Bathroom Renovation —
The Complete Playbook

A standard full bathroom renovation takes 3–6 weeks from demolition to completion. This includes plumbing rough-in, waterproofing cure time, tiling, fixture installation and finishing. Complex projects or supply delays can extend this to 8–10 weeks.

Most cosmetic renovations (new tiles, fixtures, vanity swaps) don’t require permits. However, if you’re moving plumbing, adding a new bathroom, or altering structural elements, you’ll typically need a building permit. Always check with your local council before starting.

Labour is usually 40–50% of total renovation costs. Within materials, tiling and waterproofing are the biggest expenses for most bathrooms. Moving plumbing adds significant cost — keeping fixtures in their existing locations saves considerable money.

Generally, no. During active work the bathroom will be out of service. For multi-bathroom homes this isn’t an issue. If you have only one bathroom, discuss a phased approach with your contractor or arrange temporary facilities for 2–4 weeks.

Keep plumbing in place, choose mid-range tiles over premium, do the demolition yourself, buy fixtures during sales, and get a minimum of three contractor quotes. These five steps alone can reduce a typical reno cost by 20–35%.

Ask for referrals, verify builder’s licence and insurance, check recent reviews (Google, Houzz), visit a current job site if possible, and never pay more than 10% deposit upfront. Get a written quote that itemises labour and materials separately.