Quick Answer

A bathroom renovation in Melbourne costs $8,000–$15,000 for a basic cosmetic refresh, $15,000–$30,000 for a mid-range full renovation, and $30,000–$55,000+ for a high-end fit-out. The biggest cost drivers are waterproofing, tiling labour and fixture selection. Most mid-range renovations in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs land between $20,000 and $35,000 for a standard 3–6m² bathroom.

Time needed: 2–4 weeks for a full renovation (1 week for cosmetic refresh)
Cost: $8,000–$55,000+ (see detailed breakdown below)
Difficulty: Requires licensed tradespeople (plumber, waterproofer, electrician, tiler)

our plumbing expert and our safety expert in a bathroom renovation
our plumbing expert and our safety expert tackle a bathroom renovation in Melbourne

What You’ll Need to Budget For

Labour (40–55% of total cost)

  • Plumber — $100–$180/hour (rough-in + fit-off, typically $3,000–$6,000 total)
  • Tiler — $65–$120/m² for walls, $80–$130/m² for floors (typically $2,500–$5,000 total)
  • Waterproofer — $800–$2,000 for a standard bathroom
  • Electrician — $100–$160/hour ($500–$1,500 for typical bathroom work)
  • Demolition and waste removal — $1,000–$2,500
  • Carpenter/plasterer — $500–$1,500 for framing repairs and plaster

Fixtures and Materials (35–50% of total cost)

  • Tiles — $25–$80/m² for mid-range from most tile shops
  • Vanity unit — $300–$2,500 (budget to mid-range from Bunnings or Reece)
  • Toilet suite — $250–$1,200 (Caroma and Roca are popular Australian brands)
  • Shower screen — $400–$1,800 (semi-frameless to frameless)
  • Tapware — $150–$800 per piece (mixer taps from Reece Plumbing or online)
  • Bath (if included) — $400–$3,000 (freestanding adds $500–$1,500 in plumbing)

Total estimated cost: $15,000–$35,000 for a standard mid-range renovation

Why This Matters

The bathroom is one of the most-used rooms in your home, and it’s also where renovation costs can spiral fastest if you don’t plan carefully. In Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, older homes in Dandenong, Frankston and Narre Warren often have original bathrooms from the 1970s–1990s with dated tiles, worn waterproofing and plumbing that’s reaching end of life. Renovating isn’t just cosmetic — it’s often about fixing water damage, upgrading to water-efficient fixtures, and meeting current Australian waterproofing standards (AS 3740).

Even in newer estates like Officer and Pakenham, builder-grade bathrooms are often fitted with the cheapest fixtures and thinnest tiling. A well-planned renovation adds genuine value — real estate agents consistently say kitchens and bathrooms have the biggest impact on sale price.

Bathroom Renovation Costs: Step-by-Step Breakdown

Step 1: Set Your Budget Tier

Before contacting any trades, decide which tier you’re aiming for:

Renovation Tier Cost Range What You Get
Cosmetic refresh $8,000–$15,000 New paint, re-grout, replace tapware and vanity, new shower screen. Keep existing layout and tiles where possible.
Mid-range full reno $15,000–$30,000 Full strip-out, new waterproofing, new tiles (floor and walls), new fixtures, updated plumbing and electrical. Same layout.
High-end / layout change $30,000–$55,000+ Everything above plus layout changes, underfloor heating, freestanding bath, in-wall cistern, premium tiles and fixtures, heated towel rails, custom cabinetry.

Step 2: Understand the Demolition Phase ($1,000–$2,500)

Demolition (strip-out) is typically the first on-site cost. This covers removing all old tiles, fixtures, vanity, toilet and shower screen down to the wall studs and floor slab. In Melbourne, expect $1,000–$1,800 for a standard bathroom and $1,500–$2,500 for a larger family bathroom. This includes skip bin hire ($300–$500 for a 4m³ bin). If asbestos sheeting is found behind old tiles (common in pre-1990s homes), licensed removal adds $1,500–$4,000.

Step 3: Budget for Waterproofing ($800–$2,000)

Waterproofing is the most critical step and is legally required in all wet areas under AS 3740. In Victoria, the waterproofing must be done by a licensed applicator and inspected before tiling begins. Costs run $800–$1,500 for a standard shower-over-bath setup and $1,200–$2,000 if you’re waterproofing the entire floor and a walk-in shower. Don’t let anyone cut corners here — failed waterproofing is the number one cause of expensive bathroom damage, and it voids your insurance if done improperly.

Waterproofing membrane applied to bathroom floor
Blue waterproofing membrane being applied — the most critical step in any bathroom renovation

Step 4: Factor in Plumbing Costs ($3,000–$6,000)

Plumbing is usually the largest single trade cost. The work is split into two stages: rough-in (moving pipes, installing new waste lines, hot and cold supply relocation) and fit-off (connecting the toilet, taps, shower and vanity). If you’re keeping the same layout, rough-in costs are lower ($1,500–$2,500). Moving a toilet, adding a second basin, or relocating the shower pushes plumbing to $4,000–$6,000+. Melbourne plumbers charge $100–$180 per hour, with most bathroom jobs taking 2–4 days total.

Step 5: Calculate Tiling Costs ($2,500–$6,000)

Tiling costs depend on tile size, pattern complexity and surface area. For a standard 4m² bathroom with floor-to-ceiling tiles on wet walls, expect 15–25m² of tiling. Melbourne tilers charge $65–$120 per square metre for walls and $80–$130 per square metre for floors. Large-format tiles (600x600mm or bigger) cost more to lay due to extra preparation and adhesive. The tiles themselves range from $25–$50/m² for budget, $50–$80/m² for mid-range, and $80–$200+/m² for premium.

our plumbing expert tiling a bathroom wall
our plumbing expert lays subway tiles on a freshly waterproofed bathroom wall

Step 6: Choose Your Fixtures Wisely

Fixture selection is where budgets blow out fastest. Here’s what to expect across Melbourne suppliers:

Fixture Budget Mid-Range Premium
Vanity + basin $300–$600 $600–$1,500 $1,500–$4,000
Toilet suite $250–$500 $500–$900 $900–$2,500
Shower mixer tap $80–$200 $200–$500 $500–$1,200
Shower screen $400–$700 $700–$1,200 $1,200–$2,500
Bath (if applicable) $400–$800 $800–$2,000 $2,000–$5,000+
Mirror / cabinet $50–$200 $200–$600 $600–$1,500

Reece Plumbing stores in Dandenong and Berwick have showrooms where you can see fixtures in person. For budget options, Bunnings carries Caroma and Mondella ranges. Online retailers like ABI Interiors often beat showroom prices for mid-range tapware.

Bathroom fixtures arrangement
Choosing the right fixtures is where bathroom budgets can blow out — or be saved

Troubleshooting

Problem Likely Cause Fix
Quote is 50% higher than expected Layout changes requiring plumbing relocation, or premium fixtures included by default Ask the builder to re-quote with existing layout kept and mid-range fixtures specified
Tiles cracking within months of renovation Inadequate substrate preparation or wrong adhesive for tile size Contact the tiler — this is a workmanship issue and should be rectified under warranty
Mould appearing on new grout Insufficient ventilation in the bathroom Install or upgrade the exhaust fan ($200–$500 installed), ensure it vents to outside not roof cavity
Water pooling on floor instead of draining Floor not graded correctly toward the waste point Tiler needs to re-lay affected section with correct fall (1:80 minimum gradient to waste)
Renovation taking much longer than quoted Tradespeople stacking multiple jobs, or unexpected issues found during demo Get a fixed timeline in writing before work starts, with penalty clauses for significant delays

When to Call a Professional

A bathroom renovation is not a DIY project in any meaningful sense. Victorian law requires licensed tradespeople for plumbing, electrical work and waterproofing. Even tiling, while not licensed, requires skill to ensure proper drainage falls and waterproof membrane integrity. The only parts a confident homeowner might handle are painting, installing towel rails and accessories, and potentially demolition (with proper PPE and asbestos awareness).

Hire a registered builder or bathroom renovation specialist to project-manage the full job if you don’t have experience coordinating multiple trades. A project manager typically adds 10–15% to the total cost but saves you from scheduling headaches and costly mistakes. Verify all tradespeople through the Victorian Building Authority (vba.vic.gov.au).

Tips & Gotchas

  1. Set a contingency of 10–15%: Hidden problems like rotten framing, failed waterproofing or asbestos always reveal themselves during demo. Budget $2,000–$4,000 extra from day one.
  2. Don’t move the toilet if you can avoid it: Relocating a toilet requires cutting into the slab to re-route the sewer pipe. This alone adds $1,500–$3,000 and days of extra work.
  3. Waterproofing is not optional: In Victoria, wet area waterproofing must comply with AS 3740 and be done by a licensed applicator. Skimping here voids your home insurance.
  4. Order tiles with 10% extra: Tiles from different batches have slight colour variations. Order all your tiles at once, plus 10% for cuts, breakages and future repairs.
  5. Get the exhaust fan right: Building Code of Australia requires mechanical ventilation in any bathroom without an openable window. Install a minimum 150mm ducted fan that vents to outside.
  6. In-wall cisterns look great but cost more to fix: A concealed cistern saves space and looks modern, but if it fails in 10 years, accessing it means cutting into tiles and wall.
  7. Large tiles ≠ fewer tiles ≠ cheaper: Large-format tiles require flatter substrates, special adhesive, and experienced tilers. Labour per square metre is actually higher.
  8. Safety note — wear a P2 mask during demolition: Old bathroom walls can contain asbestos, lead paint and mould behind tiles. Always wear a P2-rated dust mask, safety glasses and gloves.
  9. Get everything in writing before demo starts: Once your bathroom is demolished, you’re committed. Make sure your builder provides a fixed-price contract with itemised costs.
  10. Check strata rules for apartments: If you’re renovating in an apartment or townhouse, your owners corporation may have specific rules about work hours and waterproofing standards.
our safety expert with P2 dust mask in renovation
our safety expert reminds you: always wear a P2 mask during bathroom demolition

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renovate a bathroom for under $10,000?

Yes, but only as a cosmetic refresh. For under $10,000, you can replace tapware, the vanity, toilet seat and shower screen, re-grout existing tiles, repaint walls and ceiling, and upgrade the mirror and accessories. You won’t be removing tiles or re-waterproofing at this budget.

How long does a full bathroom renovation take?

A standard mid-range renovation takes 2–4 weeks from demolition to completion. The typical sequence is: demo (1–2 days), plumbing rough-in (1–2 days), waterproofing and curing (2–3 days), tiling (3–5 days), plumbing fit-off and electrical (1–2 days), painting and finishing (1–2 days).

Is it cheaper to renovate the bathroom ourselves?

You can save on demolition and painting by doing those yourself, but plumbing, electrical and waterproofing must be done by licensed tradespeople in Victoria. Most experienced renovators suggest DIY savings of $2,000–$4,000 on a $25,000 renovation by handling demo, painting and fixture installation.

What adds the most value to a bathroom renovation?

Real estate agents in Melbourne consistently say that a clean, modern, well-waterproofed bathroom adds the most value per dollar spent. Specifically: neutral-toned floor-to-ceiling tiles, a quality vanity with storage, good lighting, and a frameless shower screen give the biggest visual impact.

Should I get a builder or manage the trades myself?

If you’ve never managed a renovation, use a builder or bathroom specialist. Coordinating a plumber, electrician, waterproofer, tiler, plasterer and painter in the right sequence is harder than it sounds. A builder adds 10–15% but handles all coordination, warranties and building permits.

Do I need a building permit for a bathroom renovation in Victoria?

Not usually. Standard bathroom renovations that don’t involve structural changes typically don’t require a building permit. If you’re relocating walls or altering structural elements, a permit is required. Your plumber and waterproofer should provide compliance certificates regardless.

Local Resources — SE Melbourne

Finding a Bathroom Renovator

Fixtures and Supplies