Real bathroom renovation quotes from Wollongong
Three quotes for the same Wollongong bathroom can differ by $20,000, and the cheapest is not always the one that costs you least. Here is what separates them, line by line, and the questions that expose the difference before you sign.
Quick answer — what Wollongong bathroom quotes look like
| Quote tier | Range | Typically includes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $10,800–$21,600 | Same layout, budget fixtures, ceramic tiles, standard screen |
| Mid-range | $21,600–$37,800 | Better fixtures, larger-format tiles, semi-frameless screen, some layout change |
| Premium | $37,800–$59,400 | Stone-look or imported tiles, frameless screen, freestanding bath, custom vanity |
The typical mid-range Wollongong bathroom lands at $29,150. A quote well below the basic band usually signals something excluded rather than something efficient.
The four lines that create a $20,000 gap
1. Is the layout moving?
The single largest variable. Keeping every fixture where it is avoids new plumbing rough-in; moving the toilet in particular can add $1,500–$4,000 because drainage falls have to be re-established and concrete may need cutting. A quote that is dramatically cheaper than the others often assumes the layout stays — check whether that is what you asked for.
2. What is the prime cost allowance?
Two quotes can both say "vanity included" while one allows $540 and the other $2,400. Prime cost allowances for tiles, tapware, vanity and screen are where quotes become genuinely hard to compare. Ask for the allowance figure on each item, not just the total.
3. Is waterproofing itemised and certified?
Waterproofing should appear as its own line at $1,075–$3,775, with a statement that it complies with AS 3740. If it is buried inside "tiling" or absent entirely, that is the question to ask first.
4. Is there a contingency, and who holds it?
An honest Wollongong quote on an older home names a contingency — usually around 10% — and says what happens if it is not spent. A quote with no contingency is not cheaper; it just moves the surprise to a variation later.
Comparing three quotes on the same bathroom
| Line | Quote A | Quote B | Quote C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline price | $17,500 | $28,900 | $41,000 |
| Layout | Unchanged | Unchanged | Toilet relocated |
| Tile allowance | $35/m² | $60/m² | $110/m² |
| Vanity allowance | $540 | $1,400 | $3,200 |
| Screen | Framed | Semi-frameless | Frameless |
| Waterproofing itemised | No | Yes | Yes |
| Contingency | None | 10% | 10% |
Quote A is not $11,400 cheaper than Quote B. It is a different job with lower allowances, no contingency, and waterproofing that has not been separately priced. Once you lift A's allowances to match B's and add a contingency, the real gap is a few thousand dollars.
Five questions to ask before you sign
What is the prime cost allowance for tiles, vanity, tapware and screen? This alone explains most of the difference between quotes.
Is waterproofing itemised, and will I receive certification? The answer should be yes to both, without hesitation.
What happens if you find rot or asbestos at demolition? You want a named hourly or unit rate for remediation, not "we'll let you know".
What is the payment schedule tied to? Progress payments should be tied to completed stages — rough-in done, waterproofing certified, tiling complete — not to dates.
Who is actually on site? Ask which trades are employed and which are subcontracted, and who is the single point of contact when something needs deciding.
Frequently asked questions
How many quotes should I get for a bathroom renovation?
Three is the practical number. Fewer and you have no basis for comparison; more and the process stalls. Give each the same written scope so the quotes are genuinely comparable, and ask each for prime cost allowances rather than just a total.
Why is one quote so much cheaper than the others?
Usually allowances, exclusions or a missing contingency rather than efficiency. Check whether the layout is assumed unchanged, what the tile and fixture allowances are, whether waterproofing is itemised, and whether remediation is priced. Once those are matched, most large gaps shrink considerably.
Should waterproofing be a separate line on the quote?
Yes. It should appear as its own line at $1,075–$3,775 with a statement that the work complies with AS 3740. If it is bundled into tiling or missing entirely, ask why before going further.
What payment schedule is normal for a bathroom renovation?
Progress payments tied to completed stages — typically a deposit, then payments at rough-in, at certified waterproofing, at tiling completion, and on final fit-off. Avoid schedules tied to calendar dates, and be cautious of large upfront deposits.
What should a Wollongong bathroom renovation quote include?
Scope and layout, itemised demolition and disposal, plumbing rough-in, itemised waterproofing with AS 3740 compliance, tiling with a stated tile allowance, each fixture with its prime cost allowance, electrical, making good, a contingency, and a stage-linked payment schedule.
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