Bathroom Renovation Guide

Bathroom Renovation Costs in Australia Plan a bathroom you love, with a budget that makes sense.

Explore published cost examples, see what changes the price and compare quotes for the bathroom you have in mind.

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The Wombat Team

Reviewed 13 October 2026

General information for Australian homeowners - not professional, legal or safety advice. Requirements vary by state and territory. How these guides are written

Quick Answer

What should you budget for a bathroom renovation?

For a starting reference, Archicentre Australia's 2026 guide lists $17,500-$35,000 including GST for a bathroom or ensuite wet-area fit-out. It assumes standard materials, a sound room and good access. Use the published examples below for context, then compare quotes for your room, chosen finishes and included work.

Published bathroom cost examples

These references cover different work. Check the included scope before comparing the totals.

Source	Scope	Published amount	What to check
Archicentre Australia 2026 guide, page 4	Bathroom/ensuite wet-area fit-out reference	$17,500-$35,000 including GST	Assumes standard selections, a sound room and good access. No room size is specified; confirm demolition, repairs and other project work separately.
Plaza Works	Advertised 4 m² bathroom, Brisbane/Gold Coast	From $23,700 including GST	Lists supply and installation with strip-out, waterproofing, floor-to-ceiling tiling, shower, vanity and fixtures. Confirm allowances and exclusions for your room.
Best Brisbane Bathrooms	Advertised standard bathroom/ensuite, Brisbane	$29,000-$35,000 plus GST	Lists labour and standard materials. Repairs, asbestos, extensive plumbing relocation and premium choices can affect the price; room area is unspecified.

Checked 13 October 2026. The businesses advertise their own renovation prices; these are not Wombat quotes or verified customer bills. Check the linked terms and get a complete price for your property.

Start with the work your bathroom needs

A small room can still involve substantial preparation and trade work. Tell contractors what you want to keep, replace or move so the quotes cover the same project.

Scope	What it means	Confirm in the quote
Refresh the finishes	Update selected fittings or surfaces while keeping a workable layout.	Confirm what stays, what is replaced and whether the existing surfaces suit the proposed work.
Rebuild in the same layout	Strip out and replace the bathroom without planning new fixture positions.	Include preparation, wet-area work, trade work, fittings and waste removal.
Change the layout	Move fixtures or redesign the room around the way you want to use it.	Price the plumbing, building work, access and approvals for that design.

Provide room measurements and photos, but have the contractor assess the existing bathroom before confirming the work. A floor-area label alone does not establish your renovation price.

What your bathroom quote should cover

Ask for enough detail to compare the work, not just the headline total. Check these items in each proposal:

Work	Ask for
Strip-out and preparation	Protection, waste removal, substrate work and how hidden damage or hazardous materials will be handled.
Waterproofing and drainage	Preparation, proposed system, required work and the checks or handover documents for your project.
Plumbing and electrical	Retained or relocated points, fixtures, lighting, ventilation and who completes each part.
Tiles and finishes	Product selections, measured quantities, supply allowances, installation, edges, grout and sealants.
Fixtures and fittings	The exact vanity, toilet, bath or shower, tapware, screen, mirror and accessories included.
Completion and management	Painting, clean-up, trade coordination, schedule, warranties, exclusions and payment terms.

Check which selections are fixed, which are allowances and what has been excluded. Ask how extra work is priced and agreed before it proceeds. Confirm the full amount payable and the tax basis of the quote.

Ways to manage your renovation budget

Choose the changes that matter to you, then price the alternatives before you commit.

Keep a workable layout if it meets your needs, and compare the quote with any relocation option.
Select tiles, fittings and screens early so the quote uses the products you actually want.
Ask for simpler finishes or features to be priced as alternatives.
Confirm what you can retain and what needs preparation or replacement.
Allow for the risks identified in the site assessment and agree how variations are handled.

Before any strip-out, have the contractor assess the existing materials and services. If asbestos may be disturbed, seek professional assessment and removal advice; see official guidance for home renovators.

Make design savings around the required wet-area, drainage, ventilation and trade work. Do not assume DIY demolition or a cheaper product is suitable for your bathroom.

Plan the schedule before work starts

Agree when the room will be out of use and plan alternative bathroom access. The programme should cover:

Design, approvals and ordering materials.
Strip-out, assessment and preparation.
Trade work, waterproofing, tiling and the required drying or curing periods.
Fitting, checks, clean-up and handover.

Confirm how delays or changes will be handled and when the bathroom can be used.

Check approvals and wet-area requirements

Check the proposed work with your council or building certifier before booking. In strata, confirm the scheme's permissions separately; NSW's renovation rules illustrate why this matters.

Ask who completes the waterproofing and trade work, and which checks and handover documents apply. Check relevant licences and insurance yourself.

The ABCB's waterproofing FAQ explains the importance of checking the applicable state or territory rules for existing buildings.

Sources and further reading

These links support the examples and planning questions above. Named businesses are examples, without a Wombat endorsement or partnership implied. Confirm current terms with the publisher and requirements with the authority for your property.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers to the questions homeowners usually ask before comparing quotes.

How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Australia in 2026?

Use published examples as a starting reference, then get quotes for your room and scope. Archicentre Australia's 2026 guide lists $17,500-$35,000 including GST for a bathroom or ensuite wet-area fit-out, with stated assumptions. The linked contractor examples cover their own renovation work. Compare inclusions, allowances, exclusions and the full amount payable before choosing.

What's the biggest cost in a bathroom renovation?

The largest line item depends on the work your bathroom needs. Ask for preparation, waterproofing, tiling, plumbing, electrical work, fittings and project management to be clearly described. Compare the same selections and scope rather than allocating a fixed percentage to each trade.

How long does a bathroom renovation take?

Get a written programme for design, approvals, ordering, site work, drying or curing periods, fitting and handover. Confirm how long the bathroom will be unavailable and what could change the dates. A fixed national week range does not account for your room, materials and proposed work.

Do I need council approval for a bathroom renovation?

Check with your council or building certifier before committing to the proposed work. Structural changes, property restrictions and the type of work can affect the requirements. Strata approval may also be needed. Ask the contractor which trade licences, checks and completion documents apply to your project.

How much does bathroom waterproofing cost?

Have the required preparation, waterproofing system and related work itemised in the quote. Confirm the surfaces and details covered, who does the work, and which checks or completion documents apply. A generic room-size price or universal certificate claim does not establish the scope for your bathroom.

Should I choose a walk-in shower or bathtub?

Choose around who uses the bathroom, the available space and the way you want to use it. Ask for the bath, shower, screen and any layout work to be priced with the exact products and design. If resale matters, ask for local property advice rather than assuming every family home needs a bath.

How much do bathroom tiles cost?

Compare the selected tiles and measured quantities with the preparation and installation work. Check supply allowances, labour, trims, grout, sealants, waste and delivery. A tile's retail price alone does not show the cost of the completed bathroom.

What are the most important things to spend money on in a bathroom renovation?

Start with the wet-area, drainage, ventilation and trade work the bathroom needs. Have the scope and responsible contractors clearly identified. Then compare finish and fixture options within that scope, with relevant licences, insurance and written terms checked before hiring.

How much does it cost to move bathroom plumbing?

Ask for the existing-layout and relocation options to be priced separately. Access to pipes, floors and walls, the proposed positions and associated preparation can change the work. Decide on the layout after the contractor has assessed the room instead of relying on a universal relocation saving.

Will a bathroom renovation add value to my home?

Do not assume a fixed percentage of the renovation cost will be recovered when you sell. If resale matters, ask a local agent or valuer about comparable properties and your proposed design. Set a budget that makes sense for your intended use as well as your selling plans.

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