Bathroom Renovation Pricing Guide: How Much Does it Cost to Renovate a Bathroom in Sydney?


According to an article on domain.com.au titled "Budget, Mid Range or Luxury: How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Really Cost?", a small sized bathroom renovation could cost between $20,000 - $27,000.

For a basic, small sized bathroom renovation in Sydney we estimate the cost would be approximately $20,750, as detailed below:

Bathroom Renovation Costs CITY

Service

Price

Demolishing the old bathroom:

$2,000

Makegood (walls):

$4,000

Water proofing:

   $750

Tiling:

$4,000

Plumbing:

$3,000

Electrical (GPO’s, Lights, Fanlight):

$2,000

Cost of materials/ fittings:

$5,000

Total

$20,750

The above example is for a small sized bathroom in Sydney. Higher quality or larger bathrooms can cost between $25,000 and $30,000 and premium bathrooms can cost more than $35,000.

Bathroom Renovation Costs Depend On...

There are a few factors that determine the final cost of a bathroom renovation:

  1. Bathroom size
  2. Structural changes that are required - for example skylights, new windows, moving plumbing or electrical points, replastering walls etc.
  3. The quality of materials and fittings used - for example underfloor heating.

These are the main factors involved so as you can see it's largely dependant on what you need. For example:

New Modern Bathroom
  • Those with a smaller budget may just want to polish, clean and upgrade some choice fittings. This can be achieved, however tile removal will usually require more work due to waterproofing issues.
  • Investors may want to spend the least amount possible to create a wow factor that will help sell or rent their property
  • Those with a lavish budget may want to make structural changes, use premium fittings and add luxurious elements like underfloor heating.

Demolishing The Old Bathroom

The major cost for demolishing an old bathroom is the cost to remove all the tiles. You can expect to pay trades in Sydney anywhere between $45-$55 per square metre for tile removal.

Bathroom Size

Square Meters

Cost

Small

15

$2,000

Medium

17

$2,500

Large

22

$3,500

On top of tile removal it costs $360 (3 meters) to hire a skip. The other key factors to consider are the presence of Asbestos and pests.

These are not generally included in the pricing as they are unseen until removal. If Asbestos is present it generally costs an additional $35-$50/m2 for removal.

The presence of pests may include rats, mice, termites or borers. These are priced separately by a pest specialist. Wherever concrete is cut or drilled a pest inspection and rectification is required.

Make Good Walls

Make good walls means preparing the walls so they are ready to be tiled or painted. 

In terms of a per square meter rate, expect:

  • Hard plaster rates to range from $50 to $70 per square meter
  • Wet plaster rates to be range from $75 to $90 per square meter

This depends largely on what is discovered behind the old plaster, the type of boards used and the amount of battoning required.

Waterproofing Costs


Bathroom waterproofing is mandated by law and must comply with Building Code Australia (BCA) and Australian Standard AS3740. 

You can expect to pay $750 to $900 for professional waterproofing in Sydney.

Luxury Bathroom Renovation

Tiling Costs

Bathroom Remodel


The cost of tiling can be broken into 2 components - the cost of the tiles themselves and the cost of a tiler. 

You can expect to pay a Sydney tiler anywhere between $75 and $120 m2.

 

Bathroom Tiling Costs

Tiles cost between $30 and $55 per square meter (m2) on average.

Bathroom Size

Square Meters

Budget Cost

Premium Cost

Small

15

$2,000

$3,000

Medium

17

$2,500

$4,500

Large

22

$3,500

$5,000

Bathroom Tilers Costs

Sydney tilers cost between $75 and $120 m2.

Bathroom Size

Square Meters

Budget Cost

Premium Cost

Small

15

$2,000

$3,000

Medium

17

$2,500

$4,500

Large

22

$3,500

$5,000

Tiler rates will vary in price depending on:

  • size of tiles, 
  • whether they are porcelain, ceramic, or feature tiles, and
  • how intricate the job is.

Bathroom Plumbing Costs

Plumbers are required for the bath, shower and toilet installations and also any plumbing that needs to be added.

Professional plumbers in Sydney can cost anywhere between $65 - $85 per hour.

Bathroom Size

Plumbing Costs

Small

$2,000 - $3,000

Medium

$3,000 - $4,000

Large

$5,000 - $8,000

Electrical Costs

Electricians are required for lights and any other electrical work such as underfloor heating. 

Professional electricians in Sydney can cost anywhere between $65 - $85 per hour.

Bathroom Size

Electrical Costs

Small

$500 - $1,000

Medium

$1,000 - $2,000

Large

$2,000 - $4,000

Bathroom Fittings Prices

Bathroom fittings can make up a significant cost of your bathroom renovation. Try and find a bathroom renovation company that can get wholesale pricing which they pass onto their customers. You can easily compare their prices with online retailers to ensure you're getting a great deal. 

Fitting

Budget

Typical

Premium

Baths

$300

$1,000

$3,000

Shower Enclosure

$800

$1,200

$1,400

Toilet Suite

$200

$450

$1,200

Vanity

$650

$1,200

$3,500

Basin

$150

$250

$1,000

Exhaust Fan

$60

$300

$800

Mirror

$150

$300

$500

Bath Tap Set

$100

$300

$500

Shower Rail

$160

$400

$900

Basin Tap Set

$80

$170

$400

Towel Rail

$39

$99

$200

Soap Dish

$7

$20

$100

Robe Hook

$5

$20

$50

Floor Waste

$50

$80

$150

Total

$2,751

$5,785

$13,700

Bathroom Renovation Costs in Sydney

Well that's all the costs that go into renovating a bathroom in Sydney. We hope you've found this guide useful and have a better idea of all the costs involved in renovating your bathroom. 

Modern Bathrooms
Bathroom Renovations

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do bathroom renovations take?

It depends on the size of the bathroom and other structural changes that are needed to be done. An average-sized bathroom will take 6 to 8 weeks to finish, while a smaller bathroom can only 4 to 5 weeks.

How to Keep Your Bathroom Renovation Costs Down

A bathroom renovation is one of the greatest investments you’ll ever make for your home. Whether you’re looking to sell the house or just improving or upgrading the look, bathroom remodeling will be very beneficial in the long run. However, total renovation can cost you a lot as it will involve replacing old tiles and installing new ones, upgrading the plumbing, materials, and fittings and fix electricals if needed. Depending on the size of your bathroom, renovation may cost from $20,000 to $40,000. You might think, how can you cut down the costs but still have great results?

Materials and fittings are usually the biggest chunk in the total cost of bathroom renovations. When planning for the renovation, it’s best not to overdo changes or installation when it comes to materials and fittings. Go for the simpler products especially if you are tight on budget. It’s even better if you let interior designers take a look at your bathroom to give more insights and ideas on how to cut costs.

 

How much does it cost to renovate a small bathroom in Australia?

Renovating a small bathroom in Sydney can cost around $20,000 to $27,000 depending on the materials and other changes that are needed to be done.

How do I estimate the cost of a bathroom remodel?

There are several factors to consider when estimating the cost of a bathroom remodeling.

  • Do you want to have an expensive-looking bathroom so that it will look good for buyers? 
  • Or does your bathroom only need basic upgrade on fittings and materials?

 You also need to know if your budget is within range of what you want to achieve. Oftentimes, people want extravagant bathrooms but they don’t realize they need to shell more money out.

How much does it cost to replace a bathroom?

The cost of replacing a whole bathroom will depend on the costs of the following:

  • tile demolishing, 
  • making good walls,
  • waterproofing,
  • tiling, plumbing,
  • electricity, and
  • materials or fittings.

In Sydney, a basic, small bathroom renovation can cost $20,750 to $27,000. Larger bathrooms with higher quality products will cost $25,000 to $30,000.

How much does it cost to remove a bathtub and install a shower?

Professional plumbers in Sydney charge from $65-$85 per hour depending on the size and type of shower you want to install.

  • For a small bathroom, installing a basic shower stall can cost around $2,000 to $3,000. 
  • For a medium-sized bathroom, it can cost around $3,000 to $4,000.
  • For a large bathroom, a shower installation can cost around $5,000 to $8,000.

If you want to have a custom tile shower, there will be additional charges.

How much does it cost to redo a bathroom shower?

When redoing a bathroom shower, consider the costs of the type of shower stall, the plumbing, and the labor costs. Shower enclosures ranges from $800 to $1,400, the plumbing costs range from $2,000 to $8,000, and labor costs depend on how much the plumber charges per hour.

How much does it cost to replace bathroom floor?

The cost of replacing bathroom tiles depends on two factors: the cost of tiles and the cost of the tiler. The pricing of tiles varies depending on the size, quality, and the total square meters of the bathroom.

  • For a small bathroom, tiles can cost between $525 to $900. 
  • For a medium bathroom, tiles can cost between $595 to $1,020.
  • For a large bathroom, tiles can cost between $980 to $1,680.

The cost of tilers depend on the difficulty of the job and the total size of the bathroom.

  • For a small bathroom, tilers cost around $1,125 to $1,800. 
  • For a medium-sized bathroom, tilers cost from $1,275 to $2,040.
  • For a large bathroom, tilers charge between $2,100 to $3,360.

How much should I spend on a renovation?

There is no exact amount on how much you should spend on your bathroom renovation. There are a lot of factors you need to consider when thinking of renovating. The renovation costs depend on the size of the bathroom and additional fixtures or structural changes you want to achieve.

  • On average, small bathrooms with basic renovations can cost around $20,000 to $27,000; 
  • large bathrooms with higher quality renovations can cost $25,000 to $30,000 and;
  • premium bathroom renovations can cost $35,000 or higher. 

It’s better to consult one of our professional bathroom interior designers.

How can I make my bathroom look expensive?

Generally, people think that making their bathrooms look expensive means going all out with money for decorating and renovating. However, you can still achieve the look by just understanding and knowing the essential materials needed.

A simple change in lighting or changing the color scheme can do wonders for your bathroom. If you need to redo the tiles, you can opt to have it tiled diagonally rather than in a vertical or horizontal line to give the room a different feel. Interior designers have the best knowledge when it comes to making your bathroom look expensive. Book a consultation to find out how to make your bathroom look expensive without breaking the bank.

 

How do you start a bathroom renovation?

Most bathroom remodelling companies have qualified and professional bathroom interior designers who can help you start your bathroom renovation. These are the steps involved in a bathroom renovation:

  • Designer visits your house
  • Measuring the whole bathroom space
  • Brainstorming of design ideas
  • Designing the ideas with the help of 3D CAD software
  • Inviting the client to the showroom to inspect and review products before finalizing the price.