Found the perfect new home but the bathroom isn’t right? Or maybe you’re just ready for a revamping. Either way, a bathroom renovation is a great way to lift the look of a home. But if you’re concerned about spending, you’re not alone.
According to the global design and home renovation website Houzz, “hotel bathroom” was a phrase that was searched four times more last year compared to the previous year. We all know that look—sleek stone surfaces, beautiful finishings and tapware. Even bathtubs were brought back over lockdown for more indulgent self-care routines.
And why not? 30 minutes is how long the average person spends in the bathroom each day, and that number’s certainly not getting lower now that remote work seems here to stay.
If you’re trying to figure out your bathroom renovation cost, look no further. We’re looking at data from the Housing Industry Association to help you budget your reno.
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How much does a bathroom renovation cost?
This is hard to measure exactly because the costs of a bathroom renovation can range anywhere from $10,000 – $30,000. The Housing Industry Association (HIA) states that the average homeowner spends about $17,000 on their bathroom renovation.
Here’s what affects the cost of your renovation:
- The size of the bathroom
- Materials you use (flooring, walls)
- Fittings you choose (tapware, sink, appliances)
- Costs of labour
- Costs of permits (if required)
How do I know how much I should spend on a bathroom renovation?
To help you figure out how much you can expect to spend, we’ve categorised the costs into three brackets:
You can break down the cost of a bathroom renovation into three price brackets:
On a budget
$5,000 – $15,000
This bracket is for smaller bathrooms which will have superficial renovations using low-cost materials and finishings. You probably won’t have the budget for many changes in plumbing or electricity. To compromise on cost, you can stick to large porcelain tiles that cost around $25 – $35 per square metre.
For the shower, framed shower screens are much cheaper than glass. A floor standing vanity is a good budget option as well as a back to wall toilet. Bunnings’ bathroom renovation section is a reliable source for all your materials.
Average spending
$15,000 – $30,000
This is for mid-size bathrooms using the standard priced materials and finishings. For $10,000 more you’re getting better fittings and materials. You can up your spending on bathroom tiles to $50 per square metre with the option of more elaborate mosaic tiling in the shower.
Your shower screen can now be upgraded to a frameless one for a sleeker look, or a free standing bathtub. Small changes can be made to electricity or plumbing if needed.
Premium spending
$30,000+
This is for luxury bathrooms which are usually larger and using premium materials and finishings. If you’ve got spending power, you can access top of the line fittings. Wall hung vanities are a popular choice. You may also up your price range on tiling to $60 per square metre.
What are labour costs on a bathroom renovation?
Bathroom tiling costs
This is where the size of your bathroom is the biggest deciding factor. The bigger it is, the more tiles you’ll have to use. Labourers usually quote you on a per square metre rate which can range from $35-$120 per square metre. The average sits at about $60, excluding the actual price of the tiles.
Wall tiles will cost you around $20-$25 for white ceramic tiles to fancy tiling up to $160 per square metre.
Bathroom plumbing costs
Plumbers charge hourly with rates ranging from $100-$150, as well as a call out fee of $80-$160. This depends on their skills and where you live. When you ask for a quote for a big project like a bathroom renovation, you can request for the it to be itemised so you can see how much they charge for each service.
Shower costs
The costs to rebuild a shower depend on their size, if they’re framed or framlesss. Framed showers cost around $500. Frameless shower screens are more expensive because they use thicker glass. Bigger showers may run up to $700.
Bathroom bathtub costs
Baths range in price from affordable and versatile acrylic, to durable cast iron and flexible fibreglass to high end natural stone. Expect to pay anywhere from $350 for a plumber to replace and fit a bath. New baths can range from as little as $400 to thousands of dollars, with stone freestanding versions at the upper end of the scale
Bathtubs also have a big range in pricing. Affordable options are acrylic, flexible fibreglass and cast iron, whereas luxurious settings are usually in natural stone. The bathtubs themselves can cost between $350-$10,000. Freestanding bathtubs are usually at a higher price point.
Toilet costs
Toilets range between $150-$800 with floor-mounted or wall-hung toilets at the end of the scale.
Vanity costs
Bathroom vanities have a variety of sizes, looks and finishes which means the costs depend on what you’re looking for. You can get a wall hung vanity for about $400 or spend up to $1,500 on more elaborate designs.
Waterproofing costs
Don’t forget that you’ll need to waterproof your bathroom. Because it’s a wet area and constantly exposed to water and steam, it can be vulnerable to leakages and extreme humidity. That can damage the construction of the bathroom.
The waterproofing costs for a bathroom renovation are usually between $500-$800.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
From start to end, including planning and design, with no big changes to plumbing or electricity, you can expect a bathroom renovation to take about 6-8 weeks. Make sure you also factor in time to look at the designs you’re after and choose all the materials and finishings you want.
Getting quotes from suppliers can also take at least a week so keep that in mind.
The labour itself could take 1-4 weeks depending on the changes you’re making. Don’t forget that little unforeseen events may arise and delay the project.
What tradespeople are needed and how much do they cost?
Bathroom renovators or builders: $63/hour
These professionals will handle everything for you, from the design to installation and waterproofing. This one-stop shop is a great option if you’re not sure where to start.
Carpenters: $50/hour
Help install custom cabinetry or vanities in your bathroom as well as any windows or wood elements.
Electricians: $76/hour
Electricity work would include lighting, heating, any power points and ventilation.
Plumbing: $80/hour
Your plumber will be a vital part of your bathroom renovation. Do research, get recommendations and make sure to get an itemised quote before going ahead. You’ll want a knowledgable plumber who you also work well with.
Painters: $40/hour
If you need any painting outside of the tiles, this is when you’d hire a painter.
Tilers: $45/hour
The tiling in a bathroom is what pulls everything together and gives it a good look. Good tilers have an eye for detail when they lay tiles, but also pay attention to drainage like in the shower.
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