If your family’s growing, your old bathroom is falling apart, or maybe you want to improve the value of your home, it could be time to install a new bathroom. If you’re watching your budget, hopefully you’ll be able to get it done cheap.
But here’s the truth: there’s a huge difference between a smart budget bathroom and a genuinely “cheap” one that’ll cost you twice as much to fix down the track.
According to the Housing Industry Association, the average bathroom renovation in Australia costs around $26,000. But budget-conscious renovations typically start from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on what you’re actually changing and the quality of materials you choose.
So what can you realistically expect if you’re trying to install a bathroom on a tight budget? And more importantly, where should you never cut corners?
What Does “Cheap” Actually Mean?
When most people say they want a cheap bathroom, what they really mean is they want value.
A $10,000 bathroom renovation can look fantastic if you make smart choices. A $5,000 bathroom can be functional and fresh if you’re doing mostly cosmetic work.
The budget bracket ($5,000–$15,000) typically covers:
- New vanity and basin
- Updated tapware and shower head
- Fresh paint
- New mirror and lighting
- Possibly new flooring or partial tiling
- Basic toilet replacement
What it usually doesn’t include:
- Moving plumbing fixtures
- Major structural changes
- Full floor-to-ceiling tiling
- High-end fixtures
- Extensive electrical rewiring
Where You Can Save Money (Without Compromising Quality)
Keep Your Plumbing Where It Is
This is the golden rule of budget bathrooms. Every time you move a toilet, shower, or vanity, you’re adding hundreds – sometimes thousands – to your labour bill. If your current layout works reasonably well, work with it. A goodrenovation builder in Launceston can help you maximise your existing footprint without the expense of relocating pipes.
Choose Mid-Range Materials
You don’t need $150 per square metre tiles to create a beautiful bathroom. Quality mid-range tiles at $30–$55 per square metre can look excellent when installed properly. The same goes for tapware – a $200 tap will serve you just as well as an $800 designer piece.
DIY the Simple Stuff
If you’re handy, you can tackle painting, demolition, and installing accessories like towel rails and toilet roll holders. But be realistic about your skill level – botched DIY plumbing or tiling will cost you far more to fix than hiring a professional in the first place.
Shop Around for Materials
Get multiple quotes. Look for sales. Consider using display stock or discontinued lines – they’re often heavily discounted, and there’s nothing wrong with them.
Where You Should Never Cut Corners
Here’s where trying to go too cheap will absolutely come back to bite you.
Waterproofing
This is non-negotiable. Dodgy waterproofing is the most expensive mistake you can make in a bathroom. Even one tiny bubble or leak in the waterproofing membrane can mean ripping up your entire bathroom to fix mould, water damage, and structural issues.
You need a licensed waterproofer using products that meet Australian Standards. Don’t let any builder convince you otherwise, and definitely don’t attempt it yourself to save a few hundred dollars. Request a waterproofing certificate once the work is complete.
Licensed Trades
Plumbers and electricians need to be licensed and insured. That suspiciously cheap quote? Someone’s cutting corners – probably using unlicensed subbies or skipping essential steps. If things go wrong (and they will), your insurance might not cover the damage because the work wasn’t done by appropriately licensed tradespeople.
Quality Fixtures in Key Areas
Go mid-range, not bottom-of-the-barrel. A $50 toilet or $20 tap might seem like a bargain, but they often fail within a year or two. You’ll spend more replacing them than you saved buying them.
The Biggest Cost Drivers
Understanding where your money goes helps you make smarter decisions:
- Plumbing Changes: $1,500–$5,000+ Moving pipes is labour-intensive and expensive. Avoid it if possible.
- Tiling: $30–$120+ per square metre (materials and labour). The more area you tile, the higher the cost. Consider painting walls in non-wet areas.
- Waterproofing: $500–$1,500. Essential, not optional. Factor it in from day one.
- Vanity: $300–$2,000. Off-the-shelf units are cheaper than custom joinery but can still look great.
- Labour: 40-50% of your total budget. Licensed professionals are worth paying for – they’ll get it right the first time.
Is It Worth Getting Professional Help?
Unless you’re a tradesperson yourself, working with experienced home renovation services can actually help you save money on a budget project.
Professionals know where it’s safe to save and where it’s essential to spend, spotting problems before they become expensive disasters. They have relationships with suppliers and can coordinate all the trades so you’re not left chasing plumbers and electricians while your bathroom sits half-finished for weeks.
Ready to Install Your Dream Bathroom for Less?
A budget bathroom doesn’t mean a bad bathroom. With smart planning and the right team, you can create a space that looks great, functions well, and won’t need replacing in three years because corners were cut in the wrong places.
Want to talk through what’s possible within your budget? Go Build Co has helped dozens of Launceston families get quality bathrooms without breaking the bank.
Let’s chat about what matters most to you and where your money will have the biggest impact.
