How Much Does Bathroom Renovation Cost in Melbourne 2026
If you're staring at cracked tiles, a dodgy shower screen and grout that's seen better days, you're probably wondering what it'll actually cost to renovate your bathroom in Melbourne this year. The short answer: anywhere from $12,000 for a basic refresh to $45,000+ for a full luxury gut-and-rebuild. The long answer depends on the size of your bathroom, the finishes you pick, and whether your home throws up any surprises — and in Melbourne, older homes love surprises.
This guide breaks down real 2026 prices for every part of a Melbourne bathroom renovation so you can set a realistic budget before you talk to a single tradie.
Want a quick ballpark right now? Try the free bathroom renovation quote calculator — it takes about 30 seconds and gives you an itemised estimate.
Melbourne bathroom renovation costs at a glance
Here's what Melbourne homeowners are paying in 2026 across three common price bands:
| Renovation level | Typical cost (inc. GST) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget refresh | $12,000 – $18,000 | New tiles over existing, updated tapware, vanity swap, paint. No layout changes. |
| Mid-range full reno | $20,000 – $32,000 | Full strip-out, new waterproofing, floor-to-ceiling tiles, new fixtures, frameless shower screen. |
| Luxury / custom | $35,000 – $55,000+ | Heated floors, freestanding bath, custom joinery, premium stone, niche lighting, underfloor heating. |
These figures assume a standard bathroom of roughly 4–6 m². Smaller ensuites (under 3 m²) can still hit $15,000–$22,000 for a mid-range job because minimum charges on waterproofing and plumbing don't shrink with the room.
Price disclaimer: This is a price indication only. Your tradie will confirm the final price after assessing the job.
Itemised cost breakdown — where does the money go?
Here's a realistic line-by-line breakdown for a mid-range Melbourne bathroom renovation in 2026:
| Item | Cost range |
|---|---|
| Demolition and strip-out | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Plumbing rough-in | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| Waterproofing | $1,200 – $2,500 |
| Tiling (floor + walls) | $3,000 – $6,500 |
| Electrical | $800 – $2,000 |
| Vanity and basin | $600 – $3,500 |
| Toilet | $400 – $1,800 |
| Shower screen | $700 – $2,200 |
| Tapware and mixer | $300 – $1,500 |
| Mirror and accessories | $200 – $800 |
| Painting and finishing | $400 – $900 |
| Skip bin / waste removal | $350 – $600 |
| Total | $12,000 – $30,300 |
A couple of things push Melbourne prices around. Labour rates here are generally 10–15% lower than Sydney, which helps. But material costs are comparable across both cities — tiles, vanities and tapware cost the same whether you're in Footscray or Frenchs Forest.
Need a detailed tiling quote or a plumbing estimate for your project? Those calculators break costs down by the specific trade.
Melbourne-specific cost factors you need to know
Victorian terraces and period homes
Melbourne is full of Victorian and Edwardian terraces, and renovating their bathrooms comes with a few extras. Original lead plumbing, cast iron waste pipes, lath-and-plaster walls, and oddly shaped rooms can add $2,000–$5,000 to a renovation. The plumber may need to re-route pipes that haven't been touched since the 1920s, and the plasterer will likely need to re-line walls once the old plaster is stripped back.
If your home is in suburbs like Carlton, Fitzroy, Brunswick, or Richmond and was built before 1940, budget an extra 10–15% on top of standard quotes for these period-home complications.
Asbestos — the hidden budget killer
Any Melbourne home built before 1990 could contain asbestos, and bathrooms are one of the most common places to find it. It hides in:
- Fibro wall sheeting behind tiles
- Vinyl floor tiles and the adhesive underneath
- Eaves and ceiling linings
- Backing boards around wet areas
If asbestos is found during demolition, work stops until a licensed removalist handles it. That adds $1,500–$4,500 depending on how much material is involved and whether it's bonded (non-friable) or friable. You can estimate asbestos removal costs here.
The smart move: get an asbestos inspection done before you sign a renovation contract. A basic inspection costs $300–$500 and can save you from a nasty mid-project bill.
Suburb price variation
Melbourne renovation costs vary by suburb, mostly driven by tradie travel time and the general expectation of finish quality. Here's a rough guide:
- Inner-city / inner-east (Richmond, South Yarra, Prahran): Mid to high pricing. Tradies charge slightly more for parking hassles and tight site access.
- Eastern suburbs (Camberwell, Hawthorn, Kew): Standard to high. Plenty of period homes that add complexity.
- Premium suburbs (Brighton, Toorak, Armadale): Expect luxury-tier pricing. Tradies working in these areas know the expectation is premium, and quotes reflect that.
- Outer suburbs (Cranbourne, Werribee, Melton): Generally the most competitive pricing, though travel charges can apply for tradies based elsewhere.
Waterproofing — the part you can't afford to skimp on
Waterproofing is mandatory under the Building Code of Australia (AS 3740) for all wet areas, and it's one of the most important line items in your renovation. In Melbourne, you'll pay between $1,200 and $2,500 for waterproofing a standard bathroom.
This covers:
- Membrane application to shower floor, walls (minimum 1,800 mm up from finished floor in shower), and any step-downs
- Flood testing (typically 24 hours)
- Certification from the waterproofer
Do not let any tradie tile over waterproofing that hasn't been tested. A failed membrane will cost you $10,000+ down the track when tiles need to come off and the whole job gets redone. If you want a separate waterproofing quote, that's worth doing early.
How long does a Melbourne bathroom renovation take?
Most full bathroom renovations in Melbourne take 3–5 weeks from demolition day to final clean. Here's a typical timeline:
- Week 1: Demolition, strip-out, asbestos removal if needed
- Week 1–2: Plumbing rough-in, electrical rough-in, any structural work
- Week 2: Waterproofing application and curing (allow 48–72 hours minimum)
- Week 2–3: Tiling (floor first, then walls)
- Week 3–4: Second-fix plumbing (toilet, tapware, vanity), electrical fit-off
- Week 4–5: Shower screen install, mirror, accessories, paint, final clean
Delays happen. The most common ones in Melbourne are: waiting for waterproofing inspections, tiles on back-order, and weather delays if any external work is involved. A good project manager or lead tradie will keep you updated, but plan for 4 weeks minimum and you won't be disappointed.
How to save money and find the right tradie
You can bring costs down without sacrificing quality. Here are some practical ways Melbourne homeowners save on bathroom renovations:
Keep the existing layout. Moving the toilet, shower or vanity means moving drains and water lines. That's $2,000–$5,000 extra in plumbing alone. If you can work with where things already are, do it.
Choose standard tile sizes. Large format tiles (600 x 600 mm or bigger) look great but cost more per square metre and take longer to lay. Standard 300 x 600 mm wall tiles keep things affordable.
Buy your own fixtures. Your tradie will happily install a vanity or toilet you've sourced yourself. Just check with them first on compatibility and brand quality — some cheap imported units cause headaches down the line.
Avoid custom everything. A standard semi-frameless shower screen costs $700–$1,200. A fully custom frameless panel can hit $2,500+. Same goes for custom vanities versus off-the-shelf options.
Time it right. Melbourne tradies tend to be busiest from September to March. Booking your renovation for the quieter winter months (May–August) may get you better availability and occasionally better pricing.
Get multiple quotes. Three quotes minimum. Compare them line by line, not just the bottom number. A bathroom renovation calculator gives you an independent baseline to compare against.
Finding a reliable Melbourne renovator
Finding a bathroom renovator who's available, fairly priced, and actually good is the tricky part. Here's what to look for:
- Registered Domestic Builder (or supervised by one). In Victoria, any domestic building work over $10,000 requires a registered builder. Check the VBA (Victorian Building Authority) register.
- Current insurance. Ask for proof of public liability and domestic building insurance. If they can't produce it, walk away.
- Recent local references. Ask to see two or three completed bathrooms in Melbourne, ideally in homes similar to yours.
- Written fixed-price quote. Not an estimate, not a ballpark — a written quote that itemises every cost. Provisional sums for tiles and fixtures are fine, but everything else should be locked in.
- Progress payment schedule. Never pay more than 10% upfront (or $2,000, whichever is less — this is actually Victorian law for domestic building contracts over $10,000). The rest should be tied to completed stages.
Browse the construction and building calculators to see what other trades involved in your project might cost.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How much does a small bathroom renovation cost in Melbourne? A: A small bathroom or ensuite (under 4 m²) typically costs $14,000–$24,000 for a mid-range full renovation in Melbourne. Minimum trade charges mean small bathrooms cost more per square metre than larger ones.
Q: Is bathroom renovation cheaper in Melbourne than Sydney? A: Generally yes. Melbourne labour rates run about 10–15% lower than Sydney for most building trades. Material costs are similar, so the overall saving is usually 8–12% on a like-for-like job.
Q: Do I need a permit for a bathroom renovation in Melbourne? A: If you're changing the layout, moving plumbing, or doing structural work, you'll need a building permit from a registered building surveyor. A cosmetic refresh (retiling, new vanity, paint) usually doesn't require one, but waterproofing compliance is always required.
Q: How much does waterproofing cost in a Melbourne bathroom? A: Between $1,200 and $2,500 for a standard bathroom. This includes membrane application, curing, and flood testing. It's one of the most important items in the budget — never skip it or go with the cheapest option.
Q: Can I live in the house during a bathroom renovation? A: Yes, most people do. You'll lose access to that bathroom for 3–5 weeks. If it's your only bathroom, discuss temporary arrangements with your tradie — some can prioritise getting the toilet reconnected mid-reno.
Q: What's the biggest hidden cost in bathroom renovations? A: Asbestos removal. In pre-1990 Melbourne homes, asbestos in walls, floors, or ceilings can add $1,500–$4,500 to your bill. Get an asbestos inspection done before committing to a renovation contract.
Q: Should I renovate my bathroom before selling my Melbourne home? A: A well-done bathroom renovation can add $15,000–$30,000 to a Melbourne home's sale price, depending on the suburb. In premium areas like Brighton or Toorak, buyers expect updated bathrooms, so a renovation can be a strong return. In outer suburbs, a cosmetic refresh often gives better ROI than a full gut-and-rebuild.
Q: How do I get an accurate bathroom renovation quote? A: Start with an online bathroom renovation calculator to get a baseline, then get at least three written quotes from registered Melbourne tradies. Compare line by line, not just the total.
Planning a bathroom renovation in Melbourne comes down to understanding what you're working with — the size of the room, the age of the home, the finishes you want, and whether any nasties like asbestos are lurking behind the walls. Now you've got a solid idea of what each component costs, you can walk into conversations with tradies knowing whether their quote is fair.
Want an instant price estimate? Use the free bathroom renovation quote calculator — takes 30 seconds, no signup.