Price bands
These are 2026 planning figures for bathrooms taken back to the frame and done properly, as a guide. A written quote after a measure gives you the actual number.
| Job | 2026 guide (AUD) | Usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| Powder room or separate toilet | $5,000 – $14,000 | Toilet, small basin where it fits, tiles, fan |
| Small bathroom (cottage or unit) | $15,000 – $24,000 | Full strip-out, walk-in shower, compact vanity |
| Ensuite | $15,000 – $26,000 | Shower base out, tiled shower, new vanity and toilet |
| Main bathroom | $21,000 – $35,000 | Full strip-out, membrane, tiles to ceiling, new fittings |
| Accessible bathroom | $22,000 – $38,000 | Step-free shower, blocking, non-slip floor, comfort fittings |
| Laundry | $8,000 – $18,000 | Tub, cabinetry, waterproofing, floor waste |
| Rental bathroom, layout unchanged | $12,000 – $22,000 | Durable fittings, new tiles and membrane where needed |
| Partial update (no strip-out) | $5,000 – $12,000 | Tapware, vanity, mirror, lighting, regrout, fan |
Extras that often apply
| Extra | 2026 guide (AUD) | When |
|---|---|---|
| Asbestos testing | Usually under $500 | House or room from before about 1990 |
| Licensed asbestos removal | $1,500 – $4,000 | Positive test |
| Floor framing repairs | $1,000 – $4,000 | Soft joists or bearers under an old shower |
| Galvanised pipe replacement | $1,000 – $3,000 | Original steel supply pipes |
| Cutting a slab to move a waste | $2,500 – $6,000 | Layout change on a concrete floor |
| Strata requirements | $500 – $2,500 | Units: protection, restricted hours, paperwork |
| Stairs or steep access | $800 – $2,500 | Walk-ups, escarpment blocks |
| Fan ducted outside | $500 – $1,300 | No fan, or one venting into the roof |
Where the money goes
Roughly, a bathroom renovation splits three ways:
- Trades — strip-out, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, tiling and fit-off
- Materials and fittings — board, screed, membrane, tiles, adhesive, grout, vanity, tapware, toilet, screen, fan and lights
- Site costs — skip or waste removal, protection, cleaning, and managing the job
In older Illawarra houses, the trades part grows because there's more to take out and more to fix.
What pushes the price up
Moving plumbing on a slab. The biggest single variable in brick veneer homes.
What's hiding. Asbestos, rot and old pipes in cottages and post-war homes.
Tiles. Big formats need flatter walls; herringbone, mosaics and mitred corners take longer.
Size. Everything scales with the room.
Access. Stairs in units, steep blocks toward the escarpment.
What doesn't add much
Tiles to the ceiling. A bit more tile and labour, no more peeling paint.
A proper fan. Cheap compared to the job, and the best mould fix going.
Grab-rail blocking. Almost nothing while the walls are open.
A fixed glass panel instead of a framed door. Often similar money, much easier to clean.
When a partial update makes more sense
If the bathroom is from the nineties or later, the shower's not leaking, the floor's solid and the tiles are sound, you may not need a full renovation. New tapware, a vanity and mirror cabinet, better lighting, a regrout and a proper fan can transform how it feels.
Honest advice at the measure should include that option when it fits.
Rules on payments
- Deposit capped at 10 per cent for residential building work in NSW
- Home building compensation cover required before a deposit is requested on jobs over $20,000
- Written contract required above the statutory threshold
- Progress payments tied to finished stages, not dates
If someone wants a big chunk upfront, or won't put it in writing, walk away.
Comparing quotes
Ask every quote to confirm:
- Is asbestos testing included? How would removal be priced?
- What's the allowance for rot or structural repairs?
- Which pipes are being replaced?
- Fittings by brand and model, and the tile allowance per square metre
- Waterproofing method and cure time
- Fan model and where it vents
- Access and waste removal
- Program in working days
Renovation work is carried out in partnership with Coastal Renovation Group, a licensed NSW builder. Licence and insurance details are provided on request. See how a job runs and common questions.
Call 02 4214 4073 or send the bathroom details through.
Questions people ask before they commit
Are Wollongong bathroom renovations cheaper than Sydney?
Often a little, but not dramatically. Materials cost about the same, and the trades, waterproofing and compliance involved are identical. Older Illawarra homes also frequently need asbestos testing, pipework and floor repairs that add to the figure.
What's the cheapest way to improve a bathroom?
If the waterproofing is sound, a partial update: new tapware, vanity, mirror cabinet, lighting, a regrout and a better fan. That can cost a fraction of a full renovation. If the shower's leaking, though, the cheap option usually costs more in the end.
How much deposit should I pay?
In NSW, no more than 10 per cent for residential building work. For jobs over $20,000, home building compensation cover has to be in place before a deposit is requested.
Why do quotes for the same bathroom vary so much?
Usually because they include different things. One might allow for asbestos testing, new pipes and full-height tiles; another might not. Ask every quote the same questions and compare line by line.