Bathroom Renovation: What You Get for $20k vs $40k vs $60k

Bathroom renovations are the most common single renovation we get asked to quote. Budgets vary dramatically. Here is what each level of investment actually delivers in 2023 Western Sydney pricing.

$20,000 renovation

Standard 4 to 5 sqm bathroom, like-for-like refresh:

• Demolition and disposal: $2,500
• Plumbing relocation (minor): $1,800
• Electrical (new GPOs, fan light): $900
• Waterproofing to AS 3740: $1,200
• Floor tiling (standard $35/sqm tiles, 5 sqm): $1,400
• Wall tiling (standard tiles to 2.1m, 22 sqm): $4,800
• Vanity unit (off-the-shelf 900mm): $1,200
• Mirror, accessories: $400
• Toilet suite (water-conserving): $450
• Shower screen (semi-frameless): $850
• Tapware set (chrome, builder grade): $700
• Acrylic bath (if retained): $850
• Painting and finishes: $750
• Builder margin and contingency: $2,200

What you get: a clean, modern bathroom. Standard chrome tapware, off-the-shelf vanity, standard tile selection. No frills.

$40,000 renovation

Same 4 to 5 sqm space, full renovation with mid-tier finishes:

• Demolition and disposal: $2,800
• Plumbing relocation (moderate, possibly new fixture positions): $3,500
• Electrical (LED downlights, heated towel rail circuit, extractor fan): $1,800
• Waterproofing: $1,400
• Floor tiling (mid-tier $70/sqm tiles, 5 sqm): $2,800
• Wall tiling (mid-tier $80/sqm tiles to ceiling, 22 sqm): $8,500
• Custom vanity (1500mm with stone top, integrated basin): $4,500
• Mirror (LED back-lit), accessories (matte black/brass): $1,200
• Wall-hung toilet with in-wall cistern: $1,900
• Frameless shower screen with brushed brass hinges: $2,200
• Tapware set (designer brand, matte black or brushed brass): $2,400
• Freestanding acrylic or stone composite bath: $2,800
• Heated towel rail: $850
• Painting and finishes: $1,100
• Builder margin and contingency: $2,800

What you get: a contemporary designer bathroom with quality materials and finishes. The bathroom feels considered.

$60,000+ renovation

Same space, premium renovation with high-end finishes and bespoke joinery:

• Demolition and disposal: $3,200
• Plumbing relocation (significant, new layout): $5,500
• Electrical (premium lighting, heated floor, smart switching): $3,800
• Heated bathroom floor (in-slab or in-screed): $4,500
• Waterproofing (premium membrane system): $1,800
• Floor tiling (premium $120/sqm large format porcelain): $4,800
• Wall tiling (slab marble or stone $250/sqm feature plus mid-tier elsewhere): $14,000
• Bespoke joinery vanity (1800mm double vanity, stone top, integrated basins): $7,500
• LED mirror (bespoke), premium accessories: $2,200
• Wall-hung toilet with concealed cistern: $2,200
• Fully frameless walk-in shower with low-iron glass: $3,800
• Tapware set (premium European brand, full set): $4,200
• Freestanding stone composite bath: $4,200
• Heated towel rail (premium, multi-bar): $1,400
• Painting, special finishes: $1,400
• Builder margin and contingency: $3,500

What you get: a luxury bathroom that rivals 5-star hotels. Slab marble feature walls, double vanity, heated floors, frameless walk-in shower, designer European tapware.

Where to spend, where to save

Spend on: waterproofing (cheap is a disaster), tile installation (poor tiling shows immediately), tapware (cheap mixers fail in 5 years), shower screens (frameless reads premium).

Save on: standard tiles can look great if well-laid; off-the-shelf vanities work if the bathroom is small; chrome over matte black if budget is tight.

The unexpected costs

• Removing existing waterproofing and tile beds (sometimes requires concrete cutting): $1,500
• Asbestos cement sheeting in older bathrooms requires licensed removal: $1,200 to $4,000
• Re-routing plumbing if changing fixture positions: $2,000 to $5,000
• Window replacement (if needed): $1,500 to $3,500
• Skylight installation (if upgrading natural light): $2,500 to $4,500