As a rough guide
Every bathroom is different, so these are broad planning bands, not quotes. They assume a full strip-out and rebuild with a certified membrane, done by licensed trades.
| Type of job | Rough guide |
|---|---|
| Compact bathroom, ensuite or laundry, same layout, mid-range finishes | Roughly $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Typical main family bathroom, some layout tweaks | Roughly $25,000 – $35,000 |
| Larger, reconfigured or premium bathroom | $35,000 and up |
Laundries often sit toward the lower end of the first band. An accessible bathroom usually lands in the band that matches its size, plus the accessible features it needs.
Usually included
- Protection of floors and access paths.
- Strip-out and waste removal.
- Plumbing and electrical rough-in and fit-off.
- Wet-area sheeting and a certified waterproofing membrane.
- Screed with falls, then floor and wall tiling.
- Vanity, toilet, tapware, shower screen, mirror or shaving cabinet and accessories, to the stated allowance.
- Exhaust fan and lighting.
- Final clean and handover.
What moves the price
Moving things around. Relocating the shower, toilet or vanity means new drainage. On a slab it can mean cutting concrete.
Walls. Taking out the wall to a separate toilet, or borrowing space from a robe, adds framing, lining and finishing.
Old-house surprises. Common on the Coast: asbestos sheeting in cottages, rotten joists under the shower, galvanised pipes, and switchboards that need upgrading.
Access. Steep driveways in Terrigal and Erina Heights, walk-up units with no lift, and waterfront streets where parking is limited all add labour time.
Strata. Approvals, lift protection, restricted hours and waste handling in apartment buildings.
Tile choice. Large-format, handmade-look and patterned tiles take more time to lay.
Fittings. Tapware, vanities and screens range from budget to luxury. Coastal-grade finishes cost a little more.
Extras. Heated towel rails, floor heating, wall-hung toilets, recessed cabinets, freestanding baths and niches.
Ways to keep it sensible
- Keep the wet areas roughly where they are.
- Pick a mid-range tile in a standard size.
- Put the budget into the shower, the fan and the membrane rather than decorative extras.
- Make every selection before work starts — changes mid-job cost the most.
- Consider doing the laundry at the same time.
Deposits and payments in NSW
The most a builder can ask as a deposit in NSW is 10 per cent. If the contract is above the statutory threshold, home building compensation cover must be in place before a deposit is requested, and the work needs a written contract. After that, payments should line up with stages that are actually finished.
Every job is different — get a proper quote
The bands above are only a starting point. Two bathrooms of the same size can end up far apart once the floor structure, plumbing, access and selections are known. A proper on-site quote is the only way to get a customised price for your bathroom: we measure up, look at what is behind the walls where we can, talk through finishes and then give you a fixed written figure.
See how the job runs on the renovation process page, or read the FAQ.
Call 02 4307 6205 or book your on-site quote using the form.
Questions people ask before they commit
What is the average bathroom renovation cost on the Central Coast?
There is no single average worth relying on, because size, condition and finishes vary so much. The rough guide bands on this page help with early planning, but a customised price needs an on-site quote.
What extras are common in older Coast homes?
Asbestos removal where old sheeting is found, repairs to rotten joists under leaking showers, replacing old galvanised plumbing, and electrical upgrades once walls are open. These are assessed at the site visit and priced up front where they can be seen.
How much deposit can a builder ask for in NSW?
The maximum deposit for residential building work in NSW is 10 per cent of the contract price. Where the contract is above the statutory threshold, home building compensation cover must be in place before the builder requests a deposit, and a written contract is required.
Is it cheaper to renovate the bathroom and laundry together?
Generally, per room, yes. Demolition, waste removal, trade call-outs and waterproofing inspections are shared across both rooms. The saving has to be weighed against both rooms being unusable at once.