Bathroom renovation cost Perth: what WA homeowners pay in 2026

By budget

By size

hipages Perth cost guide, read 3 October 2026.

Perth against Sydney

A standard Sydney bathroom costs $20,000 to $35,000, hipages says, so a Perth renovation of the same standard usually costs less. See Australia-wide bathroom costs.

How much to spend

hipages suggests keeping a bathroom renovation to about 1.5 to 3 per cent of the property's value to avoid overcapitalising.

What drives the cost of a Perth bathroom

The same five things move the price of almost every bathroom renovation in Perth:

1. Size and layout. Moving the shower, toilet or vanity means moving drains and pipes under a slab, which most Perth homes sit on. Keeping the layout is the biggest single saving.
2. Waterproofing and tiling. Wet areas must be waterproofed to the Australian Standard for wet areas (AS 3740) before tiling. Floor-to-ceiling tiles, large-format tiles and feature walls add labour as well as materials.
3. Fixtures and finishes. Tapware, vanity, toilet, shower screen and bath range from budget to designer, and the gap between them is often several thousand dollars.
4. The age of the house. Older Perth homes can hide problems: rotted subfloors, old galvanised pipes, failed waterproofing, and asbestos in wall sheeting or vinyl in homes built before 1990.
5. Who manages it. A builder or renovation company that manages every trade charges for that service; managing the trades yourself can save money but adds risk and time.

Where the money goes

Part of the job	What is included
Demolition and removal	Stripping the old room, skip bin, disposal
Plumbing	Rough-in for drains and water, then fitting off taps, toilet and shower
Electrical	Lights, exhaust fan, power points, heated towel rail
Waterproofing	Membrane to floors and wet walls, to AS 3740
Tiling	Floor and wall tiles, screed, grout and trims
Fixtures	Vanity, toilet, shower screen, bath, tapware, mirror
Finishing	Ceiling, painting, cornice, door, silicone

Ask every quote to price these lines separately, so you can compare like with like.

Licences, insurance and approvals in WA

In Western Australia, plumbing and gas work must be done by a licensed plumber, and electrical work by a licensed electrician. For residential building work over $20,000, WA requires a registered builder, a written contract and home indemnity insurance, so a large bathroom job is usually run by a registered builder. A bathroom renovation that does not change the structure rarely needs a building permit, but moving walls or changing the structure can; check with your local council. Apartment owners also need strata approval before work starts, especially for waterproofing and plumbing in shared walls and floors.

Asbestos in older Perth homes

Many Perth houses built before 1990 used asbestos cement sheeting, including in bathrooms and laundries. Do not drill, cut or break suspected asbestos. Have it tested, and use a licensed asbestos removalist where the law requires one; WorkSafe WA sets the rules. Removal adds cost and time, so ask for it to be quoted before work starts.

How long it takes

A standard Perth bathroom usually takes two to four weeks from demolition to finish, depending on trades' availability, waterproofing curing time and tile choices. Custom vanities, shower screens and special-order tiles can add lead time, so order them early. If you only have one bathroom, plan where you will shower while the work is on.

Ways to spend less

• Keep the existing layout and plumbing positions.
• Choose standard-size tiles and a semi-frameless shower screen.
• Tile to the walls' wet zones only, and paint the rest with a wet-area paint.
• Buy fixtures yourself on sale, if your builder agrees to install them.
• Keep a sound bath, or replace it with a shower if the room is small.
• Get at least three itemised quotes, and check each builder's registration.

Hidden costs to allow for

Set aside a contingency of 10 to 15 per cent for surprises: rotted floors under the old shower, pipes that need replacing, a wall that is out of square, or asbestos. Also allow for a skip bin, council or strata fees where they apply, and any upgrades you add once work starts. Changing your mind mid-job is the most expensive cost of all.

Comparing quotes

When the quotes arrive, check that each includes demolition, waterproofing with a certificate, tiling to the same height, the same fixtures (or a clear allowance for each), electrical work, the warranty, and the timeframe. A much cheaper quote often leaves something out. Ask each builder for photos of recent bathrooms and for a reference you can call.

Perth water and your fixtures

Perth's water supply comes from a mix of groundwater, dams and desalination, and parts of the city have water that leaves marks and scale on glass and tapware. Choosing a shower screen with an easy-clean coating, wiping the glass after use, and picking tapware finishes that do not show water spots helps a new bathroom stay looking new. Ask your plumber whether a filter on the incoming water is worth it in your suburb.

Renovating a bathroom in a Perth apartment

Apartment bathrooms in Perth cost more per square metre than house bathrooms because of access, lifts, working-hour limits and strata approval. Waterproofing failures in apartments can damage the unit below, so most strata companies want to see the builder's licence, insurance and the waterproofing certificate. Ask your strata manager what they need before you book trades.

Choosing a bathroom renovator in Perth

Ask friends and neighbours who renovated recently, look at builders' recent bathrooms in person if you can, and check each builder's registration before you sign. A good renovator explains the order of work, gives a written contract with a clear price and timeframe, and answers questions about waterproofing without hesitation.

Ensuites and second bathrooms in Perth

Adding or renovating an ensuite costs much the same per square metre as a main bathroom, but the smaller area means a smaller total. A powder room with only a toilet and basin is the cheapest wet area to renovate, because it needs little waterproofing and tiling. If your home has one bathroom, adding a second toilet or an ensuite can add more to your daily life, and to the home's appeal to buyers, than upgrading the existing bathroom.

Perth bathroom trends in 2026

Perth bathrooms in 2026 lean towards warm neutral tiles, timber-look vanities, matte or brushed tapware and walk-in showers with a single glass panel. Many owners are swapping a rarely used bath for a larger shower, especially in ensuites, and adding a niche and good mirror lighting. These choices sit comfortably in a mid-level budget.

A Perth bathroom budget, step by step

Start with the size of your bathroom and the level of finish you want, using the tables above for a first range. Add a 10 to 15 per cent contingency, and any asbestos removal or strata costs that apply. Then get itemised quotes and compare them line by line before you settle on a final budget.

When to start in Perth

Spring and early summer are busy months for Perth renovators, so book early if you want work finished before Christmas. Winter can mean shorter waits for trades and quicker starts.

Kitchens in Perth

For kitchens, start with our kitchen renovation cost guide; a Perth breakdown is coming.

Common questions