Stage 1 — Measure and brief
A site visit to measure the room and look at the building. We note:
- Floor construction — slab, mortar bed or timber
- Wall construction — brick, stud, render
- Where the waste and supply pipes run, and whether they are shared
- Access — lift, stairs, parking, delivery route
- Ventilation — window, existing fan and where it discharges
- Signs of past leaks, damp or movement
We also talk about how you use the room, what you want from it, and what finishes you are drawn to.
Stage 2 — Drawing and quote
The room is drawn to scale with fittings placed and clearances marked. In a compact bathroom this is where the design is won — deciding between a cavity slider and a hinged door, a bath or a bigger shower, a 400 or 500 mm deep vanity.
The quote follows the drawing: itemised, with fittings named, tile allowances set, and the site and compliance costs listed rather than buried.
Stage 3 — Selections
Tiles, tapware, toilet, vanity, glass, lighting and accessories are chosen and confirmed. Lead times are checked. Custom joinery is scheduled.
Locking selections before demolition is the single best way to keep a renovation on time. A bathroom sitting stripped while a tile is back-ordered is the most common avoidable delay.
Stage 4 — Approvals
Strata. For most flats, the owners corporation needs to approve the work. We prepare a pack with the scope, drawing, waterproofing method, insurance details, proposed hours and protection plan. Your strata manager will tell you whether a committee decision, a general meeting or a by-law is needed. Allow for the timing of that meeting when planning a start date.
Council. A bathroom renovation inside an existing room without structural change is commonly exempt development. Heritage items, structural changes and external work visible from the street may need approval from Randwick City Council, Waverley Council, Woollahra Council or the City of Sydney, depending on where the property sits. We flag the likely path; your certifier or the council confirms it.
Stage 5 — Contract, insurance and deposit
A written contract is signed. For work over $20,000, home building compensation cover is arranged and the certificate provided before any deposit is requested. The deposit is capped at 10 per cent in NSW.
Stage 6 — Asbestos testing and removal
For buildings from before about 1990, samples are taken from likely materials — wall sheeting, floor underlay, adhesives — and tested. If asbestos is found, a separately licensed removalist does the work with the required controls, and a clearance is obtained before general demolition continues.
Stage 7 — Protection and demolition
Common areas, lift and floors are protected. Demolition follows, within permitted hours. In a flat with a concrete bed, this is the loudest stage and typically takes two to four days. In a house with a timber floor, it is quicker but reveals the condition of the joists.
Stage 8 — Rough-in and substrate
The plumber and electrician run new services to the positions on the drawing. Walls are framed or furred, wet-area sheeting goes up, and the floor is repaired, sheeted or screeded to fall.
This is also when any hidden damage — cracked pipes, soft framing — is assessed and, if necessary, varied in writing.
Stage 9 — Waterproofing and cure
The membrane is applied to the floor, shower walls and junctions, with the right cure time between coats and before tiling. A certificate is issued. Where the bathroom sits above another unit, a flood test can be arranged. The waterproofing page explains the detail.
Stage 10 — Tiling
Set-out is confirmed, then floor and wall tiles are laid, grouted and sealed. In a compact room with full-height tiling, this is often the longest single stage.
Stage 11 — Joinery, glass and fit-off
The vanity and cabinets are installed, the plumber fits the toilet, basin and tapware, the electrician fits lights, fans and heated rails, and the shower glass is measured and installed once tiling is complete.
Stage 12 — Clean, check and handover
The room is cleaned, silicone is inspected, fittings are tested, and you receive product information, warranties and the waterproofing certificate. We walk through the room with you and note anything that needs attention.
A realistic timeline
| Phase | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Measure, drawing, quote | 1–3 weeks |
| Selections and ordering | 1–4 weeks, depending on lead times |
| Strata approval | Varies by building and meeting schedule |
| Asbestos testing and removal | Days to a week or two, if needed |
| Site work | 4–6 weeks for most bathrooms |
See the cost bands and the FAQ for more.
Renovation work is carried out in partnership with Coastal Renovation Group, a licensed NSW builder. Licence and insurance details are provided on request.
Call 02 5121 7922 or start with a measure.