How much you'll need to spend to update your bathroom
After giving your kitchen some renovation love, revamping your bathroom is the next pursuit which will add considerable value to your home, so it’s important to plan ahead to ensure the smooth execution of your ultimate bathroom renovation.
If you’re not sure how much different aspects of the renovation might cost for a main bathroom of a household that comprises a toilet, bath and shower (i.e. not an ensuite or WC), we’ve explained it below.
By assessing the main bathroom components, that is; tiling, the shower enclosure, toilet, bathtub, vanity & cabinet, lighting, fixtures & fittings, we’ve estimated the cost of a budget, standard and premium bathroom renovation in Australia.
What's the average cost of a bathroom renovation?
According to a recent HIA survey, the average cost of a complete bathroom renovation in 2015 will cost between $15 500 and $20 000.
According to our own findings, the approximate costs of a bathroom renovation for different price points are:
Budget - $4500
Standard - $8300
Premium - $14,000 - $24,000
Read on to the next section to find out where all this cash goes during a bathroom renovation.
MUST READ: Before you start any DIY bathroom renovations
Building expert Samuel Tastzidis says that homeowners should be wary when it comes to asbestos removal within bathroom structures: “You should always be aware that in older dwellings the wall lining in bathrooms generally contains asbestos which is a hazardous substance. The cost of asbestos removal can be quite high and must be done by a licensed removalist if there is over 10 square meters of bonded asbestos.”
Skip ahead
Tiling
Shower enclosure
Toilet
Bathtub
Vanity & Cabinet
Lighting
Fixtures & fittings
Tiling
The size of your bathroom, along with tiling costs, will be a major factor to consider for the cost of your renovation. Depending on the supplier and the finish required, standard white ceramic wall tiles (600 x 300mm) will cost between $20-$28 per square meter. Whereas floor tiles are generally more expensive, starting from around $35-$50 per square meter for ceramic or porcelain tiles and $50-$100 per square meter for high quality porcelain or natural stone tiles.
To cover site preparation, labour and basic materials, the average tiler will charge $40-$60 per square meter.
However, once you account for the cost of the waterproofing and the screed (floor preparation), you could be paying anywhere between $1500 and $3000 for a complete tiling job.
The following estimates are based on a 3 x 2m main bathroom with a 2.4m ceiling.
Budget:
For a budget bathroom generally you would tile the floor and sometimes the walls of the shower, using a small skirting tile on the walls. According to Tastzidis, you should use a shower tray and walls to reduce your tiling costs: “Although not as aesthetically appealing, they are a cost-effective way to reduce the overall area that requires tiling and waterproofing.”
“For an average 6 square meter bathroom, it would cost $200 for ceramic floor tiles, $400 for labour and materials and $600 for waterproofing so it could set you back approximately $1200.”
Standard:
A standard bathroom renovation would generally involve tiling the entire floor area as well as the walls up to a specified height. As a conservative estimate, Tastzidis says: The cost involved would be $270-300 for floor tiles, $300 for wall tiles, $1000 for labour and materials and $600-800 for waterproofing so it could cost approximately $2400.”
Premium:
If you’re planning a premium renovation, you’ll be looking to tile all walls from floor to ceiling. Tastzidis recommends using high quality large scale tiles such as granite or travertine.
“The difference in price between a budget or standard compared to a premium is so substantial because for a premium upgrade you would tile from floor to ceiling so the total tiling area is doubled or tripled in size.”
“It would roughly be $1000 for wall tiles (at $40 per square meter), $500 for floor tiles (at $80 per square meter), $2000 for labour and materials and $600-$800 for waterproofing, so it could be around $4 300 as a conservative estimate.”
Shower enclosure
The type of shower enclosure you choose for your bathroom can have a big impact on the overall aesthetics of the space.
According to Homewyse (2015), the cost of a shower enclosure ranges from $385.43-$473.77 and the labour cost of installing a shower enclosure for 3.4 hours of labour will fall between $94.83 and $122.80. These direct labour expenses include planning, job equipment, material acquisition, and area preparation.
The cost of supplies that may be required to install shower enclosures including fasteners and adhesives will range from $22.33 and $25.67.
Therefore the average cost of installing a shower enclosure should range from $532.58 to $670.24.
The following estimates are based on a shower size of 900mm x 900mm.
Budget:
Tastzidis recommends the use of a shower tray, shower walls and a framed glass shower screen to minimise costs for purchasing and installing the shower enclosure.
“You can get a budget cubicle-style shower screen for around $500 from Bunnings or a bathroom supplier, and the cost of installation would be around $200 for labour and materials, so it could set you back around $700.”
Standard:
For a standard bathroom renovation, Tastzidis recommends using a partly frameless style: “I would use a semi frameless style shower screen or a prefabricated frameless glass screen. These range in price from $400- $900 depending on height and it would be about $200 for installation including labour and materials. The total cost would be approximately $1 100.”
Premium:
A premium screen would cost roughly $1 500 which would includes installation as it will all be done by a glazier.
Tastzidis explains: “The installation of the premium screen is generally more expensive than a prefabricated frameless glass screen as it is always measured on site and made custom to your bathroom. But keep in mind that frameless screens are less durable and can be subject to chipping on the corners. In a rental property, I would normally go for a framed or semi-frameless shower screen to avoid damage.”
Toilet
Although not the most glamorous component of the bathroom, the toilet is an important consideration for your bathroom renovation.
According to Home Advisor (2015), toilet installation will range from $200-$500 and the cost of a new toilet could cost between $70-250. So for both toilet installation and the toilet itself, you’re looking at around $750 on average.
Budget:
For a budget bathroom upgrade, Tastzidis says that the toilet will generally have a ceramic pan with a plastic cistern, which will cost between $120-$200 with installation around $200, so you’d be looking at $400 in total.
Standard:
Tastzidis demonstrates how you can save money on your toilet and installation: “If you’re budget-conscious, you could choose a low range back-to-wall toilet or a high-end closed couple toilet, both of which have a good WELS rating.”
The cost of a standard toilet is between $300-$500 and installation is about $200, so the total cost would be around $700.
Premium
For a premium bathroom, the toilet would typically be a back-to-wall toilet from a premium manufacturer such as Villeroy & Boch or Caroma. Tastzidis explains some of the recent styles of premium toilets: “Some styles have a invisible cistern which is built into the wall cavity which can save you a lot of spacee. These will almost always come with a soft close toilet seat and prices will vary from $500 to $1200, and installation will be around $250, so it could set you back around $1 450.”
Bathtub
Modern bathtubs make great additions to bathrooms to create a luxurious space. However, installing a bathtub isn't the easiest project and will require a professional to conduct the installation.
Home Advisor (2015) estimates that the average cost of installing a bathtub is $2100, with most homeowners spending between $900 to $4 500, and the cost of a bath alone varying significantly from approximately $450 for a basic acrylic model to $2700 for a freestanding stone tub.
MUST READ: Bathtubs on the second floor
Tastzidis says that you should be careful of installing bathtubs on the second storey of a property: “Be weary when installing a bathtub as the floor may not have been designed to carry the weight of a bathtub. The weight of a bathtub can be extremely high when it is filled with water and when it is occupied. The room may need to be structurally modified to allow for this weight.”
Budget:
According to Tastzidis a basic bath would cost around $300-$500 for a basic oval shape that extends 1500mm long. “The cost of installation would be around $900 so the total cost would be $1 400”.
Standard:
A standard bath would generally be larger in size, around 1600- 1700mm, and would include features such as an armrest or in-built seats, Tastzidis claims: “These baths are generally made of acrylic and would cost $500-$1200 and installation would be around $1200, so the cost would be $2 400.
Premium:
A premium bathtub is typically made of acrylic or stone and may include a spa function, or features such as heating and lights. Tastzidis estimates the cost will vary from $1 500 - $10 000 and installation would be around $2 000 - $4 000, as a spa bath will need to be installed by both an electrician and a plumber to install. Thus, the total cost would range from $3 500 - $14 000.
Vanity & Cabinet
The placement, size and style of the vanity will impact the overall design of the bathroom space.
The cost for a regular, mid-grade vanity ranges between $252.55 and $376.41 (Home Advisor 2015). The direct labour covers planning, job equipment, material acquisition, and area which could set you back $58.58 to $132.71. The cost of supplies required to install the vanity includes surface preparation and finishing materials which will sit at around $20-$25.
The average cost of installing a vanity therefore ranges between $331.13 and $534.12 on average.
Budget:
A budget vanity would generally be acrylic or polymarble and the cabinet would typically be made of laminate timber. Tastzidis says: “For a budget range flat pack vanity the price would be $150-300 and the cost of installation would be about $100, so you’re looking at roughly $400.”
Standard:
According to Tastzidis a standard vanity is made of ceramic and the cabinet would normally be made of polyurethane. “The cost would be $450-$600 and the cost of installation would be around $100 so the total cost would be around $700.”
Premium:
A high end vanity would normally consist of quality ceramic or stone and the cabinet would be custom made by a cabinet maker which would be made of polyurethane.
Tastzidis provides insight into some recent styles of vanities in the marketplace: “The cabinet could have a stone bench top and a separate bowl style sink which is a popular trend in today’s designs. It would also have soft close doors and drawers and more of a seamless design.”
“The cost of a premium vanity would be $700 - $1 200 and installation would be around $200 plus, so the average cost would be $1 400.”
Lighting
Proper bathroom lighting is not only important for safety reasons but it can also enhance the appearance of the bathroom by illuminating fixtures, fittings, countertops or modern designs.
The national cost to install bathroom lighting is approximately $140 for a DIY job or $256 if you hire an electrician. However, Tastzidis suggests that you employ an electrician to install lighting: “I always recommend using a licenced electrician for all lighting and electrical work due to the risk involved, especially in older houses with outdated circuit boards that aren’t properly labelled”
Budget
For a budget renovation Tastzidis recommends using a standard LED oyster light which would cost $50-$100 and installation would be $50, so the total cost would be $150.
Standard
Tastzidis claims that IXL three-in-one light/heater/fan fittings offer a all-in-one solution for lighting, heating and exhaust functions.
“These would cost around $120-$250 depending on the size and the cost of installation would be slightly higher than budget lighting because of the enhanced functionality. The cost of installation would be around $150, so total average cost would be $400.”
Premium
LED lights are becoming increasingly popular in bathrooms as they are extremely energy efficient.
Tastzidis breaks down the cost of premium lighting and installation of LED lights:“They are about $50 per downlight and the average bathroom would have 4 downlights so this could set you back $200. LED strip lights can also be placed underneath benchtops or above shadow gaps to cast light on a specific area. These LED strips could cost around $100-$200 depending on the length.
Installation of the downlights could be around $200, so the total average cost of LED downlights would be roughly $400”.
Fixtures & Fittings
A cost that is generally overlooked in bathroom renovations is the price of fixtures and fittings, such as shower heads, basin taps, towel rails and toilet roll holders.
Tastzidis warns that you get what you pay for when it comes to bathroom fixtures: “We’ve all had the dreaded experience of the falling shower head or the dripping tap, and the only way to avoid this is to spend a bit more on quality products with good warranty periods.”
Budget:
Tastzidis sums up the cost of the main bathroom fixtures and fittings for a budget renovation: “A basic showerhead and mixer will cost around $130, a basic basin mixer tap would be $70, a towel rail and toilet roll holder would be $100, so total cost would be $300.”
Standard:
For standard renovation, the cost for a standard showerhead and mixer will be $250, a standard basin mixer tap could be $100 and a standard towel rail and toilet roll holder could be around $250, so you’d be looking at setting aside $600 for a standard upgrade.
Premium:
A premium shower head and mixer could cost around $600, and a premium basin mixer would be $200. Tastzidis offers recommendation for premium fixtures: “A premium bathroom will almost always include a heated towel rail, which are a great feature especially in the cooler months. These could cost anywhere between $300-$600 depending on the size and style. A quality toilet roll holder could cost $100 so you’d need to budget $1 500 for your bathroom fixtures.”
Want to know more?
Once you’ve calculated the cost of your complete bathroom renovation, you may find that it reaches far beyond your budget.
*All cost and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used for estimating purposes.
* Estimate prices for installation and labour costs have been sourced from Homewyse (2015), Home Advisor (2015) and independent contractors based in Sydney.
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