How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Melbourne?

"How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Melbourne?" It's the first question everyone asks, and the honest answer is: it depends. But after doing over 150 bathroom renovations across Melbourne's suburbs, I can give you real numbers, not vague guesses.

Budget ranges: what to realistically expect

For a standard bathroom renovation in Melbourne in 2026, here's what I'm seeing:

Standard renovation ($15,000 to $25,000): This covers a full strip-out of your existing bathroom, new waterproofing, new plumbing where needed, tiling, a new toilet, vanity, shower screen, and tapware. You're using good quality fixtures from mainstream brands. This is where most of our jobs sit.

Premium renovation ($25,000 to $40,000): Same scope, but with higher-end fittings, floor-to-ceiling feature tiles, a frameless shower screen, wall-hung vanity, heated towel rail, and possibly a freestanding bath. More design detail, better materials.

Luxury renovation ($40,000+): Custom joinery, natural stone, underfloor heating, smart toilets, niche lighting, the works. These are the bathrooms you see in magazines. There's really no upper limit. I've done bathrooms north of $70K.

What's included in the plumbing cost?

Plumbing is one of the bigger line items in any bathroom reno, and for good reason. Here's what's typically involved:

Disconnecting and removing all existing fixtures. Relocating or replacing water supply pipes (hot and cold). Moving or replacing drainage, which is the expensive bit if you're changing the layout. Installing new fixtures: toilet, basin, shower, bath. Gas work if you're adding a heated towel rail on a gas system. Connecting to the hot water system.

If you're keeping the same layout (toilet in the same spot, shower in the same spot) the plumbing cost is significantly lower than if you're moving things around. Moving a toilet, for example, means cutting concrete, re-routing drainage, and re-pouring. It adds thousands.

Hidden costs people miss

This is where budgets blow out, and I always make sure my clients know about these upfront:

Waterproofing: It's a legal requirement in Melbourne, and it's not cheap to do properly. Expect $1,500 to $3,000 depending on the size of the wet area. Don't let anyone cut corners here. Failed waterproofing will cost you ten times as much to fix later.

Compliance certificates: Your plumber and waterproofer need to provide compliance certificates. Your council may also require a building permit for structural changes. Budget a few hundred for these.

Asbestos testing: If your home was built before 1990, there's a real chance the old bathroom has asbestos in the wall sheeting, floor tiles, or even the adhesive. Testing costs around $200 to $400, and removal by a licensed removalist can add $2,000 to $5,000 to your job.

Electrical work: Most bathroom renos need an electrician for new lighting, exhaust fans, heated towel rails, and sometimes a new circuit. Budget $1,000 to $2,500.

How to save money without cutting corners

After 40-odd years in the trade, here's my honest advice on keeping costs down:

Keep the same layout. The moment you move the toilet or shower position, the plumbing cost jumps. If you can work with the existing drain locations, you'll save thousands.

Choose your tiles wisely. The tiles themselves might cost $40/sqm vs $120/sqm, but the labour to lay them is the same either way. Don't go cheap on tiles; go smart. Large format tiles mean fewer grout lines and faster installation.

Don't move walls. Keeping the same footprint avoids structural work, plastering, and potential permit requirements.

Buy your own fixtures if you want to. Some clients find great deals on vanities and tapware online. I'm happy to install what you've bought. Just check with me on specs first so we don't end up with compatibility issues.

Get a proper quote, not a guess

We specialise in bathroom renovations across Melbourne. Take a look at our bathroom renovations page to see the kind of work we do.

I'll come out, measure up, talk through what you want, and give you a written quote that covers everything, no surprises halfway through the job. That's how I've always worked, and it's why our clients come back.

Call me on 0418 340 501 and let's talk about your bathroom.