Bathrooms are small rooms with big budgets, and that surprises a lot of people. Once you understand what's involved behind the tiles, though, the cost starts to make sense.
This guide covers what a bathroom renovation costs in Sydney in 2026, what drives the price up or down, and how to get the best value from your budget.
Typical bathroom renovation costs in Sydney
| Bathroom type | Typical cost in Sydney | What it usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| Powder room | $12,000 to $20,000 | Toilet, vanity, tapware, tiles and lighting |
| Small ensuite | $18,000 to $28,000 | Same layout, shower, toilet, vanity, floor to ceiling tiles |
| Standard main bathroom | $28,000 to $40,000 | Full strip out, waterproofing, shower and bath, quality fixtures |
| Premium or large bathroom | $40,000 to $60,000+ | Layout changes, freestanding bath, natural stone, underfloor heating, custom joinery |
These ranges are indicative and include demolition, trades, waterproofing, tiling, fixtures and installation. Your actual price depends on the size of the room, the layout and your selections.
Where the money goes in a bathroom renovation
| Item | Typical share of budget |
|---|---|
| Tiling (labour and tiles) | 20 to 25 percent |
| Plumbing and drainage | 15 to 20 percent |
| Fixtures and tapware | 15 to 20 percent |
| Vanity and storage | 5 to 10 percent |
| Waterproofing | 5 to 8 percent |
| Demolition and waste | 5 to 8 percent |
| Electrical, lighting and ventilation | 5 to 8 percent |
| Shower screen and mirrors | 5 to 8 percent |
| Contingency | 5 to 10 percent |
Tiling
Tiling is labour intensive, especially with large format tiles, herringbone patterns, mosaics or niches. Floor to ceiling tiles look great and are easy to clean, but they use more tiles and more labour than half height tiling.
Plumbing
Keeping the toilet, shower and vanity where they are is the single biggest saving. Moving a toilet in particular can involve significant work to relocate the waste pipe.
Fixtures and tapware
Tapware, toilets, baths and shower systems range from budget to designer. Mid range brands offer excellent quality and warranties without the premium price.
Waterproofing
Waterproofing isn't a big share of the budget, but it's the most important part of the job. It must be done properly, by licensed trades, to the Australian Standard. Read our guide to bathroom waterproofing in NSW to see why.
What increases bathroom renovation costs
- Changing the layout, especially moving the toilet or shower.
- Larger rooms with more tiling and more fixtures.
- Premium finishes like natural stone, designer tapware and custom vanities.
- Extras like underfloor heating, heated towel rails and in-wall cisterns.
- Older homes with old pipes, uneven floors or hidden water damage.
- Apartments, where strata requirements and access add planning time.
How to save on a bathroom renovation
- Keep the layout wherever you can.
- Choose one feature rather than several. A great tile on one wall, or a beautiful vanity, can carry the whole room.
- Pick standard sizes for baths, screens and vanities.
- Spend on the hidden stuff. Waterproofing, drainage and ventilation matter more than the brand of toilet roll holder.
- Decide early. Changes after work starts are expensive.
- Get a fixed price quote with everything itemised.
Short on space? Our small bathroom ideas show how to make a compact bathroom feel bigger without spending a fortune.
What to check in a bathroom quote
Make sure your quote clearly lists demolition, plumbing, electrical, waterproofing (and the standard it complies with), tiling, fixtures included or excluded, the shower screen, painting and the warranty. In NSW, work over $5,000 needs a written contract and a licensed contractor, and work over $20,000 also requires Home Building Compensation Fund insurance. Our guide on choosing a renovator lists the questions to ask.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
Most bathrooms take 3 to 5 weeks on site. See our bathroom renovation timeline for a week by week breakdown.
Get a fixed price bathroom quote
We offer free in-home consultations across Sydney and fixed price quotes with no obligation. Find out more about our bathroom renovations in Sydney or request your free quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a small bathroom renovation cost in Sydney?
A small bathroom or ensuite that keeps the same layout typically costs around $18,000 to $28,000 in Sydney, depending on tiles, tapware and the vanity you choose.
Why are bathroom renovations so expensive?
A bathroom packs a lot of specialist work into a small room: demolition, plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, tiling, glazing and joinery. Each trade needs to be scheduled in order, and waterproofing must cure properly before tiling.
Is it cheaper to renovate two bathrooms at once?
Usually it's more cost effective per bathroom, because setup, delivery and trade visits can be shared. The total is higher, but you save compared with doing them separately.
