1. The first conversation
A phone call or enquiry to understand the basics: suburb, house or unit, which rooms, roughly how old, and what is not working. For units, it helps to know whether you have spoken to the strata manager.
2. The measure
A visit to the property to look at the room and its surroundings.
In a unit: the slab, the waste positions, the exhaust arrangement, the lift or stairs, where trades can park, where waste can go, and any renovation by-law.
In a house: floor construction, access under the house or from below, the age of the linings and pipework, outdoor shower or laundry options, and access on steep blocks.
Everywhere: exposure to salt air, which shapes the fittings specification.
3. The written quote
An itemised quote listing fittings by model and finish, tile allowances, the waterproofing method, allowances for asbestos or hidden damage, strata or access inclusions, and a program in working days.
There is no obligation to proceed, and comparing quotes is sensible.
4. Approvals
Units: the owners corporation generally needs to approve bathroom work that replaces waterproofing, usually by special resolution at a general meeting. The scope, method, licence and insurance details and program are prepared for the strata manager.
Houses: most internal renovations are exempt development. Window changes, extensions, heritage items and some bushfire-prone or foreshore sites may need approval from Sutherland Shire Council or a certifier.
5. Selections
Every tile, fitting and fixture is chosen and ordered. Anything with a long lead time is confirmed in stock. Tapware and hardware are checked for coastal suitability. This is the step that most often causes delays if left late.
6. Booking the start
Once approvals and selections are in place, a start date is set. In units, neighbours are notified and lifts booked. For holiday lets, the start is aligned with a booking gap.
7. On site: the stages
Protection and asbestos (days 1–2)
Floors, lifts and corridors are protected. Where testing has found asbestos, a licensed removalist removes it and a clearance is provided before strip-out continues.
Strip-out (days 2–5)
Tiles, screed, fittings and linings are removed. In units this stage runs within restricted hours, so it can take longer than in a house.
Repairs and rough-in (days 5–10)
Any damaged framing or subfloor is repaired. New plumbing and electrical go in, including the exhaust fan duct.
Sheeting and screed (days 9–12)
Wet-area board on walls, screed with falls to the waste.
Waterproofing and cure (days 12–16)
Membrane applied to the floor, shower walls and junctions, then left to cure fully. Photographs are taken before tiling.
Tiling (days 16–23)
Floor and wall tiling, grout and sealant.
Fit-off (days 22–26)
Vanity, tapware, toilet, screen, mirror, fan, lights and accessories installed, connected and tested.
Clean and handover (days 26–28)
A final clean, a walk-through and a list of any small items to finish. You receive waterproofing records and product information.
Outdoor showers and laundries in the same program run alongside these stages, sharing the plumber, waterproofer and tiler.
Where programs slip
- Late selections, especially tiles and tapware
- Strata meeting timing
- Hidden damage in older timber floors
- Humid weather slowing membrane cure
- Parking and deliveries in peak beach season
- Travel logistics for Bundeena and Maianbar
Living with it
If it is your only bathroom, plan somewhere else to shower for most of the program. In units, let neighbours know what to expect. Surf club showers and gyms are a common stopgap for beach households.
After handover
Keep the waterproofing photos and certificate, product manuals and warranty details together. Rinse coastal fittings occasionally with fresh water, and run the exhaust fan long enough to clear the room.
Renovation work is carried out in partnership with Coastal Renovation Group, a licensed NSW builder. Licence and insurance details are provided on request. See renovation costs and questions.
Call 02 5850 4715 or send the details through.
Questions people ask before they commit
How long does the whole process take for a Cronulla unit?
Allow for strata approval first, which can take several weeks to a few months depending on meeting timing, then around four to five weeks on site. Selections should be finalised while approval is pending.
How long for a house bathroom?
Usually three to four weeks on site for a house bathroom or ensuite once selections are locked in, and longer for large waterfront ensuites or where asbestos removal or floor repairs are needed.
Can the work be timed around summer?
Yes, and many owners prefer to. Autumn and winter avoid peak beach traffic and parking, suit holiday-let calendars and leave the bathroom finished before the next summer.