The Burraneer house
Burraneer occupies a peninsula on Port Hacking, framed by Burraneer Bay and Gunnamatta Bay. Its streets run along ridges, with blocks dropping steeply to the water. Many homes have jetties, boat sheds and pools, and the housing spans original sixties and seventies homes, substantial renovations and large modern rebuilds.
Bathrooms in Burraneer reflect that range. Original homes still have seventies ensuites with feature tiles and framed screens. Homes renovated in the nineties and two-thousands now have dated finishes and failing shower seals. And in larger houses, the brief is often a premium ensuite that makes the most of the outlook.
Designing around the water
In a waterfront home, the ensuite or main bathroom may have one of the best views in the house. It is worth planning the layout around it.
- Bath or vanity at the window, with the toilet out of sightline
- Clear glass above, privacy glass below where the room is visible from the water
- Shower glass oriented toward the view
- External screening where boats, jetties or neighbours overlook
Where windows are enlarged or external walls change, approval may be needed. Some waterfront sites also carry foreshore controls, and parts of the area are mapped as bushfire-prone. Check before committing to a window design.
Salt spray, not just salt air
Homes facing open water get more direct salt exposure than homes a few streets back. Fittings to consider:
- Tapware from established manufacturers with coastal-rated finishes
- 316-grade stainless for screen hardware, hooks and exposed fixings
- Coated shower glass that sheds salt residue
- Powder-coated or plastic exhaust grilles
- Stainless or coated external fixings on any window screens or awnings
A good exhaust fan helps too: moisture on surfaces holds salt, so a room that dries quickly corrodes more slowly. See vanities and fittings.
Steep blocks and access
Burraneer's topography is its biggest renovation cost. Many homes sit well below the street, reached by long stairs, inclinators or narrow side paths.
- Materials carried down by hand, including baths, vanities and tile pallets
- Rubbish carried back up, including heavy old mortar beds
- Skip placement on narrow streets, sometimes needing a council permit
- Deliveries timed around limited parking
A quote that names this carry time is more reliable than one that leaves it to a variation.
Premium ensuites
Larger Burraneer homes often have space for:
- A walk-in shower for two with rail and overhead showers
- A freestanding bath under the window
- A double vanity with custom joinery
- A separate toilet room within the ensuite
- Underfloor heating and heated towel rails
- Natural stone or large-format porcelain finishes
Engineered stone has been banned in Australia since 1 July 2024, so benchtops use porcelain slab, natural stone or solid surface instead. See ensuites.
Pool and boat-shed bathrooms
Homes with pools and boat sheds often have a secondary bathroom near the water or the back door. These need slip-resistant floors, hooks for wet towels, fittings that handle salt and chlorine, and an easy route for sand and water. An outdoor shower beside the pool or jetty path keeps the rest of the house cleaner. See laundries and outdoor showers.
Older homes and asbestos
Original homes and early extensions may contain asbestos in bathroom linings, eaves or boat shed sheeting. Suspect material is tested before removal, and any asbestos is removed by a licensed removalist.
Upstairs bathrooms
Many Burraneer homes are multi-level, with bathrooms over living areas or garages. The waterproofing detail protects the ceiling below. On timber floors, flexible junctions and structural sheeting matter. See shower waterproofing.
Costs in Burraneer
Premium waterfront ensuites usually sit at the top of our bands, with standard bathrooms in older homes, pool bathrooms and outdoor showers coming in lower. Difficult access and asbestos removal are additional where they apply. Costs depend on size, layout and finishes — see our renovation costs guide or book an on-site quote for a price on your job.
Nearby
We also work in Cronulla, Woolooware, Kurnell and Bundeena, plus Dolans Bay and Lilli Pilli.
Renovation work is carried out in partnership with Coastal Renovation Group, a licensed NSW builder. Licence and insurance details are provided on request.
Call 02 5850 4715 or send the room details through.
Nearby beaches and bays
Questions people ask before they commit
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Burraneer?
Burraneer's larger waterfront bathrooms and ensuites with premium finishes usually sit at the upper end of our bands, while standard-scope bathrooms in older homes come in lower. Access and custom joinery move the figure. See our renovation costs page, then book an on-site quote for a fixed price.
Does a waterfront location need special fittings?
Direct exposure to salt spray is harsher than a few streets back. Use tapware and hardware with proven coastal finishes, 316-grade stainless for exposed metal, coated glass and quality ventilation, and rinse external and exposed fittings regularly.
Do I need approval to change a bathroom window facing the water?
Replacing a window like-for-like may be straightforward, but enlarging it or changing the external wall can need approval, and foreshore and bushfire controls may apply on some sites. Sutherland Shire Council or a certifier can confirm.