Where your bathroom renovation budget goes in Wollongong
A mid-range Wollongong bathroom renovation lands around $29,150 in 2026. Here is where every dollar of it actually goes — and the three things most likely to push it past that.
Quick answer — where a $29,150 Wollongong bathroom goes
| Line item | Typical cost | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Trades labour (plumbing, tiling, electrical, carpentry) | $10,800 | ~37% |
| Fixtures and fittings (vanity, toilet, screen, tapware) | $6,400 | ~22% |
| Tiles — supply and lay | $5,300 | ~18% |
| Demolition, disposal and making good | $2,600 | ~9% |
| Waterproofing | $1,900 | ~7% |
| Contingency (approx. 10%) | $2,150 | ~7% |
The breakdown, line by line
Labour — the biggest single share
Roughly 35–40% of a Wollongong bathroom is trade labour. A licensed plumber handles the rough-in ($2,150–$5,400), the tiler is usually the longest single trade on site, and you will also pay an electrician, a waterproofer, and often a carpenter for framing or niche work. Illawarra trade rates sit below Sydney's but the gap has narrowed — many Wollongong bathroom trades also work the southern Sydney market, and they price accordingly.
Waterproofing — never the place to save
Waterproofing is only $1,075–$3,775 of the job but causes the overwhelming majority of bathroom failures. In NSW it must comply with AS 3740 and is classed as specialist work. A failed membrane means water in the wall cavity, rotten framing, and a second full renovation. It is also the line that most often voids a home warranty claim when it has not been done and certified properly.
Tiles and tiling
Tiling floor and walls runs $2,150–$6,500 in Wollongong depending on tile choice and bathroom size. Budget ceramic sits at the bottom of that band; imported porcelain and stone-look formats sit at the top, and small or intricately patterned rooms cost more to lay because the work is mostly cuts and junctions rather than open runs. Together, tiles and tiling are usually about a fifth of the job.
Fixtures and prime cost items
Vanity ($540–$3,775), toilet suite ($430–$1,300), shower screen ($865–$2,700) and a bath if you are keeping one ($1,625–$5,400) make up the prime cost allowance. This is the easiest line to blow out, because the showroom upgrade always looks worth it in the moment and the difference between the allowance and what you actually choose comes straight out of your pocket.
Demolition and the contingency
Demolition and disposal runs $1,075–$3,250, and it is the line that decides whether your contingency gets spent. Everything hidden in the walls becomes visible the day the tiles come off — which is exactly why the contingency exists.
What pushes the number above $29,150
Three things, in order. Moving plumbing — relocating the toilet or shower adds $1,500–$4,000 and often means cutting concrete. Premium tiles and fittings — an easy $6,000 over standard once stone-look formats and frameless screens are chosen. And hidden remediation — rot, asbestos sheeting, or old failed waterproofing found at demolition. A premium Wollongong bathroom routinely reaches $37,800–$59,400 once all three stack up.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of a bathroom renovation is labour?
In Wollongong, roughly 35–40% of the total. On a $29,150 mid-range bathroom that is around $10,000–$11,500 in combined plumbing, tiling, electrical and carpentry labour.
How much should waterproofing cost in Wollongong?
$1,075–$3,775 for a standard bathroom, depending on size and the number of wet zones. It is a small share of the total but the most important line on the quote — it must comply with AS 3740 and should never be cut to save money.
How much does tiling cost in a Wollongong bathroom?
Tiling floor and walls typically runs $2,150–$6,500 depending on tile choice and bathroom size. Larger-format tiles lay faster than mosaics, and tile supply is quoted separately from laying labour.
What is a prime cost item?
An allowance your builder includes for products you choose later — typically tiles, tapware, vanity and screen. If you select fittings dearer than the allowance, you pay the difference, and it is the most common source of budget overrun.
How much contingency should I allow?
At least 10%, and more on an older Illawarra home. Lifting old tiles and wall linings frequently exposes rot, asbestos sheeting, or failed waterproofing that has to be made good before new work can proceed.
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