How to plan your apartment bathroom renovation in Sydney

Planning your dream apartment bathroom renovation in Sydney is no easy task with factors like budget and strata approvals to consider.

You need to calculate all the costs, work out how to finance the project and find a Sydney bathroom renovation specialist. Note that if you’re in a strata property, you may need permission to renovate, as there are restrictions on what type of renovations you can complete without the consent of the other owners in the building.

Average cost of an apartment bathroom renovation in Sydney 

It is tempting to cut corners and pay as little as possible for your renovation, especially when you’re on a budget. But if you pay less for lower quality work and materials, you run the risk of having to re-do everything in a few years. Consider both quality and cost, it’s best to embark on a renovation when you’re financially prepared.

Working out how much your bathroom renovation will cost doesn’t have to be guesswork. Once you break down all the different elements and features, you should get a fairly accurate picture.

To give you a ballpark figure, the average cost of an apartment bathroom renovation in Sydney is between $15,000 and $30,000. This is based on the assumption that there are no major structural changes to the bathroom. If you want a luxury renovation, you can expect to pay more than $30,000, due the high cost of furnishings like vanities, bathtubs, showerscreens at the higher end.

What to consider when planning your renovation budget?

Every apartment bathroom renovation project is different, reflecting the characteristics of the room and vision of the homeowner. Some key factors to consider include:

Costs

Factors like size, renovation work, plumbing and electricals all play a role in your budget. A good way to plan is to cost out every item from start to finish. This includes labour and material. Once you’re able to do this, you can prioritise needs over wants to keep your budget in check where needed. One thing to keep in mind is to always use quality materials, so you don’t have to keep re-doing your bathroom later.

Unexpected Issues

No matter how well you plan, unexpected issues like hidden leaks and mould are bound to crop up. That’s why it is practical to set up a contingency budget of about 15% to 20% to accommodate these problems.

Timelines

The amount of time spent on the apartment renovation can also have an impact on your budget, which is why it is ideal to work with an experienced professional who can give you a more accurate estimate of the timeframe and budget from the start.

Licensed Contractors

If your apartment bathroom renovation is valued at more than $5,000 (including labour and materials), you will need to engage a licensed builder.

All these factors may influence what you can and cannot do in your apartment, and in turn, your budget.

Do you need strata permission?

A series of by-laws govern life in a strata building, including bathroom renovations. According to NSW Fair Trading, any major or minor renovations require the approval of the owners corporation before work can commence. So even though the renovation is inside your apartment, you may need strata approval. This body represents all the owners in an apartment complex, including you.

Keep in mind that you will need approval for making major or minor renovations, but not cosmetic renovations. Each strata has slightly different by-laws, so check with yours about how they classify major, minor and cosmetic renovations. In general, minor renovations include changing internal walls, installing or replacing hard floors, and changing recessed light fittings. For minor renovations, you can obtain approval if more than 50% of owners vote in favour.

Major renovations include waterproofing and structural changes. For major renovations, at least 75% of owners must vote in favour. This is because the proposed renovation could change the building’s appearance and damage common property such as walls. If approved, you must give the owners corporation at least two weeks written notice before work starts.

When you obtain approval from your owners corporation, they may attach certain conditions. These can include when work takes place. For example, in New South Wales, there are time restrictions for using noisy equipment at residential properties where you cannot use power tools from 8 pm to 7 am Monday to Saturday or 8 pm to 8 am on Sundays and public holidays. Your strata may follow similar timings or have their own rules in place.

Streamlining the strata approval process

When seeking approval for your renovation, the owners corporation will most likely ask you to provide a few details. For example, the renovation plans, proposed times and dates of the works and qualifications of your tradespeople.

Presenting well-thought-out plans may help to streamline the process, speeding up approvals and subsequent building work. Therefore, it’s important to engage a professional and experienced builder who will do all the work for you. This includes budgeting, designing the perfect bathroom space in your apartment and securing all required permissions.

At DCON Group, Customer Satisfaction is Our Priority

With an in-house team of specialists, DCON Group can offer you high-quality work at affordable prices. Our bathroom designers Sydney will work with you to create your ideal bathroom space and bring your vision to life.

If you live in an apartment block and are concerned about strata requirements, we can answer your questions and help make the process run smoothly. Over the years, we have worked with owners strata properties to help them get their bathroom renovation completed efficiently and cost effectively.

To discuss your apartment bathroom renovation in more detail and receive a free, no-obligation quote, contact us today. Not only will we create a beautiful and inviting space, but we’ll make the process enjoyable and straightforward. Call us on 02 8999 7683 to get started on transforming your bathroom into the oasis you’ve always wanted.