The True Costs of Renovating a Bathroom
Wondering what's possible with your budget? A plumber reveals the costs of cosmetic, budget and standard bathroom renos
Renovating a bathroom is often a homeowner’s top priority when purchasing a new property or adding value to an existing home. Kitchens and bathrooms sell houses and they can also maximise your lifestyle at home. However, once the decision has been made to renovate a bathroom, the devil is in the planning to ensure the project can be completed within a set budget. The true costs of renovating can be the undoing of many bathrooms due to poor planning. And lack of foresight in design and project management can contribute to extra costs, blowing out the budget.
Here is what you need to know to ensure your bathroom is the space you dreamt it to be, without unexpectedly hitting your back pocket.
Here is what you need to know to ensure your bathroom is the space you dreamt it to be, without unexpectedly hitting your back pocket.
Cosmetic renovation
A cosmetic renovation is one where the bathroom is minimally updated. It’s often the first resort when money is tight, or when a renovation is on the cards but not for a few years yet.
The layout of the bathroom stays the same, but the space is updated with the replacement of old fixtures (such as a new basin, vanity or toilet), painting of tiles or walls, or retiling over existing tiles. New tapware, light fittingsand window furnishings are often included.
Find a local bathroom designer and renovator on Houzz to design your dream bathroom to a budget
A cosmetic renovation is one where the bathroom is minimally updated. It’s often the first resort when money is tight, or when a renovation is on the cards but not for a few years yet.
The layout of the bathroom stays the same, but the space is updated with the replacement of old fixtures (such as a new basin, vanity or toilet), painting of tiles or walls, or retiling over existing tiles. New tapware, light fittingsand window furnishings are often included.
Find a local bathroom designer and renovator on Houzz to design your dream bathroom to a budget
The cost for a cosmetic renovation can vary, but may fall between $1,000 and $8,000, depending on the fittings you choose for the installation.
Tip: Anything involving plumbing and electrical work should be completed by the relevant licensed tradesperson. Much of the work by licensed trades can be completed in one call-out.
Not Ready to Renovate Your Bathroom? Try a Mini Makeover
Tip: Anything involving plumbing and electrical work should be completed by the relevant licensed tradesperson. Much of the work by licensed trades can be completed in one call-out.
Not Ready to Renovate Your Bathroom? Try a Mini Makeover
Budget renovation
A budget bathroom renovation includes disconnecting the existing fixtures and taps and the removal of wall and floor surfaces, paring the space back to an empty room. Plumbing and electrical services remain in the same positions, but with a budget renovation, a new waterproof membrane, tiles, paint, lights, fixtures and taps are installed.
This type of renovation can start from $10,000 and often go up to $25,000. Again, this type of bathroom renovation will vary in cost depending on the fixtures and tiles you choose and of course, the size of the bathroom.
A budget bathroom renovation includes disconnecting the existing fixtures and taps and the removal of wall and floor surfaces, paring the space back to an empty room. Plumbing and electrical services remain in the same positions, but with a budget renovation, a new waterproof membrane, tiles, paint, lights, fixtures and taps are installed.
This type of renovation can start from $10,000 and often go up to $25,000. Again, this type of bathroom renovation will vary in cost depending on the fixtures and tiles you choose and of course, the size of the bathroom.
Standard renovation
A standard bathroom renovation includes demolition and removal of walls, right back to the stud work. It may include replacing plumbing and electrical work to reconfigure a new design or layout within the space. The room can also be extended to create a bigger bathroom.
This type of renovation includes everything in a budget renovation with extras included, such as changing services, which is labour-intensive and may require plans, approvals and fees to begin work.
Building to a Budget: How Tiles, Flooring and Paint Can Add Up
A standard bathroom renovation includes demolition and removal of walls, right back to the stud work. It may include replacing plumbing and electrical work to reconfigure a new design or layout within the space. The room can also be extended to create a bigger bathroom.
This type of renovation includes everything in a budget renovation with extras included, such as changing services, which is labour-intensive and may require plans, approvals and fees to begin work.
Building to a Budget: How Tiles, Flooring and Paint Can Add Up
The length of time and cost to run plumbing services varies depending on the type of house you have.
If the bathroom is on a concrete slab, concrete saw cutting or chasing may be required to run the services. For homes elevated off the ground, the services may be able to penetrate through timber floors with access underneath.
A standard renovation can start from $25,000. However, it can also be less, depending on the size of your bathroom.
Budget Bathroom Renovation Ideas for Under $20,000
If the bathroom is on a concrete slab, concrete saw cutting or chasing may be required to run the services. For homes elevated off the ground, the services may be able to penetrate through timber floors with access underneath.
A standard renovation can start from $25,000. However, it can also be less, depending on the size of your bathroom.
Budget Bathroom Renovation Ideas for Under $20,000
How long do different types of bathroom renovations take?
Plumbing is only a small part of a bathroom’s renovation costs. It can cost more if illegal work has been discovered behind the walls or if pipes need to be replaced because of their age or quality.
It’s important to understand a plumber must ensure illegal plumbing work is replaced and brought up to standard. This can add considerable cost to the plumber’s portion of your renovation, and will be charged as a variation fee.
This ‘unknown factor’ is why it’s important to allow a 20-percent buffer for unexpected costs. If you’re spending the time to renovate a bathroom completely, spend the money to get your pipes replaced if you’re advised to do so.
Plumbing is only a small part of a bathroom’s renovation costs. It can cost more if illegal work has been discovered behind the walls or if pipes need to be replaced because of their age or quality.
It’s important to understand a plumber must ensure illegal plumbing work is replaced and brought up to standard. This can add considerable cost to the plumber’s portion of your renovation, and will be charged as a variation fee.
This ‘unknown factor’ is why it’s important to allow a 20-percent buffer for unexpected costs. If you’re spending the time to renovate a bathroom completely, spend the money to get your pipes replaced if you’re advised to do so.
Here is a rough estimate for how long it usually takes a plumber to complete a bathroom renovation:
- Four-plus hours to demolish and cap services (this can sometimes be less if there aren’t many fixtures to be capped).
- Six-plus hours to rough-in the new bathroom. If new pipework for water and sewerage needs to be run in and around your bathroom, allow for at least a day.
- Four to eight hours to ‘fit off’, which includes installing fixtures and tapware.
Delays in these time estimates can also occur for various reasons. These are some common ones:
- Difficult access to pipework or if the pipework is old and needs to be upgraded to a new size or material. For example, upgrading old clay sewer pipes to PVC, or galvanised-iron water pipes to copper or plastic pipes.
- If the new fixtures have not arrived on-site.
- If the wrong fixtures have been delivered to your site.
- If the quality or type of new fixtures is more labour-intensive to install than branded fixtures with a good reputation.
- If other trades are still finishing their work, such as tilers or cabinetmakers, it can also push out how long it takes a plumber to complete their part of the renovation.
Occasionally, tilers, cabinetmakers and sometimes electricians can cause delays for various reasons, which prevent a plumber from fitting off. These are some common ones:
- Tiling needs to be completed before fitting off.
- Cabinetry needs to be in place before the vanity basin can be hooked up and tapware installed.
- If the electrician needs to provide electrical sockets to the bathroom vanity, the plumber can’t fit off at the same time.
- A good plumber will work in with other trades on-site and communicate when and where they will start, so the areas can be swapped to ensure the project is completed on time.
Top 5 Rookie Bathroom-Renovation Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Hourly rates for plumbers
The rates for licensed plumbers vary from state to state within Australia. A rough estimate is to start at $80 per hour, but some plumbers may charge $150 per hour.
Plumbers need to charge these fees to keep their licensing in place and their liability insurances up-to-date. Don’t engage with a plumber who can’t show their licensing or liability insurance certificate – it’s not worth the risk.
Your turn
What tricks of the trade kept your bathroom renovation on track? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story if you found it helpful, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Need more practical advice before renovating your bathroom? We’ve got your back. Read up on What Do I… Need to Know About Tile Slip and Appearance Ratings?
The rates for licensed plumbers vary from state to state within Australia. A rough estimate is to start at $80 per hour, but some plumbers may charge $150 per hour.
Plumbers need to charge these fees to keep their licensing in place and their liability insurances up-to-date. Don’t engage with a plumber who can’t show their licensing or liability insurance certificate – it’s not worth the risk.
Your turn
What tricks of the trade kept your bathroom renovation on track? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story if you found it helpful, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Need more practical advice before renovating your bathroom? We’ve got your back. Read up on What Do I… Need to Know About Tile Slip and Appearance Ratings?
It’s important to understand what you will get with the budget you have set for your bathroom renovation.
Each revamp listed below gives you an idea of the type of renovation you can afford, and an estimated figure of what to work towards.