How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Sydney?
Bathroom renovation in Sydney costs $11,500–$23,000 for a basic renovation with budget fittings, $23,000–$40,250 for a mid-range fit-out, and $40,250–$63,250 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 Sydney as of October 2026. All prices include GST.
Detailed Pricing — Bathroom Renovation Cost in Sydney 2026
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic renovation (budget fittings) | $11,500total | $17,250 | $23,000 |
| Mid-range renovation | $23,000total | $31,050 | $40,250 |
| Premium renovation | $40,250total | $48,300 | $63,250 |
| Luxury renovation | $63,250total | $74,750 | $92,000 |
| Waterproofing | $805total | $1,600 | $4,025 |
| Tiling, supply and lay (floor + walls) | $3,225total | $5,750 | $8,600 |
| Vanity (supply + install) | $575total | $1,725 | $4,025 |
| Shower screen (frameless) | $920installed | $1,725 | $2,875 |
| Bath (freestanding, installed) | $1,725installed | $3,225 | $5,750 |
| Toilet (supply + install) | $460installed | $805 | $1,375 |
| Heated towel rail | $400installed | $745 | $1,375 |
| Plumbing rough-in | $2,300total | $3,450 | $5,750 |
| Demolition & disposal | $1,150total | $2,075 | $3,450 |
| Ensuite renovation (3–5 m², full strip-out, same layout) | $17,250total | $24,150 | $34,500 |
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Prices include GST. Based on Sydney metro area, October 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
What each tier actually includes
Sutherland Shire & South
Cronulla, Miranda, Hurstville, Kogarah. Mixed housing stock from fibro cottages to modern townhouses. Older fibro homes (pre-1980s) often contain asbestos — budget for licensed removal. Sandy soil in shire areas can cause minor foundation movement that affects tiling. Good access for most properties keeps trade costs moderate compared to inner-city work.
Standard main bathroom — full renovation, same layout
Complete strip-out and demolition ($1,150–$3,450), new waterproofing with certificate ($805–$4,025), floor and wall tiling ($3,225–$8,600), new vanity ($575–$4,025), toilet ($460–$1,375), frameless shower screen ($920–$2,875), tapware and mixers, bath replacement or resurfacing, plumbing rough-in ($2,300–$5,750), electrical, and painting and finishing. This is where most Sydney bathrooms land. Keeping the existing layout keeps the plumbing cost down.
Premium bathroom — layout changes, high-end finishes
Everything above, plus: a freestanding bath ($1,725–$5,750 installed), underfloor heating, a custom joinery vanity, a frameless glass shower screen ($920–$2,875), premium floor-to-ceiling porcelain tiles, a heated towel rail ($400–$1,375 installed), a smart toilet, niche shelving, and designer lighting. Relocating plumbing for a new layout adds to the plumbing rough-in ($2,300–$5,750), and structural work to expand the bathroom footprint is priced on top.
Wet room conversion
An increasingly popular option in Sydney, wet rooms eliminate the shower screen by tanking the entire floor. This requires meticulous waterproofing (the entire floor acts as a shower base) and precise falls for drainage. The extra cost over a standard bathroom is mainly in additional waterproofing and tiling labour (on a standard bathroom, waterproofing costs $805–$4,025 and tiling $3,225–$8,600). The result is a spacious, accessible bathroom that works particularly well in compact spaces.
What Affects Bathroom Renovation Costs in Sydney
Renovation scope
A cosmetic refresh (repainting, new vanity, fixtures) costs far less than a full gut-and-rebuild. Most Sydney 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 $575–$1,725; premium is $1,725–$4,025 in Sydney.
Waterproofing
Waterproofing ($805–$4,025 in Sydney) is legally required in wet areas under the National Construction Code. If existing waterproofing is compromised, it must be completely redone. In NSW a contractor licence is needed for waterproofing work valued at more than $5,000 in labour and materials.
Tiling
Tiling ($3,225–$8,600 for floor and walls in Sydney) 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 Sydney adds to the plumbing rough-in, which costs $2,300–$5,750 on its own. Concrete slab homes cost more than timber-floor homes for plumbing relocation.
Project management
A builder managing all trades in Sydney adds a management margin but saves you coordinating plumber, tiler, electrician, waterproofer, and painter yourself.
How to Save Money on Bathroom Renovation Cost in Sydney
Bathroom renovation cost breakdown in Sydney
Sydney bathroom renovation costs break down roughly as follows for a standard main bathroom (4–6m²): waterproofing ($805–$4,025), tiling including supply ($3,225–$8,600), vanity and basin ($575–$4,025), a freestanding bath if included ($1,725–$5,750), a frameless shower screen ($920–$2,875), toilet ($460–$1,375), plumbing rough-in ($2,300–$5,750) and demolition ($1,150–$3,450), plus tapware, electrical and painting. Most standard main bathrooms land in the mid-range band of $23,000–$40,250 all-in.
Waterproofing is non-negotiable in Sydney: wet areas must meet the National Construction Code, which accepts compliance with AS 3740 or the ABCB Housing Provisions. Always confirm your tiler holds a current licence and that waterproofing will be certified. A failed waterproofing membrane is one of the most expensive defects to fix once tiling is complete, because the tiles have to come off to reach it. Ask your builder to show you the waterproofing certificate before any tiles go down.
Average bathroom renovation costs → · Full budget breakdown → · Avoiding budget blowout →
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 →
Sydney's small-space premium and strata reality
Sydney bathroom renovation costs vary more with the house and the finish than with the postcode. Imported tile, frameless glass screens and feature tapware are more common in the Eastern Suburbs and Lower North Shore, while builder-spec work is more common in Western Sydney. Apartment bathroom renovations in the Eastern Suburbs and Inner City need strata approval, which routinely delays the start by 4–6 weeks.
Sydney's older housing stock — particularly inner-east terraces — frequently has bathrooms upstairs over wet-area-incompatible structural slabs. Wet-area waterproofing must meet the National Construction Code (AS 3740 or the ABCB Housing Provisions), and tiling ($3,225–$8,600) and waterproofing ($805–$4,025) together make up a large share of total bathroom scope. Underestimating this is the most common Sydney quote-variance driver.
Average bathroom renovation cost in Sydney: small, ensuite and budget jobs
The average bathroom renovation in Sydney is a basic job with budget fittings at $11,500–$23,000, with most averaging $17,250 total. A mid-range renovation runs $23,000–$40,250 (typically $31,050), a premium renovation $40,250–$63,250, and a luxury build $63,250–$92,000 — the tier is set by tiling scope and the fittings, not by the size of the room.
A small bathroom or ensuite renovation in Sydney uses the same trade rows at the compact end: demolition and disposal $1,150–$3,450, waterproofing $805–$4,025, plumbing rough-in $2,300–$5,750 and floor-plus-wall tiling $3,225–$8,600. Those four wet-area items are what set the floor of the basic tier at $11,500 — a smaller footprint trims the tiling and the fittings, not the rough-in.
On a tight budget the fittings are where the range opens up: a vanity is $575–$4,025 supplied and installed, a frameless shower screen $920–$2,875, a toilet $460–$1,375 and a heated towel rail $400–$1,375. A freestanding bath adds $1,725–$5,750 installed, so keeping the existing bath is the single biggest saving in a budget Sydney renovation.
Frequently Asked Questions — Bathroom Renovation Cost in Sydney
Five deep-dives on Sydney bathroom renovation cost
