The 2026 bands
These are planning ranges for Penrith City homes, based on a room taken back to the frame or slab and rebuilt, including demolition, plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, tiling, fit-off and rubbish removal. They are not quotes.
| Room | Budget tier | Mid-range | Upper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powder room or separate toilet | $7,000 | $9,500 | $13,000 |
| Small or second bathroom | $14,000 | $18,000 | $22,000 |
| Ensuite | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 |
| Main bathroom | $20,000 | $26,000 | $32,000 |
| Main bathroom and ensuite together | $32,000 | $42,000 | $52,000 |
| Laundry | $9,000 | $13,000 | $18,000 |
Budget tier means mid-range porcelain on a straight lay, a ceramic-top vanity, chrome tapware, an acrylic bath and a semi-frameless screen — with no compromise on waterproofing or ventilation.
Mid-range adds tiles to the ceiling throughout, a wall-hung drawer vanity, a frameless fixed panel, a niche and a heated towel rail.
Upper covers feature tiles, a freestanding bath, a porcelain or stone vanity top, a backlit mirror cabinet, underfloor heating and brushed or coloured tapware.
What a typical main bathroom budget covers
For a $26,000 mid-range main bathroom, the money splits roughly into three parts:
- About a third on trades that leave nothing visible — demolition, rubbish removal, plumbing and electrical rough-in, sheeting, screed and waterproofing
- About a third on tiling and finishing labour
- About a third on materials and fittings — tiles, vanity, tapware, toilet, bath, screen, fan, mirror
That first third is where cheap quotes cut. It is also the part that decides whether the room lasts.
Where to save
- Tile price. A $45 per square metre porcelain laid well looks better than a $120 tile laid badly.
- Tile format. Large, straight-laid tiles cost less to lay than herringbone, mosaic or small subway.
- The bath. A built-in acrylic bath is a fraction of a freestanding one.
- Tapware finish. Chrome is cheaper and more durable than most coloured finishes.
- Plumbing positions. Keeping wastes where they are avoids cutting the slab.
- Doing rooms together. The second room carries less overhead.
Where not to save
- Waterproofing — whole floor and shower, to the standard, with a certificate
- Falls to the waste — so water does not pond
- Mixer cartridges — cheap ones fail within a few years
- Exhaust fan — ducted outside, correctly sized
- Vanity carcass — moisture-resistant, not raw chipboard
What pushes a Penrith quote higher
Asbestos in a pre-1990 home. Testing, then licensed removal if needed, priced separately.
Timber floor repairs. Older cottages, some split-levels and upstairs bathrooms on timber may need floor stiffening or new joists.
Moving a waste on a slab. Cutting and re-pouring concrete adds real cost.
Combining rooms. Removing the wall between a separate toilet and bathroom adds framing, plastering and tiling.
Strata requirements. Approval, restricted hours and common-area protection.
Long-lead items. Imported tiles or custom vanities that delay the program.
Partial upgrades
Not every bathroom needs a strip-out. A sound, newer bathroom that is simply dated can often be refreshed for $6,000 to $12,000: new vanity, tapware, screen, mirror, lighting, regrouting and resealing. We say so when that is the better option.
Comparing quotes
When two quotes are far apart, check that both include:
- Asbestos testing for a pre-1990 home
- Whole-floor waterproofing and a certificate
- Tiles to a stated height and a stated tile allowance
- A ducted exhaust fan
- Rubbish removal and skip
- Named fittings
- A program in working days
- How variations are priced
Deposits
In NSW, the deposit on residential building work is capped at 10 per cent of the contract price. For work over $20,000, home building compensation cover must be in place before a deposit is requested. Progress payments should follow completed stages.
Renovation work is carried out in partnership with Coastal Renovation Group, a licensed NSW builder; licence and insurance details are provided on request.
Getting a fixed price
A free measure confirms the room size, the floor, the era of the home, whether testing is needed and which tier suits your brief. A written, itemised quote follows. See renovation steps or the FAQ.
Call 02 4703 9332 or send the room details through.
More help
Questions people ask before they commit
What is the cheapest way to renovate a bathroom properly?
Keep the plumbing positions, choose a straight-laid mid-range porcelain, a ceramic-top vanity and chrome tapware, and do not cut waterproofing or ventilation. That combination gives a durable, modern room at the lower end of the bands.
Why do some quotes come in thousands lower?
Usually because something is missing: waterproofing only in the shower, tiles stopping at two metres, no ducted exhaust fan, rubbish removal extra, or cheap fittings. Compare quotes line by line, not by the total.
How much does asbestos add?
Testing is typically a few hundred dollars. If asbestos is found in a pre-1990 bathroom, licensed removal commonly adds around $1,500 to $4,500 as a 2026 guide, depending on quantity and material.
What deposit can a builder ask for?
In NSW the deposit on residential building work is capped at 10 per cent of the contract price. For work over $20,000, home building compensation cover must be in place before a deposit is requested.
Is it cheaper to renovate two bathrooms at once?
Per room, yes, because set-up, trade visits, skip and waterproofing attendance are shared. A main bathroom and ensuite together typically cost $32,000 to $52,000, compared with more if done separately a year apart.