A Guide On How Much Your Bathroom Reno Should Cost

Whether you’re looking to increase your rental return on an investment property, add value to your property before you sell, or simply looking to revamp and update your bathroom, then you’ve probably already started looking at bathroom renovations and how much they cost.

According to a survey released by the House Industry Association (HIA) the average bathroom renovation in Australia was $19,533, which was just above the nations new bathroom installation average of $18798, but what do these numbers mean to you?

Unfortunately, planning your bathroom renovation and calculating your budget is not as simple as using the figures mentioned above as a benchmark. Bathroom renovations can be split up into 3 price brackets: budget, standard, and premium, and depending on what you are planning to do, will correlate to how much you spend and which category you fall into.

To give you a better idea on what your budget may look like and what type of renovation you can do, we’ve broken it down into a simple guide.

How much does a bathroom renovation cost?

A bathroom renovation can be broken down into 3 price brackets, budget, standard, and premium. Each bathroom renovation cost bracket can be determined by:

• The amount of labour/trades work done, such as electrical, plumbing, and tiling.
• The cost of materials and products such as floor & wall tiles, are they budget or high end.
• Are you changing the layout of the bathroom? For example, moving plumbing or fixtures.
• The size of your bathroom
• The addition of luxury items such as heated flooring and towel racks.
• Is there any electrical work being done? New lighting, new power outlets.
• Additions of new windows or skylights
• Ventilation

Budget Bathroom Renovation Cost: $5000 – $15,000

A budget renovation usually consists of cosmetic changes of a smaller bathroom using budget materials, products, and fittings. It can also involve swapping out and updating older items for new ones. It usually does not cover movement of any plumbing or electrical work, but this can vary from job to job, with each bathroom reno having different goals. Things you can expect to change in this price bracket include:

• Tiles, usually within the $30 – $50 per sqm range, such as porcelain
• Budget bathtub, $300 – $500, acrylic base
• Budget toilet, $120 – $199
• Basic vanity, $120 – $500, price will vary based on tapware, basin, if it’s standing or wall mounted
• Shower head and tap, $100 – $ 200

Again, these figures may vary depending on the factors mentioned previously, but it should give you a rough idea of what you need to plan for.

Standard Bathroom Renovation Cost: $15,000 – $25,000

This is your mid-tier bathroom renovation and usually allows for a mid-sized bathroom using mid-range materials, products, and fittings. There a far more options to explore in this price bracket, including upgrading your shower screen to a semi or frameless shower screen, opting for a freestanding bathtub, or adding an extra vanity. You could also explore minimal plumbing and electrical alterations. It won’t give you much option to explore luxury items, it does however, allow for added functionality and quality features. Things you can expect to change within this price bracket include:

• Wider range of tiles, $50 – $100 per sqm, can include mosaics and natural stone
• Frameless glass shower screen, $410, installation costs may apply, costs can vary based on the number of panels
• Mid-range bathtub, $800 – $1300, inset bath or freestanding
• Mid-range toilet, $400 – $500, closed coupled and floor mounted toilet
• Mid-range vanity, $700 – $850, standard floor-standing console vanity
• Waterproofing, $500 – $750, average sized bathroom

Premium Bathroom Renovation Cost: $30,000 and higher

For those with a much larger budget, a premium, high end and luxury bathroom renovation uses top of the range materials, products, and fittings. It usually involves a complete overhaul of your bathroom with major changes to the layout, including plumbing and electrics. The options are limitless: frameless shower screens, wall mounted toilets with hidden cisterns, wall hung vanities, double vanities, heated flooring and towel racks, whatever luxury item you can think of, you’ve got it.

• Huge range of tiles for floors and walls, including natural stone, $80 – $165 per sqm
• Premium luxury bathtub, $3000 – $8000, natural stone, freestanding, spa bath with jets
• Premium luxury toilet, $1000 – $1400, wall mounted with hidden cistern
• Premium luxury vanity, $1400 – $2000, double vanity, wall mounted, integrated basin, above countertop basin
• Underfloor heating, $105 per sqm, hydronic in-screed heating system
• Heated towel racks, $700 – $1300, price varies with size, number of rails, and material

Cost differences may vary depending on other fittings and fixtures including shower screens, basins, tapware, ventilation, and bathroom lighting.

How to renovate your bathroom on a budget

Not all bathrooms require a complete overhaul of plumbing, electrical, and tiling. In fact, if you’re on a budget there are a few major costs you should plan for in your bathroom renovation, which includes:

• Installing or moving plumbing and electrics 
• Floor and wall tiling
• Type of bathtub, freestanding or inset
• Toilet, standard or wall mounted
• Vanity, double vanities, standard or wall mounted
• Lighting
• Waterproofing 

Remember that in Western Australia, by law, all plumbing, electrical work and waterproofing must be completed by a fully qualified and licensed professional.

What you want you want to be focusing on is all the small, cost-effective and easy changes you can make that will add to the overall look of your bathroom without breaking the bank. Here are some DIY jobs to consider:

• Updating tapware and shower fixtures for a modern, cohesive, and cleaner look. Take this opportunity to also: 
• Add storage such as shelves or cupboards where your daily bathroom items can be stored for a cleaner finish.
• Add extra towel racks for functionality and space.
• A fresh coat of paint to revive the tired space.
• Consider resurfacing, tile painting, cleaning the grout or putting an overlay directly on top if you are not able to afford re-tiling.
• Upgrading your vanity can change the entire look of your bathroom and can also be done in a weekend.
• Replace your old shower curtain, screen or frame.
• Consider LED bathroom lighting for energy efficiency as well as ambiance.
• Find and install a new mirror that compliments your tapware and fixtures. A mirror is a great way to make the room look bigger, brighter and more interesting, with some being the focal point of a bathroom.
• Give your bathroom a fresh paint job. This is quick, affordable, and one of the most cost-effective ways of revamping the whole space.

These budgets are just rough guidelines of what each price bracket entails, however, you are not restricted to the particular items listed. This means you can mix and match various parts of your bathroom you wish to upgrade. For some expert advice on how to get started contact Immaculate Bathrooms Perth, and let us know about your bathroom renovation ideas. We’ll guide you from start to finish to ensure your bathroom renovation goes smoothly and stays within your budget.