Bathroom Renovation Costs in Preston 2026

Preston is one of Melbourne's largest and most popular northern suburbs. Once known as a working-class pocket of the inner-north, Preston has undergone rapid gentrification over the past decade — driven by proximity to the CBD, strong public transport, and the transformation of High Street and Plenty Road into some of the city's most vibrant food and retail strips. Homeowners here are investing heavily in renovations, and bathroom renovations are consistently among the most popular projects.

Preston's housing stock is a mix of Californian Bungalows, Edwardian and Victorian workers' cottages, post-war weatherboards, and interwar brick homes. Many still have original or partially updated bathrooms. Renovating these bathrooms — or adding an ensuite where one does not exist — is one of the highest-return improvements available to Preston homeowners.

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

Bathroom Renovation Cost Ranges in Preston (2026)

Project TypeCost Range
Budget bathroom refresh
2,000 –
0,000
Mid-range full bathroom renovation2,000 – $38,000
High-end bathroom renovation$38,000 – $60,000
Ensuite addition (new)6,000 – $48,000
Second bathroom addition8,000 – $52,000

What Affects Bathroom Renovation Cost in Preston

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 porcelain and natural stone tiles from
50 to $400 per square metre and above. Preston's rapidly gentrifying market is trending strongly toward large format porcelain and terrazzo-look tiles.

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. Preston homeowners renovating for the long term increasingly opt for semi-custom or custom joinery.

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.

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 Preston

Yes — and increasingly so. As Preston continues to gentrify, buyer expectations are rising rapidly. Homes with dated bathrooms attract lower offers and take longer to sell than comparable renovated properties. A well-executed bathroom renovation in Preston removes that buyer hesitation and frequently adds more to the sale price than the renovation cost.

Adding a second bathroom or an ensuite to a Preston home that only has one bathroom is one of the highest-return renovations available. Buyers in Preston'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 $50,000 to

00,000 to the value of a well-presented Preston 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 Preston

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

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 Preston or comparable inner-northern suburbs. A builder with a track record in the suburb understands local council requirements and housing stock.

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

How Long Does a Bathroom Renovation Take in Preston

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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