How Much Does A Bathroom Renovation Cost in 2024?

If you’re thinking of embarking on a bathroom renovation in Melbourne in 2024 but don’t yet have a clear picture of how much it will cost to renovate a bathroom, this article will help answer your questions.

But before we get into how much an average bathroom renovation costs, let’s briefly discuss the cost of a DIY bathroom renovation. Hiring an all-inclusive renovation service may seem like the more expensive option, but in fact, it can save you money.

The key to achieving a successful renovation that will last for years and add real value to your home lies in the expert planning and management of all the project stages. From coming up with innovative and cost-effective design ideas to scheduling and managing multiple trades and sourcing the perfect materials, there’s a lot that needs to be orchestrated before the first tile is even installed. With small setbacks often having a flow-on effect, every decision needs to be carefully made to avoid preventable delays or blowing your entire budget too early.   

Understandably, people are usually reluctant to embark on a renovation project, especially if they lack experience. This is what keeps them from taking the plunge and making their dream bathroom a reality. So, if the prospect of handling a bathroom renovation while managing your responsibilities fills you with dread, know that you’re not alone. As seasoned experts, we’re equipped to seamlessly handle renovations of all sizes, ensuring your budget is effectively used at every stage of the process.  

The question we will try to answer now is how much does it cost to professionally renovate a bathroom today, in 2024? This is an old question but a good one, though. We’ll figure it out by drawing on our 20 years of experience and by touching on what our expert interior designers, Ellen and Grace, have to say about this.

How much does a bathroom renovation cost? 

“While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, you should budget an average of $40 to 49K for a professionally full-service managed bathroom renovation,” says Grace. “This includes everything from the design, demolition, trades, fixtures, fittings, cleaning, and all the intensive scheduling and managing that goes on behind the scenes plus maintenance guarantees in the long term.”   

For larger-scale projects, expect to set aside more. “Covering more square metres, doing structural work like tearing down walls or moving plumbing points, and adding luxury inclusions all add up when it comes to the final cost of your renovation”, Ellen explains.  

We expect to continue to see an increased interest in smart hygiene solutions in 2024, with clients wanting to know more about smart toilets, touchless taps, and anything that would help them keep their homes as sanitary as possible. If this resonates with you, “It is worth considering saving a bit extra for upgrades like smart toilets and sensor taps, so there’s less touching in the bathroom”, says Grace.   

Understanding the breakdown of costs  

Size of the bathroom: Generally, a small bathroom renovation will typically cost less because you don’t have to cover as much square footage. Larger spaces will generally take more materials, more labour time, and require more products.

Labour: Bathrooms are very labour-intensive little rooms, with 70% of the overall cost going to trades and labour involved in creating the new space, with the remaining 30% allocated to materials and finishes. High-quality waterproofing and plumbing work is a must if you want your bathroom to stand the test of time, so this is an area where you don’t want to skimp. Moving plumbing points from their original location or installing additional elements, such as separate overhead and hand showers, will increase plumbing costs.  With smarterBATHROOMS+, you don’t need to worry about the costs of each of the trades separately. There’s only one price to look at, and it doesn’t change!

Vanity Unit and Cabinetry: Cabinetry costs will depend on the complexity of the job and the quality of the finishes selected. Including a custom vanity unit has a higher price, so do timber veneer finishes instead of more affordable options like laminates. When it comes to including a stylish vanity unit, there’s no need to pay for a custom unit if you’re on a tighter budget. Nowadays, you can select a beautiful, ready-made vanity unit that will look incredible in your space without emptying your wallet. Your designer is invaluable in this area in recommending the best solution to suit your home and budget. Our post on “Bathroom Renovation: A Simple Guide to Splurging and Saving” contains useful tips on how to make your budget work for you.

Tiling: Generally speaking, tiling is a significant cost for bathrooms. The higher your bathroom walls, the more surface you’ll need to cover, meaning more materials and labour to install them. But keep in mind that tiling from floor to ceiling is not always the best way to go. Strategically laying tiles in the right places can give those on smaller budgets the wow factor without breaking the bank.   

Products: If you’re not careful, your budget will go out the window when you begin shopping for products for your renovation. With so many choices in the market, the real difficulty with product selection is finding what fits best for your situation. This means finding a product that has the perfect look and feel, that makes sense for your budget, and can stand the test of time. At smarterBATHROOMS+, you will have a qualified Detailer in your team at the selections stage to ensure you get the absolute best results. A Detailer is a friendly and helpful advisor who helps you make the best decisions regarding products for your bathroom renovation. Read more about our process and what happens at the selection stage here.

Upgrades: There are many ways you can upgrade your bathroom. You can add a heated towel rail to your design or underfloor heating to the floor for those cold Melbourne mornings. Make sure you talk with your interior designer about all the options to make the perfect bathroom for you and your family. The possibilities are really endless!

To summarise   

“Overall, a good rule of thumb is to allocate 5 to 10% of your home’s value into your renovation; this includes wet areas like the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry,” says Ellen. 

When budgeting for a renovation, thinking long-term instead of short-term is critical. In the long run, trusting your renovation to a full-service professional ensures you make the most out of your budget while achieving high-quality results that last for years and ongoing support. 

There is also the value-added element. Renovating your bathrooms or kitchen can add as much as $250k to the value of your home if you’re thinking of selling irrespective of the timeframe. Although certain styles do tend to date after 10 years, really think about the design when you plan to renovate and discuss this with your interior designer. You’ll enjoy your new bathrooms and kitchen in the short term and yet you can also realise the investment you made at a later date with a prospective buyer.    

If you want to know how more about professional bathroom or kitchen renovation and the potential costs for your home, book your FREE in-home consultation with a member of our interior design team. It truly is a great place to start!