Bathroom renovation pricing
Every bathroom renovation is unique, so pricing depends on your space, finishes and scope. Here's a full guide to help you budget, backed by a free, no-obligation quote across Gympie, Sunshine Coast and surrounds.
If you're planning a bathroom renovation, ensuite addition or powder room refresh in Gympie or on the Sunshine Coast, the first question is usually the same: how much will it cost?
In 2026, bathroom renovations across Australia typically range from around $8,000 for a small cosmetic refresh through to $35,000+ for a high-end, luxury bathroom, with cost driven by size, scope, finishes and labour.
According to the Housing Industry Association, the average bathroom renovation cost in Australia sits at around $26,000 — though actual projects can be lower or significantly higher depending on your scope, materials and design choices. Hipages.com.au breaks this down into three brackets: Budget ($8,000–$15,000), Standard ($15,000–$35,000) and Premium ($35,000+). Use the guide below to see what that looks like for your renovation.
Cost breakdown
Bathroom renovation costs all depend on scope, size and finish. Here's an example breakdown for a standard bathroom renovation, followed by what each part of the job typically costs.
| Cost item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Demolition of old bathroom | $1,800 |
| Make good (walls) | $2,000 |
| Waterproofing | $900 |
| Tiles (supply) | $700 |
| Tiling (labour) | $1,600 |
| Plumbing | $2,800 |
| Electrical | $1,200 |
| Materials & fittings | $4,500 |
| Total | $15,500 |
Before anything new goes in, the old bathroom has to come out — fixtures, tiles, and sometimes the flooring right back to the slab or joists.
| Bathroom size | Approx. area | Demolition cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small | ~4m² | $1,200 – $1,800 |
| Medium | ~6m² | $1,800 – $2,400 |
| Large | ~9m² | $2,400 – $3,200 |
Once the old tiles and fittings are stripped out, walls usually need patching, re-sheeting or re-rendering before waterproofing and tiling can start. Expect this to run from $1,500 to $2,500 depending on wall condition.
Waterproofing is non-negotiable — it's what stops your reno turning into a leak down the track, and it's checked off against Australian Standards before tiling begins.
| Bathroom size | Waterproofing cost |
|---|---|
| Small | $600 – $900 |
| Medium | $800 – $1,200 |
| Large | $1,100 – $1,600 |
Tile supply cost swings hugely on material — large-format porcelain sits at the budget end, natural stone and mosaics at the premium end.
| Bathroom size | Budget tiles | Premium tiles |
|---|---|---|
| Small | $400 | $900 |
| Medium | $550 | $1,200 |
| Large | $850 | $1,800 |
Labour scales with layout complexity — a straightforward grid pattern in large-format tiles is quicker than a herringbone feature wall with lots of cuts.
| Bathroom size | Budget labour | Premium labour |
|---|---|---|
| Small | $1,000 | $1,800 |
| Medium | $1,300 | $2,200 |
| Large | $2,000 | $3,400 |
Keeping fixtures in their existing spot keeps plumbing costs down. Relocating a shower, toilet or vanity means re-routing pipes, which adds to the bill.
| Bathroom size | Plumbing cost |
|---|---|
| Small | $1,800 – $2,800 |
| Medium | $2,800 – $3,800 |
| Large | $4,500 – $7,000 |
Covers GPOs, exhaust fans, and lighting — from a single downlight swap to a full re-wire with a heated mirror and feature lighting.
| Bathroom size | Electrical cost |
|---|---|
| Small | $450 – $900 |
| Medium | $900 – $1,700 |
| Large | $1,700 – $3,200 |
A bathroom needs a long list of fittings — bath, shower enclosure, toilet suite, vanity, tapware and more — and the quality you choose for each one adds up fast.
| Fitting | Budget | Typical | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bath | $300 | $900 | $2,800 |
| Shower enclosure | $700 | $1,100 | $1,300 |
| Toilet suite | $200 | $400 | $1,100 |
| Vanity | $600 | $1,100 | $3,200 |
| Basin | $140 | $230 | $900 |
| Exhaust fan | $60 | $280 | $750 |
| Mirror | $130 | $280 | $450 |
| Bath tap set | $90 | $280 | $450 |
| Shower rail | $150 | $380 | $850 |
| Basin tap set | $70 | $160 | $380 |
| Towel rail | $35 | $90 | $180 |
| Soap dish | $6 | $18 | $90 |
| Robe hook | $5 | $18 | $45 |
| Floor waste | $45 | $75 | $140 |
| Total | $2,531 | $5,311 | $12,635 |
After a luxury finish? Add these to the wishlist and the budget spreadsheet: underfloor heating, heated towel rails, custom-coloured tapware, custom joinery, designer lighting and more. The sky's the limit, but so is the price tag — picking a couple of hero extras rather than the whole list keeps costs in check.
Good tradies are like gold, and a bathroom reno needs a full crew — builder, plumber, electrician, tiler, waterproofer and painter. You can chase down and manage each trade yourself, or let your builder supply and run the team for you. At Robert Wade Builder, we handle the whole crew so you're dealing with one point of contact from start to finish, not five. Labour typically makes up 40–50% of your total budget, and that's money well spent — always hire professionals who take pride in and certify their work.
If you're only renovating the bathroom and not touching other rooms, you may not need a permit from your local council — but it pays to check, and it's only a quick phone call. Swapping out taps, showerheads or a vanity, re-tiling, painting or fitting new shelves and mirrors usually won't need approval. But if you're knocking down walls, adding windows, relocating plumbing or electrical work, or re-waterproofing, you may need permission — so it's worth asking us or checking with your local council before you start.
$8,000 – $15,000
New fixtures, fittings and a fresh finish while keeping the existing layout.
Get a Quote$15,000 – $35,000
Layout adjustments, upgraded tiling, vanity and shower with quality fixtures.
Get a Quote$35,000+
Full reconfiguration with custom joinery, premium finishes and feature tiling.
Get a Quote
There's no two ways about it — renovating a bathroom is a significant investment. But it adds value to your home and enjoyment to your everyday routine, given it's usually the first room you visit in the morning and the last you use at night.
From our experience renovating over 50 bathrooms across Gympie and the Sunshine Coast, we know there are so many cost variables that the only way to accurately price your bathroom is with a detailed quote from a builder who's walked through your space.
Get your detailed quoteEvery quote is tailored to your home, but these are the main factors that influence price.
Robert Wade Builder makes every project straightforward, from first quote to final finish.
Anywhere from around $8,000 for a small cosmetic refresh to $35,000+ for a high-end, luxury bathroom. The Housing Industry Association puts the national average at around $26,000, though your actual cost depends on scope, materials and design choices.