Whether you’re looking for a basic bathroom renovation or something more luxurious, the cost can vary greatly depending on the size of your room and how much work you have done. It is possible to spruce up your bathroom without breaking the bank, but it’s important to plan carefully and know what you’re getting into before starting any work.

The first step is to demolish or strip out your existing bathroom. This is messy, noisy work and can take up to two or three days. If you are moving any plumbing fixtures or powerpoints this will add to the cost, as will installing new waterproofing and tiling.

Next, a plumber will come in to do the plumbing rough-in. This involves either core drilling your concrete floor to install a new waste and/or pipework or recessing pipes and electrical wiring into the wall. This will also take one or two days and is particularly time consuming in double storey homes.

Once the plumber has finished, a tiler will come in to lay your new tiles. They usually quote based on a per square metre rate, which can range from $35 per sq m to $120 per sq m. You can save some money by painting over your existing tiles rather than re-tiling completely.

If you’re trying to keep the costs down, James Coupar from WA-based tradie booking platform Hipages recommends that you consider a partial makeover instead of a full overhaul. “On a very tight budget you could do things like repainting and replacing mirrors to give your bathroom a facelift,” he says. Avoid major structural changes though, such as changing the layout or adding a new shower, as these will push your costs up significantly. bathroom renovation cost melbourne