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 is complete
- Isolation valves for each fixture
- Pressure testing and drainage compliance checks
- Two visits minimum: rough-in before waterproofing and tiling, fit-off after
- Removal of old fixtures and capping of redundant pipe runs
What Affects the Cost
- Layout changes : moving a toilet or shower even 500mm on a concrete slab requires cutting the slab and re-routing waste lines, which can double the plumbing cost for that fixture
- Building construction : Sydney has a mix of concrete slab apartments, brick-on-slab houses, and timber-floor terraces, each with different access and complexity
- Pipe condition : pre-1970s buildings may have galvanised steel or lead supply pipes that should be replaced with copper or PEX during the renovation
- Number of fixtures : a full bathroom (toilet, basin, shower, bath) costs more than an ensuite (toilet, basin, shower)
- Strata requirements : apartments typically need strata approval, waterproofing certification from a licensed applicator, and sometimes noise-restricted work hours
- Access for waste : upper-floor bathrooms in multi-storey homes need careful planning for drainage falls and may require access through the ceiling below
A fixture-in-place renovation in a timber-floor terrace with good sub-floor access sits toward $3,000. A full layout change in a concrete slab apartment, with slab cutting, cast iron pipe replacement, strata coordination, and restricted work hours, pushes toward $8,000.
Sydney-Specific Considerations
Strata apartments. Bathroom renovations in Sydney apartments are the most regulated in the country. The waterproofing membrane is typically classified as common property even though the bathroom is within your private lot. Removing tiles or the existing membrane is classified as a major renovation, requiring a special resolution (75% vote at a general meeting). From 1 July 2025, if your strata committee delegates minor renovation approvals, refusals must include written reasons, and applications are deemed approved if no written refusal is issued within 3 months. Common strata requirements: waterproofing certificate from a licensed applicator, proof of AS/NZS 3500 compliance, dilapidation report for neighbouring units, and work hours restricted to weekday business hours. Concrete slab construction means any fixture relocation requires slab cutting, which is noisy and expensive.
Inner-west terraces (Paddington, Surry Hills, Balmain, Glebe). Small bathrooms with original cast iron waste pipes and narrow footprints. Cast iron waste pipes (75–100 year lifespan) in these homes are at or past end of life, with decades of internal corrosion restricting flow. Replacement with PVC during the renovation costs far less than a standalone job later. The timber floors provide good sub-floor access for pipe runs, and layout changes are possible but constrained by the narrow building width. Heritage conservation areas may require consent for works, though original bathrooms rarely survive intact so internal wet areas typically have flexibility.
Western suburbs (Penrith, Blacktown, Liverpool). Brick-veneer homes on concrete slabs built in the 1970s–90s with copper supply pipes. These are generally the most straightforward renovations if fixtures stay in place. The main cost driver is whether the renovation involves moving fixtures on the slab.
Lead and galvanised pipes (pre-1970 homes). Any pre-1970s Sydney property may still have galvanised steel or lead supply pipes internally, even if the street-to-meter connection has been replaced. These should be replaced with PEX or copper during the renovation while walls are open. Lead exposure has no safe threshold, and replacement during a renovation is far cheaper than as a standalone job.
Sydney Water manages the sewerage network. Drainage modifications may need to be coordinated through your plumber. In NSW, home warranty insurance (HBCF through icare) is mandatory for residential projects over $20,000, covering up to $340,000 for defective work.
Hiring a Licensed Plumber in NSW
All plumbing work in NSW must be carried out by a licensed plumber. Verify credentials through NSW Fair Trading.
Confirm with your plumber:
- Current NSW plumbing licence (not just a general builder's licence)
- They will provide a Certificate of Compliance for the plumbing work
- Public liability and workers compensation insurance
- Clear scope document separating plumbing from waterproofing, tiling, and electrical
Get a written quote that itemises rough-in and fit-off stages separately. Bathroom plumbing is predictable enough to quote accurately once the layout is confirmed. Avoid plumbers who cannot provide a fixed price for defined scope.
How We Calculate
Estimates are based on current licensed Plumber rates in the Sydney metropolitan area, standard material costs, and typical renovation complexity. All prices include GST. The range reflects the difference between keeping all fixtures in place (lower end) and relocating fixtures with slab cutting (upper end). Tiling, waterproofing, and electrical costs are excluded.