How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost on the Gold Coast? (2026 Update)

Posted on January 13, 2025 by Wale
Categories: Bathroom Renovations

A bathroom renovation on the Gold Coast in 2026 typically costs $23,500 to $45,000 for a complete renovation of a standard bathroom. An essential refresh runs $18,000 to $24,000, and luxury renovations with premium materials run $45,000 to $60,000+.

Those are the honest planning numbers we quote against every week as QBCC-licensed renovators working across the Gold Coast, from Coomera to Currumbin. Below is what each band actually buys, what pushes projects between bands, and the questions that protect your budget.

Gold Coast Bathroom Renovation Costs in 2026

Essential refresh: $18,000 to $24,000

Same layout, sound waterproofing, new surfaces:

• New tapware, vanity and shower screen
• Repainting and a partial retile (splashback or feature zone)
• Updated lighting and accessories

The right choice when the bones are good and the membrane is healthy. If the waterproofing is failing, skip this band; resurfacing over a failing membrane wastes the spend.

Complete renovation: $23,500 to $45,000

The most common Gold Coast project:

• Complete strip-out to the frame
• New waterproofing to AS 3740 with certification
• Floor-to-ceiling tiling
• New vanity, toilet, shower screen and tapware throughout
• Electrical fit-off: lighting, exhaust, heated towel rail

Luxury renovation: $45,000 to $60,000+

• Natural stone or large-format porcelain
• Custom vanities and cabinetry
• Freestanding bath, frameless glass, concealed cisterns
• Underfloor heating, smart lighting, feature niches

Waterfront and hinterland homes with large master ensuites regularly sit above $60,000 once custom cabinetry and imported materials are involved.

The two scenarios below are illustrative examples to show how choices affect price. They are not specific HEW Projects jobs.

Example Scenario: A Small Unit Bathroom

Let’s say you own a two-bedroom unit in Runaway Bay with a small, outdated bathroom.

• Basic Renovation: Replacing old taps, installing a new shower screen, and giving the walls a fresh coat of paint might cost around $10,000 to $15,000.
• Mid-Range Renovation: Updating the tiles, installing a stylish vanity, and upgrading lighting might cost approximately $25,000.
• High-End Renovation: Adding marble tiles, a freestanding tub, and custom cabinetry could cost $40,000 or more.

These examples show how costs increase as you choose more upgrades and premium features.

Example Scenario: A Luxury Waterfront Ensuite

Imagine you live in a luxury waterfront property in Hope Island. You want a high-end bathroom featuring:

• A freestanding tub with floor-mounted tapware.
• Marble tiles for the walls and floor.
• Custom-built vanities with soft-close drawers.

For this, you’d need a budget of $40,000 to $50,000, which includes a buffer for unexpected costs.

What Moves the Price on the Gold Coast

1. Layout changes. Keeping the toilet, shower and vanity where they are saves $3,000 to $6,000. Moving drainage, especially on a slab, is the fastest way to jump a price band.
2. Bathroom size. More floor area means more tiling labour, the biggest single line in most quotes.
3. Material choices. Ceramic and porcelain keep budgets sane; natural stone, imported tiles and custom cabinetry move you up a band. Coastal-look finishes (light tiles, timber-look vanities) remain the Gold Coast staple and are available at every price point.
4. The age of the home. Original bathrooms in older Gold Coast houses often hide water damage, and salt air is hard on everything metal. Allow a 10 to 15 percent contingency in homes over 25 years old.
5. Trade demand. SEQ trade rates have kept climbing into 2026. Fixed-price quotes protect you from mid-project rate movement; open-ended quotes do not.

How Long Does It Take?

A full renovation runs 2 to 4 weeks on site, roughly 6 to 9 weeks end to end including design, selections and ordering. We break the whole schedule down week by week in our guide: how long does a bathroom renovation take?

Five Questions That Protect Your Budget

1. Is the price fixed? Get the full scope in writing with a fixed price. “Estimates” grow.
2. Who does the waterproofing and what certificate do I get? Licensed applicator, AS 3740, certificate supplied. Non-negotiable.
3. What exactly is excluded? Common gaps: asbestos removal in pre-1990 homes, plumbing relocations, painting.
4. Are the trades licensed and insured? In Queensland, renovation work over $3,300 requires a QBCC licence holder.
5. What happens if you find damage behind the tiles? Agree the process and rates for variations before demolition, not after.

Is It Worth It in 2026?

Bathrooms and kitchens carry most of a home’s presentation value, and Gold Coast buyers and renters punish dated wet areas. A mid-range renovation on a $900,000 home is routinely the difference between a property that moves and one that sits. And if you are staying put, it is the room you use every single day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renovate a Gold Coast bathroom for under $10,000?

Not as a renovation in any real sense. Minor cosmetic updates (paint, tapware, accessories) can stay under that, but essential refreshes start around $18,000 and complete renovations at $23,500 with licensed trades in 2026.

What does a small bathroom or ensuite cost?

Typically $23,500 to $30,000 for a complete renovation, the lower end of the range because tiling quantities are smaller.

Do I need council approval?

Like-for-like renovations generally do not. Structural changes, new windows or plumbing relocations can. We assess this as part of every quote.

Does HEW Projects give fixed prices?

Yes. Scope, schedule and a fixed price agreed before we start, with waterproofing certificates at handover.

Get Your 2026 Fixed-Price Quote

See our Gold Coast bathroom renovations service, browse the full renovation guide, or skip straight to numbers: call 0485 863 485 or request a free quote.

See also our full range of bathroom renovation services across South East Queensland.