Renovating a bathroom is an exciting time, an opportunity to breathe new life into your space and let your personality shine through in the design.
Before you start thinking of paint colours, tile shapes and bath sizes, it’s important to set a budget. Determining how much you’re going to spend at the beginning of the project, will enable you to make informed decisions as you go through the process with us.
The cost of a bathroom renovation can vary widely depending on several factors, such as the size of the bathroom, the level of the upgrades and materials chosen, and the extent of plumbing and electrical carpentry work required. This guide will help you navigate the world of bathroom renovation pricing so you come out with a space you love, and at a budget you love.
Factors that influence overall budget:
- Bathroom size affects renovation costs due to increased furnishing and tiling needs
- The number and type of fixtures and fittings required
- Material choice influences the cost too, with higher quality options often having better long term value
- Labour costs include various tradespeople such as designers, electricians, plumbers, tilers, waterproofer, plasterers and painters.
The bathroom renovation budget is influenced by various factors, with some having a greater impact than others.
Being aware of these factors from the beginning helps in estimating the total cost of the renovation project. It's beneficial to allocate your budget to specific areas of the bathroom when planning a bathroom project, regardless of whether it's a simple update or a high-end renovation.
By doing so, you can focus on each area separately, compare their costs and prioritise where to allocate your funds.
1/ Floor and Wall Tiles
- Tiling costs vary from around $350 per square metre, including adhesive, grout, waterproofing and labour
- Glass, ceramic and porcelain tiles are popular for bathrooms, while vinyl/acrylic tiles are a cheaper option
- Extending floor tiles up the wall increases costs but provides benefits such as water resistance and easy maintenance
Bathroom tiles are durable, strong and require little maintenance.
2/ Showers
- A shower installation can cost between $1k to over $8k depending on size, materials and features
- The standard shower size is 900mm x 900mm and shower enclosures of this size are readily available. A tiled shower will cost between $7k and $12k with vinyl, ceramic and porcelain tiles at the lower end and stone tiles at the upper end of costs
- An acrylic shower will cost between $2k and $6k but offers less customisation
- A glass shower door costs between $800 - $2.5k
- New plumbing costs $1k - $3k
- Re-tiling an existing shower will cost $1.5k - $4k.
3/ Baths
- A basic built-in acrylic bathtub can cost as little as $300, while a freestanding bathtub can cost anywhere between $1.5k to $10k
- The cost of labour typically ranges from $70 to $150 per hour, including the removal of any existing bathtub and installation of the new one
- Built-in baths are typically installed into a frame or an existing alcove, while freestanding baths are positioned away from the walls in their own space
- Designer freestanding baths can double as an eye-catching statement piece and offer more options in terms of size and shape, but are generally more expensive.
4/ Toilets
- Toilet prices vary depending on the style, finish and features
- A basic toilet costs around $400 excluding installation
- High-spec toilets with custom features, smart technology, lighting and washing or bidet features cost around $3k excluding installation
- A plumber is required to install a new toilet correctly.
5/ Vanities
- A bathroom vanity can cost from $500 to $3k or more depending on the size, style and materials used
- Single, basic bathroom vanities generally start from $500, while basic double bathroom vanities from $1.5k and bespoke/high-end vanities from $3k
- When choosing a vanity, consider space and storage requirements, user height and whether a single or double basin is needed
- Custom built vanities are also available, so it's important to spend time in the early stages of your bathroom design to consider the feature pieces in your bathroom.
6/ Tapware
- Budget-friendly taps can be purchased for under $100, while high-end designer taps can cost a few thousand dollars per piece
- Basic basin mixer/taps typically range from $50 to $300, while mid-range tapware can cost between $300 and $2k
- If you're interested in high-end/designer tapware, you can expect to pay over $2k
- Tapware can be selected in conjunction with shower heads and mixers to create a cohesive design across the bathroom. Even if you choose pieces with the same basic colour or finish, they may look different when put in close proximity due to variations in manufacturing styles or pigments used.
7/ Flooring
- Flooring for bathrooms can cost anywhere from $30 per square metre to over $100 per square metre depending on the material
- Floor tiles are a popular choice for bathroom flooring due to their durability and flexibility in terms of colour, style and finish
- Bathroom floor tiles are easy to maintain and require little upkeep, but correct installation with appropriate waterproofing and grouting is essential
- The cost of bathroom floor tiles per square metre (excluding installation) can range from:
- Laminate flooring from $40 per square metre
- Vinyl flooring from $50 per square metre
- Ceramic tiles from $70 per square metre
8/ Mirrors
- The cost of a bathroom mirror depends on several factors such as its size, whether it has heating, lighting or cabinetry integrated, and whether it's framed or frameless
- The type of glass used and any bespoke elements can also impact pricing. The approximate price of bathroom mirrors, excluding installation, are as follows:
- Basic wall-hung mirror (standard size and specifications) from $200
- Mid-range mirror with lighting and defog from $600
- Infrared mirror heater from $850
- High-end mirror with integrated, bespoke elements from $1k
- LED backlit mirrors are a popular choice for bathrooms as they provide consistent and even lighting, making them ideal for makeup application, shaving and hair styling.
9/ Bathroom Lighting
- Bathroom lighting prices can vary greatly, ranging from $10 for simple LED downlights to over $1k for a statement pendant light
- The type of light fixture you choose is the biggest factor that will impact on the cost, beyond the designer and brand
- The cost of labour for an electrician to install a bathroom light will be between $70 to $150 per hour, depending on the complexity of the installation
- Simple lighting installations, such as using pre-existing fixtures, will be less expensive than more complex installations that include wiring for wall or vanity lights, or installing a large pendant light that requires structural support.
10/ Cabinets and Storage
- Bathroom cabinets and storage solutions will cost anywhere from $300 to over $2k inl depending on size, material, design and brand
- Cost-effective options tend to include materials such as melamine or laminate and are typically ready-to-assemble stock cabinets
- Custom bathroom cabinets are often made of higher-quality materials such as solid or engineered wood and allow you to customise your storage solution exactly how you want in terms of size, design and finishes. However, they are almost always more expensive
- Bespoke models may require professional installation which can be done by the cabinet supplier or their associated contractor
- Installation costs will depend on the complexities involved
About Butterfield Bathrooms
Butterfield Bathrooms is a family-owned and operated business with a passion for transforming bathrooms into beautiful and functional spaces.
Our company has a long history of excellence in the building industry, dating back to 1976 when Neil Butterfield founded his building company specialising in residential renovations, kitchens and bathrooms.
Today, the Butterfield legacy continues with Mark and Guy Butterfield, who followed in their father's footsteps and established Butterfield Bathrooms in 2018.
As a result of the company’s strong emphasis on quality workmanship and customer service, Butterfield Bathrooms has quickly become one of the most trusted names in the industry.
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If you liked this bathroom renovation guide, head over to our Articles page for more helpful bathroom renovation tips. If you are thinking about renovating, get in contact with us for a quote. At Butterfield Bathrooms, we specialise in bathroom and laundry alterations, renovations and conversions throughout Canterbury, Darfield, Rolleston, Rangiora and Lincoln. Visit our Budget Guide page and our bathroom renovation calculator to give you a broad estimate of what your bathroom is going to cost to upgrade. Keen to see some of our recent work? Check out our Work page and Instagram and Facebook pages.
