A rough guide, not a quote
Every bathroom is different, so these are deliberately broad. They're here to help you work out whether you're planning a refresh or a full renovation, not to price your room. A proper on-site measure is the only way to give you a customised price.
| Type of job | Rough 2026 guide (AUD) | What it usually looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh or small room | About $5,000 – $18,000 | Partial updates with no strip-out, powder rooms, separate toilets and most laundries |
| Full bathroom or ensuite | About $15,000 – $35,000 | Stripped back to the frame: new waterproofing, tiles, shower, vanity, toilet and fan |
| Larger, accessible or complex | About $30,000 and up | Bigger rooms, step-free showers, moved walls or plumbing, or a bathroom and ensuite together |
The bands overlap on purpose. A small bathroom in an old cottage can cost more than a bigger one in a newer brick veneer house, because of what turns up once the old room is opened.
What moves the price
Size and scope. More floor and wall area means more board, membrane, tile and labour. Tiling to the ceiling adds some tile and time.
Layout changes. Keeping the toilet, shower and vanity where they are is the cheapest path. Moving a waste on a concrete slab is the biggest single variable in brick veneer homes.
What the house is hiding. Fibro linings that need asbestos testing and licensed removal, soft floor framing under an old shower, and original galvanised pipes are common in Illawarra cottages and post-war homes.
Tiles and finishes. Large-format tiles need flatter walls; herringbone, mosaics and mitred corners take longer. Tapware, vanities and screens range widely.
Access and building type. Units bring strata requirements, restricted hours and stairs. Steep escarpment blocks mean more carrying.
Ventilation and extras. A fan ducted outside, niches, heated floors and extra lighting all add a little each.
What doesn't add much
Tiles to the ceiling. A bit more tile and labour, no more peeling paint.
A proper fan. Small compared with the job, and the best mould fix going.
Grab-rail blocking. Almost nothing while the walls are open.
A fixed glass panel instead of a framed door. Often similar money, much easier to clean.
When a partial update makes more sense
If the bathroom is from the nineties or later, the shower's not leaking, the floor's solid and the tiles are sound, you may not need a full renovation. New tapware, a vanity and mirror cabinet, better lighting, a regrout and a proper fan can transform how it feels. Honest advice at the measure should include that option when it fits.
Rules on payments
- Deposit capped at 10 per cent for residential building work in NSW
- Home building compensation cover required before a deposit is requested on jobs over $20,000
- Written contract required above the statutory threshold
- Progress payments tied to finished stages, not dates
If someone wants a big chunk upfront, or won't put it in writing, walk away.
Comparing quotes
Ask every quote to confirm:
- Is asbestos testing included? How would removal be priced?
- What's the allowance for rot or structural repairs?
- Which pipes are being replaced?
- Fittings by brand and model, and the tile allowance
- Waterproofing method and cure time
- Fan model and where it vents
- Access and waste removal
- Program in working days
Every job is different — get a proper quote
Two bathrooms the same size can land in different bands. The only way to get a customised price is a proper on-site measure: we look at the floor, the walls, the pipes, the access and what you want, then give you a written, fixed quote with fittings named and allowances stated.
Renovation work is carried out in partnership with Coastal Renovation Group, a licensed NSW builder. Licence and insurance details are provided on request. See how a job runs and common questions, or read up on shower chairs and stools and how to tile a bathroom.
Book your free measure: call 02 4214 4073 or send the bathroom details through.
Questions people ask before they commit
Are Wollongong bathroom renovations cheaper than Sydney?
Often a little, but not dramatically. Materials cost about the same, and the trades, waterproofing and compliance involved are identical. Older Illawarra homes also frequently need asbestos testing, pipework and floor repairs that add to the figure.
What's the cheapest way to improve a bathroom?
If the waterproofing is sound, a partial update: new tapware, vanity, mirror cabinet, lighting, a regrout and a better fan. That can cost a fraction of a full renovation. If the shower's leaking, though, the cheap option usually costs more in the end.
How much deposit should I pay?
In NSW, no more than 10 per cent for residential building work. For jobs over $20,000, home building compensation cover has to be in place before a deposit is requested.
Why do quotes for the same bathroom vary so much?
Usually because they include different things. One might allow for asbestos testing, new pipes and full-height tiles; another might not. Ask every quote the same questions and compare line by line.