If you're considering a bathroom renovation in Sydney, one of the first questions you're probably asking is: how much is this going to cost me? In this 2026 guide, LikeSilk breaks down the average bathroom renovation cost in Sydney, the factors that affect pricing, hidden costs to watch for, and how to budget smartly.
In Sydney, a proper bathroom renovation typically costs between $25,000 and $70,000+ depending on the size, scope, and finish level you're after.
Here's what that looks like in practice:
Standard bathroom renovation: $25,000–$38,000
Full strip-out, new waterproofing, quality tiles, updated fixtures, and fresh finishes. Keeps existing layout and plumbing positions. This is the entry point for doing it properly.
Mid-range bathroom renovation: $38,000–$55,000
Everything above, plus higher-end tiles, frameless shower screen, custom or semi-custom vanity, and possible layout tweaks. Where most Sydney bathrooms land.
High-end bathroom renovation: $55,000–$80,000+
Premium materials, custom joinery, freestanding bath, heated floors, underfloor heating, and structural changes. The "dream bathroom" territory.
These figures include labour, materials, waterproofing, and project management. They don't include separate design fees if you're using an interior designer.
Why the range? Bathrooms are deceptively complex. A straightforward tile-and-fixture swap is very different from moving plumbing, reconfiguring the layout, or dealing with waterproofing failures from a previous renovation.
If you've been researching bathroom renovation costs for a while, here's what's shifted:
📈 Prices have increased 5–10% from 2025. Labour continues to be the biggest driver—Sydney trades are in high demand, and rates have risen accordingly.
Waterproofing standards are stricter. Compliance requirements have tightened, which adds cost but protects you long-term. Don't cut corners here.
Large-format tiles remain popular but installation costs more due to the skill required. Budget $80–$120/m² for installation versus $50–$70/m² for standard tiles.
Freestanding baths are trending down slightly in favour of larger showers with premium fixtures. People are choosing function over the "Instagram bath" look.
✅ Supply chains have stabilised. Lead times for vanities and fixtures are back to normal (4–6 weeks) after the chaos of 2022–2024.
Size matters, but not always how you'd expect:
Small bathroom (up to 4m²): $25,000–$40,000
Less materials, but labour, waterproofing, and trades costs stay similar. Per square metre, small bathrooms often cost more than larger ones.
Medium bathroom (4–8m²): $35,000–$55,000
The most common size. Enough space for a good layout without excessive costs.
Large bathroom (8m²+): $50,000–$80,000+
More materials, more tiling, potentially more fixtures (double vanity, separate bath and shower).
Keeping your existing layout is the single biggest way to control bathroom renovation costs in Sydney.
Same layout with new finishes: Straightforward. Plumbing stays where it is.
Moving fixtures: Every time you relocate the toilet, shower, or vanity, you're adding $2,000–$5,000+ in plumbing work. Moving the toilet is the most expensive because of the waste pipe.
Reconfiguring the room: If you're stealing space from an adjacent room or changing the bathroom footprint, expect structural work, potential council approval, and significant cost increases.
Waterproofing isn't optional - it's required by the National Construction Code. In Sydney, this typically costs $1,500–$3,500 depending on bathroom size.
⚠️ Critical point: If your existing bathroom has waterproofing issues (common in homes renovated in the 80s and 90s), fixing them properly before tiling adds cost but prevents much bigger problems later.
We include a pre-construction inspection to identify waterproofing issues before they become expensive surprises.
Tiling is often the most visible part of your bathroom—and one of the most variable costs.
Tile costs (materials only):
Installation costs: $50–$120 per m² depending on tile size and pattern complexity. Large-format tiles and intricate patterns cost more to install.
For a typical 6m² bathroom (walls and floor), expect $3,000–$8,000 total for tiles and installation.
This is where budgets can blow out fast—or where smart choices save money.
Toilet: $300–$1,500 (wall-hung toilets cost more but look cleaner and make floor cleaning easier)
Vanity: $800–$4,000+ (floating vanities, stone tops, and custom joinery push costs up)
Shower screen: $600–$2,500 (frameless costs more than semi-frameless or framed)
Tapware: $200–$1,500 per set (you get what you pay for—cheap tapware fails faster)
Bath: $500–$8,000+ (acrylic insert at the low end, freestanding stone at the high end)
Heated towel rail: $300–$800 installed
Underfloor heating: $800–$2,000 for a typical bathroom
Labour typically accounts for 50–60% of your total bathroom renovation cost in Sydney. This isn't negotiable—bathrooms require multiple licensed trades:
Sydney trades charge $80–$150+ per hour depending on the trade. Trying to save money by using unlicensed workers for plumbing or electrical is illegal and dangerous.
Here's where your money actually goes in a mid-range Sydney bathroom renovation ($38,000–$55,000):
Labour and trades: $15,000–$25,000 (40–45% of budget)Plumber, electrician, tiler, waterproofer, carpenter, painter. Coordination and project management.
Tiles and installation: $5,000–$10,000 (13–18% of budget)Floor and wall tiles, adhesive, grout, installation labour.
Fixtures and fittings: $6,000–$12,000 (15–22% of budget)Toilet, vanity, shower screen, tapware, mirror, accessories.
Plumbing and waterproofing: $4,000–$7,000 (10–13% of budget)New pipe work if needed, waterproofing membrane, compliance certification.
Electrical: $2,000–$4,000 (5–7% of budget)Lighting, exhaust fan, heated towel rail, power points.
Demolition and removal: $1,500–$3,000 (3–5% of budget)Full strip-out of old bathroom, skip bin, disposal.
What's NOT included in these figures:
These aren't really "hidden"—they're just things people don't think about until the quote arrives:
Asbestos. If your Sydney home was built before 1990, there's a good chance your bathroom contains asbestos (often in the wall sheeting or floor tiles). Testing costs $50–$150. Removal costs $1,500–$5,000+ depending on extent.
Rotten framing. Old bathrooms with poor waterproofing often have water damage to the timber framing behind the walls. You won't know until demolition. Budget $1,000–$3,000 for repairs if your bathroom is 20+ years old.
Plumbing surprises. Galvanised pipes (common in older Sydney homes) may need replacing. Previous renovations done badly may have created problems. Allow $1,000–$3,000 contingency.
Strata requirements. Apartment bathrooms in Sydney require strata approval, often a waterproofing warranty, and sometimes additional insurance. The approval process can take 4–8 weeks.
Electrical compliance. Older bathrooms often don't meet current electrical safety standards. Upgrading may be required by your electrician.
💡 Our approach: We do a pre-construction inspection before finalising your quote to identify as many of these issues as possible upfront—so your quote actually reflects reality.
If you want a refreshed bathroom without a $40K+ spend:
Keep the layout. This is the biggest single cost saver. If your toilet, shower, and vanity stay in the same positions, you avoid major plumbing costs.
Refinish rather than replace the bath. Bath resurfacing costs $400–$800 and can make an old bath look new. Not suitable for all baths, but worth considering.
Choose tiles strategically. Use feature tiles on one wall only. Use standard tiles elsewhere. The visual impact is similar; the cost is significantly lower.
Standard fixtures, quality tapware. A basic toilet functions identically to a $1,500 one. But cheap tapware fails faster and looks worse over time. Spend on what you touch daily.
Skip the freestanding bath. Unless you'll actually use it regularly, a freestanding bath is an expensive Instagram prop. A larger shower is often more practical.
Keep existing flooring if possible. If you have good-quality floor tiles that aren't damaged, consider keeping them and just updating walls and fixtures.
For more ideas, read our guide to small bathroom renovation ideas.
Timeline: Most bathroom renovations take 2–4 weeks once work begins. Add 2–4 weeks beforehand for design, ordering, and approvals.
The reality: You won't have that bathroom for the duration. If it's your only bathroom, this needs planning.
How people cope:
Dust and noise: Demolition is loud and creates dust that travels through the house. We use plastic sheeting and extraction, but it's not a silent process.
Sequence matters: Waterproofing needs to cure (24–72 hours depending on product). Tiles need to set. This isn't something you can rush without compromising quality.
Getting your household aligned: Renovation stress is real—80% of couples argue about staying on budget. We've found that clear communication and no surprises keeps everyone on the same page. That's why we provide detailed schedules and progress updates throughout.
We'll give you a clear schedule before work starts so you can plan around it.
No approval typically needed for:
May need approval (CDC or DA) for:
Not sure about DA vs CDC approvals? We break down the differences.
You'll almost always need strata approval before starting. Even for cosmetic bathroom work.
Why? Bathrooms involve waterproofing, which protects the apartments below you. The owners corporation has a legitimate interest in making sure it's done properly.
Typical strata requirements:
Start the strata approval process 4–8 weeks before you want to begin work.
For more detail, see NSW Fair Trading's renovation guide.
Getting multiple quotes? Here's how to actually compare them:
Check they're quoting the same thing. Are tile allowances the same? Same fixture brands? Same scope of electrical work?
Look for itemised breakdowns. A single lump sum tells you nothing. You want to see demolition, plumbing, waterproofing, tiling, fixtures, and labour listed separately.
Ask what's excluded. Electrical work, painting, asbestos removal, strata fees—these are often excluded and quoted separately. Compare total cost, not just the headline number.
Check waterproofing is included and certified. Some cheap quotes skip proper waterproofing. This is not where you save money.
Verify licences. Your builder should have a valid NSW contractor licence. Check it. Plumbers and electricians must be individually licensed too.
Don't pick the cheapest by default. In Sydney's bathroom renovation market, the lowest quote often means shortcuts on waterproofing, unlicensed trades, or variations later. The middle quote from a builder you trust is usually the best value.
We know bathroom renovations have a reputation for budget blowouts. We've built our process to prevent that:
Pre-construction inspection. Before we finalise your quote, we inspect properly. We look for waterproofing issues, plumbing condition, potential asbestos, and anything else that could cause surprises.
Fixed-price quotes. Once we've scoped your project properly, you get a fixed price. Not an estimate that grows—a number you can rely on.
Itemised proposals. We show you where every dollar goes. Demolition, waterproofing, tiling, fixtures, labour—all visible.
Quality inclusions. Our quotes include quality materials and proper waterproofing certification. We don't lowball and then upsell.
Your project is protected. We're a licenced builder (Licence 274849C), HIA member, and all projects over $20,000 are covered by the Home Building Compensation Fund—including 6-year coverage for major defects.
How much does a small bathroom renovation cost in Sydney?
A small bathroom (under 4m²) typically costs $18,000–$35,000 in Sydney. Smaller doesn't mean proportionally cheaper—labour and waterproofing costs stay similar regardless of size. Per square metre, small bathrooms often cost more than larger ones.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
Most bathroom renovations take 2–4 weeks of on-site work. Add 2–4 weeks beforehand for design finalisation, ordering fixtures, and any approval processes. Strata apartments typically take longer due to approval requirements.
Is it worth renovating a bathroom before selling?
Often yes—bathrooms strongly influence buyer perception. But keep the finish level appropriate to your home's overall value. A $60K bathroom in a $1.2M home makes sense. The same spend in a $700K home probably doesn't. For more on this, see our guide to renovation ROI.
Can I keep my existing bath and just renovate around it?
Sometimes. If your bath is in good condition and the right style, resurfacing ($400–$800) can refresh it. But if you're replacing all tiles, removing the bath is usually necessary to waterproof properly behind it.
What's the average bathroom renovation cost per square metre in Sydney?
Expect $2,500–$4,500 per square metre for a quality bathroom renovation in Sydney. A 6m² bathroom at mid-range finishes works out to roughly $15,000–$27,000 for the space itself, plus fixtures.
Do I need a builder or can I hire trades directly?
You can hire trades directly (it's called "owner-builder"), but coordinating plumber, electrician, waterproofer, and tiler sequencing is more complex than most people expect. Mistakes in sequencing cause delays and extra costs. Most people find the project management worth paying for.
How much contingency should I budget?
Set aside 10–15% on top of your quoted price for unexpected discoveries—old plumbing, water damage behind walls, asbestos. With a thorough pre-construction inspection (like we do), you'll need less contingency because fewer things will be a surprise.
The more prepared you are, the more accurate your quotes will be:
Know your budget range. Even a broad range ($25K–$40K) helps builders understand what's realistic.
Decide on layout changes. Are you keeping the current layout or moving things? This affects cost dramatically.
Gather inspiration. Pinterest, Instagram, magazines—knowing what you like helps builders understand your expected finish level.
List your must-haves. Heated floors? Freestanding bath? Double vanity? Know what's essential versus nice-to-have.
Get aligned with your partner. If you're renovating together, get on the same page about budget and priorities before talking to builders. It avoids difficult conversations later.
Check your strata rules (apartments). Before getting quotes, understand what your strata requires. Some buildings have additional restrictions.
Understand the process. Download our Ultimate Renovation Blueprint for a clear walkthrough of what to expect.
If building jargon confuses you, our Building Terms Dictionary explains everything in plain English.
If you're thinking about renovating your bathroom, the best first step is a conversation. Not a sales pitch—a genuine discussion about what you want, what's realistic, and what it might cost.
👉 Book a free planning call and we'll help you figure out the next steps.
Or if you have a quick question, get in touch—we're happy to help.
Thinking about renovating? Even if you're not entirely sure of the scope of your project yet, get in touch with us below with a few details and our licenced builder Cam will reach out to help your get started.
Want more expert insights? Explore these related articles to gain valuable tips and inspiration for your renovation journey.
