Renovating a bathroom in a Sydney apartment is like solving a beautiful puzzle — exciting when everything clicks, but sometimes surprising when hidden pieces pop up! If you’re living in suburbs like Chatswood, Wolli Creek, Zetland, Parramatta, St Leonards, or Mascot, you’ve probably noticed how apartment buildings all follow their own mysterious “house rules.” Those rules can influence your renovation budget more than you’d expect.

Below is a clear, simple breakdown to help you understand how much a bathroom renovation typically costs in NSW apartment buildings, why the numbers vary, and how to plan smartly so you don’t end up doing the “budget panic dance.”

1. Typical Bathroom Renovation Cost in a Sydney Apartment

The cost of renovating a bathroom in an apartment in Sydney generally ranges between:

🔹 $18,000 – $32,000 for a standard renovation

🔹 $30,000 – $55,000+ for high-end or luxury renovations

This range depends on:

• Your building’s strata requirements

• Accessibility and layout of your apartment

• Whether waterproofing and plumbing need upgrading

• The style and quality of your chosen fixtures

• Whether you want structural changes

• Age of the building (older buildings usually = “surprises”)

Think of this as the “Sydney Apartment Bathroom Formula”:
Labour + Materials + Strata Conditions + Hidden Age Surprises = Your Final Cost.

2. Why Apartment Renovations Cost More Than House Bathrooms

Renovating a bathroom in an apartment is not the same as renovating in a home. Sydney apartment buildings have extra layers of rules and logistics that can affect your budget.

Let’s look at why.

A. Strata Approval Requirements

Apartment bathrooms involve common property such as slab penetrations, waterproofing layers, pipes inside walls, and acoustic membranes.
Your renovation must pass through:

• Strata Committee

• Building Manager

• Possibly the Owners Corporation

• Compliance with Section 110 works (Cosmetic vs Minor vs Major)

Each step may involve:

• Engineering reports

• Waterproofing specs

• Work method statements

• Acoustic tests

• Strata inspection fees

Estimated cost impact: $500 – $3,000

Some stricter strata blocks in areas like Rhodes, Meadowbank, Olympic Park, and CBD high-rises may require extra testing before and after the renovation.

B. Access Restrictions

Unlike a house where tradies just walk in from your driveway, apartment buildings come with:

• Elevator bookings

• Trade access time windows

• No noisy works before 9am

• Special waste removal paths

• Basement loading dock restrictions

Tradies spend more time moving materials and following building rules.

Estimated cost impact: $800 – $2,500

Buildings in Pyrmont, Waterloo, Zetland, and similar high-density suburbs are known for strict access protocols.

C. Waste Removal

In apartment buildings, rubbish does NOT go straight into a skip bin in your front yard.

Instead, trades must:

• Use the basement loading dock

• Bag rubbish into smaller loads

• Move material through lifts

• Wait for lift availability

• Follow building management rules

Estimated cost impact: $400 – $1,200

D. Plumbing and Electrical Complexity

In apartments, plumbing stacks and electrical risers are shared.
Changing layouts (like moving the toilet or vanity) may be difficult or even impossible.

Examples:

• In buildings in Bondi Junction, North Sydney, and Epping, moving a toilet is often not allowed due to slab restrictions.

• Some older apartments in Potts Point or Darlinghurst may require electrical upgrades to handle new bathroom lighting or heated towel rails.

Cost impact can range from $1,000 to $6,000 depending on complexity.

3. Cost Breakdown for a Typical Sydney Apartment Bathroom Renovation

Here’s what most Sydney homeowners will pay:

A. Demolition

$1,000 – $3,000
Higher in apartments due to lift access and manual waste removal.

B. Waterproofing

$900 – $2,000
Must be done by a licensed technician with certificates accepted by strata.

C. Tiling

$4,000 – $10,000
Higher cost if using:

• Large tiles (common in Zetland / Waterloo modern apartments)

• Pattern tiles (common in Art Deco apartments in Manly / Coogee)

D. Plumbing works

$2,000 – $5,000
If relocating plumbing:
Add $1,500 – $6,000

E. Electrical works

$800 – $2,500
Includes lights, fans, heated towel rails, and sometimes circuit upgrades.

F. Fixtures & Fittings

Entry level: $3,000 – $6,000
Mid-range: $6,000 – $10,000
High-end: $12,000+

Popular choices:

• Caroma (Australia)

• Phoenix Tapware

• ABI Interiors (increasingly popular in apartment renovations)

G. Labour (Builders, Tilers, Waterproofers, etc.)

$7,000 – $15,000
This is the core of your renovation cost.

4. Special Challenges in Sydney Apartment Bathroom Renovations

1. Thin Concrete Slabs

Some buildings, especially in older suburbs like Ashfield, Strathfield, and Neutral Bay, have extremely thin slab profiles.
This means:

• No floor drainage relocation

• No deep recessed shower

• Need to adjust tile buildup height

2. Acoustic Restrictions

Strata may require:

• Acoustic underlay

• Specific adhesive types

• Soft-close products

• Acoustic testing before work starts

This can add to both product and labour cost.

3. Water Isolation Rules

Many buildings have strict water shutdown windows:

• Only 9am–11am

• Only Mondays & Wednesdays

• Only with building manager approval

This means plumbers may need multiple visits.

5. How to Save Money on an Apartment Bathroom Renovation

Here are real, practical tips we use on the job when renovating bathrooms in Sydney apartments:

✔ Keep everything in the same location

Moving plumbing = more cost.

✔ Choose mid-range fixtures

Brands like Fienza or Nero balance quality and cost.

✔ Avoid too many niches

Each niche requires extra waterproofing layers and time.

✔ Use large tiles but not “mega format”

600x600 or 600x1200 tiles reduce labour without the installation pain of giant slabs.

✔ Stick to the approved design

Every change after strata approval = more paperwork + delays.

6. How to Budget for Your Apartment Bathroom Renovation (Realistic Guide)

Here’s a simple planning approach:

Step 1 – Allow 10% extra for surprises

Apartment buildings always have hidden issues:
Old pipes, outdated wiring, slab limitations.

Step 2 – Plan for strata approval early

Strata approval can take:

• 2–6 weeks for standard buildings

• 6–12 weeks for premium high-rises

Step 3 – Get a full scope, not a “ballpark quote”

Ask your builder to outline:

• All inclusions/exclusions

• Labour breakdown

• Waste removal method

• Access hours

• Waterproofing method

• Compliance documentation

Step 4 – Hire a licensed bathroom/kitchen/laundry renovator

Licensed builders understand apartment rules and can protect you from future disputes.

7. How MB9 Australia Renovates Apartment Bathrooms in Sydney

MB9 specialises in apartment bathrooms across areas like:

• Zetland, Waterloo, Mascot, Wolli Creek

• Chatswood, St Leonards, Lane Cove

• Epping, Burwood, Strathfield

• Parramatta, Wentworth Point, Rhodes

Our workflow reduces delays, surprises, and budget blowouts:

• We manage your strata approvals

• We coordinate all trades (plumber, electrician, tiler, waterproofer)

• We handle access logistics and rubbish removal

• We ensure full waterproofing compliance with certificates

• We specialise in apartments with strict rules

And of course — we keep the renovation clean, safe, and efficient so your building manager doesn’t give you that look.

Final Thought

A bathroom renovation in a Sydney apartment generally costs $18,000–$32,000 for a standard upgrade and $30,000–$55,000+ for a premium transformation. The final price depends heavily on strata rules, access restrictions, plumbing complexity, and the age of your building.

If you’re planning to upgrade your apartment bathroom, investing in an experienced and licensed renovation team will save you time, stress, and money in the long run.

For more details about kitchen, bathroom and whole-home renovation services in Sydney, visit www.mb9.com.au to learn what MB9 Australia Pty Ltd can do for your home transformation.