Bathroom renovations in Sydney cost $10,000 to $70,000+ depending on scope, size, and finishes. A cosmetic update with new tiles and fixtures sits at the lower end. A full gut-and-rebuild with layout changes and premium materials reaches the top.
At Dura Group Building & Renovations, we’ve renovated hundreds of bathrooms across the Sutherland Shire and greater Sydney over the past 25 years. This guide gives you honest numbers based on what we see every day on real projects.
Average Bathroom Renovation Costs in Sydney (2026)
Budget Bathroom Renovation: $10,000 to $20,000
A budget renovation updates the look of your bathroom without moving plumbing or changing the layout:
- New tiles over existing substrate (where possible)
- Replacement vanity, mirror, and tapware
- New toilet and shower screen
- Fresh paint and lighting
This works well for investment properties or bathrooms that are structurally sound but visually dated. If you’re planning renovations across multiple rooms, our guide to how much a home renovation costs in Sydney covers all project types.
Mid-Range Bathroom Renovation: $20,000 to $40,000
This is the most common level we deliver. A mid-range renovation includes:
- Full strip-out to bare walls and floor
- New waterproofing (mandatory in NSW once tiles are removed)
- Floor-to-ceiling tiling
- Custom or semi-custom vanity
- Frameless shower screen
- Quality fixtures and tapware
- Updated plumbing and electrical
At this level, you’re getting a bathroom that feels brand new. And because Dura Group doesn’t mark up materials, you get to choose your own tiles, tapware, and fixtures at retail prices.
High-End Bathroom Renovation: $40,000 to $70,000+
A high-end renovation involves layout changes, premium materials, and custom features:
- Reconfigured layout (moving shower, toilet, or vanity positions)
- Freestanding bath installation
- Heated flooring
- Custom niche shelving and built-in storage
- Natural stone or large-format porcelain tiles
- Frameless glass to ceiling
- Smart mirrors, LED lighting, and heated towel rails
Layout changes mean moving plumbing and potentially adjusting floor levels, which adds cost. If walls need to come down, you may need council approvals as well.
What Drives Bathroom Renovation Costs?
Waterproofing: Non-Negotiable
In NSW, waterproofing is legally required whenever you renovate a wet area. This costs $1,500 to $4,000 depending on bathroom size. It must be done by a licensed waterproofer with a certificate of compliance. Skipping this step is not an option. Builders who suggest otherwise are violating NSW building regulations. This is one of the clearest red flags when hiring a builder.
Tiling: 20 to 30% of Total Cost
Tiling is one of the biggest cost variables:
- Ceramic tiles: $30 to $60 per m² (supply)
- Porcelain tiles: $50 to $120 per m² (supply)
- Natural stone: $100 to $300+ per m² (supply)
- Labour: $60 to $120 per m² depending on tile size and pattern
Large-format tiles (600x600mm and above) look great but cost more to install due to the precision required.
Fixtures and Fittings: 15 to 25% of Total Cost
Your vanity, toilet, shower screen, tapware, and accessories add up quickly. A basic fixture package runs $2,000 to $4,000. A premium package with brands like Caroma, Phoenix, or Brodware can run $6,000 to $12,000+.
Plumbing: 10 to 20% of Total Cost
If your plumbing stays in the same position, costs are minimal (around $2,000 to $3,000). Relocating a toilet, moving a shower, or adding a freestanding bath with new drainage can push plumbing costs to $5,000 to $10,000.
Labour and Project Management
A bathroom renovation involves 8 trades: demolition, plumber, waterproofer, tiler, electrician, carpenter, painter, and glazier. At Dura Group, we coordinate all of these under one fixed-price contract so you have one point of contact and one price. Our guide on reading a building contract explains what to check before signing.
Bathroom Renovation Cost by Type
- Small bathroom or powder room: $10,000 to $25,000
- Main bathroom: $20,000 to $45,000
- Ensuite: $15,000 to $35,000
- Full bathroom + ensuite combo: $35,000 to $70,000
Renovating two bathrooms at the same time is more cost-effective per bathroom because trades are already on site and materials can be ordered together. See our Sydney building costs guide for current per-square-metre rates across all project types.
Hidden Costs in Bathroom Renovations
- Asbestos in walls or flooring: Common in Sutherland Shire homes built before 1990. Testing is $50 to $150 per sample. Removal adds $1,500 to $5,000
- Rotten timber framing: Often discovered once walls are opened up. Replacing water-damaged studs or floor joists adds $500 to $3,000
- Drainage issues: Old clay or cast iron pipes may need replacing once exposed, adding $1,000 to $4,000
- Electrical upgrades: Older homes may not have adequate circuits for exhaust fans, heated floors, or additional lighting
We identify as many of these as possible during our our preliminary planning service before quoting, so you’re not hit with surprises once demolition starts.
How to Save Money on a Bathroom Renovation
Keep Plumbing Where It Is
Moving a toilet is one of the most expensive single changes in a bathroom reno. If the current layout works, keep plumbing in place and invest the savings in better tiles or fixtures.
Choose Your Own Materials
At Dura Group, we don’t mark up materials. You buy tiles, tapware, and fixtures directly from suppliers at retail price. This alone can save thousands compared to builders who add 15 to 30% margins on materials.
Do Both Bathrooms at Once
If you’re planning to renovate your main bathroom and ensuite, doing them together saves on trade mobilisation costs and material delivery. The same applies if you’re combining it with a Dura Group kitchen renovations.
Prioritise Waterproofing and Tiling
These are the two things you can’t easily redo later. Get them right the first time. Tapware and accessories are easy to upgrade down the track.
Bathroom Renovation Timeline
A standard bathroom renovation takes 3 to 6 weeks:
- Week 1: Demolition and strip-out
- Week 2: Plumbing rough-in and waterproofing
- Week 3: Tiling (floor and walls)
- Week 4: Vanity, toilet, shower screen installation
- Week 5: Electrical fit-off, painting, final fixtures
- Week 6: Final inspection and handover
More complex renovations with layout changes or custom features can extend to 8 weeks.
Why Dura Group for Your Bathroom Renovation
- Fixed-price contracts with no hidden fees or allowances
- No material markups so you control your budget on finishes
- Mark manages every project directly, from quote to handover
- Licensed waterproofing with full compliance certificates
- 25+ years of bathroom renovations across the Sutherland Shire
We work across the Shire, from Cronulla bathroom renovations to Menai bathroom remodelling, Caringbah bathroom renovations, Kirrawee bathroom remodel builders, and Engadine bathroom renovations. Check out our bathroom gallery to see recent projects.
For more about how we can help, visit our bathroom renovation by Dura Group page.
Ready to Renovate Your Bathroom?
Give us a call or send a message. We’ll come out, look at your bathroom, and give you a straight answer on what it will cost. If you’re still comparing builders, our guide on choosing a builder in Sydney covers what to look for.
Contact Dura Group today or call Mark on 0424 665 793.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a basic bathroom renovation cost in Sydney?
A basic bathroom renovation in Sydney starts from around $10,000 to $20,000. This covers a cosmetic update with new tiles, vanity, toilet, and tapware without moving any plumbing.
How much does a full bathroom renovation cost?
A full bathroom renovation with complete strip-out, new waterproofing, floor-to-ceiling tiling, and quality fixtures costs $20,000 to $40,000 for a mid-range finish in Sydney.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
Most bathroom renovations take 3 to 6 weeks. Complex renovations with layout changes can take up to 8 weeks.
Is waterproofing required for a bathroom renovation in NSW?
Yes. Under the Building Code of Australia, waterproofing is mandatory in all wet areas. It must be completed by a licensed waterproofer and a compliance certificate must be issued before tiling can begin.
Can I renovate my bathroom without council approval?
In most cases, yes. Bathroom renovations that don’t change the external footprint or structure of your home don’t need council approval. If you’re moving walls or changing the building envelope, you may need a DA or CDC.
Mark Dura is the founder of Dura Group Building & Renovations, a licensed builder (Lic 381531C) with 27+ years of experience in residential renovations, home extensions, and knockdown rebuilds across Sydney. Mark oversees every project from design through to completion.
