When your bathroom is out of action, every day counts. Knowing the order of work and how long each stage takes helps you plan ahead and spot a builder who is cutting corners.
Here's what a typical bathroom renovation in Sydney looks like, week by week.
The short answer
Most full bathroom renovations take 3 to 5 weeks on site. Before that, allow a few weeks for design, selections and ordering. Ensuites and powder rooms can be quicker, while large bathrooms or layout changes take longer.
Before work starts: design and selections
We measure up, plan the layout and help you choose tiles, tapware, vanity, toilet, shower screen and lighting. Ordering everything before demolition is the best way to avoid delays later. Apartment bathrooms may also need strata approval before work can begin. See our guide to renovation approvals in NSW.
Week 1: Demolition and rough in
Demolition (1 to 2 days). We protect your home, then strip the bathroom back to the frame and floor. This is when we check for hidden damage, old pipes or rotten timbers.
Rough in (2 to 3 days). Plumbers set the new positions for waste pipes, water supply, the shower mixer and tapware. Electricians run cabling for lights, exhaust fans, heated towel rails, underfloor heating and power points. If walls need new sheeting or the floor needs a screed to create the right fall, that happens now too.
Week 2: Waterproofing
Waterproofing is the most important stage in any bathroom renovation. The membrane is applied to the shower area, floor and walls to the required heights, with flexible sealant and bond breakers at corners and junctions.
The membrane then needs to cure. Depending on the product and the weather, this can take one to several days, and some jobs include a flood test. It's tempting to rush this stage, but good bathroom renovators never do. Our guide to bathroom waterproofing in NSW explains why.
Weeks 2 to 3: Tiling
Tiling usually takes 4 to 7 days depending on the size of the room, the tile format and any patterns or niches. Large format tiles need very flat surfaces and careful handling. Feature walls, herringbone floors and mitred corners all take longer. Once tiles are laid, grouting and sealing follow.
Weeks 3 to 4: Fit off
The plumber and electrician return to install the vanity, toilet, tapware, shower rose, lights, exhaust fan and accessories. Mirrors and shaving cabinets go up, and silicone joints are finished neatly.
Weeks 4 to 5: Shower screen and final touches
Frameless shower screens are measured after tiling, then manufactured. Once installed, we complete the final clean, check everything works and walk you through your new bathroom.
What can slow a bathroom renovation down
- Late selections, especially tiles and tapware with long lead times.
- Hidden damage discovered during demolition in older homes.
- Changes to the layout once work has started.
- Strata approvals that haven't been finalised.
- Wet weather, which can slow curing and deliveries.
How to make it easier
- Plan where everyone will shower while the bathroom is out of action.
- Clear the bathroom and nearby hallway before work starts.
- Keep pets and kids away from the work area.
- Ask for a written schedule so you know what's happening and when.
Plan your bathroom renovation
We give every client a clear schedule and keep them updated as the job progresses. Learn more about our bathroom renovations in Sydney, see our bathroom renovation cost guide, or request a free quote.
Frequently asked questions
Can a bathroom be renovated in one week?
A full bathroom renovation with new waterproofing and tiling can't be done properly in a week. Each trade needs to work in order, and the waterproofing membrane needs time to cure before tiling starts.
What if we only have one bathroom?
Many families stay with relatives for part of the job, use a gym or pool shower, or hire a portable bathroom. We plan the schedule so the time without a working toilet and shower is as short as possible.
Why does the shower screen take extra time?
Frameless glass is cut to the exact measurements of the finished, tiled shower. It's measured once tiling is complete, then made, which usually takes one to two weeks.
