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
Pipe materials by era. Understanding what is behind your walls helps set realistic budget expectations. Victorian and Edwardian homes (1880s–1910s) have cast iron waste pipes (75–100 year lifespan, now at or past end of life) and often lead supply pipes. Homes from 1900s–1960s typically have galvanised steel supply (40–70 year lifespan, prone to internal corrosion and restricted flow). Copper supply began replacing galvanised in the 1950s–70s, with cast iron waste continuing. Modern PEX supply and PVC waste became standard from the 1980s. A renovation is the right time to replace any cast iron or galvanised pipes, as the walls are already open.
Double-brick construction (Fitzroy, Carlton, Brunswick, Oakleigh, Box Hill, Essendon). Melbourne's inner and middle suburbs are predominantly double brick, from Victorian terraces through to 1960s homes. Unlike timber-framed walls where you cut plasterboard and run pipes through the cavity, double-brick has no cavity. Cutting channels into solid masonry is slow, dusty, and the masonry needs repairing after pipes are in. The rough-in takes at least one extra day compared to framed construction. Some plumbers surface-mount pipes and box in with timber battens and plasterboard. This is faster and cheaper but changes the finished room dimensions.
Heritage overlay zones. Inner Melbourne councils (Yarra, Melbourne, Boroondara, Stonnington, Port Phillip, Merri-bek) have extensive heritage overlays. Additional planning permits may be required even for internal work on heritage-graded properties. Bathrooms have more flexibility than other rooms since original bathrooms rarely survive intact, but check with your local council if the property has a heritage overlay.
Outer suburbs (Craigieburn, Tarneit, Berwick). Post-1990s timber-framed homes on concrete slab with modern PEX and PVC plumbing. The most straightforward renovations, with the main complexity being slab penetrations if fixtures need to move.
Domestic Building Insurance (DBI). In Victoria, DBI is mandatory for renovation projects above $16,000. This protects against builder insolvency, death, disappearance, and defective work. Most mid-range bathroom renovations (all trades combined) cross this threshold.
Melbourne Water manages the sewerage network. Your plumber may need to lodge a Minor Works permit for drainage work. Yarra Valley Water (north/east), South East Water (south-east), and Greater Western Water (CBD/inner/western) handle retail water services. 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.