Typical bathroom renovation budgets
| Scope | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixtures only (no re-piping) | $1,500–$3,500 | $3,500–$6,000 | $6,000–$9,000 |
| Re-piping + fit-out | $4,000–$7,000 | $7,000–$10,000 | $10,000–$14,000 |
| Full overhaul (incl. waterproofing) | $7,000–$12,000 | $12,000–$18,000 | $18,000–$25,000+ |
A "full overhaul" assumes hacking existing tiles, redoing waterproofing membrane, and replacing all sanitary ware — this is usually necessary for resale flats over 15 years old.
Where the money goes
Waterproofing. Often bundled into the overall bathroom price, but budget separately if your existing membrane has failed — this alone can run $800–$2,000 per bathroom and is not optional if there's any sign of leakage to the unit below.
Sanitary ware — toilet bowl, shower set, taps ($500–$3,000). Standard ceramic toilet bowls and basic shower sets sit at the low end; smart toilets, rain shower systems and designer tapware push toward the top.
Vanity & basin ($300–$2,000). Off-the-shelf vanity units at the low end; custom carpentry vanities with stone countertops at the top.
Wall & floor tiling ($4–$30 per sqft). Standard ceramic at the low end, large-format porcelain or natural stone-look tiles at the top. A walk-in shower with full-height wood-look tiling typically sits in the mid-to-premium range.
Common questions
Why do bathrooms cost so much for such a small room? Waterproofing, plumbing rework and wet-area tiling are labour-intensive regardless of room size — a 4sqm bathroom still needs the same membrane application, pipe rerouting and waterproofing testing as a larger one.
Do I need to redo waterproofing every renovation? Not always — if the existing membrane is intact and you're only swapping fixtures, you can skip it. But any resale flat renovation involving hacking of existing tiles should budget for it, since removing tiles usually damages the membrane underneath.
How long does a bathroom renovation take? Standalone, typically 1–2 weeks per bathroom. As part of a full-home renovation, bathroom works often run as a dependency — other trades usually wait for wet works and waterproofing to cure before proceeding.
What's not included in a typical bathroom quote? Structural waterproofing testing/certification, disposal of old fixtures, and any plumbing rerouting beyond the existing points — confirm these are covered before signing.