How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a Bathroom?

Renovating your home can be just as exciting as buying a new home altogether. However, breathing new life into your home can raise many questions, namely about price, with high-value areas such as the bathroom costing anywhere from $25,000 to $95,000. Bathroom renovations are a great way to begin tackling your first home renovation, offering up to a 10% return on investment. Learn about the different options available to help you stay within budget, how long a bathroom renovation generally takes and how a well-planned renovation can add value to your property.

Bathroom Renovation Cost Breakdown

Getting a quote from a renovations specialist can be a bit of a shock; however, any professional worth their salt will give you a carefully outlined and itemised estimate of your renovation cost, allowing complete transparency from the get-go. A quote will generally include the cost of materials and tradies; however, some additional costs can impact the final price tag of your bathroom renovation. An all-encompassing cost breakdown of your typical bathroom renovation may include factors such as:

Tradespeople fees

Depending on the scope of your renovation; many tradespeople may be required for services such as demolition, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, plastering, wet sealing, tiling and painting. According to this article by Ellie McLachlan from Canstar, tradesperson fees commonly sit within the following ranges:

Materials

General bathroom renovation materials include tiles, paint, floor screeding, silicone and plaster. Prices for tiles and paint may be subject to change depending on personal material preferences and the size of the project in question.

Fittings and fixtures

Items classed as fittings or fixtures such as tapware, shower screens, bathtubs, toilets, cabinetry and towel railings are not included in an initial quote due to prices varying depending on personal selection. The suggested inclusions by Accessible Bathrooms typically total at $4,000 to $10,000 following final product selection

A quotation request is the best first step to understanding your bathroom renovation budget, but prices will vary depending on your taste and the extensiveness of your renovation. However, an excellent way to get the best price indicator is to request a look at previous bathroom renovation quotes completed by your chosen renovation contractor.

Average Bathroom Renovation Cost

Accessible Bathrooms’ average bathroom renovation costs between $20,000 and $25,000, and between $18,000 and $22,000 for ensuites. These figures do not include the costs of fittings and accessories, and are well within line with national averages recorded in 2018, with the average bathroom renovation prices recorded at $20,933 and $23,000 in the ACT.

Furthermore, the hipages.com cost guide for bathroom renovations advises that mid-range bathroom renovations typically cost $15,000 to $30,000. Higher-end luxury bathroom renovations with top range materials and fittings can command a range from $30,000 to $90,000 and upwards.

If these numbers frighten you a little, read on to learn more about how Accessible Bathrooms can help you keep your bathroom renovation costs down.

How to Keep Bathroom Renovation Costs Down

At Accessible Bathrooms, we don’t compromise on quality, but we do prioritise value for money. During your free consultation, we’ll have an honest conversation with you about what we can deliver within your budget and how.

The best way to reduce costs is to consider elements of your bathroom renovation that you can forgo. Things you may want to consider include:

Floor to ceiling tiling alternatives

Reduce costs on materials and labour by instead opting for partial tiling. Tiling wet areas such as the lower wall, floor and shower walls will vastly reduce the cost of tiles whilst retaining the practicality of tiling.

Opting out of bathtub installation

If you’re not a huge bath lover, you might want to reconsider installing a bathtub which is not only a significant sum of money shaved off of your final quote but also more economical in the long run.

Swapping out expensive materials

Look for alternatives to more costly materials such as tiles, paint and wood finishes. Opt-out of real wood, marble or natural stone and consider using porcelain or ceramic tiles which can look and feel the same with improved durability at a fraction of the price. All products used by Accessible Bathrooms are reasonably priced and offer true quality with warranties up to 25-years.

Installing LED lighting

This might cost slightly more at first, but choosing LED lights will not only improve the appearance of your renovation but also save you money in the long run. LED lighting is a long-lasting and cost-reducing lighting solution, well-known for its energy efficiency.

Reusing old fittings or fixtures

Consider reusing quality fitting or fixtures as long as they’re in good condition. During your initial inspection, our renovations consultant may be able to determine if any fittings or fixtures are viable for reuse. It’s crucial to check that your fittings and fixtures are in good condition before reuse to ensure they last well into the future.

Choosing a statement piece

Minimalism is in, so being a little more critical about which accessories you choose to include in your renovation can help you stay on budget and in fashion! Prioritise functional dual-purpose accessories and fittings to stretch your budget further.

Opt for a stock standard vanity

Custom vanities and other fixtures and fittings can quickly inflate your budget, with the value of a stock standard vanity and a custom vanity typically differing in price by around $2000.

Plan for plumbing reuse

Work with our designers to layout your bathroom in a way that reuses preexisting plumbing and reduces tradesperson costs. Reusing plumbing can save anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 in renovation costs.

Accessible Bathrooms can work with you to achieve the bathroom renovation of your dreams and maintain the quality of your creative vision whilst meeting your budget requirements.

How Long Does It Take to Renovate a Bathroom?

For the duration of your bathroom renovation, Accessible Bathrooms provides a portable ensuite and bathroom facilities, allowing you to be comfortable throughout the entire renovation process. This timeline can vary depending on the scope of your renovation and the drying speed of products such as screeding, wet sealing, grout and silicone. A typical renovation will take up to 4 weeks and is generally scheduled like so:

Accessible Bathrooms provides all our clients with regular updates through in-person inspection or digital documentation throughout the renovation process.

Do Renovations Add Value?

The million-dollar question for many ambitious Australians seeking to improve their properties is: will a renovation add to my investment? According to realestate.com, “a well-planned and executed renovation can add up to 10% to the value of your home”. This potential return on investment (ROI) can see you doubling the cost of your renovation and improving your future resale value.

Greg Weller, a Housing Industry Association spokesperson, Greg Weller adds that more bathrooms may be a desirable property trait, with the Australian home now offering 2.6 bathrooms on average to potential buyers. This trend in multi-bathroom households means that building additional bathrooms for your home may improve your market performance and command a higher price.

Additionally, bathroom renovations add value in terms of quality of life, providing up-to-date fitting and fixtures with a clean bill of health for future maintenance requirements. A beautiful bathroom also offers a more peaceful, serene and intentional environment for your daily grooming and self-care.

When renovating for profit, it’s essential to consider trending styles and market demand so you can plan accordingly. If you’re looking for a timeless bathroom design that buyers will love, our designers at Accessible Bathrooms can help you to maximise your investment return.

Ultimately, the cost of a bathroom renovation greatly depends on your goals and priorities. Whether you’re seeking to design an energy-efficient space, enter into the competitive Australian property market or simply soak in a bubble bath in your dream bathroom, Accessible Bathrooms will help you achieve your goals. We offer complete honesty during our renovation process and collaborate with you to complete your dream bathroom in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner. If you’d like to learn more about our renovation services, you can learn more at our renovation services page, or if you’d like to take a deeper look at the overall process, explore our extensive process documentation here.