A Google search on “how much a bathroom renovation should cost” is enough to send anyone into a confused and frazzled state of mind. It’s no wonder that most clients really aren’t sure what to expect when they first begin the quoting process for their renovation.

We get it, it’s only natural to want the best price out there, no matter what you are looking for. It’s good to remember though, there’s a difference between value for money and just cheap.

When budgeting for a bathroom renovation, it’s a good start to break it into two categories:

• The Labour Budget
• The Materials Budget

The Labour Budget

There are a lot of trades involved in bathroom renovations. There’s design, demolition (sometimes including asbestos removal), plumbing, waterproofing, carpentry, electrical, tiling, gyprocking, painting and sometimes more depending on your scope of work. Each of these labour elements requires skilled professionals who specialise in their specific area. Hiring experienced contractors or tradespeople ensures that the renovation is done safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.

Contractors have different rates based on their level of experience and expertise. A more experienced contractor may charge higher labour costs but they are likely to deliver higher-quality workmanship.

Our advice is to get three quotes to start with. If one sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Ensure the scope of works is identical with each one and don’t hesitate to have open conversations with each contractor if there are significant variations in price. Make sure that the company is fully licenced and insured, as well as the subcontractors that are to be used on your job.

We also stress that a word-of-mouth recommendation is gold. If someone is happy with the process and the finished product of their renovation, they will be more than happy to recommend the company they used. The company that you choose are going to be in your home every day for a few weeks- you want to feel comfortable with the team.

At Custom Bathroom Renovations Sydney (CBRS), we don’t skimp on quality trades. We subcontract to trades who we know well, and who work for themselves, meaning their business depends on their reputation. We strive to find a balance of fairness between our clients, our trades, and our company to ensure value for money, with the end product being of high-quality workmanship ensuring longevity and customer satisfaction.

If you want us to put a figure on it- we would suggest allowing somewhere in the mid $20,000’s for labour costs on a standard full bathroom renovation (strip out and start again).

Keeping Track of Labour Costs

There is by no means a one-size-fits-all solution for this. For example, if the layout of your current bathroom works fine, then there is no need to move the plumbing around when you renovate. This will save you a lot of money in plumbing costs. However, if your bathroom has always left you agitated by the lack of flow, it wouldn’t make sense not to address this when you renovate.

If you have lovely high ceilings, then perhaps you could consider not tiling to the ceiling. This would reduce the tiler’s work, however, it would slightly increase the cost of painting. Sometimes, clients opt to do their own painting to save a bit of extra money. Also consider the additional labour costs that coincide with the bathroomware you choose. Some examples include:

• An in-wall toilet = additional plumbing costs
• Additional waterproofing for bathrooms and laundries = additional plumbing costs
• Heated towel rail = additional electrical costs
• Small, intricate or mosaic tiles = additional tiling costs
• Non-standard vanity size = additional cost to custom-make
• Non-standard finishes for stone tops & vanity materials = additional material costs

Materials Budget

Let’s say you need to purchase tiles, a bath, a vanity, a basin, a toilet, tapware, towel rails and accessories. This may vary depending on the scope of work. Now, for some, it’s a one-stop shop that makes them happy… especially those who are on a strict time budget. But for those who need to save every penny, you have options.

The Importance of Shopping Around

As a golden rule of thumb, we recommend you do not skimp on the following and go for quality products that are backed with long warranties:

• Tapware: When it comes to showers and tapware, you get what you pay for, and you should be looking at a warranty of 10 to 15 years or more. It’s also good to select your accessories (towel rails, etc.) in the same range, especially if you have selected a particular finish such as brushed nickel or gunmetal as the finishes will differ from each supplier.
• Vanity: The quality of a vanity can vary significantly. Again, check the warranty, and ensure that only moisture-resistant materials have been used. Sometimes they can be bought “off-the-shelf” but often they are “made-to-order”. Keep in mind that when your supplier offers “made-to-order”, you will likely pay extra for each additional feature. In some instances, you can get a vanity custom-made by a joiner rather than going through a retailer for a better price than “made-to-order”.

Some products that are safer to grab yourself a bargain include:

• Tiles: In our experience, you are likely to be able to find something like what you’ve been eyeing off, in just about any tile shop. Something to keep in mind when tile shopping- always view them in person, not just online, as products can vary significantly. You want to see it for yourself as well as feel it, as texture plays a huge role in selecting the right tiles for your project.
• Porcelain items like baths, basins and toilets are reasonably safe to shop around for a bargain. Be sure to check delivery costs and warranties before purchasing.

Again, if you want us to put a figure on it, for a standard-size main bathroom, start with an allowance of around $8,000. You could probably get it for less and you could spend more. In fact, you could spend that just on the bathtub of your dreams!

At CBRS, we give our clients the freedom to choose their bathroom ware from whichever supplier they like. We do, however, have trade accounts with some suppliers and we will pass on our full trade discount to our clients if they wish to purchase from them. If you don’t know where to begin, our interior design team can help you get started.