Units and strata
How long does strata approval take?
It depends on your building and when the next general meeting is. Several weeks is common; a few months is possible. Starting the paperwork early, with a clear scope and waterproofing method, avoids delays. See apartment and small bathrooms.
Can I move the shower or toilet in my unit?
Rarely. The waste positions are set into a slab that is common property, and drilling a new penetration is something most owners corporations resist. Almost every unit renovation works with the existing positions.
My shower is leaking into the unit below. Can it just be resealed?
Resealing can help if the problem is grout or silicone. If the membrane has failed, the lasting fix is removing the tiles and waterproofing again. See shower waterproofing.
What about noise?
Tile removal on a concrete slab is loud. Most buildings restrict noisy work to set weekday hours, and neighbours should be told in advance.
Salt, sand and humidity
Why does my chrome tapware keep pitting?
Salt settles on metal surfaces and attacks thin plating and low-grade alloys. Better-quality tapware with a supported finish, plus regular rinsing, lasts much longer. See vanities and fittings.
Is 316 stainless worth it?
For exposed hardware near the ocean — screen hinges, hooks, outdoor shower fittings — generally yes. It still needs occasional rinsing to avoid tea-staining.
How do we keep sand out of the bathroom?
An outdoor shower or rinse point on the way in, a laundry with a floor waste, a frameless screen with no bottom track, and grated wastes that lift out. See laundries and outdoor showers.
Why is there mould on the ceiling every summer?
Steam and humid air condense on the ceiling. A properly sized exhaust fan ducted outside, run long enough after showers, is the main fix.
Holiday lets and rentals
When should I renovate a holiday unit?
In the cooler, quieter months, with strata approval already in hand. Map the program against your bookings before committing to a start date.
What finishes suit a rental bathroom?
Durable and repairable: tapware with available cartridges, a tough vanity top, mid-tone grout, a fixed glass panel and plenty of hooks.
Houses
Can the layout change in a house?
On a timber floor with access underneath, often yes. On a slab, moving a waste means cutting concrete, which adds cost. See bathroom renovations.
Do I need council approval?
Internal work in a non-heritage house with no structural change is generally exempt. Window changes, extensions, and some bushfire-prone or foreshore sites may need approval from Sutherland Shire Council or a certifier.
Where can an outdoor shower drain?
It depends on the site and how it is used. A licensed plumber advises whether it needs to connect to the sewer, particularly if soap is used.
Materials
Can I have an engineered stone vanity top?
No. Engineered stone has been banned in Australia since 1 July 2024. Porcelain slab, solid surface, compact laminate and natural stone are the usual alternatives.
What floor tiles are safest for wet sandy feet?
Matt or textured porcelain with a slip rating suited to wet barefoot areas. See bathroom tiling.
The business
Who carries out the work?
Renovation work is carried out in partnership with Coastal Renovation Group, a licensed NSW builder. Plumbing, electrical and waterproofing are done by appropriately licensed trades. Licence and insurance details are provided on request.
Where are your reviews?
There are none yet. This is a new website and we have not made any up. The measure, the written quote and the licence you can check yourself are fairer tests.
How long will it take?
See how we work. Typically four to five weeks on site for a unit after approval, three to four for a house bathroom.
Call 02 5850 4715 or send the details through.
Questions people ask before they commit
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Cronulla?
As a 2026 guide: apartment bathrooms $19,000–$32,000, house main bathrooms $25,000–$40,000, ensuites $18,000–$30,000, and premium waterfront bathrooms $38,000–$65,000. Strata, access and asbestos costs are additional where they apply.
Do I need strata approval?
For most unit bathroom renovations, yes. Replacing waterproofing is generally a major renovation under NSW strata law, needing a special resolution of the owners corporation.
How can I stop my new fittings corroding?
Specify tapware and hardware with proven coastal finishes, use 316-grade stainless for exposed metal, keep the room well ventilated, and rinse fittings with fresh water now and then.
Is there asbestos in Cronulla bathrooms?
It is possible in buildings or rooms from before about 1990, particularly in fibro linings and floor underlays. Suspect material is tested before strip-out and removed by a licensed removalist if positive.
What deposit can be requested?
In NSW, no more than 10 per cent for residential building work. For work over $20,000, home building compensation cover must be in place before a deposit is requested.