It's the first question almost everyone asks, and the honest answer is a range, not a number. What moves a bathroom renovation from the bottom of that range to the top isn't luxury tapware — it's what's hidden behind the walls. Here's how the cost actually breaks down, so the quote you sign is the price you pay.
The three tiers, roughly
Most Sydney bathroom renovations land in one of three bands. A straightforward refresh — new tiles, vanity, and fixtures in the same layout — sits at the lower end. A full renovation that moves plumbing, re-waterproofs, and upgrades finishes sits in the middle. A large or high-spec bathroom with structural change, underfloor heating, or premium stone reaches the top.
The layout is the single biggest lever. Keeping the toilet, shower, and vanity where they are keeps plumbing costs down. Move them, and you're paying to re-route drainage and water — which is often worth it, but should be a decision you make with the price in front of you.
Where the money really goes
A rough sense of proportion helps you read a quote and know it's honest:
- Waterproofing and tiling — the largest single line, and the one you never want done cheaply.
- Plumbing and electrical — more if fixtures move, less if they stay put.
- Fixtures and finishes — the part you control most; the range here is enormous.
- Demolition, rubbish removal, and making good — small but real, and often left off cheap quotes.
The quote that balloons
The renovations that blow their budget almost always started with a quote that was light on detail. A single line reading "bathroom renovation" leaves room for surprises. A quote that spells out waterproofing, the tile allowance, the fixture schedule, and what happens if something unexpected turns up behind the wall — that's the one that holds.
Ask for the inclusions in writing before you sign. If a builder won't put the scope on paper, that tells you what the job will feel like.
