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Cost guide · 2026
Bathroom renovation cost in Brisbane (2026 guide).
Straight answers on what a bathroom renovation costs in Brisbane and the Bayside: typical price ranges, where the money goes, what pushes the price up, and the Queensland rules to know before you sign.
The short answer
Most Brisbane bathrooms cost $20,000 to $35,000.
That’s for a full strip-out and rebuild of a typical main bathroom with mid-range fixtures, done by licensed trades. Here’s how the range spreads out. Prices include GST and are typical 2026 Brisbane ranges, not a quote.
| Type of job | Typical range | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Basic refresh, same layout | $15,000 – $20,000 | New tiles, waterproofing, vanity, toilet, shower screen; plumbing stays where it is |
| Mid-range full renovation | $20,000 – $35,000 | Floor-to-ceiling tiles, quality tapware, wall-hung vanity, niche, better lighting and ventilation |
| Premium renovation | $35,000 – $55,000 | Layout changes, freestanding bath, custom joinery, large-format or feature tiles |
| Ensuite, same layout | $15,000 – $30,000 | Smaller room, fewer tiles and fixtures, same scope as a main bathroom |
| New ensuite (adding one) | Priced per project | New framing, plumbing runs, electrical and sometimes approvals |
Where the money goes
A trade-by-trade breakdown.
Typical Brisbane allowances for a standard-sized bathroom. Labour is usually 40–60% of the total, which is why layout changes cost more than nicer tiles.
| Item | Typical allowance |
|---|---|
| Demolition, strip-out and disposal | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Plumbing (rough-in and fit-off) | $2,000 – $5,000+ (more if moving the toilet or shower) |
| Waterproofing (licensed, certified) | $700 – $3,500 |
| Tiling, floor and walls | $2,800 – $7,500 labour, plus tiles |
| Electrical: exhaust fan, lights, power, heated rail | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Vanity, supplied and installed | $500 – $3,500+ |
| Toilet, supplied and installed | $400 – $1,200 |
| Frameless shower screen | $800 – $2,500 |
| Freestanding bath, installed | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| Contingency (recommended) | 10 – 15% of the build |
What pushes the price up
Five things that move the number.
Moving plumbing
Shifting a toilet, shower or vanity means new drainage and water lines. It is the single biggest cost jump in most bathrooms.
What’s behind the tiles
Old leaks, rotten framing or a sagging floor only show up at demolition. A good builder allows for it and tells you early.
Asbestos
Many pre-1990 Brisbane homes have asbestos sheeting in wet areas. Testing and licensed removal add cost but aren’t optional.
Tiles and selections
Large-format, natural stone or feature tiles cost more to buy and to lay. Floor-to-ceiling tiling adds area and time.
Access and house type
Upstairs bathrooms in highset Queenslanders, tight access or no parking all add labour and handling time.
Queensland rules
What to check before you sign.
QBCC licence and home warranty
Any residential building work over $3,300 in Queensland must be done by a contractor holding the right QBCC licence, and QBCC home warranty insurance applies. Check the licence on the QBCC licence search before you sign anything.
Licensed trades for wet areas
Plumbing, electrical and waterproofing must each be done by a licensed trade. Waterproofing should be done to Australian Standard AS 3740 and you should get a certificate for it.
Contract and deposit
Jobs over $3,300 need a written contract. The deposit is capped at 10% for contracts under $20,000 and 5% for $20,000 or more, and Level 2 contracts come with a five business day cooling-off period.
Fixed price vs allowances
Ask what is fixed and what is a provisional sum or prime cost allowance. A low price with large allowances is often not the cheapest bathroom in the end.
How we price a bathroom
Honest budget first, then a fixed price.
At Paradox Projects we price bathrooms from a site visit and real trade quotes, not a guess per square metre. You get one licensed team for plumbing, waterproofing, electrical, tiling and carpentry, managed by us from strip-out to handover.
Free discovery call
An honest first conversation and a ballpark, at no cost.
Feasibility Estimate
From $500 + GST: site visit, budget range and risks. Credited off your build.
Small Works
Free quote from photos, or $500 + GST to measure. Jobs under $20k.
Build Only
Detailed fixed price on approved plans: 1.5% (min $1,500), credited.
See a finished example: two bathrooms in Manly West. Local to the bay? Read about our work in Wynnum & Manly, Birkdale, Wellington Point & Cleveland and Carina & Carindale.
Bathroom renovation questions
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Brisbane?
Most full bathroom renovations in Brisbane land between $20,000 and $35,000 in 2026. A basic same-layout refresh can come in from around $15,000, and premium bathrooms with custom joinery, large-format tiles or a freestanding bath often run $35,000 to $55,000 or more.
Is an ensuite cheaper than a main bathroom?
Usually, yes. A same-layout ensuite strip-out is often $15,000 to $30,000 because it is smaller, with fewer tiles and fixtures. Adding a brand new ensuite where there wasn’t one costs more, because it adds framing, new plumbing runs, electrical and sometimes approvals.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
Allow around three to four weeks on site for a standard full renovation, and longer for layout changes or premium finishes. Waterproofing has to cure and be inspected before tiling, so some days on site are waiting time built into the sequence.
Do I need a licensed builder for a bathroom renovation in Queensland?
For work over $3,300 (including labour and materials) in Queensland, the contractor needs the right QBCC licence, and QBCC home warranty insurance applies to residential work. Plumbing, electrical and waterproofing must be done by appropriately licensed trades.
What deposit can a builder ask for?
Under Queensland’s domestic building contract rules, the deposit is capped at 10% for contracts under $20,000 and 5% for contracts of $20,000 or more.
What makes a bathroom renovation go over budget?
Moving plumbing, hidden water damage or rot found during demolition, asbestos in older homes, and changing selections after the price is set. A proper site visit before pricing, and choosing your fixtures early, removes most of the surprises.
Want a real number for your bathroom?
Tell us about your bathroom and we’ll give you an honest ballpark on a free call, then a fixed price from real trade quotes.