An ensuite is the smallest room most Central Coast homeowners renovate, but often the one they enjoy most. Because the footprint is small, every square metre matters. Layout mistakes that would be forgiven in a main bathroom feel cramped in an ensuite. This guide covers cost, layout and finish choices for ensuite renovations on the Central Coast.
Ensuite renovation cost bands
- Compact ensuite refresh (existing layout, new finishes): $22,000 to $35,000.
- Standard ensuite renovation: $28,000 to $50,000. Full re-tile, new vanity, shower, WC, tapware.
- Premium ensuite: $45,000 to $75,000. Stone benchtops, double basins, freestanding shower screen, feature tile, higher-end tapware.
- Ensuite with layout change or added footprint: $50,000+. Moving walls or borrowing space from an adjoining room requires structural, framing and services work.
Layout principles for a small ensuite
- Wet zone at the far end. Put the shower at the far end of the space so water is contained and the doorway stays dry.
- Vanity at the door. A wall-hung vanity at the entry keeps the visual line open and creates the illusion of more floor.
- WC out of sight line. Ideally the WC sits behind a half-wall or to one side of the door line.
- Frameless glass. Frameless shower screens or open walk-in showers make a small ensuite feel bigger than framed alternatives.
- Skylights. If the roof space allows, a skylight over the shower or vanity transforms how a small ensuite feels.
Finish choices that make a small ensuite feel luxurious
- Large-format tiles. 600 x 1,200 mm porcelain reads as continuous surface, making the space feel larger than small mosaics would.
- Warm tapware. Brushed nickel, brushed gold or PVD-coated brass warm up a small tiled space that would otherwise feel cold.
- Considered lighting. A single downlight is not enough. Add sconces or an illuminated mirror plus a warm downlight over the shower.
- Backlit mirrors. Illuminated mirrors (sometimes with anti-fog) transform how the vanity feels.
- Underfloor heating. On the Central Coast this is more of a luxury than a necessity, but adds $1,500 to $3,000 and is often the detail clients love most.
Timeline
- Design and selections: 3 to 6 weeks.
- Joinery lead time (if custom): 6 to 8 weeks.
- On-site construction: 3 to 5 weeks.
Total lead-in from first conversation to finished ensuite is typically 8 to 14 weeks.
Council approval for ensuite renovations
Almost all ensuite renovations that stay within the existing footprint qualify as Exempt Development under the NSW SEPP. If you are moving walls or borrowing space from an adjoining room, a Complying Development Certificate is usually enough. See our bathroom cost guide for more.
Working with Ace on your ensuite
Every Ace ensuite renovation is delivered on a fixed-price contract with certified waterproofing to AS 3740 and surface protection for the rest of your home while we work.
Want a fixed-price ensuite quote?
Tell us about your ensuite and what you want to change. A real person will reply in writing within one business day.
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