Small Bathroom Renovation Sydney: Real Project, Cost & Layout Tips (2026)
A compact Sydney bathroom-laundry, completely rebuilt in 14 days, for under $22,000. Here is the finished result, the line-by-line cost breakdown, and the three layout decisions that saved the homeowner roughly $8,000.
Get a Free Bathroom QuoteThe project at a glance
Location
North Sydney
Size
3.6 m²
Timeline
14 working days
Final cost
$21,800
The customer's brief was simple: a clean, bright second bathroom that doubles as the laundry — without losing floor space or natural light. The original 1990s fit-out had a heavy framed shower, a deep drop-in vanity, and zero ventilation. By the second winter, the wall behind the shower was already showing mould.
Three weeks after the first site visit, the room handed back is what you see in the photo above: a full-height frameless sliding shower, a slim stainless laundry tub with under-bench storage, a fresh white wall finish over the existing dark tile floor (we kept the floor to save the customer $2,400), and a 3-in-1 heat lamp directly above the shower for winter mornings.
This article walks through what it actually cost, the design choices that kept the budget tight, and a 14-day timeline you can use as a benchmark for your own small bathroom renovation in Sydney.
Line-by-line cost breakdown
Real numbers from the job, including GST. We share these openly because the Sydney bathroom renovation market is one of the most opaque parts of the trades economy — and transparent quoting is the single biggest reason our customers save 20–40%.
| Item | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Strip-out, skip bin & disposal | $1,450 |
| Plumbing rough-in & fit-off (licensed) | $3,200 |
| Electrical incl. 3-in-1 heat lamp & LEDs | $1,650 |
| Waterproofing to AS 3740 (certified) | $1,850 |
| Wall tiles (porcelain 300×600, 18 m²) | $1,620 |
| Tiling labour | $2,400 |
| Frameless sliding shower screen | $1,750 |
| Stainless laundry tub + cabinet | $890 |
| Wall-hung vanity + ceramic basin | $1,180 |
| Back-to-wall toilet suite | $640 |
| Tapware (mixer, shower set, washing-machine taps) | $980 |
| Paint & sealants | $380 |
| Project management & site supervision | $2,810 |
| Final clean, handover & certificates | $1,000 |
| TOTAL (incl. GST) | $21,800 |
Quoted by a traditional Sydney builder: $32,000
The customer had two prior quotes from fixed-price builders, both above $32k. The 32% saving was not magic — it came from three things:
- buying tiles and fixtures direct from the trade supplier (no 30% retail markup),
- keeping the existing floor tiles instead of replacing them,
- paying tradespeople directly with project management built in, instead of through a builder's margin.
Three layout decisions that saved $8,000
1. Keep the existing wet-wall
The shower, basin and toilet all share the same wall as the laundry tub — so no waste pipes were relocated. Re-routing wet-work in a Sydney apartment can easily add $3,000–$6,000 once you factor in the plumber, the waterproofer and the extra cure days. Unless your existing layout is broken, leave it alone.
2. Don't replace tile floors that are flat and sound
The dark glazed floor was in good shape. Replacing it would have cost roughly $2,400 once you include strip-out, screed, new tiles and labour. We deep-cleaned the grout, sealed the floor, and let the new white wall tiles do the heavy lifting visually. The room reads as “brand new” without paying for a brand new floor.
3. Frameless sliding screen instead of a hinged door
In a 3.6 m² bathroom, a hinged shower door eats a full swing arc — you lose usable floor space and the door often hits the vanity. A frameless sliding panel costs about the same ($1,750 in this job), but visually opens the room and removes a daily annoyance. It is the single highest-impact upgrade in any compact Sydney bathroom.
14-day timeline
Day 1 — Strip-out & make-safe
Disconnect plumbing and electrical, remove the old shower screen, vanity, toilet, tiles and waste lines. Skip bin booked the day before.
Days 2–3 — Rough-in plumbing & electrical
Relocate or refresh hot/cold lines, install the in-wall cistern, run new wiring for the 3-in-1 heat lamp and LED downlights, and rough-in the laundry tub waste.
Days 4–5 — Waterproofing
Two coats of polyurethane membrane to floor and shower walls per AS 3740. Cure time is non-negotiable — this is where DIY bathrooms most often fail.
Days 6–10 — Tiling & grouting
Lay floor tiles, then walls. Allow a full day for the shower niche detail and silicone work.
Days 11–13 — Fixtures & fit-off
Install the frameless shower screen, laundry tub, vanity, toilet, tapware, and 3-in-1 unit. Connect washing machine, test all taps and drains.
Day 14 — Clean & handover
Full builder's clean, final inspection, defect walkthrough with the homeowner. Bathroom is ready to use the same day.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a small bathroom renovation cost in Sydney?
In 2026, a small bathroom renovation in Sydney (under 4m²) typically costs $15,000–$22,000 for a budget refit, $22,000–$30,000 for a quality standard renovation, and $30,000+ for premium fixtures. Costs depend on tile choice, whether plumbing is relocated, and whether the room doubles as a laundry.
How long does a small bathroom renovation take in Sydney?
A small Sydney bathroom renovation typically takes 12–18 working days from demolition to handover. The longest stages are waterproofing (must cure 24–48 hours) and tiling. Keeping the existing plumbing layout shaves 3–5 days off the schedule.
Can a small bathroom and laundry be combined in Sydney?
Yes. Combining a small bathroom with a laundry tub and washing machine is one of the most popular layouts in Sydney apartments and townhouses. As long as waterproofing is to AS 3740 and the laundry plumbing is on the same wet wall, it is fully compliant with NSW building rules.
Do I need council approval for a bathroom renovation in Sydney?
Most internal Sydney bathroom renovations are exempt development under the NSW SEPP if you do not change the footprint, move external walls or alter load-bearing structure. Strata buildings require strata committee approval and a licensed waterproofer's certificate before work can start.
What is a 3-in-1 heat lamp and should I install one?
A 3-in-1 unit combines a heat lamp, exhaust fan and LED light in a single ceiling fitting. For small Sydney bathrooms with no natural ventilation, it is a near-mandatory fixture: it warms the room for winter mornings, extracts moisture to prevent mould, and is far cheaper than installing in-slab heating.
How much can I save by hiring tradies directly through Zokoon?
On a typical $25,000 small bathroom, our direct-to-trade model saves homeowners between $5,000 and $9,000 — about 20–35% — compared with a traditional fixed-price builder. The saving comes from removing the builder's markup on materials and subcontractors.
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