Bathrooms are considered to be one of the most popular rooms to renovate in Australia. Renovating your bathroom can have a significant impact on your in-home experience, as well as can boost the value of your property. You could choose a budget, mid-level or high-end fittings and inclusions based on your needs, tastes and budget.
Before starting your bathroom renovation, it’s important to understand and have an idea ahead of time. Have realistic expectations and set a good budget for the renovation as your comfort and potential resale value should be a priority. However, before you undertake any sort of work, you’ll want to know how much a bathroom renovation costs.
The cost for a bathroom renovation in Australia depends on a variety of factors, including the size of your room, the items you’re updating, which products you select and labour costs in your area. Bathroom remodelling projects may require average labour cost bathroom remodel experts from building contractors and plumbers to electricians, painters and tilers.
The cost of a complete bathroom renovation will depend on several factors, including:
- The size of the bathroom
- The fittings selected (toilet, bath, sink etc.)
- The materials, the quality of materials and products used (tiles, paint, etc.)
- The scope of plumbing, electrical work and other installations
- The addition of luxury elements such as heated flooring or heated towel racks
- If there will be new or moved ventilation systems such as an exhaust fan
Smaller bathrooms are easier to remodel as they involve fewer fixtures and labour costs. Mistakes can be costly in this space so it’s important to get things right from the start. Typically, a bathroom renovation can cost anywhere from $5,000 up to $40,000.
The cost to renovate a bathroom can vary from $5,000-$15,000 for basics renovations (small bathrooms), to around $15,000-30,000 for standard bathroom renovations (medium-sized bathroom) and +$30,000 for high-end renovations (large bathroom).
Basic Bathroom Renovation
Average Cost: $5,000-$15,000 (or $2,000 to $5,500 for DIY)
You won't require a big budget for a small bathroom because there are fewer plumbing fixtures and lesser square footage. To stay within a low budget, keep the original bathroom layout as is. Changing the layout of your bathroom will usually be the biggest cost as it will involve more complex plumbing work - If you can keep your layout as is, you'll make big savings. This is ideal for those on a tight budget and assuming you don’t need any structural work or major renovations like re-tiling; plumbing pipes, or making any structural changes to the layout of your bathroom.
This can include updating old furnishings and fixtures, or anything that does not involve electrical work or movement of plumbing. However, it may vary from job to job.
Here’s what to expect to change in this renovation project:
- Re-coating or resurfacing existing tiles
- New taps and vanity
- New mirror
- Re-coating an existing bathtub
- Installing a new toilet and a basin
- Showerhead and tap
- Install or change towel racks
- Install exhaust fans
If your budget is really tight, and you don’t feel confident doing the work by yourself it’s best not to take the chance. Instead, focus on simpler cosmetic changes like updating fixtures, repainting and maybe a new layer of tile grout.
Mid-Range Bathroom Renovation
Average Cost: $15,500 — $30,000
This type of bathroom renovation may include a larger space and replacing existing fixtures while keeping them in the same location. In most cases, you will not be able to reposition your fixtures such as the toilet, vanity, shower or bath. You can choose to either purchase replacement fixtures that fall within the same price range and quality or pick and choose where to splurge. There are far more options to explore, including semi or frameless shower screens, freestanding bathtubs and bespoke vanities for bathrooms.
You’ve also got a lot more leeway to change the layout or make minor plumbing and electrical alterations. It’s the labour to remove the existing tiles, shower, bath, toilet etc. Plus, the work required to move plumbing and drainage and any custom fittings required
As a rule of thumb, expect it to cost as much as $15,500 to $30,000 for a mid-range bathroom renovation in Brisbane. However, the price range to renovate a bathroom mostly depends on the size of the space and where you live.
A mid-range bathroom renovation could include:
- New taps and vanity
- Replacing toilets
- Waterproofing all wet areas: bathroom renovations will often require waterproofing by law if you are making any changes to the layout or installing new furnishings such as a bathtub.
- Install shower screens and mirrors
- New vanity and basin
- Install exhaust fans and towel rails
- Install a shower screen
- Replacing and upgrading to a new bathtub
- Rubbish removal
- Floor and wall tiling
- Replacing old pipes and moving plumbing fixtures where needed
High-End Bathroom Renovation
Average Cost: $30,000+
The budget for larger bathrooms in Australia usually starts at $30,500 and ranges up to $40,000. This cost bracket should include using qualified tradespeople, quality fittings and cover the cost of more luxurious items like a double vanity and a rain showerhead.
Getting in quality and licensed tradespeople will definitely influence the end result when it comes to your new bathroom. For a high-end renovation, you can completely re-do your bathroom in terms of the design and layout with premium materials and fittings such as a floating sink, free-standing bath, and more. It’s important to note that the more skill and effort your job requires, the more you are likely to pay for trades.
A structural and luxury bathroom renovation usually costs $40,000 or more. Some of the things involved in a luxury bathroom renovation may include:
- Breaking down or building walls
- Adding a new toilet, a free-standing bath and shower screen
- Plumbing and electrical fixtures, including lighting
- Floor levelling
- Removing and re-tiling floor and wall tiles
- Premium tiles, floors, and walls, e.g., natural stone
- Installing new vanities, mirrors and heated towel rack
- Adding new plumbing for the toilet and shower area
- Install new hot water system
- Waterproofing all wet areas
- Structural alterations like removing or building a new wall
- New windows or skylights
- Rubbish removal
What is the cost of bathroom design?
Average Cost: $500 -$4,000
Hiring an expert bathroom designer can come with plenty of benefits. The typical cost of a bathroom design can range from $500 to $4,000. You can also opt to go partly DIY for freedom in the choice of fixtures and cost.
How long does a bathroom renovation in Australia take?
A bathroom renovation timeline will depend on many factors, including the approval time and expertise of the contractor to carry out the entire renovation work.
From arranging the supplies to the final inspection, there is a lot to do. Ideally, you can expect a timeline of around 5-8 weeks for your bathroom renovation project, considering there is no delay in getting permits.
To avoid any sort of disappointments or surprises from the final outcome, ensure to set a timeline for every stage of your bathroom renovation process. You may consider the following steps:
- Define specific requirements and ideas for your bathroom renovation
- Choose your ideal bathroom design and define how much you expect to pay for a bathroom renovation
- Work out the measurements
- Narrow down the list of contractors or bathroom renovation experts
- After comparing several proposals and seeing their work, select a contractor that fits your requirements and renovation budget
- Obtain permits/approvals from the building commission. An experienced contractor will easily be able to pull out the permits
- Choose the materials yourself or ask your bathroom renovator to do it
- Demolition (if necessary)
- Reroute work for plumbing and electrical lines
- Install the floor tiles
- Complete the installation: tub, vanity, toilet, sink, fixtures and shelves. Further, the lighting, hardware will be installed simultaneously
- Finish touches
- Clean up and final inspection: it is recommended to inspect the bathroom with your contractor to ensure that it works perfectly.
Bathroom design elements
Designing a bathroom is a rewarding yet challenging project. When embarking on a renovation, extension or a new build there are seven key bathroom design elements to consider.
Layout
Getting your bathroom right is a key aspect of a well-designed home. Whether you're remodelling or building new, designing the perfect bathroom layout is an exciting and thoughtful process. With a smart strategy and bathroom dimensions in place, it's easier to set a budget, shop your finishes and materials, and hire contractors. These important considerations will help you determine the best way to layout your new bathroom:
- Who will use the bathroom?
- How will it be used?
- Where will things go?
Shower Base
When it comes to a shower base, there are three main options: polymarble, tiled, and a shower over bath.
A polymarble shower base is a hard-wearing, solid, fully-moulded material ideal for bathroom surfaces. The tiled shower base gives you the stylish look of a tiled floor while being structurally sound and completely waterproof.
A shower over a bath is not a common choice unless you need a bath but are pressed for space.
Shower Screen
Thinking about the type of shower you have is a good place to start when you’re trying to choose between options for shower screens. Whether you go for a fully frameless, single glass screen, semi-frameless or even no screen, it can add a modern, classic or luxurious look.
Bathtub
If your design includes a bath, there are plenty of stylish options to choose from. We offer an impressive range of baths to suit contemporary or traditional bathrooms. Bathroom bathtubs include both freestanding and back to wall baths.
Vanity
With the high number of stunning designs available, it’s easy to fall into the trap of choosing the perfect bathroom vanities. Consider how much storage you need when canvassing cabinets. Your vanity can be customized with extra cabinets for storage purposes to keep your space clean. KOAST Custom Vanities allows you to choose any configuration, colour and size, and mix ‘n’ match this with hundreds of different top styles and colours to create your very own bathroom vanity look. You can create your choice of vanity direct with the manufacturer and have it shipped directly to you in less than 1-2 weeks.
Mirror Cabinets
Bathroom mirror cabinets are a purchase you won’t regret. For a cabinet that can double as a mirror, you can gain extra storage and utilize your bathroom. We offer mirror cabinets for any size bathroom that will suit your taste.
Plumbing Fittings
Although it may not be the first thing that springs to mind when imagining your new bathroom your tapware is a great opportunity to make a statement. Tapware has come a long way in recent years with a growing range of shapes and finishes now on the market; from classic to modern, minimal to elaborate, you’re bound to find the perfect style to suit your taste.
Floor and Wall Tiles
Floor and wall tiles are durable and beautiful design elements that are essential to bathrooms. They can give a room a rustic, and elegant ambience, and can help tie together an overall colour scheme. When considering tiles, you need to choose a colour, finish, and size that fits with your design.
Toilet
Features to consider when choosing your toilet include height, bowl shape, colour, style, and flushing technology.
Towel Rails
Towel rails are not what usually springs to mind when one thinks about renovating or building a bathroom. However, not only do towel rails perform a necessary role in providing storage space for towels, but they can also help add a design flair to an ordinary bathroom.
There are four basic types of towel rails: freestanding towel rails, wall-mounted towel rails, ladder/rack towel rails and heated towel rails. Each variety has its pros and cons, so it’s important to establish which will work best in your room.
Lighting and Electrical Setup
Lighting is as essential a component as the fittings. Other than general lighting, the most important function of lighting in a bathroom is to light your face when using the vanity mirror. You can also give your bathroom space a design-forward look by embracing some of these bathrooms lighting tips:
- Daylight is a priority: when it comes to windows think big and, if possible, floor-to-ceiling.
- Keep it private: Frosted and obscure glass provides good privacy
- Turn up the heat: mould and mildew can cause big problems so good airflow is essential
- Small spaces: ff there’s no space for big windows a skylight may be the answer
- Task lighting: for putting on make-up or shaving, a strong, even light is needed around the mirror and vanity