Rough bands, not a price list
Every bathroom in an old house is different, so we do not publish a rate card. As a rough guide only, most Inner West bathroom renovations fall into one of three broad bands. They assume a room taken back to the frame or slab and rebuilt with mid-range fittings, including waterproofing, plumbing, electrical and making good.
| Tier | Rough guide | Typical jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Smaller and simpler | about $10,000 – $30,000 | Powder rooms, compact unit bathrooms, standalone laundries |
| Typical main bathroom | about $25,000 – $45,000 | A cottage, semi or terrace bathroom renovated where it is, with sound structure |
| Complex or structural | $45,000 and up | Lean-tos needing floor, wall or roof work, new ensuites, bathrooms that move |
The bands overlap on purpose. Where your room lands depends on the factors below, and a band is not a quote.
What moves the price
Access and handling. In a terrace or walk-up, every item is carried through a narrow hallway or up a stairwell, and every piece of the old bathroom is carried back out. Some streets cannot take a skip, so rubbish leaves by van.
The floor. A timber floor under a tiled wet area needs to be stiff and flat. That can mean extra joists or noggings, new wet-area sheeting and a screed to form falls. On a lean-to with rot, it can mean a new floor frame.
Asbestos. Pre-1990 homes are tested first. If anything is found, licensed removal is priced as its own line.
Walls. Old brick is rendered flat or lined with a stud wall before tiling. A stud lining also keeps pipes out of a shared wall.
Ventilation. An exhaust fan ducted outside, which in a lean-to or terrace may mean a longer duct run or a new roof or wall penetration.
Moving the bathroom. Relocating a bathroom, especially upstairs, means a new waste route, floor framing and ceiling repairs below.
Structural surprises. Rot, termite damage, undersized joists or a failing lean-to roof. A careful measure finds most of this beforehand; the rest is handled by a clearly priced variation.
Tile choice and pattern. Hexagons, mosaics, herringbone and small subway tiles take longer to lay than large tiles on a straight lay. See our guides to subway tiles and mosaic tiles.
Approvals and strata. A new window, skylight or roof change in a heritage conservation area may need consent. In a unit, restricted working hours, stair-only access and common-property protection all add labour.
Fittings and finishes. Tapware, vanity, glass and underfloor heating matter less than most people expect in a small room, but a custom vanity or a large freestanding bath does move the number.
Comparing quotes
When two quotes for the same bathroom are far apart, check whether both include:
- Asbestos testing, and how removal would be priced
- An allowance or method for floor repairs
- Full floor waterproofing with a certificate
- Access, protection, skip or rubbish removal, and any permit
- An exhaust fan ducted outside
- Named fittings and a stated tile allowance
- A program in working days
- How variations are calculated
Deposits and payments
In NSW the deposit on residential building work is capped at 10 per cent of the contract price. For work over $20,000, home building compensation cover must be in place before a deposit is requested. Progress payments should follow completed stages.
Renovation work is carried out in partnership with Coastal Renovation Group, a licensed NSW builder; licence and insurance details are provided on request.
Every job is different: book an on-site quote
The bands above are a starting point, not a price. Two bathrooms of the same size in the same street can differ widely once the floor, the walls, the access and the finishes are known. A proper on-site quote is the only way to give you a customised price for your room.
At the measure we check the structure, the access, likely approvals and whether asbestos testing is needed, then give you a written, itemised quote. See the process page for what happens next, or the FAQ for short answers.
Call 02 5950 5195 or book an on-site quote.
Questions people ask before they commit
Why are Inner West bathroom renovations dearer than in newer suburbs?
Access, age and hidden conditions. Materials travel through narrow houses or up stairwells, parking and skips need planning, floors are often timber that needs stiffening, and pre-1990 homes need asbestos testing. Each adds cost that a slab-on-ground project home does not carry.
How much should I allow for asbestos?
Testing comes first, and the cost of removal depends on the quantity and type of material and on access. If asbestos is found, removal by a licensed removalist is priced as its own line once the results are known, so you see it before work starts.
What deposit is allowed in NSW?
The deposit on residential building work in NSW is capped at 10 per cent of the contract price. For work over $20,000, home building compensation cover must be in place before a deposit is requested. Ask for the certificate before paying.
Can the price change after demolition?
It can, if something genuinely hidden is found, such as rotten joists or a failed waste under the floor. The quote should explain how variations are priced and require your written approval before any extra work goes ahead.
Is the cheapest quote the best value?
Only if it includes the same scope. Compare whether each quote includes asbestos testing, structural allowances, full waterproofing, access costs, an exhaust fan ducted outside and named fittings. Differences in those lines explain most gaps between quotes.