The bands
What bathroom renovations in Parramatta and the surrounding suburbs actually cost in 2026, taken back to the slab or frame and finished properly.
Apartments and units
| Room | Typical range | What that assumes |
|---|---|---|
| Powder room | $8,000 – $14,000 | Toilet and basin, minimal waterproofing |
| European laundry refit | $6,000 – $12,000 | Cupboard laundry, stacked appliances, bench |
| Ensuite | $15,000 – $25,000 | 3–4 m², walk-in shower, strata logistics |
| Small walk-up bathroom | $17,000 – $26,000 | Under 4 m², stairs only, no lift |
| Main bathroom | $18,000 – $30,000 | 4–6 m², bath removed or retained |
| High-rise main bathroom | $20,000 – $32,000 | Building manager, loading dock, restricted hours |
Houses
| Room | Typical range | What that assumes |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry room | $10,000 – $20,000 | Waterproofing, tiling, cabinetry |
| Main bathroom | $24,000 – $36,000 | 5–8 m², full strip-out |
| Bathroom + separate toilet combined | $30,000 – $45,000 | Wall removed, one larger room |
Asbestos removal, where required, is priced separately.
What strata adds
An apartment bathroom has costs that sit outside the room:
- Approval documentation — scope, membrane specification, insurance, program.
- Common property protection — lift pads, corridor and stair protection.
- Lift and loading dock bookings, and working around them.
- Restricted hours for noisy work, which stretches the program.
- Waste removal without a skip — bagged, carried down, removed the same day.
- Trade parking, often paid or limited in the CBD.
These are included in the apartment bands above. They are why a smaller apartment bathroom costs roughly the same as a larger house one.
What moves the number
Asbestos. Commonly $2,500–$6,000 in walk-ups and older houses. Tested before pricing.
Moving a waste. In an apartment, rarely possible — and in post-tensioned slabs, often not permitted. In a house on a timber floor, often a few thousand dollars.
Framing and subfloor repairs in older houses. Shown as a stated allowance.
Tile format. Mosaics and complex patterns add labour. Large formats may not fit in the lift.
Acoustic underlay, where by-laws require it.
Where to save
- Keep the waste positions where they are.
- Standard-format porcelain rather than mosaic or natural stone.
- A quality off-the-shelf wall-hung vanity.
- Reliable mid-range tapware.
What not to cut
Waterproofing. In an apartment, a failure damages the unit below and involves the owners corporation. It is the last place to save money.
Owners corporation fees
Preparing the technical documents is included. Any fees the owners corporation or strata manager charges — for a general meeting, reviewing plans, or registering a by-law — are set by them and paid separately.
The deposit rule
In NSW, a residential building contract over $20,000 caps the deposit at five per cent, with progress payments as stages are completed.
Getting a fixed number
A measure confirms the building type, room size, wall construction, likely asbestos, the building's by-laws and access. From that we quote a fixed, itemised figure.
Call 02 4601 3371 or send the room details through.
Read these before you commit
| How a Bathroom Renovation Runs | Stage-by-stage sequence, with strata approval shown ahead of the build. |
| Bathroom Renovation FAQ | Direct answers on strata approval, slab constraints, cost and timing. |
Questions people ask before they commit
Why does an apartment bathroom cost about the same as a house bathroom when it is smaller?
Because a good part of the cost is not the room. Strata approval documentation, lift protection and bookings, restricted working hours, bagged waste carried out without a skip, and trade parking all add cost that a house job does not have. Waterproofing is also specified more carefully because the unit below is at risk.
How much does asbestos removal add?
For a typical small bathroom's linings or floor underlay, licensed removal with air monitoring and clearance commonly adds $2,500 to $6,000. Testing a sample first is inexpensive and means the cost is known before the contract.
What is the deposit?
Under the NSW Home Building Act, a residential building contract over $20,000 caps the deposit at five per cent. Progress payments are made as stages are completed. A request for a large upfront payment is a reason to look elsewhere.
Are strata approval costs included?
Preparing the technical documents the owners corporation needs is included in our pricing. Any fee the owners corporation or strata manager charges to hold a meeting, review the application or register a by-law is set by them and paid separately.
Is a rental bathroom cheaper?
It can be, mainly through selections. Durable mid-range tiles, an off-the-shelf wall-hung vanity and reliable tapware keep costs down without shortening the room's life. The waterproofing, logistics and approvals cost the same.