Planning
How to Plan a Bathroom Renovation
Expert guide to planning your bathroom renovation from start to finish. Learn how to budget, hire tradies, and manage your project successfully.
Published on October 13, 2025•10 min read
So, you're thinking about renovating your bathroom. Fantastic! But before you get carried away with tile samples and tapware, let's talk about the most crucial part of the entire project: the plan. A good plan is the difference between a dream bathroom and a drawn-out disaster.
Starting Your Bathroom Renovation Plan
Every great bathroom reno starts long before the sledgehammer comes out. It begins with a clear, well-thought-out vision. Jumping into demolition without a solid plan is the fastest way to blow your budget and create stress.
The very first question to ask yourself is simple: why are you renovating? Are you trying to modernise a tired space? Do you need better functionality for a growing family? Or are you fixing persistent problems like leaks to boost your home's resale value?
Initial Planning Checklist
- Define Your 'Why': This guides every decision, from layout to fixture choices.
- Create a Mood Board: Use Pinterest to organise ideas for tiles, tapware, and vanities.
- Measure and Sketch: Confirm what can physically fit in your space early on.
Gather Your Renovation Inspiration
Don't just scroll endlessly; get organised and create a mood board. Pinterest and Instagram are goldmines, but don't overlook Aussie design mags for more local inspiration.
As you're saving images, look for patterns in what you love. Think about layouts, materials, colour palettes, and lighting. This collection becomes an essential communication tool for your renovator or tradie.
Getting Real About Your Renovation Budget
Let's talk about the part that often feels most daunting: the money. A well-planned budget is the roadmap that gets you from 'before' to 'after' without financial blowouts.
What Does a Bathroom Reno Actually Cost?
Recent figures put the average cost at around $26,000, but it really depends on what you're planning. A simple cosmetic update could be as little as $5,000, while a full-gut, high-end transformation can easily exceed $50,000.
Budget Breakdown
- Labour (40-60%): Plumbers, electricians, tilers, and builders
- Fixtures & Fittings: Toilets, basins, taps, shower screens
- Tiling: Tiles and labour for perfect installation
- Waterproofing: Critical, non-negotiable step by licensed professional
- Vanity & Cabinetry: Budget flat-pack to custom joinery
How to Get Quotes You Can Actually Compare
Provide everyone with the same detailed brief including your layout sketch, mood board, and list of specific fixtures. A professional quote should always include a detailed breakdown, inclusions/exclusions, provisional sums, and licence details.
Finding and Hiring Your Renovation Team
The success of your project depends on your tradies' skill and reliability. A great team will smoothly bring your vision to life, while a poor one can lead to stress and rising costs.
Where to Find Qualified Tradies
Personal recommendations from friends and family are invaluable. Online platforms connect homeowners with verified professionals, allowing you to view portfolios and read reviews.
Tradies You May Need
- Builder or Renovator: For structural changes or overall project management
- Licensed Plumber: For all plumbing work
- Licensed Electrician: For lighting and power
- Certified Waterproofer: Often your tiler with proper credentials
- Tiler: For floors and walls
- Painter: For finishing touches
Managing the Build and Your Schedule
Getting the sequence of trades right is everything. The plumber can't fit your tapware until the tiler is done, and the tiler can't start until waterproofing is completed and certified.
Standard Order of Work
- Demolition and Strip-Out: Remove old tiles, vanity, and fixtures. Cap off water lines and isolate electrical circuits.
- Rough-In Phase: Plumbers and electricians move pipework, install in-wall components, and run new wiring.
- Sheeting and Waterproofing: Install new plasterboard or cement sheeting. Apply waterproof membrane and get certification.
- Tiling: Lay floor and wall tiles once waterproofing is certified.
- Final Fit-Off: Install toilet, vanity, taps, lights, shower screen, and accessories.
⚠️ Council Approvals
You'll likely need approval if your renovation includes moving walls, altering the building's exterior, or making significant plumbing changes.
When in doubt, call your local council's planning department. A quick phone call can save you from massive fines and having to rip out your work.
Your Top Bathroom Renovation Questions
How Long Does a Bathroom Renovation Take?
For a standard, full-gut bathroom renovation, realistically set aside three to five weeks. A simple cosmetic refresh could be under a week, while complex jobs with structural changes could stretch to eight weeks or more.
Can I Do Some Work Myself?
Absolutely! You can tackle demolition, painting, and assembling flat-pack furniture. However, in Australia, it's illegal to do your own plumbing or electrical work. Waterproofing must be done by a certified pro who provides a warranty.
What If Unexpected Problems Pop Up?
Don't panic—unforeseen issues are standard in older homes. This is why we recommend a 15-20% contingency fund. Talk to your builder, get a written variation detailing the extra work and cost, and work collaboratively with your team.
Ready to stop dreaming and start planning? Reno Page connects you with Australia's most trusted tradies. Get a free instant estimate for your project, request and compare quotes, and manage your entire renovation right from our app.
Check out Reno Page to kick off your renovation journey with confidence. You can easily download the app from Apple or Google Play to get started!