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How to Budget for a Bathroom Renovation (The Simple Way)

A simple, realistic method for budgeting a bathroom renovation — where the money actually goes, how to set your number, and how to avoid the hidden costs that blow budgets.

TL;DR Budgeting a bathroom renovation is simpler than it looks if you split it into four buckets: labour, materials and fixtures, the hidden essentials (waterproofing, plumbing, electrical), and a contingency. In Sydney (2026), a standard renovation runs $18,000–$30,000, with labour at 40–60% of the total. Set your number, allocate across the buckets, hold 10–15% back for surprises, and you have a realistic budget that won't blow out. Here's the simple method. Bucket 1: Labour (40–60% of the total) The biggest cost is the skilled trades — waterproofers, tilers, plumbers, electricians. In Sydney these are in high demand, so labour dominates the budget. This is not the place to cut corners; cheap labour on hidden work is the most expensive mistake you can make. Bucket 2: Materials and fixtur…