Bathroom Renovation Cost Sydney (2026)

How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost in Sydney? (2026 Guide)

Quick answer: A bathroom renovation in Sydney costs between $25,000 and $70,000 in 2026, with most mid-range projects landing at $38,000 to $55,000.

Not sure where your project sits? Use our bathroom renovation calculator to get an estimate in under a minute.

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.

For a real-world example in the mid-range tier, see our recent two-bathroom renovation in Mt Pritchard, where we stripped and rebuilt both bathrooms across a single job.

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. ABS construction price data confirms that building costs continue to rise, with labour remaining 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. A thorough pre-construction inspection helps identify these issues before they become mid-project surprises.

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. For a walkthrough of how the full process works, see renovating with LikeSilk.

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

Got two or three bathroom quotes and unsure why they look so different? The short version is that they are almost certainly scoping different jobs, even when the words look the same. Check itemised breakdowns, PC allowances for tapware and vanities, written exclusions (strata fees, waste removal, certification), and whether waterproofing is specified as a membrane or listed vaguely as “to code”. The headline price is rarely where the real story is.

For the full framework with a worked example comparing three quotes for the same bathroom, read our guide on how to compare renovation quotes. Before signing with any builder, use our building contract checklist to make sure nothing is missed.

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.

Clear pricing, fixed or cost-plus. Once we’ve scoped your project properly, you get a detailed quote with a contract that suits the job. Most bathroom renovations sit well on a fixed-price contract; older homes with structural unknowns can be better served by cost-plus. Either way, you get a number you can rely on and no surprises. See our guide to fixed-price vs cost-plus contracts for how each works.

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. CoreLogic property data consistently shows that 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. Here’s how that breaks down by finish level:

These figures cover the space itself. Add fixtures, fittings, and project management on top.

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 do I avoid unexpected costs?

The best protection is a thorough pre-construction inspection before your quote is finalised. When your builder inspects properly upfront, the quote reflects reality rather than assumptions. A fixed-price quote from a builder who has done their due diligence should be the number you pay.

North Shore Sydney: What to Expect on Pricing

If you’re on Sydney’s North Shore, a few factors push bathroom renovation costs slightly higher than the Sydney average.

Labour rates run 10 to 15% above Western Sydney. North Shore trades are in high demand, and the quality expected on homes in Mosman, Cremorne, Neutral Bay, and Lane Cove commands premium rates.

Older homes mean more surprises. Many North Shore properties were built before 1990. Asbestos, galvanised pipes, and substandard waterproofing from previous renovations are common. Budget accordingly.

Council and strata processes vary. Ku-ring-gai, Willoughby, and Mosman councils each have different requirements and approval timelines. If your property has a heritage overlay, factor in additional time and potentially design constraints.

All pricing in this guide reflects 2026 North Shore and Greater Sydney rates.

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.

Related Reading

• Small Bathroom Renovation Ideas for Sydney Homes
• Bathroom Renovation Checklist
• Bathroom Fixtures and Tapware Guide
• How Long Does a Bathroom Renovation Take?
• Bathroom Renovation Calculator
• Kitchen Renovation Costs in Sydney (2026 Guide)
• DA vs CDC: What You Need to Know
• 10 Questions to Ask Your Builder Before Signing
• Why Early Builder Involvement Matters
• The Real Cost of Cheap Renovations
• Fixed-Price vs Cost-Plus Contracts
• Building Contract Checklist
• Home Extensions in Sydney