As a rough guide
These bands are deliberately broad. They are for planning and early conversations with a lender, not for comparing quotes. Each assumes a room taken back to the structure and rebuilt properly, with waterproofing, tiling and new fittings.
| Band | 2026 rough guide (AUD) | Typical jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Smaller rooms | Roughly $10,000 – $25,000 | Powder rooms, laundries, compact ensuites, simpler unit bathrooms |
| Full bathrooms | Roughly $20,000 – $40,000 | Main bathrooms in houses, full apartment and walk-up bathrooms, most ensuites |
| Larger or premium | $40,000 and up | Waterfront ensuites, bigger rooms, custom joinery, premium finishes, difficult access |
Outdoor showers and small laundry updates can sit below the first band, depending on how far the plumbing and drainage have to travel. The bands overlap on purpose: a small room with difficult access can cost more than a larger, simple one.
What moves the price
Layout. Keeping the toilet, shower and basin where they are is the biggest single saving. Moving a waste in a house on a slab means cutting concrete; in a unit it is usually not possible at all.
Size and tiling. More floor and wall area means more membrane, tile and labour. Large formats need more preparation; herringbone, mosaics and mitred corners need more cutting time.
Selections. Tapware, vanity, screen, toilet and tiles can move a bathroom between bands on their own. Custom joinery and premium finishes are common in waterfront homes.
What is behind the walls. Asbestos in older linings, rotten timber under old showers, galvanised pipework and out-of-level floors only show up once the room is opened. A good quote explains how each would be handled.
Strata and building rules. Unit bathrooms carry approval paperwork, restricted hours, lift or common-area protection and waste removal through the building.
Access and distance. Walk-up stairs, steep waterfront blocks and travel to Bundeena, Maianbar and parts of Kurnell all add time.
Coastal specification. Better-grade hardware and fittings near the surf cost a little more at the start and a lot less over the life of the room.
What does not add much
Full-height tiling. A moderate increase in tile and labour that removes paint from the humid zone.
A better exhaust fan. Small cost, large effect on mould and corrosion.
A frameless fixed panel instead of a framed door. Often similar, and easier to keep sand-free.
Where the money goes
A bathroom renovation is a sequence of trades in a small space, each of which visits more than once:
- Labour and trades — strip-out, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, tiling, fit-off
- Materials and fittings — board, screed, membrane, tiles, adhesive, grout, vanity, tapware, toilet, screen, fan, lights
- Site and logistics — waste removal, protection, cleaning, parking and, in units, time lost to building rules
In a beach unit, the third category is noticeably larger than in a house.
Holiday lets and rentals
For investment units, spending a little more on durable, repairable fittings and tough surfaces usually pays back over the life of the bathroom. The biggest hidden cost is time: lost bookings or rent while the bathroom is out of action. Arranging strata approval early and scheduling in the off-season protects that.
Every job is different
No two bathrooms on the peninsula are the same. Two rooms of the same size can land in different bands because of what is under the floor, how the building is accessed and what goes back in. That is why these figures stay broad, and why we do not quote from photos alone.
A proper on-site quote is the only way to get a price for your bathroom. We measure the room, look at the access, check for asbestos risk and wall and floor condition, talk through your selections, and then put a fixed price in writing with every inclusion listed.
Payments and protection
In NSW:
- The maximum deposit for residential building work is 10 per cent
- For work over $20,000, home building compensation cover must be in place before a deposit is requested
- A written contract is required above the statutory threshold
- Progress payments should follow completed stages
Be wary of any quote asking for a large upfront payment or starting without a contract.
Reading a quote
A good bathroom quote in Cronulla should state:
- Strata inclusions: lift protection, restricted hours, waste removal
- Asbestos testing and how removal would be priced
- Tapware and hardware by model and finish
- Tile allowance and what happens if your choice costs more
- Waterproofing method and cure time
- Exhaust fan and where it discharges
- Access and travel allowances
- Program in working days
Renovation work is carried out in partnership with Coastal Renovation Group, a licensed NSW builder. Licence and insurance details are provided on request. See how we work for the program and questions for common concerns.
Book your on-site quote
Call 02 5850 4715 or send the bathroom details through to book a free measure. You will get a written, fixed price for your bathroom, not a range.
Questions people ask before they commit
Why do Cronulla unit bathrooms cost as much as house bathrooms?
The room is smaller but the job takes longer. Strata approval, restricted working hours, lift protection or stair carrying, parking and waste removal through common areas all add labour. Materials are only part of the cost.
Are coastal-grade fittings much more expensive?
Usually not by much across a whole bathroom. Better tapware, 316-grade screen hardware and accessories add a modest amount, and they avoid replacing corroded fittings within a few years. The quote shows the difference line by line.
What deposit is allowed in NSW?
The maximum deposit for residential building work in NSW is 10 per cent. For work over $20,000, home building compensation cover must be in place before a deposit is requested. Payments after that should follow completed stages.
Can you give me a price over the phone?
We can talk through which band your job is likely to sit in, but not a firm price. Layout, the condition behind the tiles, access and your selections all change the number, so a fixed price follows a free measure in the room.