Bathroom Renovation Cost Melbourne 2026: Price Guide
A bathroom renovation is one of the best investments you can make in your Melbourne home. It adds value, improves daily living and can completely transform how your home feels. But before you start pulling out tiles, it's important to understand the real costs involved — and what drives them up or down.
This guide breaks down realistic bathroom renovation costs for Melbourne homeowners in 2026, with specific pricing for Melbourne's northern suburbs including Brunswick, Coburg, Preston, Reservoir, Essendon and surrounding areas.
Bathroom Renovation Cost Summary (Melbourne 2026)
| Renovation Type | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Basic cosmetic refresh | $8,000 – 5,000 |
| Budget renovation (layout unchanged) | 5,000 – 5,000 |
| Mid-range full renovation | 5,000 – $40,000 |
| High-end / luxury bathroom | $40,000 – $70,000 |
| Full architectural / custom | $70,000+ |
Basic Cosmetic Refresh: $8,000 – 5,000A cosmetic refresh keeps the existing layout completely intact and focuses on surface-level improvements:
- New vanity and basin
- New toilet suite
- New tapware and shower head
- New shower screen
- Fresh paint
- Updated lighting and accessories
No tiles are removed, plumbing stays in place, and waterproofing is not disturbed. This is the most budget-friendly approach and can make a dated bathroom feel significantly fresher.
Best for: Investment properties, rental upgrades, or homeowners who want a quick improvement without a major spend. Popular in Thomastown, Lalor, Bundoora and Glenroy where keeping renovation costs low relative to property value is important.
Limitation: You won't fix underlying issues, change the layout, or get a result that dramatically increases property value.
Budget Renovation (Layout Unchanged): 5,000 – 5,000
A budget renovation involves a full strip-out and rebuild while keeping plumbing in its existing location. This typically includes:
- Full retile of floor and walls
- New waterproofing (mandatory)
- New vanity, basin and toilet
- New shower base or bath
- New tapware and shower screen
- Updated lighting
- New exhaust fan
Keeping plumbing in place is the single biggest cost-saving decision in any bathroom renovation. The moment you move the toilet, shower or bath, you're paying a licensed plumber for significant additional work.
Best for: Homeowners in Reservoir, Heidelberg, Bundoora and Preston who want a complete fresh bathroom without the cost of reconfiguring the space.
Mid-Range Full Renovation:
5,000 – $40,000
A cosmetic refresh keeps the existing layout completely intact and focuses on surface-level improvements:
- New vanity and basin
- New toilet suite
- New tapware and shower head
- New shower screen
- Fresh paint
- Updated lighting and accessories
No tiles are removed, plumbing stays in place, and waterproofing is not disturbed. This is the most budget-friendly approach and can make a dated bathroom feel significantly fresher.
Best for: Investment properties, rental upgrades, or homeowners who want a quick improvement without a major spend. Popular in Thomastown, Lalor, Bundoora and Glenroy where keeping renovation costs low relative to property value is important.
Limitation: You won't fix underlying issues, change the layout, or get a result that dramatically increases property value.
Budget Renovation (Layout Unchanged): 5,000 – 5,000
A budget renovation involves a full strip-out and rebuild while keeping plumbing in its existing location. This typically includes:
- Full retile of floor and walls
- New waterproofing (mandatory)
- New vanity, basin and toilet
- New shower base or bath
- New tapware and shower screen
- Updated lighting
- New exhaust fan
Keeping plumbing in place is the single biggest cost-saving decision in any bathroom renovation. The moment you move the toilet, shower or bath, you're paying a licensed plumber for significant additional work.
Best for: Homeowners in Reservoir, Heidelberg, Bundoora and Preston who want a complete fresh bathroom without the cost of reconfiguring the space.
Mid-Range Full Renovation:
A mid-range renovation is the most popular choice for Melbourne homeowners and delivers a genuinely impressive result. This typically includes:
- Full strip-out and new waterproofing
- Premium floor and wall tiles
- Freestanding bath or large format shower
- Semi-custom or custom vanity
- Quality tapware (Caroma, Methven, Dorf)
- Frameless shower screen
- Underfloor heating
- Heated towel rail
- New exhaust fan and lighting
- Minor layout reconfiguration
At this budget you can create a bathroom that genuinely adds value to your home and elevates your daily experience. Homeowners in Coburg, Preston, Northcote and Thornbury regularly renovate at this level.
What affects cost in this range: Tile selection is a major variable. Basic tiles from a big box retailer run $30–$60 per square metre. Premium imported tiles can run
High-End / Luxury Bathroom: $40,000 – $70,000
A luxury bathroom renovation involves premium everything:
- Custom joinery vanity
- Designer tapware (Brodware, Astra Walker, Rogerseller)
- Natural stone or premium large format tiles
- Freestanding designer bath
- Full structural changes if required
- Smart mirror with integrated lighting and demister
- Heated floors throughout
- Niche shelving and integrated storage
- Premium exhaust and ventilation systems
Homeowners in Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Northcote and Fitzroy North regularly invest at this level — particularly in homes being prepared for sale or in period properties where bathroom quality significantly affects overall home value.
Full Architectural / Custom: $70,000+
At $70,000 and above you're looking at a fully bespoke bathroom — often involving architectural drawings, structural alterations, imported materials, and complete reconfiguration of the space. This tier is typically part of a whole-home renovation or a major extension project rather than a standalone bathroom update.
What Drives Bathroom Renovation Costs in Melbourne?
1. Moving plumbing
This is the biggest cost lever in any bathroom renovation. Keeping your toilet, shower and bath in their current locations keeps plumbing costs to a minimum. Moving a toilet to the opposite wall can add $3,000–$8,000 to your budget. Always ask your builder what the cost impact of any layout change will be before committing.
2. Tile selection and quantity
Tiles are one of the most significant variables in a bathroom budget. Consider:
- Tile cost per square metre: $30 to $300+ depending on quality and origin
- Tile size: Large format tiles cost more to lay and have more waste
- Feature tiles: A designer feature wall can add
3. Waterproofing
Waterproofing is non-negotiable in any bathroom renovation. It must be completed by a licensed waterproofer and inspected before tiling begins. Budget
4. Fixture and fitting quality
There's an enormous price range between entry-level and premium fixtures:
- Tapware:
5. Age and condition of your home
Older homes in Melbourne's northern suburbs frequently reveal unexpected issues once walls are opened — deteriorating waterproofing, outdated copper plumbing, rotted subfloor from slow leaks, or asbestos-containing materials in pre-1990 homes. Always keep a 10–15% contingency buffer in your bathroom renovation budget.
6. Bathroom size
A small ensuite (3–4m²) costs significantly less than a full family bathroom (6–8m²) or a master ensuite with separate shower and bath. More tiles, more waterproofing, more fixtures — size matters.
Bathroom Renovation Costs by Suburb (Melbourne's North)
Brunswick, Northcote, Fitzroy North: Period homes with higher overall values. Homeowners frequently invest in premium finishes and custom joinery. Average spend $35,000–$65,000.
Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Strathmore: Larger homes, higher property values, strong appetite for luxury finishes. Average spend $45,000–$70,000.
Coburg, Pascoe Vale, Preston: Mix of full mid-range renovations and budget refreshes. Average spend