2026 bands by room
These are planning figures for renovations taken back to the structure and finished properly, as a guide. A fixed price comes after a measure.
| Room | 2026 guide (AUD) | What it usually covers |
|---|---|---|
| Powder room | $9,000 – $16,000 | Toilet, basin, floor, ventilation |
| Apartment bathroom, newer building | $19,000 – $30,000 | Full renovation within fixed waste positions, lift access |
| Apartment bathroom, walk-up | $20,000 – $32,000 | As above, plus stair carrying and older-building testing |
| Ensuite | $18,000 – $30,000 | Walk-in shower, vanity, toilet |
| House main bathroom | $25,000 – $40,000 | Full strip-out, membrane, full-height tiling |
| Premium waterfront ensuite or bathroom | $38,000 – $65,000 | Larger rooms, custom joinery, premium finishes |
| Laundry | $9,000 – $20,000 | Tub, cabinetry, floor waste, waterproofing |
| Outdoor shower | $3,500 – $10,000 | Cold-only on an existing wall up to hot and cold with screen and drainage |
Extras that sit on top
Not every job needs these, but on the peninsula many need at least one.
| Item | 2026 guide (AUD) | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Asbestos testing | Often under $500 | Buildings or rooms from before about 1990 |
| Licensed asbestos removal | $1,500 – $4,500 | Positive test result |
| Strata paperwork, protection and restricted hours | $800 – $3,000 | Most unit renovations |
| Walk-up stair carrying | $800 – $2,500 | Buildings without a lift |
| Coastal fitting upgrades | $800 – $2,500 | Better tapware, 316 hardware, coated glass |
| Subfloor or floor framing repairs | $1,000 – $4,000 | Timber floors under old showers |
| Steep block access | $1,000 – $3,500 | Waterfront and hillside homes |
| Travel and logistics | $1,000 – $3,000 | Bundeena, Maianbar and some Kurnell jobs |
Where the money goes
A bathroom renovation is a sequence of trades in a small space, each of which visits more than once. Very roughly:
- Labour and trades — strip-out, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, tiling, fit-off
- Materials and fittings — board, screed, membrane, tiles, adhesive, grout, vanity, tapware, toilet, screen, fan, lights
- Site and logistics — waste removal, protection, cleaning, parking, and in units, time lost to building rules
In a beach unit, the third category is noticeably larger than in a house.
What pushes a quote up
Moving plumbing. In houses on slabs, moving a waste means cutting concrete. In units, it usually is not possible at all.
Tile choices. Large formats need more preparation; herringbone, mosaics and mitred corners need more labour.
Premium fittings and custom joinery. Especially in waterfront ensuites.
Hidden conditions. Asbestos, rot in timber floors, and old pipework.
Access. Stairs, steep blocks, and distance.
What does not add much
Full-height tiling. A moderate increase in tile and labour that removes paint from the humid zone.
A better exhaust fan. Small cost, large effect on mould and corrosion.
Frameless fixed panel instead of a framed door. Often similar in price, easier to keep sand-free.
Holiday lets and rentals
For investment units, spending a little more on durable, repairable fittings and tough surfaces usually saves money over the life of the bathroom. The biggest hidden cost is time: lost bookings or rent while the bathroom is out of action. Getting strata approval arranged early and scheduling in the off-season protects that.
Payments and protection
In NSW:
- The maximum deposit for residential building work is 10 per cent
- For work over $20,000, home building compensation cover must be in place before a deposit is requested
- A written contract is required above the statutory threshold
- Progress payments should follow completed stages
Be wary of any quote asking for a large upfront payment or starting without a contract.
Reading a quote
A good bathroom quote in Cronulla should state:
- Strata inclusions: lift protection, restricted hours, waste removal
- Asbestos testing and how removal would be priced
- Tapware and hardware by model and finish
- Tile allowance per square metre
- Waterproofing method and cure time
- Exhaust fan and where it discharges
- Access and travel allowances
- Program in working days
Renovation work is carried out in partnership with Coastal Renovation Group, a licensed NSW builder. Licence and insurance details are provided on request. See how we work for the program and questions for common concerns.
Call 02 5850 4715 or send the bathroom details through for a measure and written quote.
Questions people ask before they commit
Why do Cronulla unit bathrooms cost as much as house bathrooms?
The room is smaller but the job takes longer. Strata approval, restricted working hours, lift protection or stair carrying, parking and waste removal through common areas all add labour. Materials are only part of the cost.
Are coastal-grade fittings much more expensive?
Usually not by much across a whole bathroom. Upgrading tapware, screen hardware and accessories to better coastal specifications commonly adds $800 to $2,500 as a 2026 guide, and it avoids replacing corroded fittings within a few years.
What deposit is allowed in NSW?
The maximum deposit for residential building work in NSW is 10 per cent. For work over $20,000, home building compensation cover must be in place before a deposit is requested. Payments after that should follow completed stages.
Can the cost be reduced by keeping the layout?
Yes. Keeping waste positions where they are is the biggest single saving, and in units it is almost always necessary anyway. The budget then goes into finishes, fittings and waterproofing rather than moving plumbing.