How much do bathroom renovations cost in Melbourne?
Bathroom renovation in Melbourne costs $10,500–$21,000 for a basic renovation with budget fittings, $21,000–$36,750 for a mid-range fit-out, and $36,750–$57,750 for premium finishes. The final price depends on bathroom size, fixture quality, structural changes, and whether waterproofing needs redoing.
We've compiled pricing from bathroom renovators across Melbourne as of October 2026. All prices include GST.
Detailed Pricing — Bathroom Renovation Cost in Melbourne 2026
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic renovation (budget fittings) | $10,500total | $15,750 | $21,000 |
| Mid-range renovation | $21,000total | $28,350 | $36,750 |
| Premium renovation | $36,750total | $44,100 | $57,750 |
| Luxury renovation | $57,750total | $68,250 | $84,000 |
| Waterproofing | $735total | $1,475 | $3,675 |
| Tiling, supply and lay (floor + walls) | $2,950total | $5,250 | $7,900 |
| Vanity (supply + install) | $525total | $1,575 | $3,675 |
| Shower screen (frameless) | $840installed | $1,575 | $2,625 |
| Bath (freestanding, installed) | $1,575installed | $2,950 | $5,250 |
| Toilet (supply + install) | $420installed | $735 | $1,250 |
| Heated towel rail | $370installed | $680 | $1,250 |
| Plumbing rough-in | $2,100total | $3,150 | $5,250 |
| Demolition & disposal | $1,050total | $1,900 | $3,150 |
| Ensuite renovation (3–5 m², full strip-out, same layout) | $15,750total | $22,050 | $31,500 |
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Prices include GST. Based on Melbourne metro area, October 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
What each tier actually includes
Premium bathroom with layout changes
All the above at premium spec, plus: a freestanding stone or composite bath ($1,575–$5,250 installed), underfloor hydronic heating, a custom joinery vanity, floor-to-ceiling large-format porcelain tiles, niche shelving, designer lighting, a smart toilet, and plumbing relocation for the new layout. Melbourne's cool climate makes heated elements particularly worthwhile — they add cost but dramatically improve the daily experience.
Budget bathroom renovation cost in Melbourne (2026): what a cheap, mid-range and premium reno buys
A budget bathroom renovation in Melbourne costs $10,500–$21,000, with $15,750 typical: the existing layout kept, budget fittings, standard tiles, and the plumbing and waterproofing done properly. A mid-range renovation is $21,000–$36,750 and a premium one $36,750–$57,750. The jump between tiers is mostly fittings, tiles and whether the layout moves.
| Job | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic renovation (budget fittings) | $10,500 | $15,750 | $21,000 |
| Mid-range renovation | $21,000 | $28,350 | $36,750 |
| Premium renovation | $36,750 | $44,100 | $57,750 |
| Demolition & disposal | $1,050 | $1,900 | $3,150 |
| Waterproofing | $735 | $1,475 | $3,675 |
| Tiling, supply and lay (floor + walls) | $2,950 | $5,250 | $7,900 |
| Vanity (supply + install) | $525 | $1,575 | $3,675 |
| Toilet (supply + install) | $420 | $735 | $1,250 |
| Shower screen (frameless) | $840 | $1,575 | $2,625 |
Where a cheap bathroom renovation in Melbourne saves and where it cannot: the savings are in the fittings (a $525 vanity instead of $3,675, a framed shower screen instead of frameless at $840–$2,625), standard-size tiles and keeping the toilet, shower and vanity where they are so the plumbing stays put. Demolition ($1,050–$3,150), waterproofing ($735–$3,675) and tiling ($2,950–$7,900) are the same job whatever the budget, and waterproofing is the one line never to cut: a failed membrane is the most expensive bathroom fault there is.
What moves a bathroom renovation quote in Melbourne:
- Layout: moving the toilet or shower means new drainage through the slab or floor; keeping the layout is the biggest single saving.
- Size: a larger bathroom is more tiles, more waterproofing and more labour.
- Tiles: floor-to-ceiling, large format or feature tiles add material and laying time over a standard height in a standard size.
- Fittings: tapware, vanity, toilet and screen each span a wide price range at the same quality of installation.
- What is found: an older Melbourne home can hide rotten framing, old waterproofing or asbestos sheeting behind the tiles, all priced once uncovered.
For a renovation quote that holds, give the builder the room size, whether the layout changes and the tier of fittings you want; Melbourne renovators price the bands above from that.
Bathroom resurfacing in Melbourne
Resurfacing or renovating a Melbourne bathroom
Resurfacing, re-coating the tiles, bath or vanity you already have, is not a line in our Melbourne table, so we don't publish a resurfacing price. The nearest lines are a basic renovation with budget fittings at $10,500–$21,000, and new tiling for the floor and walls, supplied and laid, at $2,950–$7,900.
These answers use the prices in the table on this page.
What Affects Bathroom Renovation Costs in Melbourne
Renovation scope
A cosmetic refresh (repainting, new vanity, fixtures) costs far less than a full gut-and-rebuild. Most Melbourne bathroom renovations involve full strip-out, waterproofing, tiling, and new fixtures.
Fixture quality
Budget fixtures from Bunnings vs premium brands (Caroma, Parisi, Grohe) can triple the fixtures portion. A basic vanity is $525–$1,575; premium is $1,575–$3,675 in Melbourne.
Waterproofing
Waterproofing ($735–$3,675 in Melbourne) is legally required in wet areas under the National Construction Code. If existing waterproofing is compromised, it must be completely redone.
Tiling
Tiling ($2,950–$7,900 for floor and walls in Melbourne) varies hugely with tile choice and pattern. Large-format tiles cost less to lay per sqm than mosaics. Tile supply is separate from labour.
Plumbing & electrical
Moving plumbing points (toilet, shower, basin) in Melbourne adds to the plumbing rough-in, which costs $2,100–$5,250 on its own. Concrete slab homes cost more than timber-floor homes for plumbing relocation.
Project management
A builder managing all trades in Melbourne adds a management margin but saves you coordinating plumber, tiler, electrician, waterproofer, and painter yourself.
How to Save Money on Bathroom Renovation Cost in Melbourne
Heritage terrace ensuites and Melbourne's market
Melbourne's heritage terrace bathrooms are typically narrow, deep rooms with awkward plumbing runs. The standard Carlton, Fitzroy, and Brunswick scope adds a niche, replaces fittings, and upgrades waterproofing for $20,000–$35,000. Hawthorn, Toorak, and Brighton premium work running floor-to-ceiling natural stone with custom vanities and steam-shower fitouts pushes $30,000–$60,000. Outer corridor estate homes (Pakenham, Tarneit) refit at $12,000–$25,000.
Heritage overlays affect external bathroom modifications — replacement windows, vent stacks — in Yarra, Stonnington, and Boroondara council areas. Apartment owner's-corporation approvals add 4–8 weeks. Melbourne's high mineral content in council water occasionally affects tap and showerhead selection; local renovators specify high-quality cartridges that won't fail within the warranty window.
Permits, licensing and your protections in Victoria
A like-for-like bathroom renovation in Melbourne — same layout, replacing fixtures and finishes — generally doesn't need a building permit. The moment you alter the structure — for example removing or changing a load-bearing wall — a building permit from a registered building surveyor is usually required (relocating drainage is plumbing work that needs a licensed plumber and a compliance certificate); in the heritage-overlay councils noted above, a planning permit can apply on top of that and add weeks before work can start.
Plumbing and waterproofing are regulated in Victoria. Bathroom waterproofing is not plumbing work in Victoria — it must meet the National Construction Code (AS 3740 or the ABCB Housing Provisions) — while the plumbing itself must be done by a licensed plumber, who must issue a compliance certificate for all but minor jobs. If a renovator can't tell you who holds the plumbing licence on your job, treat that as the first red flag.
The part that protects your money: for domestic building work over $10,000 your renovator must use a major domestic building contract and be a registered building practitioner. From 1 July 2026, your builder must take out Home Warranty insurance for larger jobs on homes of 3 storeys or less after you sign the major domestic building contract, and you should receive a notice of cover. Home Warranty insurance covers work that is incomplete, faulty or non-compliant, and you may be able to claim if your builder cannot or will not complete or fix the work after you ask them to. From 2026 these protections are administered by Victoria's new Building & Plumbing Commission. After you sign a major domestic building contract you should receive a notice of cover for Home Warranty insurance — if you don't, contact the Building and Plumbing Commission to check you are covered.
Bathroom renovation cost by Melbourne area
| Area | Typical full reno | What drives the price |
|---|---|---|
| Inner heritage — Carlton, Fitzroy, Brunswick, Richmond | $20,000–$35,000 | Narrow terraces, awkward plumbing runs, heritage constraints |
| Premium inner-east & bayside — Hawthorn, Toorak, Brighton, Malvern | $30,000–$60,000+ | Natural stone, custom joinery, heated and steam fitouts |
| Middle ring — Glen Waverley, Preston, Essendon | $18,000–$32,000 | Standard full reno with quality fixtures |
| Outer growth corridor — Tarneit, Pakenham, Cranbourne, Werribee | $12,000–$25,000 | Newer homes, mostly like-for-like refits |
Bands are for a standard main-bathroom full renovation. Ensuites typically run 20–30% cheaper than a main bathroom of the same spec; a freestanding bath or relocated fixtures push you toward the top of each range.
Bathroom resurfacing vs a full renovation
Not every tired Melbourne bathroom needs a full renovation. Bathroom resurfacing — respraying the existing tiles, bath and vanity with a specialist coating — refreshes the look for a small fraction of a full reno’s cost, with no demolition, no waterproofing stage and usually just a day or two of work.
The catch: resurfacing is cosmetic. It won’t fix failed waterproofing, cracked substrate, a bad layout or ageing plumbing — the things that push renovations into the $10,500–$36,750 range in the first place. It suits rentals, homes heading to market, and structurally sound bathrooms that just look dated.
We’ve compared the two options in detail — costs, lifespan and when each makes sense: bathroom resurfacing cost vs full renovation.
Frequently Asked Questions — Bathroom Renovation Cost in Melbourne
Our Methodology
These are independent estimates from public cost guides, marketplaces and industry rate data, and no tradesperson can influence them, so always get a few quotes. Last reviewed October 2026. Read our full methodology →
Five deep-dives on Melbourne bathroom renovation cost
