How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Australia? (2026 guide)
Budget, mid-range or high-end. Here's what a bathroom renovation really costs in 2026, what pushes the price up, and how to get a real number for your job.
Updated
A bathroom renovation is one of the highest-value upgrades you can make to a home, and one of the most trade-heavy. "How much does a bathroom renovation cost?" depends mostly on the size, the level of finish, and whether you keep the plumbing where it is. The honest version is a range: roughly $12,000 to $50,000+, from a cosmetic refresh at the bottom to a high-end reconfigured fit-out at the top.
This guide breaks down where in that range your renovation is likely to land, what moves the number, and a worked example so you can sanity-check any quote. Figures are 2026 estimates for Australian residential work and include materials, fittings and professional installation, GST inclusive.
Bathroom renovation cost by level
| Renovation level | Typical cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget / cosmetic refresh | $12,000-$18,000 | New tiles, vanity, tapware, same layout |
| Standard mid-range | $18,000-$30,000 | Full strip-out, quality fittings, same footprint |
| High-end | $30,000-$50,000+ | Premium finishes, layout change, custom joinery |
These bands reflect current Australian cost guides, which broadly put full bathroom renovations in the $15,000-$35,000 range for most homes, with small ensuites cheaper and luxury or reconfigured bathrooms higher.
What actually drives the price
A bathroom is small but complex. Four things move your quote:
- Layout changes. Keeping the toilet, shower and vanity in place is far cheaper than moving them. Relocating fixtures means new pipework, possibly cutting the slab, and re-waterproofing, all of which add real cost.
- Level of finish. Tile choice alone can swing the budget by thousands. Floor-to-ceiling large-format tiles, stone benchtops, frameless glass and premium tapware cost far more than a standard tile, laminate vanity and semi-frameless screen.
- Waterproofing and what is hidden. Waterproofing to AS 3740 is non-negotiable. Once the old room is stripped, hidden water damage, rot or non-compliant old plumbing can add to the scope.
- Trade coordination. A plumber, electrician, tiler, waterproofer, plasterer and cabinet maker all work in sequence. That coordination, and the days of curing and drying between stages, is built into the price.
A worked example
Say you want a standard full renovation of a 6 m² main bathroom, same layout, mid-range fittings, in a suburban home.
| Line item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Strip-out, plastering and waterproofing | $4,500 |
| Plumbing and electrical | $4,000 |
| Tiling (floor and walls, supply + lay) | $6,500 |
| Vanity, toilet, tapware, shower screen | $5,500 |
| Project management and finishing | $3,500 |
| Total (inc GST) | ≈ $24,000 |
Keep the finishes basic and you could trim toward $18,000; move the shower and toilet, add stone and frameless glass, and you would climb past $35,000 for the same room.
How prices vary across Australia
Bathroom renovation labour follows the usual pattern: dearer in Sydney and Melbourne, a little cheaper in Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, and variable in regional areas, where the swing depends on travel and how many trades are available locally. Materials and fittings are fairly national, so most of the metro difference is in labour. Regional jobs can also run longer simply because coordinating several trades around travel takes more scheduling.
How to keep the cost sensible
- Keep the plumbing where it is. If the existing layout works, leaving fixtures in place is the single biggest saving available.
- Spend where it shows, save where it does not. A standard tile with a feature wall and good tapware reads as more expensive than it costs.
- Decide everything before you start. Changing tile or fittings mid-job is where budgets and timelines blow out. Lock the spec first.
Questions worth asking before you commit
- Is waterproofing to AS 3740 included and certified? Ask for the certificate.
- Is the quote fixed price or an estimate? A fixed price protects you from the surprises found behind old tiles.
- Who manages and coordinates the trades? A single point of contact saves you chasing six contractors.
- What happens if hidden damage is found? Agree how variations are priced before work starts.
- What is the workmanship warranty? Get it in writing, separate from the product warranties on fittings.
A bathroom is a wet area that has to last 15 years or more. The cheapest quote that rushes the waterproofing is rarely the cheapest bathroom once the membrane fails.
Get a firm number
Every bathroom is different, and an average cannot see your layout, your finishes or what is hidden behind the old tiles. Get a written, itemised quote from a licensed local tradie once they have seen the job. If you are the tradie quoting it, Karven brings up common bathroom renovation items with starting prices as you type, and your customer can accept online. See how Karven works for bathroom renovation.
Common questions
- How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Australia?
- As a 2026 guide, a budget cosmetic refresh commonly runs roughly $12,000-$18,000, a standard mid-range full renovation about $18,000-$30,000, and a high-end renovation with premium tiles, fittings and a reconfigured layout $30,000-$50,000+. A small ensuite sits at the lower end; a large family bathroom or a layout change sits higher.
- Why are bathroom renovations so expensive?
- A bathroom packs a lot of trades into a small space: a plumber, electrician, tiler, waterproofer, plasterer, cabinet maker and often a glazier all work in a few square metres, usually in sequence rather than at once. Waterproofing to AS 3740 and the trade coordination, not just the tiles and tapware, are what make the per-square-metre cost so high.
- How long does a bathroom renovation take?
- A typical full bathroom renovation runs about 3 to 5 weeks once work starts, since trades follow each other and the waterproofing membrane needs curing time before tiling. A simple cosmetic refresh can be quicker; a full strip-out with a layout change and plumbing moves takes longer. Delays usually come from waiting on materials or hidden problems found once the old room is stripped.
- Does moving plumbing add a lot to the cost?
- Yes. Keeping the toilet, shower and vanity in their existing positions is much cheaper than relocating them, because moving fixtures means new pipework, possibly cutting the slab, and re-waterproofing. A layout change is one of the biggest single cost drivers in a bathroom renovation.
- Do I need a licensed waterproofer for a bathroom?
- In most of Australia, waterproofing wet areas must comply with AS 3740 and is often required to be done by a licensed waterproofer, with a certificate issued. It is not a corner to cut. A failed membrane is the single most expensive bathroom problem, because fixing it means tearing out the tiles and starting again. Always confirm the waterproofing is certified.
- How do I get an accurate bathroom renovation quote?
- The total depends on the size, the level of finish, whether you keep or move the plumbing, and what is found once the old room is stripped. For a firm price, get a written quote from a licensed local tradie once they have seen the job.
Get a firm price
Prices vary by state, access and spec. A licensed local tradie who's seen the job can give you a firm quote.
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