The Cost of Bathroom Renovations

The cost of a bathroom renovation is like considering the cost of buying a car. Is it new or used? What is the make going to be? Which of the numerous options will you be selecting? What about adding a roof rack or tow bar? Given the many variables at play, there is a chasm between the low end of the scale and the high end.

The same can be said about bathroom renovation. If you aren’t changing much and have mates that can help with the work, you might get away with a few thousand dollars. Conversely, if you are doing a full overhaul and only want top-of-the-line fixtures, it can easily hit $40,000-$50,000. If you’re after an 18-karat gold toilet, well, that’s going to send the budget sky-high.

So, to give you some context for the decisions you’ll be making about your renovation, here are some things to consider.

Titles can be an expensive part of the bathroom renovation, but on the upside they look great and last longer, adding value to your bathroom.

What Affects the Cost of a Bathroom Renovation

The Purpose.

Are you renovating to repair an emergency leak? Is it an update for comfort? Are you renovating to flip the house? Do you intend to get the money back when you eventually sell the house? Whether you’re looking to turn a profit, or just enjoy a more comfortable space in your home, your motivations and “must-have” changes will come into play. The underlying purpose will dictate some of the overall cost decisions. Westpac suggests that every dollar spent renovating a kitchen or bathroom will pay back around $1.50 when you sell.

The Layout.

If you are shifting the locations of the toilet, sink, shower and tub – expect this to increase the cost. This means that piping will need to be adjusted and that means more labour and more materials. Not to mention that generally, a major shift is easy with the wall cavities open – which means replacing the plasterboard and painting are a must.

The Value of Your Home.

If you are hoping that the bathroom renovation will improve the house’s value, keep in mind your home’s value. A house worth $250,000 may not suit a bathroom worth $40,000. Keeping the budget in line with the value of your home is a smart approach.

The Choice of Fixtures.

Considering all of the pieces that you might be replacing (vanity, sink, mixer, mirror, bathtub, shower, toilet, shower mixer, towel rails, wastes for all drainage), it’s best to know your budget before you start looking at which fixtures you’ll be buying. Start out by finding an average price for the items which lets you see how quickly they add up. Then you can choose the fixtures that you spend more on and which ones aren’t as important to you. If you have a small bathroom, the impact of high-end fixtures may not be as large as if the bathroom is open and spacious.

The Lighting and Exhaust Fan.

If you are renovating, we always recommend installing an exhaust fan where there isn’t one already. This allows for the moisture to leave the room which should result in less mould. Lighting can be a good way to make the bathroom feel completely different if you currently have a poorly lit space. The cost of lighting can be reasonable as there tend to be regular sales at national lighting supply stores, but be sure to factor in the electrician’s time to install them.

Deciding On a Shower Over Bath.

Having both a bathtub and a shower means two sets of mixers, two whole fixtures and the wastes as well. If you opt for a shower over a bath, you can have the benefits of both without the cost of both.

The Flooring.

Tiling will typically always be more expensive than vinyl flooring. There are many modern options for vinyl products these days – which even include faux-wood planks. Installation can often cost more than the products themselves so be sure to get quotes before assuming the total cost. If your home is old, you probably want to replace the chipboard that you might find as your subfloor. This would be better to be replaced with marine plywood.

The Benchtops.

Choosing a vanity with a marble benchtop is one way to add to your cost quickly. So, keep the material of the benchtop in mind when selecting your vanity.

The Paint.

If you are doing any painting in your bathroom renovation, you’ll certainly need to be sure that you factor in the cost of bathroom paint. Because it needs to withstand higher moisture levels, it will usually cost more than standard paint.

The additional details like soap dishes, bath mats, toilet roll holders and any other accessories can have as wide a price gap as the bigger features do. So, if you need to keep your budget in check, be sure that the little add-ons aren’t the items that break the bank.

These are just some general guidelines to help you, as every bathroom renovation is different. Using the Builder’s Crack estimator is a good start if you really aren’t sure what the cost of your renovation may be. Also, check with the council as you may need consent for some changes you plan to make. Hanover is always happy to talk through a realistic budget for your bathroom renovation so contact us today.