Quick Answer
Bathroom vanity replacement in Melbourne costs $600–$4,000 fully installed for a standard freestanding or wall-hung unit. Budget $300–$800 for a basic flat-pack from Bunnings installed, $800–$2,000 for a quality mid-range unit, or $2,000–$5,000+ for a custom-built vanity with stone top. A licensed plumber is required for all tap and drain connections.
Replacing a dated bathroom vanity is one of the highest-impact, lowest-disruption bathroom upgrades available. A new vanity changes the look of the entire room without requiring full tiling or waterproofing work. This guide covers every cost factor — from the unit and basin to plumber’s labour, tapware, and waste connections.
Bathroom Vanity Replacement Cost Breakdown
Flat-Pack / Budget Vanity (DIY Supply + Plumber)
| Vanity Size | Supply Cost | Plumber Labour | Total Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 600mm single basin | $200–$450 | $250–$450 | $450–$900 |
| 750mm single basin | $250–$550 | $250–$450 | $500–$1,000 |
| 900mm single basin | $300–$650 | $300–$500 | $600–$1,150 |
| 1200mm double basin | $500–$900 | $400–$700 | $900–$1,600 |
Mid-Range Vanity (Quality Supplier)
| Vanity Type | Supply Cost | Plumber Labour | Total Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 600mm wall-hung (matte white) | $450–$900 | $300–$500 | $750–$1,400 |
| 750mm freestanding (timber look) | $600–$1,200 | $300–$500 | $900–$1,700 |
| 900mm wall-hung with stone top | $900–$1,800 | $350–$600 | $1,250–$2,400 |
| 1200mm double with stone top | $1,200–$2,500 | $450–$800 | $1,650–$3,300 |
Custom / Premium Vanity
| Type | Supply Cost | Installation | Total Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom-built timber vanity (joiner-made) | $1,500–$4,000 | $500–$1,000 | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Marble/engineered stone top upgrade | $600–$2,000 | $200–$400 | $800–$2,400 |
| Semi-recessed basin upgrade | $200–$500 | incl. in vanity install | $200–$500 extra |
Additional Costs to Budget For
| Item | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tapware (mixer or separate taps) | $80–$600 | Not always included in vanity price; brands vary widely |
| Pop-up waste and overflow | $40–$150 | Required for basins; click-clack style is standard |
| Mirror or mirror cabinet | $80–$800 | Often replaced at same time; LED-backlit adds $200–$500 |
| Old vanity removal and disposal | $100–$250 | Most plumbers charge for this; confirm upfront |
| Tile patching (if wall-hung leaves gaps) | $200–$600 | If old vanity was a different size or wall-hung at different height |
What Affects Bathroom Vanity Replacement Costs?
1. Wall-Hung vs Freestanding
Wall-hung vanities look sleeker and make floor cleaning easier, but require a solid wall substrate (timber frame or Gib board backer) and slightly more plumbing work to raise or lower waste connections. Freestanding vanities are quicker to install. Budget $100–$200 extra for wall-hung installation.
2. Moving the Basin Location
If the new vanity is the same size as the old one, plumbing connections typically line up and installation is quick. Moving the basin position by more than 200mm usually requires extending waste pipe runs — add $300–$800 to the plumber’s bill for significant relocations.
3. Tapware Selection
A $90 Bunnings mixer tap does the job; a Caroma or Scala designer mixer runs $300–$600. For a mid-range vanity job, allocate $150–$250 for quality tapware with a 5-year warranty — it’s a false economy to spend $1,500 on a vanity and $60 on a tap that fails in 18 months.
DIY vs Licensed Plumber
In Victoria, connecting any plumbing fixture — including a bathroom basin — requires a licensed plumber. This includes connecting the hot and cold supply lines to the mixer tap and connecting the waste pipe to the drain. Cabinet assembly (the timber box itself) is DIY-legal; water connections are not.
Signs You Need a New Vanity
| Problem | Likely Cause | Replace or Repair? |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet door swollen, won’t close | Water ingress from leaking tap or splash | Replace if MDF substrate is swollen — it won’t recover |
| Basin chips or cracks | Impact damage or age | Small chips can be repaired; cracks = replace basin |
| Dripping mixer tap | Worn cartridge | Replace cartridge ($30–$80 part + plumber labour) before replacing vanity |
| Mould behind or under vanity | Slow leak from waste or supply connections | Fix leak first; replace vanity if cabinet is damaged |
| Vanity looks dated, impacts sale value | Style obsolescence | Replace — new vanity ROI is high in pre-sale situations |
Top 10 Tips and Gotchas
- Measure your space, not just your old vanity. Check ceiling height, door swing clearance, and toilet proximity before ordering. A 750mm vanity in a 750mm alcove leaves no room for the plumber to work.
- Buy tapware before the plumber arrives. Have tapware and waste fittings on-site when the plumber comes — waiting for parts extends the job and adds to the hourly rate.
- Wall-hung vanities need a solid fixing substrate. Standard plasterboard won’t hold a wall-hung vanity with a heavy stone top. If your wall is plasterboard, a timber bearer needs to be fixed inside the wall before installation.
- Matching existing tiles is nearly impossible. If the new vanity is a different size, exposed tile edges are very hard to match exactly. Consider a tile border strip or new mirror cabinet that covers the gap.
- Stone tops are heavy. A 1200mm stone-top double vanity weighs 80–100kg. Ensure your plumber has help or a trolley — damage during delivery is a real risk.
- Check water pressure. If your bathroom has low water pressure, a new mixer tap won’t fix it. Have a plumber check pressure at the service (> 200kPa is minimum for most mixers) before buying expensive tapware.
- LED mirrors add value. A backlit LED mirror cabinet above the new vanity adds $200–$500 but dramatically lifts the bathroom’s look and functionality — worth including in the same job.
- MDF vs plywood substrate matters. Cheap flat-pack vanities use MDF, which swells when wet. Look for plywood-substrate units or solid polymer vanities in Melbourne’s humid winter bathrooms.
- Get a Certificate of Compliance. For any plumbing work, your plumber must issue a Certificate of Compliance. Keep it for property sale and insurance purposes.
- Pre-sale is the best time for a vanity upgrade. Real estate agents consistently report that a fresh vanity, new taps, and an LED mirror add more sale value than they cost — particularly in Dandenong, Berwick, and Narre Warren’s competitive market.
Local Melbourne Resources
- Reece Plumbing — Vanities — trade-quality vanities and tapware with Melbourne showrooms
- Bunnings Warehouse — Bathroom Vanities — budget and mid-range flat-pack options
- Plumbing World — specialist vanity and tapware supplier
- VBA Licensed Plumber Search — verify your plumber’s licence before work starts
FAQ
How much does it cost to replace a bathroom vanity in Melbourne?
Bathroom vanity replacement in Melbourne costs $600–$4,000 fully installed. A basic 600mm flat-pack with plumber installation runs $450–$900; a mid-range 900mm wall-hung with stone top costs $1,250–$2,400; custom-built vanities run $2,000–$5,000+.
Do I need a plumber to replace a bathroom vanity?
Yes — in Victoria all water supply and waste connections require a licensed plumber. You can assemble the cabinet yourself, but connecting the mixer tap and waste pipe is licensed work. Attempting it unlicensed risks fines and voids home insurance.
How long does vanity replacement take?
A straightforward like-for-like vanity replacement takes 2–4 hours for a plumber. If the waste or supply needs relocation, add 1–3 hours. Custom installations or tile patching may extend the job to a full day.
What’s the best vanity size for a standard Melbourne bathroom?
A 750mm single-basin vanity suits most standard Melbourne bathrooms (which typically have 1500mm of wall space). For ensuites, a 600mm unit often works better given the smaller footprint. Double vanities (1200mm+) suit master ensuites with adequate width.
Is it worth replacing a bathroom vanity before selling?
Generally yes — a new vanity, tapware, and mirror cabinet typically cost $1,000–$2,500 and can add $5,000–$15,000 to perceived value in Melbourne’s southeast market. Agents in Berwick, Narre Warren, and Pakenham consistently flag bathroom presentation as a top factor in buyer first impressions.
Final Thoughts
Bathroom vanity replacement in Melbourne ranges from $450 for a basic flat-pack to $5,000+ for a custom stone-top unit. The key takeaways:
- A licensed plumber is legally required for all water connections — no exceptions in Victoria
- Buy tapware and waste fittings before the plumber arrives to avoid call-out delays
- Quality substrate (plywood over MDF) matters in Melbourne’s humid bathrooms
- LED mirror cabinet above the vanity adds value disproportionate to its cost
- Pre-sale vanity upgrades almost always return more than they cost
