How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Melbourne? (2026)
The short answer: $18,000 to $40,000 for most Melbourne bathrooms. But bathroom quotes vary more than kitchen quotes, largely because of tiling rates, waterproofing specifications and the condition of what is behind the tiles. Here is what actually drives the cost.
Bathroom renovation cost breakdown — Melbourne 2026
| Spec level | Price range | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $18,000 – $24,000 | Waterproofing to AS 3740, ceramic tile (floor + walls), semi-frameless shower screen, basic vanity, chrome tapware, exhaust fan, fresh paint. |
| Mid-spec | $24,000 – $32,000 | Large-format tile (600x600), semi-frameless shower screen, wall-hung vanity, matte tapware, niche, feature tile, quality exhaust fan. |
| Full-spec | $32,000 – $45,000+ | Frameless shower screen, custom niche, stone-look large-format tile, freestanding bath (if space allows), heated towel rail, floor heating, premium tapware (Milli, Astra Walker). |
Prices for metropolitan Melbourne. Ensuite renovations in smaller spaces typically sit at the lower end. Full bathrooms with a bath cavity run higher. Aged plumbing and substrate issues can add $2,000 to $5,000 to any job.
What actually drives bathroom renovation costs up
Tile size and format
Small tiles require more cuts and more labour. Large-format tiles (600x600 or larger) require a flatter substrate but go down faster. The tile itself can be $20/m2 or $200/m2. For an average bathroom with 35m2 of tiled surface, the material cost alone can vary by $6,000 between budget and premium tile.
What is behind the existing tiles
Old Melbourne homes frequently have fibre cement or older cement sheet substrates that need to be inspected after demolition. Rotted frames from past leaks, rusted fixings, and inadequate previous waterproofing are common. A good quote includes a note about how demolition surprises are handled before work starts, not after.
Waterproofing specification
AS 3740 sets the minimum. Multiple coats, full height behind shower walls, floor-to-wall junctions sealed with bond breaker. This part of the job costs $1,200 to $2,500 and is non-negotiable. If a quote skips it or describes it vaguely, walk away. A leaking shower in two years costs more than a proper renovation now.
Plumbing position changes
Moving the shower from one corner to another means new rough-in plumbing inside the wall. For a bathroom on a timber floor, this is manageable at $800 to $2,000. For a slab floor, it requires concrete cutting, which adds $1,500 to $3,500. Always ask if plumbing stays in the same position before you confirm a quote.
Shower screen type
A basic semi-frameless screen on standard hinges costs $800 to $1,400 supplied and installed. A frameless frameless panel with a fixed and swing configuration costs $1,800 to $3,500. A fully custom frameless screen to fit an irregular shower opening is $2,500 to $5,000+. The screen choice alone can add $2,000 to $4,000 to your quote.
What to check in any bathroom quote
These items should be listed as fixed costs, not provisional sums or PC allowances. If they are not, the final invoice will be higher than the quote.
- ✓Waterproofing — must specify 'to AS 3740', not just 'waterproofing included'
- ✓Floor and wall tile supply and installation (specify m2 rate and tile spec)
- ✓Shower screen supply and installation (specify frameless or semi-frameless, dimensions)
- ✓Vanity — specify wall-hung or floor-standing, size and brand
- ✓Tapware — specify finish (chrome, matte black, brushed brass) and brand or quality tier
- ✓Toilet supply and installation (if replacing)
- ✓Exhaust fan supply and installation
- ✓Lighting supply and installation
- ✓Painting (ceiling and walls outside tiled areas)
- ✓Demolition and disposal (including old tiles, vanity and fittings)
- ✓Final clean
Common questions
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Melbourne?
A standard bathroom renovation in Melbourne runs $18,000 to $40,000. Standard scope (flat waterproofing, ceramic tile, basic vanity and shower) sits at $18,000 to $24,000. Mid-spec (larger-format tile, semi-frameless shower screen, wall-hung vanity, quality tapware) runs $24,000 to $32,000. Full-spec (large-format stone-look tile, frameless shower screen, custom niche, freestanding bath, premium tapware) runs $32,000 to $45,000 and above.
Does waterproofing increase the cost?
Waterproofing is not optional and is not a variable. Every bathroom renovation in Victoria must be waterproofed to Australian Standard AS 3740 by a licensed waterproofer. It is included in any legitimate quote. What varies is what sits on top of it. If a quote is cheaper because it skips proper waterproofing, that is not a saving — it is a leak waiting to happen.
What is the difference between a bathroom refresh and a full renovation?
A refresh replaces fittings without touching tiles, waterproofing or plumbing positions. New vanity, tapware and mirror without cracking a tile. This runs $3,000 to $8,000. A full renovation strips back to the framing, re-waterproofs, re-tiles, and re-fits everything. That is the $18,000 to $40,000 range. Most Melbourne homeowners who want a real outcome need the full renovation.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
A standard bathroom renovation takes 3 to 4 weeks. Larger bathrooms or those with structural changes take 4 to 6 weeks. The timeline is largely driven by waterproofing cure times between coats, tile delivery lead times, and the sequence of trades. A builder who tells you 10 days is either skipping steps or not accounting for cure times.
What is included in a fixed-price bathroom renovation quote?
A complete quote should cover: demolition and disposal, waterproofing to AS 3740, floor and wall tiling (including adhesive and grout), shower screen supply and installation, vanity supply and installation, tapware, toilet (if replacing), exhaust fan, lighting, painting, and final clean. Any of these listed as 'provisional sum' or 'PC allowance' means the price can change. Push for fixed costs on every line item.