Bathroom Renovation in Canberra

Buying your own toilet, vanity, and taps gives price control; buying through the contractor makes them responsible for defects, wrong sizes, and delivery timing. A common middle path: contractor supplies everything built-in or warranty-critical (shower valves, waste, membrane), you supply visible items like mirrors and accessories. Whoever supplies an item owns replacing it if it arrives damaged.

A like-for-like refit usually needs no permit in Canberra, but moving drainage, altering walls, or adding a new bathroom typically does under your local building rules — and electrical and plumbing work must be done by qualified or licensed trades in most countries. Ask your contractor to name the specific approval needed; see the country checklist on this page for what applies where you live.

It can work on sound, well-bonded wall tiles and saves strip-out cost, but it fails on floors with movement, adds thickness that fouls doors and fittings, and hides the condition of the substrate and membrane. Most renovators strip back in wet areas — if a contractor proposes tile-over-tile in the shower zone specifically, treat it as a cost-cutting red flag.

If the renovation strips the shower area back to the substrate, waterproofing must be redone — a failed membrane is the most expensive bathroom defect there is, because the fix means demolishing finished tiling. Several countries regulate wet-area waterproofing explicitly. Never let a contractor tile directly over an old or damaged membrane.

Around 10-20% is normal, sometimes more where custom vanities or imported fittings must be ordered up front — in that case pay the supplier invoice share, not a round 50%. Hold 5-10% back until the room has been used for a week or two and the snag list (grout gaps, silicone, door alignment) is closed.

The HIA Kitchens and Bathrooms Report puts the median around AUD 26,000-27,000, with budget renovations from about AUD 10,000-15,000 and premium projects AUD 35,000-80,000. Waterproofing, licensed trades, and certification requirements make Australian bathrooms pricier than comparable UK/US work.

State law prohibits unlicensed plumbing and electrical work — fines apply and your home insurance can refuse claims arising from it. DIY is fine for demolition, painting, and assembly-type tasks; everything touching water, waste, or wiring must be a licensed trade with compliance certificates.