A popular question we get at Designer Bathrooms Plus is how much does it cost to renovate a bathroom?
The ballpark figure for a basic bathroom is $20,000 according to the HIA (Housing Industry Australia) but this is dependant on your locality, the size of the room and quality of fittings and tiles used. We have worked with clients where renovations are usually around $30,000 to $50,000 but have experienced some renovations over $100,000 where steam rooms and spa baths are installed in spaces that are over 50 square meters.
At Designer Bathrooms Plus, we can help you with bathroom design and selections or even a set of plans if you opt in for the full design service, but you must engage a licenced builder to perform the works.
We cannot stress enough how important it is to find a licenced and insured builder to complete the renovation as there are more trades involved in a bathroom reno than any other part of the house. Not only will the builder engage and supervise the trades like tiler, waterproofer, electrician, plumbers or plasterer but you will usually get it done quicker than co ordinating it yourself. You will also get a warranty from the builder on the works performed.
Unfortunately, there are a few people advertising around Tweed Heads and Byron Bay for bathroom renovations that are not licenced to perform the work. If their advertisement on a website, social media or in a press ad does not list the name of licence holder (or registered business name) as shown on licence plus the licence number with correct category of work, then I strongly suggest you do not engage them to perform work in your house. Worse case scenario is they run away with your deposit, don’t finish the work or cause structural or water damage to your house. It just isn’t worth the risk.
In NSW a builder’s licence is required for all residential building work where the reasonable market cost of the work to be done (labour and materials) exceeds $5,000 (including GST). It also applies to specialist work (regardless of cost) including plumbing, gas fitting, electrical wiring, refrigeration, and air conditioning work.
If anyone advertises for bathroom renovations, there are certain obligations under NSW law that must be met. The Home Building Act 1989 and Australian Consumer Law prohibits a company or individual from advertising for any residential building work over $5,000 without having a current contractor licence.
Here are some quick tips for anyone wanting to get a bathroom renovated:
- Know what you want. Sketch up a design yourself or engage a professional to prepare plans which include tile, tapware and your colour/finish choices. Getting someone to do this with you saves a lot of time and stress, costs between $500 and $1000 and will help you engage a better quality of builder as they can see you have done the prep work.
- Set yourself a budget based on a low and high scenario. EG with your selections already done from the design homework you have prepared earlier and depending on location of the job and the size of the bathroom you could factor in demo and build costs of $15,000 to $25,000 (plus your selections) This is based on a best case scenario as I have seen costs and time blow out when the demo is done and the builder finds termite or water damage which then becomes a variation.
- Find a reputable, preferably local, licenced and insured builder.
Reputable – maybe a referral from a friend or someone who has used their services. DO NOT solely trust reviews on websites or social media.
Local – engaging a local builder will usually mean they can do your job between the others, and this helps get trades from one job to the next and keep costs and time down for everyone. Clients renovating in Tweed Heads have been caught out using renovators / builders from the Gold Coast who do not show up for weeks because there are no other jobs in the area for them to do at the same time and they use every excuse under the sun.
Licenced and Insured – Using a licensed and insured builder is crucial for several reasons:
- Compliance with the Law: In many places, it’s a legal requirement to use a licensed builder for certain types of construction work.
- Professional Expertise: Licensed builders have the necessary qualifications and experience to manage construction projects efficiently and safely.
- Quality Assurance: A license acts as a mark of quality, indicating that the builder has met industry standards.
- Insurance Protection: Insurance provides financial protection against accidents, damages, or construction faults that might occur during the building process.
- Risk Management: Licensed builders are knowledgeable about building codes and regulations, which helps in mitigating risks associated with construction.
- Accountability: If something goes wrong, a licensed and insured builder can be held accountable, and you have a pathway for recourse.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing that your project is in the hands of a certified professional can give you peace of mind throughout the construction process. You will also receive a warranty when the work is completed.
In summary, while being an owner-builder might offer more control and potential cost savings, the expertise, insurance coverage, and legal protections that come with hiring a licensed and insured builder often outweigh the benefits of managing the project yourself. It’s about balancing the desire for control and savings with the need for professional quality and security.
To find a licenced and insured builder to complete your bathroom renovation, they need to advertise the following… BY LAW
Licensee name + Licence number + Licence type + Australian Business Number (ABN)
Would you get a trust someone with a Facebook ad that advertises cheap heart transplants?
Why would you trust an unlicensed and probably uninsured person to perform work on what is the biggest asset you own… your own home.
