How much does a bathroom renovation cost? What sets the price
Two bathrooms the same size can cost very different amounts. Here is what actually drives the price.
It is one of the first questions people ask, and the answer depends on your bathroom. Two bathrooms the same size can cost very different amounts, depending on what is behind the walls, what gets moved and the finishes you pick. Here is what drives the price, so you can plan a budget and compare quotes properly.
Why bathrooms cost more than people expect
A bathroom is a small room with a lot of trades in it. A full renovation can involve demolition, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, waterproofing, tiling, glazing and fit-off, often one after another, with each waiting for the last. Much of the cost is in work you will never see once it is finished, like the waterproofing under the tiles and the pipes in the walls. It is also the part you least want to get wrong.
Moving things around
Keeping the toilet, shower, basin and bath where they are is usually the simplest option. Moving them means moving pipes and drains, which can mean cutting into floors and walls. If a new layout makes a big difference to how you use the room it can be worth it, but it is one of the biggest drivers of cost.
What is behind the walls and under the floor
Older bathrooms can hide old pipes, water damage, rotten timber or failed waterproofing. Nobody can see all of that until the old tiles come off. A good builder will look for warning signs at the site visit and explain in the quote how any surprises would be handled.
Waterproofing
Waterproofing stops water getting into your walls, your floors and the rooms next door. It has to be done properly, by the right people. Ask every builder who quotes how the waterproofing will be done, who will do it and whether you will get a certificate or other paperwork for it at the end.
Tiles, fixtures and finishes
This is where you have the most control. Some examples.
- Floor-to-ceiling tiles compared with tiling only the wet areas.
- Large-format or feature tiles, which can take longer to lay, compared with standard tiles.
- A wall-hung vanity and in-wall tapware compared with simpler options.
- A frameless shower screen compared with a semi-framed one.
- Extras like a shower niche, a heated towel rail, underfloor heating or a skylight.
Ask your builder to explain the options and what each one adds, so you can decide where to spend and where to save.
Size, access and where the bathroom is
A bigger room means more tiles and more labour, but size is not everything. A small bathroom can cost more than you would expect, because it still needs most of the same trades. An upstairs bathroom, an apartment with strata rules or tight access for getting rubbish out can all add time.
How to keep costs down
- Keep the plumbing where it is if the layout already works.
- Spend on what you touch and use every day, like the shower and tapware, and save on the rest.
- Pick your fixtures and tiles early, so the job is not held up waiting for a decision.
- Keep some money aside for surprises. Nobody can see behind the tiles until they come off.
- Ask for a clear, itemised quote, so you can see where the money goes and what you could change.
Cheaper is not always cheaper. A bathroom that leaks costs far more to fix than it would have cost to do properly the first time.
How to get a number you can rely on
The only accurate price for your bathroom is a quote from a builder who has seen it. When you compare quotes, check they cover the same scope, fixtures and finishes, how the waterproofing is done, who supplies what and what is excluded. Do not stop at the totals.
Where BettaConnect fits
BettaConnect connects homeowners who have a real building or renovation project with trusted local builders. Tell us about your bathroom and we confirm the scope, budget and timing. Then we introduce you to one local builder who suits the job, so the quote you get is based on a project they already understand. No bidding war and no pressure to say yes.
