Bathroom Renovation Checklist – 2026 Homeowners Guide

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Venaso Kitchen and Bathroom Showroom
bathroom renovation checklist

Bathroom Renovation Checklist – 2026 Homeowners Guide

The bathroom is one of the most renovated parts of the home – industry data shows that more than a third (35%) of all residential renovations in Australia involve remodelling the bathroom. 

Whether you’re updating an ensuite or a full family bathroom, the process involves careful planning, legal compliance, multiple trades, and a lot of decisions. This checklist walks you through every stage so you can go into the reno prepared.

 

Your Bathroom Renovation Checklist At A Glance

  • Budget Planning
  • Permit Applications
  • Layout Planning
  • Trades Hire & Quotes
  • Order Materials
  • Demolition
  • Rough-In Plumbing and Electrical
  • Waterproofing & Tiling
  • Fixtures and Fittings
  • Final Inspection

 

Bathroom Renovation Checklist - 2026 Homeowners Guide 1

 

Budget Planning

Lock in your budget before looking for a bathroom renovation company. 

 

Bathroom renovation pricing falls into four bands. Where you land comes down to how much of the layout changes and how far you go on materials and finishes.

  • Under $25,000, Simple Renovation. A like-for-like layout with no structural changes.
  • $30,000 to $35,000, Full Renovation. A complete transformation with some small layout change options.
  • $35,000 to $60,000, Elevated Design. Bespoke layouts, higher-end materials, and custom features.
  • $60,000+, Luxury / Bespoke. No compromises on design, materials, or finish.

 

Always include a 10 – 20% contingency for unexpected costs, particularly for plumbing or electrical issues that may only become apparent after demolition. 

 

As important as the cost of your bathroom renovation is, don’t fall into the trap of choosing a bathroom renovation specialist solely based on price. Value and quality are equally important markers that should inform your decision. 

 

Permit Applications

Permit requirements for bathroom renovations vary from state to state across Australia.

 

Not every bathroom renovation job will require a permit from the local council – light cosmetic changes that do not involve any structural work can be carried out without a building permit. 

 

In Western Australia, you will need a building permit if your bathroom renovation involves any structural work, such as removing or altering a wall between the bathroom and toilet, or any wall that may be load-bearing. 

 

A building permit will also be required for renovations that include relocating or extending plumbing as part of a layout redesign. 

 

If you are unsure whether your specific scope of work requires a permit, contact your local council or work with a bathroom renovation specialist for a professional assessment. 

 

Layout Planning

Once your budget and approvals are sorted, finalise the layout. Moving plumbing is one of the biggest cost drivers in any bathroom renovation. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, avoid changing the layout in a way that requires a full plumbing overhaul. Upgrading fixtures in their original location can help maximise your budget.

 

Think about how you actually use the space. Where is natural light coming in? Is there room to open the vanity door without it hitting the toilet? Will the shower screen swing in or out? These details matter more once you’re living with them daily.

 

If you are changing the layout, this is also the time to consider accessibility. Curbless showers and wider doorways are worth factoring in early, particularly if you’re planning to stay in the home long-term.

 

Trades Hire & Quotes

Your bathroom renovation will involve tradework across plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, building, and tiling. A bathroom renovation specialist can help you coordinate and source reliable contractors to undertake each stage of the project – this will be much easier than having to hire trades on your own. 

 

Working with a bathroom renovation specialist also ensures that all work is carried out by licensed contractors according to the highest standard of quality. 

 

Order Materials

As with hiring trades, sourcing all the fittings and materials on your own will be a considerable undertaking. A bathroom renovation specialist will have a network of bathroom suppliers to ensure that all required materials and fittings are ordered well in advance to avoid costly delays. 

 

At Venaso Selections, we partner with household Australian brands like Caesarstone, Fienza, and Abey Australia to deliver high-end bathroom fittings for our clients. 

 

Bathroom Renovation Checklist - 2026 Homeowners Guide 2

 

Demolition

The bathroom area will be sealed off from the rest of the home with dust barriers. Alongside any demolition work to remove existing cabinetry, tiles, and walls, builders will also disconnect plumbing and electrical systems and strip out old fixtures in preparation for the new layout. 

 

This is a good time to double-check measurements for new fixtures and fittings before any final orders are placed.

 

Rough-In Plumbing and Electrical

The plumber and electrician will run new pipes, drains, and wiring inside the walls and floors. This is called the rough-in stage. All utility changes must be completed before the walls are lined and waterproofed.

 

If you’re adding or upgrading an exhaust fan, a heated towel rail, or in-floor heating, the electrical work to support these fixtures will also be done at this stage. 

 

Waterproofing & Tiling

Waterproofing is a critical step of any bathroom renovation. Poor waterproofing can increase the risk of water damage to the rest of the home, which will lead to costly repairs. 

 

All bathroom waterproofing must comply with Australian Standard AS 3740. Under AS 3740, the entire shower area must be waterproofed, walls in shower zones must be waterproofed to at least 1800mm above the floor, and membranes must extend at least 150mm up surrounding walls. 

 

If your bathroom is on a second storey or has a timber floor, the entire bathroom floor must be waterproofed, not just the shower area.

 

The walls and floor tiles will go on after waterproofing has been completed. 

 

Fixtures and Fittings

Your bathroom renovation is almost complete – all that’s left is to install your chosen fittings and fixtures. These include the vanity, basin, toilet, tapware, shower mixers, and shower heads. 

 

Your electrician will also install lighting, exhaust fans, heated towel rails, and any in-floor heating thermostat.

 

Final Inspection

Your bathroom renovation specialist will inform you once the bathroom is ready for hand-off and a final inspection.

 

Things to look for when checking over your new bathroom:

  • Check that taps are running correctly and water drains away freely
  • Hot and cold pipes should be properly plumbed in
  • Check that both of the toilet flushes are working
  • Run the shower and check water drains properly without pooling
  • Check that all tiles are set flat and that the grouting is done properly
  • Silicone must be properly applied between fixtures and tiles
  • Check lights and electrical parts such as the extractor fan

 

If everything looks in order, you can sign off on the job and enjoy your brand new bathroom.