If you've been looking at your bathroom lately and thinking to yourself how tired it's looking, no doubt you've been pondering the thought how much does it cost to renovate a bathroom?
The answer is as little or as much as you'd like to spend, but that's not really helpful to you at all.
There are many key factors you'll need to weigh up to determine the cost of remodelling your bathroom, and we'll have a look at the key ones here. We'll also see what trusted sources are saying about renovation costs.
The key factors to consider when working out the cost of remodelling your bathroom
The good news is that by remodelling your bathroom, you're adding value to your home, so it's a good decision. Let's have a look at some of the variables in renovating.
Do you:
- Have a large, medium or small bathroom?
- Do you want a designer look?
- Do you need to change the plumbing configuration or the flooring?
- Do you need to knock down any walls or move a doorway?
- Do you want to go all the way with heated floors, marble walls, a spa, etc?
The lengths you go to are ultimately determined by how much you're willing to spend.
What factors blow out your budget when renovating?
There are so many variables, it's impossible to look at them in detail. Canstar summarised it beautifully by saying the factors that impact the total cost of your bathroom remodel are:
- Timing
- Full or partial renovation
- Blueprint
- Complex trade work
- Budget, mid-range or luxury looks
Timing. According to the HIA, the average length of time for a bathroom remodel is 16-20 days, and a quarter of them take longer than 26 days. The longer the time, the higher the overall labour costs.
Full or partial. Does the room need to be gutted, and you start again, or will simple cosmetic changes be sufficient, such as new tapware and repainting?
Blueprint. If you're changing the plumbing configuration or doing major structural work like moving walls or doors, the costs will escalate. The HIA said that the majority of jobs tradies worked on were remodelling the existing space without changes to the blueprint.
Complex trade work. Adding skylights and heated flooring for instance is complex and takes time. This also greatly increases the cost.
Luxury or budget look. You could choose to spend $4000 on a top of the range toilet bidet, or $200 on a budget toilet. You could spend up to $3000 on a designer, free-standing bath, or $300 on an inset bath. Weighing up your budget and preferences is the key.
Comparing different sources on the costs of remodelling bathrooms
One real estate source suggests that size doesn't really matter. Regardless of the size, a budget bathroom remodel can cost from as low as $5000 up to $15,000, a middle of the road renovation can be between $15,000 and $25,000.
A luxury bathroom renovation can potentially skyrocket to well over $25,000, which stands to reason with a designer look.
The HIA says the average cost of a bathroom renovation in Australia costs around $19,500. In one of their reports it showed most people tended to spend $16000 to $20,000 on remodelling.
Handy tips to answer your question "how much does it cost to renovate a bathroom?"
Here's a quick and easy way to work out a ballpark figure to remodel your bathroom. Let's assume it's only one bathroom, and you're going to gut the room and start again. There's also no structural work, you don't need skylights or heated flooring and you don't need to change the plumbing.
The first step is to get quotes.
- How much to re-tile?
- How much to put in the freestanding bath?
- How much to redo the shower base and put up the walk-in shower screen
Make a list of fixtures, fittings and accessories and do a quick costing. Write down what it will cost to purchase a good quality freestanding bath, walk-in shower screen, mixer taps, new vanity and basin, heated towel ladder, tiles.
Put all the costs down on paper and then you can add and subtract tasks and items depending on the final figure you get.
Most average DIY types can gut the majority of the bathroom themselves saving about $500 to $1000. Once the remodelling is completed, most DIYers paint the bathroom themselves, saving them another $500 to $1000.
Look at ways you can save and always work as closely as possible to your budget. It is possible to find great products at excellent prices.
The Bathware Direct difference
When you're renovating the bathroom, Bathware Direct is your one stop shop.
You'll find all the bathroom products you need, including the designer Decina Piccolo Freestanding Bath - White, in 1400mm/1500mm/1700mm.
With Bathware Direct you benefit from the best prices, best range and an enjoyable customer experience.
Along with that there's prompt delivery almost everywhere Australia-wide.
For quality bathroom products, save your time and money with Bathware Direct.