a task or request a quote on BorisDoes so that Taskers and Businesses who provide services in your area can contact you with estimates and quotes.

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Why renovate your bathroom?

It can be very easy to discern the era in which a house was built (or last renovated) by it's bathroom. That's because water-proofed fixtures and fittings aren't particularly easy to remove and swap for newer, modern versions. Particular patterned tiles, coloured bathroom fixtures, and older-style fittings all date a bathroom and can make a whole house feel older. A bathroom renovation project is a great way to update a key room of your house and make everything feel a little more modern. Alongside a kitchen renovation, a bathroom is the most likely to have an impact on your property's value and market appeal.

Renovating just a few square metres of bathroom space can significantly impact your property's resale value and make your entire house feel more modern and up-to-date. Giving your bathroom a complete overhaul can be a daunting task, so it's important to take it seriously. But the benefits are significant, whether you complete a budget bathroom makeover or a premium bathroom renovation.

 

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What determines the cost of a bathroom renovation?

There are a range of expenses associated with bathroom renovations, and a number of factors that can impact on the cost of bathroom renovations. Major costs include material costs, labour costs, and installation costs. There can also be additional costs if you are required to submit applications to make structural changes to your home. The cost of materials can depend on the choices you make with regard to fixtures and fittings, finishes, and any extras like luxury inclusions. A luxury bathroom renovation can cost significantly more than a normal one and the differences may or may not be worthwhile, so it's important to understand them and make informed decisions. Whatever you're looking to do, you should always set a bathroom renovation budget and stick to it as closely as possible. That way you can prevent over-capitalising and devaluing your renovation project.

Bathroom floor costs are determined by the type of tiles you select, and whether you choose additional features like underfloor heating. Floor heating is a great option for areas of Southern Australia where it gets cold in winter, but you can expect to pay a premium for this luxury feature.

There are such a wide range of tiles these days, and sticking to your budget can be difficult when it comes to choosing between beautiful glazed porcelain tiles, ceramic wall tiles, natural stone tiles, and other premium tiles. Decorative tiles are great, but make sure you chose something that's still functional.

Your vanity can be a great place to save money, especially if you chose a simple freestanding bathroom vanity. A floor-mounted vanity can be swapped out later and might be a great option if you need something quick and easy now so that you can save up for that beautiful double bowl vanity you've had your eye on.

Unless you have a complicated bathroom layout, plumbing and electrical costs will likely focus on what your electrician or plumber charges for their time; their labour costs. Minimum standards mean electrical and plumbing work should be completed to a set level of quality. Your project may have additional electrical costs if you decide to have heated towel rails and other devices included.

Bathroom waterproofing is critically important, especially for an upstairs bathroom. You should pay close attention to the quality of materials used. When it comes to waterproofing, quality products can make a huge difference to the longevity of your new bathroom. They might cost a bit more, but it's often worth it.

Fixtures and fittings are an important consideration. An integrated bathtub means a support structure can be hidden and tiled over, whereas a freestanding bathtub is completely visible and can be significantly more expensive. A ceramic basin is a fairly standard inclusion, but a stone basin and stone benchtops can really set your bathroom apart, though they are often a lot more expensive. Frameless shower screens are often more expensive than framed shower screens, but if you really like that look, it might be worth including in your budget.

Some people are doing away with bathroom cabinets, in place of freestanding shelves or minimalist benchtop designs. If you want something a bit unusual, be prepared to pay for it, but a good cabinet maker can likely bring your dream to life.

Finally, while modern bathroom design is very focused on using natural light, you will still need bathroom lighting. You could opt for an inexpensive sconce light or two, of you could pick a stand-out brass piece that defines your bathroom. As with every other component, set a budget and stick to it.

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What is the average bathroom renovation cost in Australia?

Let's start with some average costs. An average-sized bathroom can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000 to renovate. A small bathroom could be on the lower side of that range, while a larger bathroom might be closer to the higher end of that range. Each decision relating to one of the specific component costs above can bring that average up or down. A luxury renovation can set you back more than $50,000 and if your house needs structural work or an extension to accommodate a new bathroom, you should budget upwards of $100,000.

A small bathroom renovation costs less because your project requires less materials and less labour to complete each component. But some fixtures and fittings, like taps and shower heads, are required regardless of bathroom size. Those static costs mean there might not be a big difference between the cost of renovating a small bathroom, and the cost of a medium-sized bathroom renovation.

Of course, it's possible to complete a budget renovation by doing most of the work yourself, and then calling in a BorisDoes professional for the more complicated plumbing and electrical work (especially work that requires a licensed plumber or electrician). BorisDoes regularly publishing tips and tricks or DIY renovators, like our guide to painting tiles. Budget bathroom renovations under $10,000 might be less common, but they are possible if you stick really closely to your renovation budget. You can complete a range of purely cosmetic renovations relatively easily.

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Steps to bathroom renovation:

Here are some basic steps for renovating your bathroom:

1. The first step of your bathroom renovation project is to decide what you're doing, and then determine whether you want to manage the project yourself (by finding a team of tradies) or you want to find a project manager or bathroom designer who can either guide you through the process or take care of the whole process from start to finish. Bathroom designs can vary significantly so it's important to choose a designer who will create a bathroom that will include all of the features you want.

2. From there, set a budget. Work out what each component will cost, the maximum you're willing to spend on each component, and identify those things you can cut, or reduce the cost of, if things cost more than you expect. You can't really skip toilet installation, for example, but that freestanding bath might be a luxury you can live without.

3. If you're going to hire a team of tradies and manage the project yourself, head to the BorisDoes Tasker List, check out the Tasker and Business profiles there, and read some reviews from previous Customers. If you're going to have someone manage the process for you, start a task or request a quote, provide some details, and let the professionals contact you with estimates, ideas and quotes.

4. Define your project time-frames, set goals and bench-marks for different components, and start buying (in person or online) the bathroom products and bathroom accessories you need.

5. Remove any current bathroom fixtures and fittings that are being replaced, remove plasterboard and old waterproofing, strip tiles from walls and floors (if they are being replaced), and clean the remaining space of all dust and debris.

6. Install any structural elements, integrated features and fixtures, and finish all walls (plasterboard, painting or washing), and install electrical wiring, plumbing and points.

7. Install linings and waterproofing to ensure water stays within the confines of your new bathroom.

8. Tile walls and floors around integrated fixtures and new plumbing and electrical points.

9. Install freestanding accessories and fittings, manage toilet installation, and paint any remaining un-tiled walls or ceilings with mould resistant paint.

10. Enjoy your new space and the increase in value to your home or investment property.

 

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What tradies will I need for my bathroom renovation?

Once you've decided what you're going to do, you'll need an architect or bathroom designer, a bathroom interior designer, or a project manager to create a comprehensive project plan for you. If you're making structural changes to your home to accommodate your new bathroom, you might need to get approval from your local council, which means hiring a firm of architects would be your first step. But if your renovation is something you are managing yourself, you'll need to gather an expert team of tradies.

There are plenty of all-rounder bathroom renovators who can manage all trades associated with a bathroom renovation. Bathroom renovator tradies are a great option if you want to hand all aspects of your project to a professional.

Start with a tiler who can install new wall tiles and floor tiles. Whether you've chosen ceramic tiles or porcelain tiles, find a tiler who has expertise in the type of tile you want installed.

Obviously, professional plumbers are a must, to ensure your bath tap set, basin tap set, and show taps and shower heads are installed properly. They can also install a new toilet suite and any other pipework you need.

And you'll need an electrician to install power points, heated towel racks and exhaust fans.

Once everything else is installed, a painter will paint all remaining surfaces with mould resistant paint, in a colour to suit the rest of your bathroom decor.

 

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How do I find the best tradies for a bathroom renovation?

Great news - you've already discovered the best place to find bathroom renovation tradies. Right here on BorisDoes. BorisDoes is an online marketplace for tasks and has invited great tradies from around Australia to offer their services, all in one place.

From bathroom designers through to tilers and painters; all the professional tradies you'll need to create your dream bathroom are right here on BorisDoes. Simply start a task or request a quote and professionals near you can provide you with estimates so that you can start developing your bathroom renovation project budget.

Alternatively, head straight to the BorisDoes Tasker List, read some of the reviews of bathroom renovation tradies from previous Customers and pick the Tasker or Business that is best for your project. It's quick and easy to find great tradies near you with the help of BorisDoes!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

In what order do you renovate a bathroom?

We've provided a general guide above, but most tradies will tell you that you should complete any structural work first, then install linings and waterproofing, then install any integrated accessories, plumbing and electrical, then tiling, then any free-standing accessories, and then painting to finish.

How long does a bathroom renovation take?

A standard bathroom renovation can take anywhere between a few weeks and a few months to complete. A basic renovation or a quick refresh can be done in a couple of weeks, or over the course of a few weekends if you're doing the work yourself. If you're renovating your main family bathroom, remember you'll need to share any secondary bathroom space while your renovation is being completed. Your renovation Tasker or Business (or your tradies for each component of your project) should be able to give you an idea of how long their work will take.

What do you need for a bathroom renovation?

That really depends on whether you're going to do it yourself (DIY), manage the project and have qualified professionals complete each component, or have a professional manage your entire renovation for you. If someone else is managing it for you, all you'll need is a budget and a plan. If you're managing everything yourself, it's a good idea to develop your plan, choose and purchase materials, fixtures and fittings, and have everything ready to start work. There's nothing worse than starting a project only to realise you need to pause everything and wait 3 months for those beautiful marble tiles to arrive from Italy...

What is the difference between a bathroom renovation and a bathroom remodel?

A renovation refreshes an existing space without too many structure changes. You might alter where a wall is, or remove an integrated bath to replace it with a freestanding one, but generally you start with a bathroom and you finish with a nicer, newer bathroom. Remodelling changes the nature of the space; turning a big, old laundry into a bathroom or turning part of an old bedroom into an ensuite to accommodate an extension.