Bathroom renovation cost Melbourne sits between $8,000 and $50,000+ in 2025. That’s a frustrating range when you’re trying to budget.
You need real numbers from actual Melbourne projects, not vague “it depends” answers. We’ve completed 127 bathroom renovations across Melbourne suburbs in the past 18 months. This guide shows what homeowners paid, broken down by budget band, size, and materials.
You’ll see where money goes, what drives costs up, and how to get value without cutting corners.
Quick Cost Summary
- Budget refresh (existing layout): $8,000 to $15,000
- Mid-range full renovation: $15,000 to $35,000
- Premium/luxury renovation: $35,000 to $50,000+
- Average Melbourne bathroom: $26,000 (HIA 2024 data)
- Small bathroom (under 5m²): $12,000 to $22,000
- Family bathroom (6 to 8m²): $20,000 to $40,000
Melbourne Bathroom Renovation Costs by Budget Band
Budget Renovations: $8,000 to $15,000
This band covers cosmetic updates with minimal structural changes.
What you get:
- Keep existing layout (no plumbing relocation)
- Replace vanity, toilet, shower screen
- Standard acrylic bath or basic shower base
- Mid-range tiles (walls and floor)
- Chrome or brushed nickel tapware
- Basic lighting upgrades
What drives the cost:
- Tiling: $3,600 to $7,800 for full bathroom
- Vanity and basin: $800 to $2,500
- Shower screen: $1,700 to $3,200
- Plumbing labour: $2,500 to $4,000
- Waterproofing: $1,450 to $2,150
Best for: Renters preparing to sell, investors, or homeowners wanting a quick refresh.
Our client in Reservoir completed a 4m² bathroom for $11,800 using this approach. New tiles, vanity, and fixtures transformed the space without touching the plumbing.
Mid-Range Renovations: $15,000 to $35,000
This is where most Melbourne homeowners land. You get quality materials and some layout flexibility.
What you get:
- Layout changes (relocate toilet, vanity, or shower)
- Stone benchtops
- Semi-frameless or frameless shower screens
- Heated towel rails
- Quality floor and wall tiles
- Wall-hung vanity
- Matte black or brushed brass tapware
- Recessed shelving/niche
What drives the cost:
- Layout changes add $3,000 to $6,000 (plumbing rerouting)
- Stone benchtops: $800 to $2,000
- Frameless shower screen: $2,500 to $4,000
- Quality tiles: $50 to $120 per m² (supply and install)
- Electrical upgrades: $800 to $2,500
Price by bathroom size:
- Small ensuite (3 to 4m²): $15,000 to $22,000
- Standard bathroom (5 to 6m²): $22,000 to $30,000
- Family bathroom (7 to 8m²): $28,000 to $35,000
A Truganina client paid $24,500 for a 5.5m² bathroom. We relocated the shower, added a double vanity, and installed large-format tiles. The result looks custom without the premium price tag.
Premium Renovations: $35,000 to $50,000+
High-end materials, complex layouts, and custom finishes.
What you get:
- Full custom design
- Engineered stone or marble benchtops
- Freestanding bath
- Double shower with rainfall head and handheld
- Underfloor heating
- Custom joinery and storage
- Designer tiles or natural stone
- Smart mirrors and lighting
- High-end tapware (Vola, Astra Walker, Brodware)
What drives the cost:
- Freestanding bath: $2,000 to $8,000
- Underfloor heating: $1,500 to $3,500
- Custom joinery: $3,000 to $8,000
- Premium tiles: $120+ per m²
- Complex waterproofing: $2,500 to $4,000
According to data from smarterBATHROOMS+, professionally managed Melbourne renovations at this level average $38,000 to $49,000 in 2025.
Cost Breakdown: Where Your Money Goes
Here’s the typical split for a $25,000 mid-range bathroom renovation:
Labour (trades): $8,000 to $12,000 (35 to 45% of total)
Tiling (supply + install): $4,000 to $7,000 (18 to 25%)
Fixtures (toilet, vanity, shower): $3,500 to $5,500 (14 to 20%)
Waterproofing: $1,500 to $2,500 (6 to 10%)
Plumbing: $2,500 to $4,000 (10 to 15%) Electrical: $1,000 to $2,000 (4 to 8%)
Permits and disposal: $800 to $1,500 (3 to 5%)
Labour is your biggest cost. Melbourne trades charge $68.80 per hour on average (2025 rates), higher than most Australian cities.
What Increases Bathroom Renovation Costs
Layout Changes
Moving plumbing fixtures is expensive. Relocating a toilet adds $1,500 to $3,000. Shifting a shower or bath costs $2,000 to $4,000.
Keep your layout if budget is tight. Replace fixtures in the same spots. You’ll save 20 to 30%.
Waterproofing and Structural Issues
Older Melbourne homes (pre-1990) often need extra waterproofing or structural repairs. Termite damage, rotten floor joists, or asbestos removal add $3,000 to $10,000.
Get a building inspection before quoting if your home is 30+ years old.
Tile Choices
Large-format tiles (600x600mm or bigger) cost more to install. Intricate patterns, feature walls, or floor-to-ceiling tiling increase labour time.
Budget tiles: $35 to $60 per m² installed
Mid-range: $60 to $90 per m² installed
Premium: $100 to $150+ per m² installed
Wet Area Complexity
Adding a second shower head, bath and shower, or steam shower increases plumbing and waterproofing costs by 25 to 40%.
How to Save Money on Your Bathroom Renovation
- Don’t move fixtures. Keep toilet, vanity, and shower in the same spots.
- Choose one statement piece. Splurge on a designer vanity or tapware, keep everything else mid-range.
- Avoid floor-to-ceiling tiles. Tile to 2100mm, paint or render above. Saves $1,500 to $3,000.
- Time your project. Winter (June to August) is slower for trades. You’ll get better rates.
- Combine renovations. Do bathroom and kitchen together. Shared trade costs save 15 to 20%.
Real Melbourne Project Examples
Reservoir, 4m² ensuite: $11,800
- Budget refresh, existing layout
- New tiles, vanity, toilet, tapware
- Duration: 2.5 weeks
Truganina, 5.5m² bathroom: $24,500
- Mid-range, layout changes
- Relocated shower, double vanity, stone benchtop
- Duration: 4 weeks
Kew, 7m² family bathroom: $42,000
- Premium finishes, freestanding bath
- Custom joinery, underfloor heating, designer tiles
- Duration: 6 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the minimum I spend on a bathroom renovation in Melbourne?
A: $8,000 to $10,000 for a basic cosmetic refresh in a small bathroom (3 to 4m²). This assumes you keep the existing layout and use budget materials.
Q: How much does renovating a small bathroom in Melbourne cost?
A: Small bathrooms (under 5m²) cost $12,000 to $22,000 depending on materials and layout changes. Keeping your existing layout saves $3,000 to $5,000. Read our small bathroom renovations Melbourne guide for more details.
Q: Are bathroom renovations more expensive in Melbourne than other Australian cities?
A: Yes. Melbourne labour rates average $68.80/hour versus $62/hour in Brisbane and $65/hour in Sydney (2025 data). Material costs are similar across cities.
Q: How long does a bathroom renovation take in Melbourne?
A: Budget renovations: 2 to 3 weeks. Mid-range: 3 to 5 weeks. Premium: 5 to 8 weeks. Permits add 2 to 4 weeks to the timeline.
Q: What percentage of my home’s value should I spend on a bathroom renovation?
A: Allocate 5 to 10% of your home’s value for wet areas (bathroom, kitchen, laundry combined). Don’t overcapitalise. Check comparable sales in your suburb.
Q: Do I need a permit for bathroom renovation in Victoria?
A: Most bathroom renovations need a building permit. Exemptions apply for like-for-like fixture replacement with no structural or plumbing changes. Check with your local council or building surveyor.
Get Accurate Pricing for Your Melbourne Bathroom
Bathroom renovation cost Melbourne depends on your specific space, materials, and layout. These figures give you a realistic starting point based on completed projects.
Generic quotes don’t help. You need a detailed breakdown showing labour, materials, and timelines for your exact bathroom.
Ready for accurate pricing? HBK Constructions provides transparent, itemised quotes for Melbourne bathroom renovations. We’ve completed 127 projects in the past 18 months. We know what things cost.
Request your free detailed quote
View our bathroom renovation gallery
Read more guides:
- Bathroom renovation price bands and approvals
- Modern bathroom design features
- Small bathroom layouts that work
- Home extensions without cracks
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