How to Plan a Bathroom Renovation

Bathroom renovations are one of the most common jobs we do on the Northern Beaches. They’re also one of the most stressful if you go in without a plan. The good news: most of that stress is avoidable. Here’s what we tell every homeowner before they start.

Set a Realistic Budget First

The number one cause of renovation stress is money surprises. Before you pick tiles or scroll Pinterest, work out what you can actually spend.

A standard bathroom renovation on the Northern Beaches typically ranges from $20,000 to $40,000 depending on the size of the room, the fixtures you choose, and whether the layout is changing. If you’re moving plumbing (shifting the toilet or shower position), expect to be at the higher end. If you’re keeping the existing layout and updating finishes, you can do a lot with a tighter budget.

Build in a contingency of 10–15% for the unexpected. Older homes on the Northern Beaches sometimes hide issues behind the walls — water damage, outdated plumbing, or framing that needs attention. You don’t want to find that out mid-build with no room to move.

Decide What You Actually Need

It’s easy to get carried away with features. Heated floors, freestanding baths, double vanities — they all look great in a showroom. But before you add extras, think about how you actually use the bathroom.

If it’s the main family bathroom, storage and durability matter more than aesthetics. If it’s an ensuite, you might prioritise a bigger shower over a bath nobody uses. If you’re renovating to sell, keep it neutral and focus on quality finishes rather than bold design choices.

Write a simple list: must-haves, nice-to-haves, and don’t-needs. It keeps conversations with your builder focused and prevents scope creep.

Choose Your Fixtures Early

Tiles, tapware, vanities, toilets, shower screens — these all have lead times. Some items take 2–4 weeks to arrive, and specialty imports can take longer. If your builder is ready to tile and the tiles haven’t arrived, the job stops.

We recommend locking in your major fixtures before the demolition starts. You don’t need every towel rail decided, but the big items — tiles, vanity, toilet, shower screen — should be ordered and confirmed.

Visit a tile showroom in person rather than choosing online. Colours and textures look different under showroom lighting than they do on a screen. Places like Beaumont Tiles or The Blue Space on the Northern Beaches are worth the trip.

Understand the Timeline

A typical bathroom renovation takes 3–5 weeks from demolition to handover. That includes strip-out, plumbing rough-in, waterproofing, tiling, fixture installation, and finishing.

Waterproofing alone needs time to cure properly — rushing it is never worth it. A good builder won’t skip steps to save a day.

If you only have one bathroom, plan for where you’ll shower during the build. Some homeowners stay with family nearby, others use a gym or arrange a temporary setup. It’s a minor inconvenience but worth thinking about before day one.

How to Choose a Builder

This is where most homeowners feel stuck. There are plenty of builders on the Northern Beaches, and it’s hard to tell who’s good from a website alone.

Here’s what to look for:

Licence and insurance. Non-negotiable. Ask to see their licence number and check it on the NSW Fair Trading website. If they can’t provide it, walk away.

Photos of finished work. Not renders, not stock photos — real photos of bathrooms they’ve actually built. Check their Instagram or portfolio page.

A written quote. Not a ballpark over the phone. A proper itemised quote that breaks down materials, labour, and any allowances. This protects both of you.

Communication. Pay attention to how they respond before the job starts. If they’re slow to return calls or vague about timelines now, that won’t improve once they’re on site.

Get two or three quotes so you can compare scope, not just price. The cheapest quote isn’t always the best value — it might be missing waterproofing, waste removal, or finishing details that the others include.

What to Expect During the Build

Renovations are messy. Even with dust sheets and careful work, there’ll be noise, debris, and tradespeople coming and going. That’s normal.

A good builder will keep the site clean at the end of each day, protect your floors and hallways, and communicate with you about what’s happening and when. You shouldn’t have to chase updates — they should come to you.

Expect a few small decisions during the build. Grout colour, tap placement height, towel rail positioning — these often get finalised on site rather than on paper. Be available to answer questions quickly so the job keeps moving.

The Handover

At the end of the job, walk through the finished bathroom with your builder. Check everything: taps run properly, drains flow, tiles are even, grout lines are clean, doors and drawers close smoothly.

If anything needs attention, a good builder will fix it on the spot or come back within a few days. Don’t sign off until you’re happy. See our full renovation services for more on what we handle.