Bathroom Renovation Costs in Essendon 2026

Essendon is one of Melbourne's most established and sought-after northern suburbs. Its wide tree-lined streets, grand period homes, and strong school catchments make it one of the most consistent property markets in Melbourne's north. Homeowners here invest heavily in renovations — and bathroom renovations are consistently among the most popular projects.

Essendon's housing stock skews large. Many properties are substantial Victorian, Edwardian, and interwar homes with multiple bathrooms that are original or only partially updated. Renovating these bathrooms — or adding an ensuite where one does not exist — is one of the highest-return improvements available to Essendon homeowners.

Here is what a bathroom renovation costs in Essendon in 2026, what drives the price, and how to find the right builder.

Bathroom Renovation Cost Ranges in Essendon (2026)

Project TypeCost Range
Budget bathroom refresh
5,000 –
2,000
Mid-range full bathroom renovation5,000 – $45,000
High-end bathroom renovation$45,000 – $75,000
Ensuite addition (new)$30,000 – $55,000
Second bathroom addition$35,000 – $60,000
Master bathroom with freestanding bath$50,000 – $85,000

What Affects Bathroom Renovation Cost in Essendon

Waterproofing and compliance

All bathroom renovations in Victoria require waterproofing to AS 3740 standard. This is non-negotiable and is carried out by a licensed waterproofer before tiling. Cutting corners on waterproofing is the most common cause of expensive defects in bathroom renovations. Every builder in the MelbRenovations network carries out proper AS 3740 compliant waterproofing as standard.

Tile selection

Tiles are one of the most significant cost variables in a bathroom renovation. Basic ceramic tiles from $30 per square metre. Mid-range porcelain from $60 to

20 per square metre. Premium large format or natural stone tiles from
50 to $400 per square metre and above. Essendon's premium market increasingly favours natural stone and large format porcelain.

Vanity and joinery

A basic freestanding vanity runs $500 to

,000. A semi-custom wall-hung vanity runs
,000 to $6,000. A fully custom joinery vanity with stone top runs $6,000 to
8,000. Essendon homeowners frequently opt for custom joinery to match the quality of the rest of the home.

Tapware and fixtures

Budget tapware from

00 to $800. Mid-range tapware from $800 to
,500. Premium designer tapware from brands such as Brodware, Astra Walker, or Rogerseller runs
,500 to $8,000 per bathroom.

Adding a bath

A standard acrylic bath adds $600 to

,000. A freestanding designer bath adds ,000 to $8,000. Installation costs are separate. Freestanding baths are popular in Essendon's master bathrooms and ensuites.

Structural changes

Adding a new bathroom or ensuite where one does not exist requires plumbing rough-in, electrical work, waterproofing, and potentially structural changes. This is a more complex and costly project than renovating an existing bathroom and requires a licensed builder and building permit.

Does a Bathroom Renovation Add Value in Essendon

Yes — and significantly. Essendon buyers expect quality bathrooms. Homes with dated bathrooms attract lower offers and take longer to sell. A well-executed bathroom renovation in Essendon removes that buyer hesitation and frequently adds more to the sale price than the renovation cost.

Adding a second bathroom or an ensuite to an Essendon home that only has one bathroom is one of the highest-return renovations available. Buyers in Essendon's family home market place strong value on a second bathroom, particularly in properties with three or more bedrooms. The addition of an ensuite can add $60,000 to

20,000 to the value of a well-presented Essendon home.

For owner-occupiers in their primary residence, any increase in property value from a renovation is completely exempt from capital gains tax when you sell.

Finding a Bathroom Renovation Builder in Essendon

Things to check before hiring any bathroom renovation builder in Essendon:

VBA licence

Any builder carrying out structural bathroom work, waterproofing supervision, or plumbing-related renovation work in Victoria must hold appropriate licences. Check domestic builder licence status at vba.vic.gov.au.

Waterproofing credentials

Waterproofing must be carried out by a licensed waterproofer. Ask your builder who does the waterproofing and whether it will be inspected before tiling.

Public liability insurance

Minimum $5 million. Request the certificate of currency before work starts.

Fixed price contract

Any bathroom renovation should be documented in a written contract specifying scope of works, inclusions, exclusions, payment schedule, and completion timeline.

References

Ask for references from recent bathroom renovation projects in Essendon or comparable inner-northern suburbs. A builder with a track record in the suburb understands local council requirements and housing stock.

MelbRenovations connects Essendon homeowners with vetted, VBA-licensed local builders for bathroom renovations — completely free, no obligation, no cold calls.

What Essendon Homeowners Say

"We just finished a full home renovation in Essendon through Melb Renovations and honestly couldn't be more impressed. Our kitchen, living areas and bathrooms have been completely transformed. The builder they matched us with was professional, easy to work with and the quality of the work speaks for itself. Marble island, custom timber joinery, European oak floors throughout. It looks incredible. If you're thinking about renovating in Essendon or anywhere in Melbourne's north, these guys are amazing. Would recommend without hesitation!"

— eirini k, Google review

How Long Does a Bathroom Renovation Take in Essendon

A standard bathroom renovation with no structural changes: 3 to 4 weeks on site. A bathroom renovation involving layout changes or plumbing relocation: 4 to 6 weeks on site. Adding a new ensuite or second bathroom: 6 to 10 weeks on site.

Allow 4 to 6 weeks for design, selection, quoting, and permit approval before work starts.

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