Are DIY renovations cheaper than hiring professionals? (Bathroom | Cost & Budget)

If you’ve ever watched a renovation show and thought, “Hey, I reckon I could do that!”, you’re definitely not alone. Plenty of Sydney homeowners get the DIY itch—especially when renovating a bathroom. The idea of saving a few thousand dollars and getting bragging rights at the next family BBQ sounds amazing. But the million-dollar question (or maybe the $25k bathroom question) is this:

Are DIY bathroom renovations actually cheaper than hiring professionals in Sydney?

The short answer?
Sometimes yes… but most of the time? Not really.
And when DIY goes wrong—oh boy—it can cost a LOT more than hiring professionals from the start.

Let’s break it down in simple terms, with real Sydney context, real cost considerations, and a few cheeky truths.

Why DIY Bathroom Renovations Are So Tempting in Sydney

Sydney isn’t exactly known for “cheap” anything—whether it’s rent, coffee, or parking at Darling Harbour. So naturally, many homeowners look for ways to shave costs off a bathroom remodel.

DIY feels attractive because:

• You think you might save labour costs

• You can work at your own pace

• You feel confident after watching three YouTube videos

• Your cousin renovated a shed once and now calls himself a “handyman philosopher”

But bathroom renovations are not like painting a fence or assembling a Bunnings shelf. They involve plumbing, waterproofing, tiling, drainage, structural considerations, and compliance with NSW regulations.
The stakes? High. Very high.
There’s water involved. And water is sneaky—it goes where it shouldn’t, and when it does, it brings its mates: mould, rot, insurance disputes, and repair bills big enough to make your wallet cry.

Breaking Down the Costs: DIY vs Professionals

1. Material Costs – Same for Everyone

Whether you DIY or hire professionals, tiles and fixtures cost the same.
Only difference?
Professionals usually get trade prices, so sometimes materials are cheaper through them.

2. Tools & Equipment – DIY’s Hidden Surprise

Thinking of installing your own tiles?
You’ll need:

• Tile cutters

• Mixing drills

• Waterproofing rollers

• Laser levels

• PPE

• Screeds, trowels, buckets

• Drop sheets

• Shop vacuum

• Dust control gear

Buying or hiring these can easily add $800–$2,000 to your budget.
And that’s assuming you don’t buy the “cheap” tools that break halfway through the job.

3. Licensing Requirements

In NSW, certain work must be done by licensed professionals:

• Waterproofing

• Plumbing

• Electrical

• Structural works

• Any work over $5,000 labour + materials (unless you are licensed)

DIY is legally allowed—but only for cosmetic tasks like painting, installing accessories, or laying stick-on vinyl (which is not ideal for bathrooms anyway).

If you DIY waterproofing without a license, the bathroom fails certification.
And if leaks occur?
Insurance won’t cover it.
Good value? Definitely not.

4. Waterproofing Failures – The Most Expensive Mistake

Fixing a failed DIY waterproofing job can cost $15,000–$30,000 because the entire bathroom often has to be demolished and rebuilt.

So yes, you saved $1,500 doing your own waterproofing…
but now you’re paying the cost of a small car to fix it.

Time: The Silent Budget Killer

Let’s be honest:
Most DIY bathrooms don’t take two weeks like the pros.
They take more like… two months. Sometimes longer.

Why?

• You only work weekends

• You move slower than professionals

• You make mistakes and redo things

• You spend hours at Bunnings “just to look”

• Life gets in the way—work, kids, weather, energy levels

Meanwhile, a professional team does:

• Planning

• Demolition

• Rough-in

• Waterproofing

• Tiling

• Fit-off

• Cleanup

…all in an organised sequence, usually within 3–4 weeks.

Time is money.
Nine weeks without a bathroom? That’s frustration money.

Insurance & Warranty: Another Cost DIY Doesn’t Cover

When you hire licensed professionals in NSW, you get:

• Waterproofing certificate

• Plumbing certificate

• Electrical certificate

• Home building compensation cover (depending on project value)

• Manufacturer warranties

• Workmanship guarantees

DIY gives you:

• A receipt from Bunnings

• A sore back

• No warranty

• A nervous feeling every time you step in the shower

• A future buyer asking, “Do you have certificates for this bathroom?” and you mumbling, “Uh… no.”

Lack of certification can reduce resale value by $10k–$40k, especially in Sydney’s competitive property market.

Where DIY Can Save Money

If you want to get hands-on without blowing up your budget, stick to safe tasks:

• Painting walls

• Installing towel rails

• Assembling vanity units

• Removing old accessories

• Basic demolition (with guidance)

• Cleaning and prepping surfaces

• Styling and décor

These tasks are low-risk, low-cost, and still give you that satisfying “I did this!” feeling.

But leave the technical work to the people who do it all day, every day.

Sydney Market Reality: Professionals Usually Win Long-Term

Sydney homes often have older plumbing, quirky building quirks, or strata considerations. Bathrooms in inner suburbs like Newtown, Paddington, Balmain, and Surry Hills can be particularly tricky due to age, access and drainage layouts.
Trying to DIY in these conditions is like trying to fix your car engine by watching a cartoon.

Professionals:

• Work faster

• Do it right the first time

• Know Sydney’s building codes

• Understand strata and council rules

• Offer warranties

• Prevent future problems

DIY:

• Saves you short-term labour costs

• But increases long-term risks

• And often leads to calling professionals anyway

Most Sydney renovators who start DIY end up with a hybrid project:
They attempt the job… get stuck… and hire a tradie to finish or fix it.

This usually ends up costing more than simply hiring a professional from day one.

So… Are DIY Bathroom Renovations Cheaper in Sydney?

Here’s the honest, no-fluff verdict:

DIY is cheaper only if:

• You’re doing cosmetic upgrades

• You already own tools

• You understand basic construction

• You don’t need waterproofing, plumbing or electrical work

• You’re okay with potential resale implications

Hiring professionals is cheaper if:

• You want the bathroom to last

• You need certification

• You want warranties

• You’re dealing with waterproofing or plumbing

• You’re in a strata building

• You value time and convenience

• You want Sydney-standard compliance

In 90% of real-world Sydney bathroom renovations, hiring professionals saves money overall, even if DIY looks cheaper upfront. It protects your home, your warranty, your insurance and your sanity.

For more information about bathroom renovation, kitchen renovation or full home renovation services in Sydney, visit www.mb9.com.au.