Planning a Bathroom Renovation Cost in Melbourne? The number one question every homeowner asks is: how much will it actually cost?
The honest answer is: it depends but not in a vague way. In this guide we break down exactly what Melbourne tradies charge in 2026, what drives the price up or down, what the VBA requires, and how to get a great result at any budget.
We’ve completed bathroom renovations across all Melbourne suburbs, from Truganina in the west to Frankston in the south-east, so the numbers in this article reflect what’s actually happening on the ground, not just industry averages.
Melbourne Bathroom Renovation Cost Overview 2026
According to the Housing Industry Association (HIA), Most Melbourne homeowners spend between $20,000 and $35,000 on a complete bathroom renovation. In Melbourne, however, labour costs run higher than the national average typically 10–20% above cities like Brisbane or Adelaide.
Here is a realistic cost range for Melbourne in 2026:
| Renovation Type | Typical Cost Range | What’s Included |
| Cosmetic refresh | $5,000 – $12,000 | Paint, tapware, vanity, mirror no structural work |
| Budget full renovation | $12,000 – $20,000 | New tiles, fixtures, waterproofing, basic plumbing |
| Mid-range full renovation | $20,000 – $38,000 | Full strip-out, quality tiles, new shower screen, all trades |
| Premium renovation | $38,000 – $60,000+ | Designer fixtures, freestanding bath, custom joinery, heated floors |
Budget vs Mid-Range vs Luxury: What Each Gets You
Budget Bathroom Renovation: $12,000 – $20,000
A budget renovation doesn’t mean a bad result, it means working smart within constraints. At this price point you can expect:
- Full tile replacement using mid-range tiles at $40–$80/m²
- New toilet, basin, and vanity entry-level to mid-range brands
- New shower screen supplied and installed (a key BBS Windows specialty)
- Waterproofing to AS 3740-2010 standard
- Basic plumbing reconnection no relocation of fixtures
- Fresh paint throughout
Best for: Investment properties, secondary bathrooms, homeowners refreshing a functional but dated bathroom.
Mid-Range Bathroom Renovation: $20,000 – $38,000
This is the most popular category for Melbourne homeowners in 2026. A mid-range renovation typically includes a full strip-out and rebuild:
- High-quality large-format tiles – 600×600mm or 600×1200mm at $60–$120/m²
- Quality tapware – Caroma, Methven, or equivalent
- Semi-frameless or frameless shower screen (custom glass)
- New vanity with stone or stone-look top
- Updated plumbing and electrical
- Waterproofing with inspection and certification
- Optional heated towel rail – $300–$800 installed
Best for: Family main bathrooms, homeowners planning to sell within 2–3 years, anyone wanting a long-lasting quality result.
Luxury Bathroom Renovation: $38,000 – $60,000+
Premium renovations in Melbourne’s inner and eastern suburbs often exceed $50,000. These projects include:
- Natural stone or large-format marble-look tiles
- Freestanding bath – $1,500–$5,000+ for the unit alone
- Designer tapware – Grohe, Parisi, Phoenix
- Custom-built joinery and built-in storage
- Underfloor heating – $2,000–$5,000 installed
- Heated towel rails, smart mirrors, LED niche lighting
- Full structural changes if required
Best for: High-end homes in Toorak, Brighton, Hawthorn, or inner-city apartments where premium finishes are expected by buyers.
3. Trade-by-Trade Cost Breakdown
Labour accounts for roughly 40–45% of your total bathroom renovation cost in Melbourne. Here’s what each trade charges in 2026:
| Trade | Hourly Rate (2026) | Typical Job Cost | Notes |
| Plumber | $100 – $200/hr | $2,500 – $6,000 | Essential for all wet areas |
| Electrician | $90 – $180/hr | $800 – $2,500 | Lighting, exhaust, heated floor |
| Tiler | $60 – $120/hr | $2,000 – $5,000 | Varies with tile size & pattern |
| Waterproofer | $80 – $150/hr | $800 – $2,500 | Legally required — AS 3740 |
| Plasterer | $70 – $130/hr | $500 – $1,500 | If walls require repair |
| Painter | $50 – $100/hr | $400 – $1,200 | Ceiling, walls, trim |
| Shower screen installer | Quoted per job | $600 – $2,500 | BBS Windows supplies in-house |
Fixture and Materials Costs
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium |
| Toilet | $300 – $600 | $600 – $1,200 | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| Vanity (inc. basin) | $400 – $900 | $900 – $2,500 | $2,500 – $6,000 |
| Shower screen | $400 – $800 | $800 – $2,000 | $2,000 – $5,000+ |
| Tapware set | $200 – $500 | $500 – $1,500 | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| Tiles (supply only) | $30 – $60/m² | $60 – $120/m² | $120 – $300+/m² |
| Bath (if included) | $500 – $1,000 | $1,000 – $2,500 | $2,500 – $8,000 |
| Mirror / cabinet | $100 – $300 | $300 – $800 | $800 – $3,000 |
4. What Affects the Price Most?
Plumbing Relocation the Biggest Budget Killer
If you want to move the toilet, shower, or vanity to a new position, expect to add $2,000–$6,000 to your quote. On a concrete slab (common in western and south-eastern Melbourne), this can cost even more as the slab may need to be core-drilled or cut.
Keeping fixtures in their existing positions is the single most effective way to control costs.
Bathroom Size
Labour and materials scale with size. A 3m² ensuite and an 8m² family bathroom are very different projects. Most pricing guides use a standard 5–6m² bathroom as the benchmark.
Condition of Existing Structure
In older Melbourne homes particularly pre-1990 properties in the inner north, west, and south-east it’s common to find rotting subfloor, old clay pipes, compromised waterproofing, or even asbestos sheeting behind tiles.
Always budget a 15% contingency on any renovation in a pre-1980 Melbourne home. Asbestos removal alone can cost $2,000–$15,000 and must be carried out by a licensed removalist.
Shower Screen and Glass
Because BBS Windows supplies and installs its own shower screens and glass, we’re able to offer this component at a better price than competitors who outsource it. Custom frameless glass shower screens are available in standard and non-standard sizes — something that makes a significant difference in older Melbourne homes where walls are rarely perfectly square.
Suburb-by-Suburb Cost Variation in Melbourne
Bathroom renovation costs vary across Melbourne for two reasons: the age and condition of housing stock, and the premium trades charge for access to inner-city areas.
| Area | Cost Premium | Key Reason |
| Inner city (Richmond, Fitzroy, Collingwood) | +15–25% | Parking restrictions, Victorian-era homes, asbestos risk |
| Eastern suburbs (Toorak, Brighton, Hawthorn) | +10–20% | Premium finishes expected, heritage overlays |
| Western suburbs (Truganina, Werribee, Point Cook) | Base rate | Newer housing, easier access, concrete slab |
| Northern suburbs (Essendon, Coburg, Preston) | +5–15% | Mix of old/new homes, some asbestos risk |
| South-eastern (Dandenong, Frankston, Cranbourne) | Base to +5% | Mixed housing ages, generally accessible |
Barry Building Supplies operates across all Melbourne suburbs, so our quoting accounts for these local factors.
Real Project Examples from Melbourne
Project 1: Budget Bathroom Refresh Hoppers Crossing
Scope: 4m² main bathroom in a 1990s brick home. Full tile replacement, new toilet, new vanity and basin, semi-frameless shower screen supplied and installed by BBS Windows, waterproofing, and paint.
What we found: The existing waterproofing had failed behind the shower recess — a common issue in bathrooms over 15 years old. We re-waterproofed the full wet area to AS 3740 standard before tiling.
Result: A fresh, modern bathroom with white large-format tile and matte black tapware. The frameless shower screen opened up the space significantly.
Approximate cost: $14,500 – $17,000
Project 2: Mid-Range Full Renovation Essendon
Scope: 6m² main bathroom in a 1960s brick veneer home. Full strip-out, asbestos sheeting removal (licensed removalist), new waterproofing, 600×600mm porcelain tiles, freestanding bath, frameless glass shower screen, wall-hung vanity, and full electrical update.
What we found: Asbestos-containing wall sheeting behind the original tiles, discovered during strip-out. The project required a licensed removalist before any further work could continue — adding approximately $3,200 to the budget.
Result: A completely transformed bathroom with a spa-like feel. The frameless shower screen and wall-hung vanity made the space feel twice as large.
Approximate cost: $29,000 – $34,000 (including asbestos removal)
Victorian Building Regulations You Must Know
When You Need a Building Permit
Under the Building Act 1993 (Vic) and the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), you generally need a building permit for:
- Structural changes removing or moving walls
- Altering the footprint of the bathroom
- Any work on a heritage-listed property
You generally do NOT need a permit for like-for-like fixture replacement, re-tiling, or cosmetic updates but always check with your local council.
Waterproofing Non-Negotiable
All wet areas in Victoria must be waterproofed to AS 3740-2010 (Waterproofing of Domestic Wet Areas). This is a legal requirement, not optional. Waterproofing must be:
- Applied by a licensed waterproofer
- Inspected and approved before tiling begins
- Covered by a written certificate of compliance
Cutting corners on waterproofing is the most expensive mistake a homeowner can make. Rectifying water damage from failed waterproofing can cost $15,000–$40,000 in structural repairs far more than the $800–$2,500 cost of doing it properly the first time.
Licensed Trades Only
All plumbing and electrical work in Victoria must be performed by VBA-registered practitioners. Always ask for a Certificate of Compliance for plumbing and electrical work. This is your proof the work is legal and safe, and is required when you sell.
How to Save Money Without Cutting Corners
- Keep plumbing in place: Keep plumbing in place
Avoiding moving the toilet, shower, or basin saves $2,000–$6,000 alone.
- Choose your tiles wisely: Choose your tiles wisely
Use feature tiles sparingly on one accent wall, and a simpler tile for large areas. This can halve your tiling cost without compromising the look.
- Supply fixtures yourself: Supply fixtures yourself
Buying your own toilet, vanity, and tapware from Reece or a bathroom warehouse can save 20–30%. Confirm with your tradesperson they’ll install customer-supplied fixtures.
- Get your shower screen from a specialist: Get your shower screen from a specialist
Shower screens sourced through a building company often carry a significant markup. Because BBS Windows manufactures and installs its own glass and shower screens, we remove that middleman cost entirely.
- Get three fixed-price quotes: Get three fixed-price quotes
Always compare scope, not just the bottom line. A $15,000 quote that excludes waterproofing is not cheaper than a $17,000 quote that includes everything.
- Time your project: Time your project
Booking in winter (June–August) often means faster availability and sometimes better pricing — tradies are busiest in spring and early summer.
How Long Does a Bathroom Renovation Take?
| Renovation Type | Typical Duration |
| Cosmetic refresh (no structural work) | 3 – 7 days |
| Budget full renovation | 1.5 – 2.5 weeks |
| Mid-range full renovation | 3 – 5 weeks |
| Premium / complex renovation | 5 – 8 weeks |
The most common causes of delay are:
- Permits – building permits can take 2–6 weeks to be issued
- Waterproofing cure time – membranes need 24–48 hours to cure before tiling
- Material lead times – custom tiles and imported fixtures can take 4–8 weeks
- Unexpected discoveries – asbestos, water damage, or rotting subfloor found during strip-out
- Trade scheduling – coordinating all trades in sequence takes careful planning
Barry Building Supplies coordinates all trades for your project, reducing scheduling delays and keeping your renovation on track.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a small bathroom renovation cost in Melbourne in 2026?
A small bathroom under 4m² typically costs $10,000–$18,000 for a full renovation. A cosmetic-only refresh can be done for $5,000–$9,000.
Do I need council approval to renovate my bathroom in Melbourne?
In most cases, a standard renovation without structural changes or plumbing relocation does not require a building permit. However, all plumbing and electrical work must be carried out by VBA-registered tradespeople. Always check with your local council if unsure.
Is waterproofing required by law in Victoria?
Yes. Under AS 3740-2010, all wet areas must be waterproofed by a licensed waterproofed and inspected before tiling begins. This is a legal requirement and must be certified.
What is the most expensive part of a bathroom renovation?
Labour is typically the largest cost at 40–45% of the budget. After labour, plumbing especially if fixtures are being relocated and tiles/fixtures are usually the next biggest costs.
Can I live at home during a bathroom renovation?
Yes, in most cases. If you have a second bathroom, you can use it during the renovation. If you only have one bathroom, discuss timing with your contractor. Most trade work happens in daytime hours.
How much does a frameless shower screen cost in Melbourne?
A standard frameless shower screen costs $800–$2,000 supplied and installed. Custom sizes, common in older Melbourne homes, may cost more. BBS Windows supplies and installs its own shower screens with better pricing and faster turnaround than contractors who outsource this.
What is the ROI on a bathroom renovation in Melbourne?
Real estate data for 2026 suggests a well-executed bathroom renovation returns 60–80% of its cost in added property value. In Melbourne’s inner and eastern suburbs, an updated bathroom can be the difference between a fast sale at asking price and a prolonged listing.
What questions should I ask before hiring a bathroom renovator?
Ask for their VBA registration number, proof of public liability insurance, a certificate of compliance from a previous job, and at least three references from Melbourne clients. Ask whether the quote is fixed-price and what happens if unexpected issues are found during strip-out.
Ready to Get an Accurate Quote?
Every bathroom is different. The best way to know what your renovation will cost is to get a proper assessment, not just an estimate based on average figures.
Barry Building Supplies offers bathroom renovation consultations across all Melbourne suburbs. We’ll assess your existing bathroom, discuss your goals and budget, and provide a clear, fixed-price quote covering all trades.