2026 price bands for Hornsby Shire
These figures are a planning guide for renovations taken back to the frame and finished properly. They are not quotes. A measure is needed for a fixed price.
| Room type | 2026 guide range (AUD) | Typical scope |
|---|---|---|
| Powder room | $9,000 – $16,000 | Toilet, basin, floor waste, tiling, ventilation |
| Unit bathroom | $17,000 – $28,000 | Compact room on a concrete slab, strata requirements, fixed waste positions |
| Small house bathroom | $17,000 – $27,000 | Narrow cottage room, shower in place of bath, full strip-out |
| Ensuite | $18,000 – $30,000 | Walk-in shower, vanity, toilet, often in an older addition |
| Main bathroom, older house | $26,000 – $42,000 | Full strip-out, new pipework, membrane, full-height tiling |
| Larger main bathroom | $34,000 – $55,000 | Separate bath and shower, double vanity, higher-end finishes |
| Laundry | $10,000 – $22,000 | Tub, cabinetry, waterproofing, ventilation |
Older-home allowances
These are the items that separate a Hornsby Shire renovation from one in a newer estate. Not every house needs all of them; many need at least one.
| Allowance | 2026 guide (AUD) | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Asbestos testing | Modest, often under $500 | Any house or bathroom built before about 1990 |
| Licensed asbestos removal | $1,500 – $4,500 | Positive test on wall, ceiling or floor sheeting |
| Floor framing repairs | $1,000 – $4,000 | Rotten joists or bearers under the old shower or bath |
| Galvanised pipe replacement | $1,200 – $3,500 | Original steel supply lines inside or near the room |
| Difficult access and carrying | $800 – $3,000 | Steep blocks, long stairs, walk-up units |
| Strata administration and protection | $500 – $2,500 | Lift protection, bookings, restricted hours, paperwork |
| Ducted exhaust to outside | $600 – $1,500 | Rooms with no fan or a fan venting into the roof |
| Window replacement | $1,500 – $4,500 | Old or failed window; more if bushfire requirements apply |
What sits inside a bathroom price
A bathroom renovation is not mainly tiles and tapware. Roughly speaking, the money is spread across three groups:
Trades and labour. Strip-out, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, tiling and fit-off. In a small room, several trades each visit multiple times.
Materials and fittings. Sheeting, screed, membrane, tiles, adhesives, grout, vanity, toilet, tapware, screen, mirror, fan and lights.
Site costs. Skip or bins, protection, cleaning, and the time spent managing the job.
In older houses, the first group is bigger than people expect, because the strip-out is heavier and the rough-in usually replaces more.
What moves a quote most
Changing the layout. Moving a toilet or shower waste on a timber floor with access below is often manageable. On a slab or suspended slab, it is the single largest cost variable.
What is behind the tiles. Asbestos, rot and old pipework. These are why the allowances above exist.
Tile format and pattern. Straight-laid tiles are quickest. Herringbone, mosaics and mitred corners add labour.
Room size. Every line item scales with area, from membrane to tile to grout.
Fittings. Wall-hung toilets with in-wall cisterns, wall-mounted mixers and custom vanities cost more than floor-mounted standard units, but often solve space problems in small rooms.
What does not move it much
Full-height tiling. Adds a moderate amount of tile and labour, but removes painted surfaces that peel in a humid room.
A better exhaust fan. Small cost, large difference to a shaded Hornsby bathroom.
Blocking for future grab rails. Almost free while the wall is open.
Units and strata
Unit bathrooms are smaller but rarely cheaper. The additional costs come from time rather than materials: waiting for approvals, working restricted hours, protecting lifts and corridors, and carrying everything through common areas. See small bathroom renovations.
Payments and protections
In NSW, the maximum deposit for residential building work is 10 per cent. For work over $20,000, home building compensation cover must be in place before a deposit is requested. Contracts over the relevant threshold must be in writing, and progress payments should be tied to completed stages rather than dates.
A quote that asks for a large upfront payment, or that has no written contract, is a reason to stop.
Comparing quotes
Ask every contractor to confirm in writing:
- Whether asbestos testing is included, and how removal would be priced
- The structural repair allowance
- Which pipework is being replaced
- Fittings by model and the tile allowance per square metre
- The waterproofing method and cure time
- Access and carrying costs
- The program in working days
Renovation work is carried out in partnership with Coastal Renovation Group, a licensed NSW builder. Licence and insurance details are provided on request. The process page shows how the program runs, and the FAQ answers the questions most people ask next.
Call 02 5926 2135 or send the room details through for a measure and a fixed written quote.
Questions people ask before they commit
Why are older-home bathrooms more expensive to renovate?
Because more comes out and more is found. Mortar-bed floors are heavy to remove, fibro linings need testing and sometimes licensed removal, galvanised pipes need replacing, and floor timbers under an old shower are often damaged. Newer houses rarely have those extra stages.
How much is asbestos removal in a bathroom?
As a 2026 guide, testing is a modest cost, and licensed removal of bathroom wall or floor sheeting commonly adds $1,500 to $4,500, depending on the quantity, the type of material and access. It is priced once the test result is known.
What deposit can a builder ask for in NSW?
The maximum deposit for residential building work in NSW is 10 per cent. For work over $20,000, home building compensation cover must be in place before a deposit is requested. Progress payments should follow completed stages.
Is a cheaper quote always worse?
Not always, but compare what is included. A low price for an older bathroom often leaves out asbestos testing, structural repair allowances, pipework replacement or full waterproofing. Ask each quote the same questions.