Cost to Renovate a Bathroom in Melbourne
In Melbourne, a full bathroom renovation will cost between $17,000 and $25,000 on average, for all labour and materials.
In this article, we are going to guide you through a detailed breakdown of how much your bathroom renovation will cost. On average, you will likely spend between $17,000 and $25,000 for both labour and materials, although high-end customized bathrooms or large ensuites can be $30k or more.
Bathroom renovations are the most common renovation project in Melbourne.
It makes sense – they’re inexpensive compared to other types of remodelling projects, and they are one of the places that we spend the most time in.
For the purpose of this article, we’re only going to highlight the labour costs.
To understand why bathroom renovations can be so different in cost, it’s important to know how a bathroom remodel is actually done, and the costs involved in each step. So, let’s get into it.
The scope of your bathroom renovation will have a dramatic impact on the costs, so it’s important to understand and plan for exactly what you want done.
If you’re planning to do a full bathroom remodel, it will always start with a demolition.
Demolition
Cost: $1000-2500 (read on for details)
This is the part of the project where everything is taken out of the bathroom: old tub, tiles, vanity, toilet, and everything else.
If your house is built before 1990, you should always get an asbestos test before beginning a demolition. Asbestos is a common building material that was used before 1990 and is known to cause cancer and damage to your lungs if inhaled.
If you find that asbestos is present in your bathroom, then a special team will need to take precautions to demolish and dispose of the materials.
This typically costs quite a bit more, ranging from $2000-3500 for a standard bathroom.
A normal demolition should take about a day to complete. With asbestos, it will take longer.
The real difference in cost comes down to the disposal of materials. Melbourne is very strict about the disposal of asbestos, so certain measures must be taken to ensure it’s disposed of properly.
A regular bathroom may cost around $600 to dispose of old materials, while a bathroom containing asbestos can be 3-4x as much.
Plumbing
Cost: $2000-$4000
Once the demolition is accomplished, this is when plumbing come to the space, but not making the final connections till tiling is completed. If relocation of any pipes is required, this is the part of the process when it happens.
If you don’t move any mixers or other plumbing fixtures, this part can go quite fast.
Plumbers in Melbourne charge a lot for their work – often as much as $150 per hour. This means that plumbing is usually the most expensive part of a bathroom renovation.
Electrical
Cost: $150-250 per item (average of $900)
The electrical work will be done alongside the rough-in plumbing.
The going rate for new electrical will be about $150-250 per item. This means that 4 new Down-lights in your bathroom will cost around $400. Changing the switches, and installing the vanity light will be another $400.
Waterproofing
Cost: $1000-$1500
Waterproofing is a critical part of any bathroom renovation – without it, your bathroom will come crumbling down in a few months. For this reason, we normally opt for the best waterproofing system.
Tiling
Cost: $1800-$4000 on average
Once your shower is waterproofed, the tiles will be installed. This will likely take 3 days for a regular sized bathroom:
- 1 day for floor tiles
- 1 day for the wall tiles
- 1 day to grout everything
Some tiles will take much longer than others to install. For example, a chevron or herringbone style tile pattern will take much more effort to plan, cut and install.
Glass and marble are also much more difficult to cut and require more expensive tools, often adding to the cost of installation.
The most common types of tiles are porcelain (they’re more durable), and ceramic (they’re lighter and easier to install).
Finishing up
Once your tiles are completed, the hard part is out of the way. It should only take a few more days to finish up the project.
Finishing normally includes:
- Installing the shower head and trim
- Installing the toilet
- Installing the vanity and mirror
- Installing the final lighting
- Installing the shower screen (if you have one)
All of the labour costs for these items have been mentioned above, with the exception of installing the shower screen
Shower screen Installation: $600-1500
Typically, glass installers will charge about $150 per hour. A typical shower screen will take around 4 hours to install – so budget around $600 for this, on top of the cost for the screen itself.
Shower screens also range in costs from $700 to about $1700. It really depends on the style and the manufacturer.
Smaller openings (<45”) should use a swinging glass door to save space, while larger enclosures can benefit from a sliding glass door.
You can also opt for a fixed glass panel, which will cost less to install and take up less space. They also look great with walk-in showers.
The only downside of a fixed glass panel is that it won’t always protect the rest of your bathroom from splashing water.
Now that your bathroom is finally finished, you might want to paint. Hiring a professional for this will cost about $600, including the paint. Or you can spend $80 on paint and try your hand at it.
Caulking
Cost: $300-$1000
it is essential to use caulk, not grout, in corners. Grout does not hold up well in corners and is prone to cracking and falling out. This is because the tiles on the two perpendicular walls expand and contract with temperature changes. The grout will not flex to match these changes, leading to cracked grout in corners. Silicone caulk provides a flexible waterproof seal and ensures crack-free corners.
Final Thoughts
We hope this has helped you to better understand the costs associated with a bathroom renovation.
We have an awesome team of project coordinators, designers, project managers, and tradespeople to help you at every step of your renovation.
Send us an email or give us a call if you need help.