Renovation Education: Costs Per Item of a Small Bathroom Makeover
A bathroom designer shares the real budget breakdown of a small bathroom and laundry that fits in all the essentials
Vanessa Walker
18 May 2020
Houzz Australia & New Zealand Editor-in-Chief
If you’re confused about the cost of renovating a small bathroom, you’re not alone. Here, Marina Novkovic of Novalé Bathrooms provides a price breakdown, in Australian dollars, for a modern bathroom designed and renovated in 2018, so you can see the extent of works and be better informed about costs.
The prices you see here are based on full project management of the trades as well as final sign-off on all trades.
The prices you see here are based on full project management of the trades as well as final sign-off on all trades.
Answers by Marina Novkovic of Novalé Bathrooms
Location: Mosman, NSW
Year built: 2018
Design: Designed by the homeowner and built by Novale Bathrooms
Bathroom size: Approximately 2.2 x 3.2 metres
Total price of bathroom: $30,815
Creative brief from clients:
Monochrome, modern and minimalist. The client wanted the bathroom to become both a functional bathroom plus laundry area.
Location: Mosman, NSW
Year built: 2018
Design: Designed by the homeowner and built by Novale Bathrooms
Bathroom size: Approximately 2.2 x 3.2 metres
Total price of bathroom: $30,815
Creative brief from clients:
Monochrome, modern and minimalist. The client wanted the bathroom to become both a functional bathroom plus laundry area.
Before Photo
The bathroom before works
Challenges
This renovation took place in a unit block with an elevator, so logistically – due to access restrictions – costs were affected.
Redoing your bathroom? Find a specialised bathroom designer and renovator near you on Houzz
Challenges
This renovation took place in a unit block with an elevator, so logistically – due to access restrictions – costs were affected.
Redoing your bathroom? Find a specialised bathroom designer and renovator near you on Houzz
Trade services
Total amount: $21,630
Total amount: $21,630
- Demolition: $2,000.
- Waterproofing: $1,500.
- Tiling: $5,480.
- Plumbing: $4,500.
- Electrical: $1,600.
- Carpentry: $1,300.
- Rendering: $1,850.
- Plastering: $1,200.
- Shower screen: $1,200.
- Rubbish removal: $1,000.
Before Photo
The bathroom before works
Materials
Total amount (including tiles and tapware): $9,185
Tiles
Total amount (including tiles and tapware): $9,185
- ADP Australia ‘Emporia’ all-drawer 900-millimetre wall-hung vanity with finger-pull drawers and 60-millimetre Cherry Pie premium solid surface in Carrara: $1,746.
- Eden Bench Mount 350-millimetre round thin-edge basin: $194.
- Bette Set 1,500-millimetre rectangular titanium steel bath: $1,799.
Tiles
- White gloss rectified 300 x 600-millimetre wall tiles from Amber Tiles: $515.
- Carrara Marble Mosaics range feature wall fan tiles, $29 per 255 x 240-millimetre sheet: $1,276.
- Euromarmo porcelain Nero Marquina floor tiles 600 x 300-millimetres: $347.
The homeowner sourced and purchased all of the products used in her renovation project
Tapware
Tapware
- Meir 2-in-1 matt black 200-millimetre Round Shower Rail Combination: $849.
- Meir matt black Diverter: $379.
- Meir matt black round curved basin spout: $179.
- Meir matt black wall mixer for basin and shower at $219 each: total $438.
- Parisi Rimless Ellisse MKII wall-faced toilet: $700.
- Parisi slim in-wall cistern: $320.
- Parisi Tondo push panel: $150.
- ADP Australia 2-Door Satin White Finish 900-millimetre ‘Moonlight’ Shaving Cabinet with LED light strip, internal power point and internal mirror: $743.
Before Photo
The bathroom before works
What did you save money on?
My client tells me her husband will say “Nothing!” but in reality, we shopped smart and started early to align the renovation with a number of supplier sales. Almost all of our purchases were made during sale periods, meaning my client didn’t have to pay full price.
My client tells me her husband will say “Nothing!” but in reality, we shopped smart and started early to align the renovation with a number of supplier sales. Almost all of our purchases were made during sale periods, meaning my client didn’t have to pay full price.
What did you invest money in?
A steel bath. Space restrictions meant a shower/bath combination was necessary in our client’s bathroom.
While acrylic baths are durable, we felt that investing in a steel bath was an important consideration to guarantee longevity. Given the bath is used as a shower, we wanted a durable surface that was hardy against scratches and the weight of standing in the bath.
A steel bath. Space restrictions meant a shower/bath combination was necessary in our client’s bathroom.
While acrylic baths are durable, we felt that investing in a steel bath was an important consideration to guarantee longevity. Given the bath is used as a shower, we wanted a durable surface that was hardy against scratches and the weight of standing in the bath.
Your turn
Is this the kind of cost you expected for the bathroom in the photos? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Do you know the true cost of a kitchen renovation? Find out here with Renovation Education: The Cost of a Scandi Kitchen Revamp
Is this the kind of cost you expected for the bathroom in the photos? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Do you know the true cost of a kitchen renovation? Find out here with Renovation Education: The Cost of a Scandi Kitchen Revamp
What are you working on?
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I like the fish scales on the wall
Looks good, what was the size bath?
Agree with the comments about floor to ceiling tiles. I've heard people say anything less is cheap and nasty, but the house we bought has floor to ceiling tiles in both bathrooms, on all walls, and I think it ruins the appearance. It leaves no room for changes to decor, nor for adding those personal touches that make a huge difference. The effect is dated and boring.
As to omitting the bath - I think it's very unwise. You never know when one might be needed, even if it isn't used often. And the lack of a bath might well reduce resale value. That said, I detest showers over bath tubs and I think I would opt for shower only if that were the only other option.
I agree with commenters who say costs could be slashed by sourcing your own fittings. There are plenty of lovely prefab vanities you can buy at much lower cost than having one custom built. A quick look on eBay or Amazon or a trip to a Builder's Discount Warehouse will confirm that taps, toilets, etc. are available at far lower prices than those listed - but you do have to be cautious to choose products of reasonable quality. I have often argued, though, that just because a higher-priced product lasts longer doesn't make it a better choice. If you can replace it twice for the price of the higher priced product, you can change your decor and enjoy new things more often, and that may well be better than paying for quality and hoping for longevity.
When it comes to wall coverings, it's worth considering some of the many sheet products available, or microcement or similar, as an alternative to tiles. No grout to get grotty, and you'll probably save quite a few dollars. There are some excellent and very attractive options available now - from low-priced laminates and acrylic sheets all the way up to printed or textured glass or thin porcelain slabs.