How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Melbourne?
Melbourne's bathroom renovation market has grown steadily through 2025–2026, with the average complete renovation now costing between $20,000 and $45,000 for a standard finish. Premium renovations with luxury fixtures, underfloor heating, and custom joinery regularly reach $50,000–$70,000+. These prices include all trades, materials, waterproofing, and compliance — the full picture, not just the headline quote.
Melbourne generally sits 10–15% below Sydney for equivalent bathroom work, partly due to lower trade rates and partly because Melbourne's housing stock is somewhat more accessible to work on (fewer multi-storey terrace houses, more single-level brick veneer). However, Melbourne's climate creates unique considerations: underfloor heating is far more popular here than in any other Australian city, and moisture management in the cooler months requires careful attention to ventilation and waterproofing.
We've drawn pricing from local Melbourne renovators, the HIA, and Victorian trade databases to give you a comprehensive, suburb-specific guide to bathroom renovation costs in 2026.
| Service | Low | High | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic renovation (budget fittings) | $10,500 | $21,000 | $15,750 total |
| Mid-range renovation | $21,000 | $36,750 | $28,350 total |
| Premium renovation | $36,750 | $57,750 | $44,100 total |
| Luxury renovation | $57,750 | $84,000 | $68,250 total |
| Waterproofing | $1,050 | $3,150 | $1,890 total |
| Tiling (floor + walls) | $2,100 | $6,300 | $3,675 total |
| Vanity (supply + install) | $525 | $3,675 | $1,575 total |
| Shower screen (frameless) | $840 | $2,625 | $1,575 installed |
| Bath (freestanding, installed) | $1,575 | $5,250 | $2,940 installed |
| Toilet (supply + install) | $420 | $1,260 | $735 installed |
| Heated towel rail | $210 | $630 | $368 installed |
| Plumbing rough-in | $2,100 | $5,250 | $3,150 total |
| Demolition & disposal | $1,050 | $3,150 | $1,890 total |
Prices include GST. Based on Melbourne metro area, Feb 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
Melbourne's renovation costs are shaped by property age, accessibility, and local trade competition. Inner suburbs with heritage properties cost significantly more than outer growth corridors with modern homes.
Inner Melbourne
Fitzroy, Richmond, Prahran, Carlton, Northcote. Victorian and Edwardian homes with small, awkward bathroom layouts. Heritage overlay areas may restrict external changes. Original lead pipes, lath-and-plaster walls, and cast-iron drains are common — expect remediation work to add $2,000–$5,000. Many inner-Melbourne bathrooms were last renovated in the 1980s–90s with questionable waterproofing that must be completely redone. Parking and access restrictions increase trade costs by 10–15%.
Eastern Suburbs
Hawthorn, Camberwell, Box Hill, Glen Waverley. Predominantly 1950s–70s brick veneer homes with standard bathroom sizes. Generally good access for tradespeople. Asbestos is common in homes built before 1990 — always test sheeting behind tiles before demolition. This belt offers a good balance of competitive trade rates and quality renovators. Double-brick construction provides solid walls for heavy fixtures like wall-hung vanities.
Western & Northern Growth Areas
Werribee, Craigieburn, Point Cook, Tarneit. Newer homes (2000s–2020s) with standard bathroom layouts that are straightforward to renovate. The most affordable area for bathroom renovations in Greater Melbourne. Slab-on-ground construction makes toilet relocation expensive — if you can keep the toilet where it is, you'll save $1,500–$3,500. Strong competition among tradespeople in these areas keeps prices competitive.
Bayside & South-East
Brighton, Sandringham, Cheltenham, Mornington. Coastal moisture means marine-grade fixtures and stainless fixings are advisable. Higher client expectations push finishes and fixtures into the premium range. Sand-belt properties can have reactive clay soil affecting foundations — check for cracking before major plumbing work. Underfloor heating is particularly popular in this demographic, adding $1,200–$3,000 to the project.
Here's what real bathroom renovations cost in Melbourne when every line item is included. These aren't aspirational estimates — they reflect what Melbourne homeowners are actually paying in 2026.
Small ensuite cosmetic refresh — no layout changes
New floor and wall tiles ($1,800–$3,500 including labour), replacement vanity and basin ($600–$2,000), new tapware ($250–$700), new shower screen ($400–$1,200 semi-frameless), painting ($400–$700), and accessories. Assumes existing waterproofing is still compliant — a waterproofing inspection ($200–$400) before tiling is strongly recommended even for cosmetic jobs.
Standard family bathroom — full renovation, same layout
Complete strip-out ($1,200–$2,500), new waterproofing with certificate ($1,500–$3,000), floor and wall tiling ($3,500–$7,000), vanity ($1,000–$3,000), toilet ($350–$1,000), frameless shower screen ($900–$2,200), tapware ($500–$1,200), bath replacement ($600–$2,500), plumbing labour ($2,000–$4,500), electrical ($800–$2,000), painting and finishing ($600–$1,200). Add underfloor heating ($1,200–$2,800) and a heated towel rail ($400–$1,000) — in Melbourne, these aren't luxuries, they're practically essentials for a comfortable bathroom during the cooler months.
Premium bathroom with layout changes
All the above at premium spec, plus: freestanding stone or composite bath ($1,800–$6,000), underfloor hydronic heating ($2,500–$5,000), custom joinery vanity ($2,500–$7,000), floor-to-ceiling large-format porcelain tiles ($5,000–$10,000), niche shelving, designer lighting, smart toilet, and plumbing relocation for new layout ($2,000–$5,000 per fixture). Melbourne's cool climate makes heated elements particularly worthwhile — they add cost but dramatically improve the daily experience.
Bathroom size
A small ensuite (3–4sqm) costs significantly less than a main bathroom (6–8sqm). More floor area = more tiling, waterproofing, and materials.
Waterproofing
Mandatory in Australia. All wet areas must be waterproofed to Australian Standards. This costs $1,000–$3,000 and must be inspected before tiling.
Tile selection
Basic tiles cost $20–$40/sqm. Premium large-format or feature tiles run $80–$200/sqm. Tile choice is one of the biggest variables in a bathroom budget.
Layout changes
Moving the toilet, shower, or vanity means new plumbing runs, which adds $2,000–$5,000 to the job.
Fixture quality
A builder-grade vanity is $300–$800. A custom floating vanity is $1,500–$4,000. Similar ranges apply to taps, showers, and accessories.
Structural issues
Water damage, rotten framing, or asbestos discovered during demolition can add $2,000–$10,000 in unexpected costs.
Victoria has robust consumer protections for bathroom renovations, administered by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) and Consumer Affairs Victoria. Understanding these requirements protects your investment and gives you legal recourse if things go wrong.
Registered builders: Any bathroom renovation costing more than $10,000 must be carried out by a registered domestic builder (or the work must be supervised by one). Check your builder's registration at the VBA website — it takes 30 seconds and could save you thousands.
Domestic Building Insurance (DBI): Required for all domestic building work over $16,000. The builder must provide a DBI certificate before work starts. This insurance protects you if the builder dies, disappears, or becomes insolvent before completing or rectifying the work. If your builder says DBI doesn't apply, question them.
Waterproofing: Must comply with AS 3740 and the National Construction Code. In Victoria, the waterproofing must be inspected by a registered building surveyor before tiles are laid. Your renovator should coordinate this inspection — if they skip it, the tiling work is non-compliant. Waterproofing compliance certificates should be retained with your property records.
Plumbing: Must be done by a licensed plumber registered with the VBA. All plumbing work requires a Compliance Certificate lodged with the relevant water authority. Gas work requires additional endorsement. Your plumber should provide these certificates without you having to chase them.
Electrical: Must be completed by a registered electrical contractor. A Certificate of Electrical Safety must be issued and lodged with Energy Safe Victoria. In bathrooms, all circuits must have RCD (safety switch) protection, and specific zones around water sources dictate what electrical fixtures can be installed where.
Melbourne's climate, housing stock, and building regulations create unique factors that affect both the cost and design of bathroom renovations. Understanding these helps you make smarter decisions.
Underfloor heating is almost essential. Melbourne's cool winters (minimum temperatures regularly dropping below 5°C from June to August) make stepping onto cold tiles genuinely unpleasant. Electric underfloor heating costs $1,200–$3,000 installed for a standard bathroom and adds only $30–$60 per year to electricity bills. Hydronic heating (warm water pipes) costs more to install ($2,500–$5,000) but is cheaper to run long-term, especially if connected to a gas boiler. If you're renovating, adding underfloor heating during the project costs a fraction of retrofitting later.
Ventilation matters more in cooler climates. Melbourne bathrooms produce significant condensation in winter, which can lead to mould if ventilation is inadequate. A quality exhaust fan ($300–$600 installed) with a timer or humidity sensor is a worthwhile investment. Consider specifying a window with an openable section if your bathroom has one, and avoid purely decorative fixed glass.
Reactive clay soils in western and northern suburbs cause ground movement that can crack tiles and compromise waterproofing. If you're in Werribee, Craigieburn, or similar areas, your renovator should use flexible waterproofing membranes and allow for movement joints in tiling. These measures add a modest $200–$500 to the cost but prevent much more expensive failures.
Heritage overlays in inner Melbourne can restrict bathroom modifications that affect the external appearance of the property, including window changes, new exhaust fan penetrations through heritage walls, or alterations visible from the street. Check with your local council before finalising plans.
Our Methodology
Prices on this page are compiled from publicly available cost guides, tradie marketplaces (ServiceSeeking, hipages, Airtasker, Service.com.au), industry body data (HIA, Master Builders), and individual tradesperson websites across Australia. We cross-reference ranges from multiple sources and adjust for city-specific cost differences based on advertised rates, salary data, and cost-of-living indicators. Our guides are independently produced — we don't employ tradespeople and have no financial incentive to inflate or deflate prices. All prices are estimates and will vary based on your specific job. Always get at least 3 quotes. Last reviewed February 2026. Read our full methodology →