At a Glance
Double-brick construction and cast iron waste pipes in Melbourne's older homes add complexity that timber-framed builds avoid. The plumbing component of a bathroom renovation here costs $2,850–$7,600 per bathroom, with material and access factors driving where you land in that range.
What's Included in the Price
- Rough-in plumbing (first fix): new hot and cold supply lines, waste pipes, and floor waste to AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and Drainage
- Fixture installation (second fix): toilet, basin, shower, and/or bath fitted after tiling
- Isolation valves for each fixture
- Pressure testing and drainage compliance checks
- Two-stage attendance: rough-in before waterproofing and tiling, fit-off after
- Disconnection and removal of old fixtures
What Affects the Cost
- Wall construction : double-brick walls (common in Melbourne's inner and middle suburbs) are significantly harder to chase pipes through than timber-framed plasterboard. Expect higher labour costs for masonry pipe chasing.
- Existing pipe material : cast iron waste pipes in Victorian and Edwardian homes need careful removal and replacement with modern PVC. Decades of buildup often restrict flow in these pipes.
- Layout changes : re-routing waste lines in a double-brick home is more labour-intensive than in a framed house
- Floor type : concrete slab (most post-1960s homes) vs timber floor (pre-war) affects drainage access and the cost of any fixture relocation
- Number of fixtures : full bathroom (toilet, basin, shower, bath) vs compact ensuite changes the amount of pipework required
- Melbourne Water compliance : drainage work connecting to the sewer may require a Minor Works permit and inspection
A fixture-in-place renovation in a timber-framed home with plasterboard walls sits toward $2,850. A layout change in a double-brick Victorian terrace requiring cast iron pipe replacement, masonry chasing, and slab cutting for new waste positions pushes toward $7,600.
Melbourne-Specific Considerations
Melbourne's inner suburbs, including Carlton, Fitzroy, Richmond, and Brunswick, are dominated by Victorian and Edwardian terrace houses. These homes typically have cast iron waste pipes, often with decades of buildup restricting flow. A bathroom renovation is the right time to replace these with modern PVC, but it adds both cost and time to the plumbing scope.
The double-brick construction common across Melbourne's inner and middle suburbs (from Victorian terraces through to 1960s brick homes in Oakleigh, Box Hill, and Essendon) makes pipe chasing genuinely harder. Unlike timber-framed walls where you cut plasterboard and run pipes through the cavity, double-brick requires cutting channels into masonry. This is slow, dusty, and expensive to repair after the pipes are in.
Post-1990s homes in outer suburbs like Craigieburn, Tarneit, and Berwick are typically timber-framed on concrete slab. These are more straightforward for plumbing work, with the main complexity being slab penetrations if fixtures need to move.
Melbourne Water manages the sewerage network. For drainage work that connects to the sewer (which most bathroom renovations involve), your plumber may need to lodge a Minor Works permit. Yarra Valley Water, South East Water, and Greater Western Water handle retail water services across different parts of the metro area. Your plumber should manage the permit process, but confirm it is included in the quote.
Hiring a Licensed Plumber in VIC
All plumbing work in Victoria must be performed by a licensed or registered plumber. The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) manages licensing.
Confirm with your plumber:
- Current VBA plumbing registration
- They will issue a Compliance Certificate for the plumbing work
- Public liability and workers compensation insurance
- Clear separation of plumbing scope from waterproofing, tiling, and electrical
For double-brick homes, ask specifically about their experience with masonry pipe chasing. Not all plumbers are equally equipped for this work, and it significantly affects both cost and finish quality.
How We Calculate
Estimates are based on current licensed Plumber rates in metropolitan Melbourne, standard material costs, and typical renovation complexity. All prices include GST. The range reflects the difference between a straightforward fixture swap in a framed home and a layout change in a double-brick property with cast iron pipe replacement. Tiling, waterproofing, and electrical costs are excluded.