Bathrooms are the most common renovation project we deliver on the Central Coast. They are also the scope where builders most often quote inconsistent numbers, because so much depends on what the quote actually covers. This guide lays out the real 2026 cost bands, what drives them, and what a fixed-price bathroom quote should include.
2026 Central Coast bathroom cost bands
Ensuite renovation
$25,000 to $50,000 for a full ensuite renovation delivered by a licensed Central Coast specialist. Small footprints, single-basin vanities and standard finishes sit at the lower end.
Main bathroom renovation
$30,000 to $75,000 for a full main-bathroom renovation. Most projects we deliver land in the $45,000 to $60,000 range. Full re-tiling, new joinery, a bath and separate shower, and considered tapware.
Premium main bathroom or large master ensuite
$65,000 to $110,000+. Larger footprints, stone benchtops, double vanities, freestanding baths, floor-to-ceiling tiling, curved fluted glass and premium tapware push you into this band.
Powder room
$18,000 to $35,000. Small but often high-impact spaces where selections drive most of the cost.
What actually drives the cost
- Waterproofing scope. Removing existing waterproofing and re-doing it to AS 3740 is non-negotiable in a full renovation. This alone can be $3,000 to $8,000 depending on size.
- Tile choice and coverage. Large-format porcelain tiles cost less to lay per square metre than smaller or handmade tiles. Full floor-to-ceiling tiling costs more than half-height tiling with painted walls above.
- Joinery. Custom vanities and mirror cabinets made locally cost more than standard flat-pack options but usually pay off in fit and finish.
- Tapware and fixtures. Brushed nickel, brushed gold and matte black finishes are all premium ranges. Standard chrome is significantly cheaper.
- Layout changes. Moving plumbing points (basins, showers, WCs) costs more than working within the existing layout. Sometimes the payoff is worth it, sometimes not.
- Structural change. Removing a wall to enlarge a bathroom is essentially a small extension. Cost lifts accordingly.
What a fixed-price bathroom quote should include
A complete fixed-price bathroom quote from Ace covers:
- Full demolition and disposal.
- All plumbing rough-in and fit-off (including relocating services if required).
- All electrical, including new lighting, exhaust and GPOs.
- Full waterproofing to AS 3740, including certificate of compliance on completion.
- All tiling — floor, walls, niche.
- Vanity, mirror cabinet, tapware, basins, WC, bath, shower fixtures (once selections are locked in).
- Painting, silicone, cleaning and rubbish removal.
- Surface protection for the rest of your home during works.
A common issue in cheaper bathroom quotes is that selections are left as “provisional sums.” If the quote allows $2,000 for tiles and you spend $6,000, the extra flows to you at the end. Firm the selections up before signing where you can.
Timelines
- Design and selections: 4 to 8 weeks.
- Trade lead time for custom joinery: 6 to 10 weeks (start this early).
- On-site construction: 4 to 6 weeks for a full main bathroom.
Total lead-in to finished bathroom is typically 3 to 4 months from first conversation.
Approvals
Most bathroom renovations on the Central Coast are Exempt Development under the NSW SEPP, provided the work stays within the existing footprint and does not move external walls or windows. If you are moving walls or making a bathroom larger, a Complying Development Certificate is usually enough. We assess and confirm at first site visit.
Ready to talk?
Send us a message with a photo of your existing bathroom and a rough idea of what you want to change. We come out for a free consultation and return a detailed, fixed-price quote once selections are settled.
Want a fixed-price bathroom quote?
Tell us about your bathroom and what you want to change. A real person will reply in writing within one business day.
Enquire now
