If you’ve been scrolling through renovation videos late at night and suddenly feel inspired to give your bathroom a makeover, you might be thinking:

“Surely I can renovate a bathroom in Sydney for under $5,000… right?”

Well, let’s be honest with each other.
Sydney is a magical city where house prices soar, coffees cost $6.50, and parking fines appear out of thin air. If you’re dreaming of a full bathroom renovation for less than $5k, you’re aiming for something that requires either:

1. Superhuman handyman skills,

2. A time machine to 1998, or

3. A mysterious uncle who works in every trade known to mankind.

But don’t click away just yet—renovating something with $5,000 is possible. The trick is understanding what’s realistic, what’s not, and how to stretch that $5k like it’s a piece of elastic from a cheap pair of trackies.

Let’s break this down in a simple, Sydney-context, no-nonsense way.

1. Can You Fully Renovate a Bathroom for Under $5,000 in Sydney?

Short answer:

No. Not a full renovation. Not even close.

Long answer:

The average full bathroom renovation in Sydney costs $18,000 to $30,000, depending on materials, layout changes, plumbing, tiling, waterproofing, and labour.

Why?
Because a bathroom renovation requires a whole cast of characters:

• Plumber

• Electrician

• Waterproofer

• Tiler

• Carpenter

• Plasterer

• Painter

• The guy who keeps saying “it’s not up to code mate”

• The certifier

• And sometimes even strata or council involvement

Even if each tradie only charges $1,000 (which they don’t), you’re already over budget.

Waterproofing alone can cost $900–$2,000
Tiling can cost $4,000–$8,000
Plumbing rough-in can cost $2,000–$4,500

So a complete renovation under $5,000 in Sydney?
Unless your name is Harry Potter, it’s not happening.

2. What Can You Actually Do With $5,000 in a Sydney Bathroom?

Here’s the good news:
You can refresh, upgrade or modernise your bathroom on a $5k budget—if you focus on cosmetic improvements only.

Think of this as a “bathroom facelift,” not a full reconstructive surgery.

A. Cosmetic Makeover (The Most Realistic Option)

With $5,000, you can do things like:

1. Replace tapware

• Basin mixers

• Shower mixers

• Handheld showers

• Bath spouts

Expect: $400–$1,200 including install

You’d be surprised how modern a bathroom looks with just new tapware.

2. Install a new vanity

• Standard 600–900mm units

• Prefabricated options

• IKEA, Bunnings, or mid-range showroom pieces

Expect: $450–$1,500

Avoid custom joinery—it will devour your budget faster than a seagull grabbing chips at Manly Beach.

3. New toilet suite

Modern toilets look sharper and use less water.

Expect:

• Toilet: $250–$600

• Install: $300–$450

Simple, cost-effective, and instantly cleaner looking.

4. Repainting

Painting is your best friend on a budget.

Expect:
$500–$1,000 depending on moisture-resistant paint.

5. Replacing shower screen

Go for:

• Semi-frameless

• Standard sizes

• Avoid full custom frameless

Expect: $700–$1,400

6. Resurfacing (instead of replacing)

If your tiles or bathtub are structurally fine but look tired, resurfacing can magically revive them.

Bathroom resurfacing costs around:
$1,000–$3,500

It’s a powerful budget hack—like giving your bathroom a beauty filter in real life.

7. Upgrading accessories

• Towel rails

• Mirrors

• Shelving

• Hooks

• Lighting

Expect: $200–$500

Small changes, big visual impact.

B. What You Can’t Afford With $5,000

This is the list of things that blow your $5k budget instantly:

❌ Waterproofing

Mandatory for any real renovation. Costs too much.

❌ Tiling

Labour alone is $80–$120 per square metre.

❌ Plumbing relocations

Move the toilet? No chance.
Move the vanity? Not happening.
Move the shower? Stop dreaming.

❌ Structural changes

Any wall changes mean more trades and more money.

❌ New flooring

Unless you resurface or use budget vinyl options.

3. Why Bathroom Renovations Are Expensive in Sydney

Sydney has:

• High labour costs

• Tight access homes (especially terraces and apartments)

• Plumbing complexity in older buildings

• Strata restrictions

• High demand for good trades

• Strict waterproofing and compliance standards

This means even a basic bathroom reno costs more compared to other states.

Think of it like buying groceries in Sydney versus regional NSW—you’re paying for the postcode.

4. The Smartest Way to Use $5,000 for a Bathroom Upgrade in Sydney

Here’s a smart, strategic $5k budget plan that delivers the best bang for your buck:

1. Resurface tiles and bathtub – $2,000

Instant facelift.

2. Replace vanity – $700–$1,200

Modern and functional.

3. New tapware – $400–$800

Polished look.

4. Paint walls – $500–$900

Fresh and bright.

5. New accessories + LED mirror – $300–$700

Stylish finishing touches.

Total: Under or around $5,000

Your bathroom will look 70–80% new without touching the structural bones.

5. Should You DIY to Save Money?

DIY on YouTube always looks fun.
DIY in real life?

Let’s say it’s more like:

• Sweat

• Dust

• Swearing

• Mistakes

• Redoing the mistakes

• More swearing

Plus in NSW:

• You can’t legally waterproof

• You can’t legally do plumbing

• You can’t legally do electrical

So your DIY options are limited to:

• Painting

• Installing accessories

• Cleaning

• Possibly resurfacing (if professional products)

DIY helps stretch the budget, but don’t DIY anything that risks leaks or electrical issues—Sydney’s property values are too high to roll the dice.

6. Can You Start a Renovation Under $5,000 and Finish Later?

Yes, and many homeowners do this.

A staged renovation looks like this:

Stage 1 (under $5k):

Cosmetic upgrades

Stage 2 (later):

Full renovation with waterproofing and tiling

This approach is common if you’re preparing to sell or refresh a rental property.

7. When Is a Full Renovation Worth Saving For?

If your bathroom has:

• Leaks

• Mould

• Failing waterproofing

• Broken plumbing

• Rotten subfloor

• Old tiles that feel spongy

• A layout that drives you crazy

Then a cosmetic makeover won’t fix deeper problems.
Saving for a proper renovation becomes the smarter long-term investment.

Final Answer: Can You Renovate a Bathroom for Under $5k in Sydney?

Yes — but only a cosmetic makeover.

You can refresh and modernise your bathroom significantly for $5,000, but you cannot perform a full legal, compliant bathroom renovation in Sydney at that price.

Think of $5k as your “glow-up” budget, not your “knock-down-and-rebuild” budget.

If you plan carefully, choose wisely, and avoid unnecessary changes, your bathroom can look surprisingly impressive—even without spending a fortune.

For expert advice, renovation planning, design guidance and professional construction in Sydney, visit www.mb9.com.au to learn more about kitchen, bathroom and home renovation services.