A bathroom renovation is one of the most complex renovations per square metre you can undertake. The number of trades involved - waterproofer, tiler, plumber, electrician, sometimes a plasterer - means that even a small bathroom has significant base costs that do not scale down proportionally with size.
Here is what bathroom renovations actually cost in Melbourne in 2026.
Cost ranges by finish level
These figures cover a full bathroom renovation: demolition, waterproofing, new fixtures, tiling, and finishing. They assume a standard Melbourne bathroom of 4-8 square metres.
| Finish level | Typical range | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $18,000 - $28,000 | Entry-level fixtures from Reece or Bunnings Trade, basic wall and floor tiling, standard vanity |
| Mid-range | $28,000 - $45,000 | Mid-range fixtures (Caroma, Rogerseller), larger format tiles, frameless or semi-frameless shower screen, freestanding bath option |
| High-end | $45,000 - $70,000+ | Premium fixtures (Villeroy & Boch, Kohler, Parisi), floor-to-ceiling tiling, wall-hung vanity, heated floor, niche construction |
For an ensuite (typically smaller, 3-5 m²), budget $14,000-$45,000 depending on finish. For a combined bathroom/laundry, add $5,000-$15,000.
What makes Melbourne bathrooms expensive
Labour intensity: A bathroom renovation typically involves 5-7 separate trades. Coordinating them - and managing their sequencing - takes project management time. Each trade has a call-out component, regardless of hours worked.
Mandatory waterproofing: Waterproofing is required by the National Construction Code on all wet areas. It is not optional and it is not cheap. Budget $1,500-$3,500 for a standard bathroom.
Tiling complexity: Large-format tiles (600x600mm or larger, now standard in mid-range Melbourne bathrooms) require a more precisely prepared surface and more skill to lay. More expensive tiles also mean higher wastage costs.
Permit requirements: Some bathroom renovations in Melbourne require a building permit, particularly if structural changes are involved or if you are in a heritage overlay area. Permit fees plus compliance add cost and time.
The biggest cost drivers
Tiles and tiling labour
Tiles are both a material cost and a significant labour cost. A mid-range Melbourne bathroom might use 40-60m² of tile. At a labour rate of $60-$120/m² for laying, tiling alone can cost $3,000-$6,000 before materials.
Tile choice has a secondary effect: intricate patterns, mosaic feature tiles, or rectified large-format tiles all require more skilled labour and take longer.
Waterproofing
Waterproofing is non-negotiable and cannot be shortcut. A licensed waterproofer must apply it, and it must pass inspection before tiling can start. Some builders include this; others quote it as a separate item or omit it entirely from cheaper quotes.
Shower screen and bath
A frameless glass shower screen typically costs $1,500-$3,500 supplied and installed. Framed or semi-framed screens are cheaper. A freestanding bath adds $1,500-$5,000 depending on the model.
Vanity and tapware
Entry-level vanity units from suppliers like Reece or Beaumont Tiles start at $500-$1,500. Custom-made joinery vanities can cost $5,000-$15,000. Tapware has a similar range: $300 for basic, $3,000+ for premium European.
Heated floor
Electric underfloor heating in a Melbourne bathroom is increasingly standard in mid-range renovations. It adds $800-$1,500 in materials and labour.
Victoria's 7-star NatHERS requirement
Since 1 May 2024, Victoria requires new homes and major renovations to meet a 7-star NatHERS thermal energy rating under the National Construction Code 2022. For most single-room bathroom renovations this is not triggered - but if your project involves a significant extension or affects more than 50% of the home, compliance may be required.
If it applies, your builder's quote should include a NatHERS assessment, insulation specifications, and glazing details. Compliance costs range from $3,800 to $13,600 depending on the home's orientation and existing fabric. Ask your builder directly whether the requirement applies and whether it is in scope.
See our full guide: Victoria's 7-Star NatHERS Requirement: What It Means for Your Renovation.
What is typically excluded from quotes
Melbourne bathroom renovation quotes vary significantly in what they include. Common exclusions:
- Waterproofing (sometimes listed separately or omitted from cheaper quotes)
- Building permit (required for some jobs; can be $1,000-$2,500)
- NatHERS assessment (if 7-star compliance is triggered; $500-$1,500)
- Asbestos removal (older Melbourne homes, particularly pre-1990 weatherboard and brick veneer, often have asbestos in wall linings or floor tiles)
- Structural work (if walls are being moved or load-bearing elements modified)
- Exhaust fan replacement
- Heated floor (sometimes listed as an optional extra)
- Towel rails and accessories (mirrors, toilet roll holders, hooks)
- Home warranty insurance (required under Domestic Building Contracts Act for contracts over $16,000 in VIC)
Bathroom renovation timelines in Melbourne
A standard Melbourne bathroom renovation typically takes:
- 2-6 weeks from signing to start (builder lead time, material ordering)
- 2-4 weeks for the renovation itself (longer if structural changes)
The waterproofing inspection milestone often adds 2-3 days wait. If tiles are on backorder, the timeline extends.
The ensuite question
If you are renovating both a bathroom and an ensuite simultaneously, you can often negotiate a better overall rate - the builder is already mobilised, trades are already on site, and project management overhead is shared.
Doing them sequentially (bathroom now, ensuite in 12 months) costs more in total but is more manageable logistically.
Questions to ask your Melbourne bathroom builder
Before accepting a quote, ask:
- Is waterproofing included, and does it cover the full wet area per the NCC requirement?
- Is a building permit required for this job? If so, is it included?
- Does this project trigger the 7-star NatHERS requirement? If so, is the NatHERS assessment included in scope?
- Are tiles, tapware, and fixtures included in the quoted price, or is this supply-and-install on items I provide?
- Is home warranty insurance included?
- Does the quote include tile adhesive, grout, and tiling to the full area shown?
- What provisional sums or PC items are in the quote, and what could cause them to vary?
- How do you handle the waterproofing inspection milestone?
Reno Reviewer can check your bathroom quotes against a template of expected items automatically - upload your quotes and get a free scope gap analysis showing what each builder has and has not included.