How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost in Sydney? (2026 Guide)
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 to $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 to $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 to $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.
What’s Changed for Bathroom Renovation Costs in 2026
If you’ve been researching bathroom renovation costs for a while, here’s what’s shifted:
Prices have increased 5 to 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 to $120/m2 for installation versus $50 to $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 to 6 weeks) after the disruptions of 2022 to 2024.
What Actually Affects Bathroom Renovation Costs in Sydney
Bathroom Size
Size matters, but not always how you’d expect:
Small bathroom (up to 4m2): $25,000 to $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 to 8m2): $35,000 to $55,000 The most common size. Enough space for a good layout without excessive costs.
Large bathroom (8m2+): $50,000 to $80,000+ More materials, more tiling, potentially more fixtures (double vanity, separate bath and shower).
Layout Changes
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 to $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
Waterproofing isn’t optional. It’s required by the National Construction Code. In Sydney, this typically costs $1,500 to $3,500 depending on bathroom size.
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.
Tiles
Tiling is often the most visible part of your bathroom, and one of the most variable costs.
Tile costs (materials only):
- Basic ceramic: $30 to $60 per m2
- Mid-range porcelain: $60 to $120 per m2
- Premium stone/designer: $120 to $200+ per m2
Installation costs: $50 to $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 to $8,000 total for tiles and installation.
Fixtures and Fittings
This is where budgets can blow out fast, or where smart choices save money.
Toilet: $300 to $1,500 (wall-hung toilets cost more but look cleaner and make floor cleaning easier)
Vanity: $800 to $4,000+ (floating vanities, stone tops, and custom joinery push costs up)
Shower screen: $600 to $2,500 (frameless costs more than semi-frameless or framed)
Tapware: $200 to $1,500 per set (you get what you pay for. Cheap tapware fails faster)
Bath: $500 to $8,000+ (acrylic insert at the low end, freestanding stone at the high end)
Heated towel rail: $300 to $800 installed
Underfloor heating: $800 to $2,000 for a typical bathroom
Labour Costs in Sydney
Labour typically accounts for 50 to 60% of your total bathroom renovation cost in Sydney. This isn’t negotiable. Bathrooms require multiple licensed trades:
- Plumber (licensed, required by law)
- Waterproofer (licensed, required for warranty)
- Electrician (licensed, required by law)
- Tiler
- Carpenter/builder
- Painter
Sydney trades charge $80 to $150+ per hour depending on the trade. Trying to save money by using unlicensed workers for plumbing or electrical is illegal and dangerous.
2026 Bathroom Renovation Cost Breakdown (Sydney)
Here’s where your money actually goes in a mid-range Sydney bathroom renovation ($38,000 to $55,000):
Labour and trades: $15,000 to $25,000 (40 to 45% of budget) Plumber, electrician, tiler, waterproofer, carpenter, painter. Coordination and project management.
Tiles and installation: $5,000 to $10,000 (13 to 18% of budget) Floor and wall tiles, adhesive, grout, installation labour.
Fixtures and fittings: $6,000 to $12,000 (15 to 22% of budget) Toilet, vanity, shower screen, tapware, mirror, accessories.
Plumbing and waterproofing: $4,000 to $7,000 (10 to 13% of budget) New pipework if needed, waterproofing membrane, compliance certification.
Electrical: $2,000 to $4,000 (5 to 7% of budget) Lighting, exhaust fan, heated towel rail, power points.
Demolition and removal: $1,500 to $3,000 (3 to 5% of budget) Full strip-out of old bathroom, skip bin, disposal.
What’s NOT included in these figures:
- Design fees (if using an interior designer separately)
- Structural work (moving walls, new windows)
- Council or strata application fees
- Asbestos removal (common in pre-1990 Sydney homes)
- Fixing existing water damage or structural issues
Hidden Costs That Catch People Out
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 to $150. Removal costs $1,500 to $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 to $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 to $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 to 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.
Budget Bathroom Renovations in Sydney: How to Save
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 to $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 addition. 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.
What It’s Actually Like Living Through a Bathroom Renovation
Timeline: Most bathroom renovations take 2 to 4 weeks once work begins. Add 2 to 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:
- Use another bathroom in the house if available
- Arrange to shower at a gym, work, or family member’s place
- For longer renovations, some people stay elsewhere for the demolition and waterproofing phase
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 to 72 hours depending on product). Tiles need to set. This isn’t something you can rush without compromising quality.
We’ll give you a clear schedule before work starts so you can plan around it.
Do You Need Council or Strata Approval for a Bathroom Renovation?
Private Homes
No approval typically needed for:
- Replacing tiles, fixtures, and fittings
- New vanity, toilet, shower screen
- Cosmetic updates
- Like-for-like replacements
May need approval (CDC or DA) for:
- Adding a new bathroom
- Moving walls
- Changing window sizes
- Anything that affects the building envelope
Not sure about DA vs CDC approvals? We break down the differences.
Apartments and Strata
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:
- Written approval from the owners corporation
- Waterproofing warranty from a licensed waterproofer
- Restricted working hours
- Protection of common areas
- Sometimes a bond
Start the strata approval process 4 to 8 weeks before you want to begin work.
For more detail, see NSW Fair Trading’s renovation guide.
How to Compare Bathroom Renovation Quotes
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.
How LikeSilk Prices Bathroom Renovations
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 licensed 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.
Common Questions About Bathroom Renovation Costs in Sydney
How much does a small bathroom renovation cost in Sydney?
A small bathroom (under 4m2) typically costs $18,000 to $35,000 in Sydney. Smaller doesn’t mean proportionally cheaper. Labour and waterproofing costs stay similar regardless of size.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
Most bathroom renovations take 2 to 4 weeks of on-site work. Add 2 to 4 weeks beforehand for design finalisation, ordering fixtures, and any approval processes.
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.
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 to $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 to $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 to $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. Most people find the project management worth paying for.
How much contingency should I budget?
Set aside 10 to 15% on top of your quoted price for unexpected discoveries. With a thorough pre-construction inspection, you’ll need less contingency because fewer things will be a surprise.
Before You Get Quotes
The more prepared you are, the more accurate your quotes will be:
Know your budget range. Even a broad range ($25K to $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.
Check your strata rules (apartments). Before getting quotes, understand what your strata requires.
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.
Ready to Plan Your Bathroom Renovation?
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.
