arthaus Bathroom & Kitchen — Bathroom Renovation in Fortitude Valley

A budget bathroom renovation costs $8,000–$15,000. A mid-range renovation $15,000–$30,000. A high-end renovation with custom features can exceed $50,000. The biggest cost factors are tiling, waterproofing, fixtures, and labour. A full gut-and-replace is more expensive but avoids hidden issues.

A standard bathroom renovation takes 2–4 weeks for a single bathroom. This includes demolition (1–2 days), rough-in plumbing and electrical (2–3 days), waterproofing and curing time (3–5 days), tiling (2–4 days), and fit-off (1–2 days). Custom or heritage bathrooms take longer.

Cosmetic bathroom renovations (new fixtures, retiling, repainting) generally don't require a permit. Moving plumbing, removing walls, or changing the room layout typically requires a building permit. Plumbing and electrical changes always require licensed contractors who issue compliance certificates.

If you have one bathroom, this is the most challenging aspect of bathroom renovations. Most renovation contractors can phase work to keep the toilet operational. Discuss a timeline with your contractor — many can complete a bathroom in 2 weeks when well-coordinated.

Larger tiles (600x600mm+) can make a small bathroom feel bigger by reducing grout lines. However, large tiles require a very flat substrate and are harder to set around fixtures. Subway tiles (75x150mm or 100x200mm) are timeless and suit any size. Your tiler can advise on what works best for your space.