How Much Does an Ensuite Renovation Cost in Wollongong?
An ensuite renovation in Wollongong and the Illawarra typically costs less than a full bathroom renovation, simply because we’re working with a smaller footprint and fewer fixtures to replace. Most projects fall into three broad bands, depending on scope and finish level:
- Basic refresh – new tiles, vanity, and tapware, keeping the existing layout
- Mid-range renovation – full reconfiguration with upgraded fixtures, a new shower, and improved storage
- Premium renovation – custom layout, frameless screens, designer finishes, and high-end tapware throughout
Whatever the budget, waterproofing isn’t optional. Every ensuite renovation we carry out meets AS 3740 waterproofing standards, which matters even more in older Illawarra homes where the original waterproofing membrane has often broken down over time.
What’s Involved in an Ensuite Renovation
A full ensuite renovation moves through several stages, and knowing what each one involves helps us plan the project properly from day one.
Demolition & Prep: We start by stripping out the old tiles, fixtures, and fittings, right back to the studs if needed. This is also when we check the condition of the walls and floor underneath, since older Illawarra homes sometimes have surprises waiting behind the tiles.
Waterproofing & Tiling: Once the space is prepped, we apply a fresh waterproofing membrane across the whole wet area, then lay new tiles. This stage sets up everything that follows, so we don’t rush it.
Plumbing & Electrical: New tapware, a relocated shower, or different lighting often means moving pipes and wiring. We coordinate this work so it happens at the right point in the build, not as an afterthought.
Fit-Off & Finishing: This is where the vanity, toilet, shower screen, tapware, and lighting all go in. It’s the stage where the ensuite starts looking like the finished space we planned together.
Shower Design for Ensuites
The shower is usually the largest fixture in an ensuite, so getting its design right matters more here than almost anywhere else in the home.
Frameless Shower Screens
Frameless screens let light pass straight through, which makes a small ensuite feel far more open than a framed screen ever could. They’re also easier to keep clean, since there’s no metal frame for soap scum and grime to collect in.
Tiled Shower Bases vs. Shower Trays
A tiled shower base sits flush with the rest of the floor, which suits a seamless, modern look and works well in a small space. A shower tray is quicker to install and budget-friendly, though it does sit slightly proud of the floor.
Shower Heads & Niche Integration
Rain shower heads are a popular choice for ensuites, giving a more luxurious feel without taking up extra space. Built-in niches keep shampoo and soap off the floor and out of the way, which matters even more when the shower itself is compact.
Vanity Options for Compact Ensuites
The vanity is one of the first decisions we work through with our clients, since it affects both how the ensuite looks and how it functions day to day.
| Wall-Hung Vanity | Floor-Mounted Vanity | |
|---|---|---|
| Space | Opens up floor space, makes the room feel larger | Takes up more visual floor area |
| Storage | Slightly less storage, depending on size | More storage, including larger cabinets |
| Cost to Install | Higher, due to wall reinforcement needed | Lower, simpler installation |
| Maintenance & Cleaning | Easier to mop and clean underneath | Harder to clean around the base |
Wall-hung vanities tend to suit smaller ensuites where every bit of visual space counts. Floor-mounted vanities suit households that need more storage and aren’t as tight on room. Either way, we talk through what matters most to each client before settling on the right option.
Fixtures & Finishes That Elevate the Space
Once the layout and big fixtures are settled, it’s the smaller details that pull an ensuite together.
Tapware is one of the easiest ways to set the tone of the whole room. Matte black gives a bold, modern feel. Brushed nickel sits somewhere between modern and classic, and works well in almost any colour scheme. Brushed gold adds warmth and a touch of luxury without feeling over the top.
Shower fittings and accessories follow the same logic. A towel rail, soap dish, or robe hook in a mismatched finish can throw the whole look off, so we make sure every fitting in the room speaks the same design language, right down to the smallest hook on the wall.
Getting this right isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about making sure every choice, from the tap to the towel rail, feels like it belongs in the same room, so the finished ensuite feels considered rather than thrown together.
Lighting Design for Small Bathrooms
Lighting is easy to overlook, but it does a lot of heavy lifting in a small ensuite.
Vanity lighting needs to be bright and even, without harsh shadows across the face. We usually place it either side of the mirror rather than directly above, since overhead light alone tends to cast shadows exactly where we don’t want them.
Shower lighting needs to be both safe and practical, with fittings rated for wet areas. A well-placed downlight inside the shower makes the whole space feel brighter and more open.
Layering in some ambient lighting, on top of the vanity and shower lights, softens the room and gives it a bit of warmth rather than leaving it looking clinical.
Waterproofing Compliance & Standards
Waterproofing isn’t a finishing touch. It’s the part of the renovation that protects everything else we build on top of it, which is why we take it seriously on every ensuite we work on.
- AS 3740 covers the whole wet area. The shower, the floor, and any walls near a bath or basin all need waterproofing membrane applied to standard, not just the shower recess itself.
- The standard sets minimum requirements for membrane height on walls. Walls inside the shower need waterproofing taken higher than walls elsewhere, since they cop far more water exposure.
- Floor falls need to direct water to the drain properly. A floor that doesn’t fall correctly leaves water sitting where it shouldn’t, undermining the waterproofing over time.
- Older Illawarra homes are higher risk. Many ensuites were waterproofed to a lower standard decades ago, so we’re often fixing problems that have been sitting behind the tiles for years.
Ensuite Renovations as Part of a Master Suite Upgrade
An ensuite renovation doesn’t have to stop at the bathroom door.
A lot of our clients use the project as a chance to look at the bedroom side of things too, particularly built-in wardrobes and joinery. When the ensuite and bedroom are updated together, the whole master suite ends up feeling like one considered space rather than two rooms that happen to share a wall.
It also makes practical sense to plan both at once. Trades are already on site, finishes can be chosen to work together, and the disruption to daily life happens in one stretch rather than two separate projects months apart.
For homeowners across Wollongong and the Illawarra, this kind of upgrade tends to pay off at resale too. A renovated master suite, ensuite included, is one of the features buyers consistently respond to, making it a renovation that improves daily life now and adds genuine value down the track.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most ensuite renovations take between two and four weeks, depending on the scope of work and whether we’re changing the layout. We’ll give you a clearer timeframe once we’ve scoped your specific project.
It depends on the scope. A like-for-like renovation usually doesn’t need approval, but moving plumbing or changing the layout can trigger requirements. We’ll let you know what applies to your project before work starts.
No, the ensuite will be out of action for the length of the renovation. Most of our clients use the main bathroom during this time, and we plan the work to keep the disruption as short as possible.
An ensuite renovation works with a smaller footprint and fewer fixtures, since it’s attached to a bedroom rather than serving the whole household. This usually makes it a faster, more contained project than a full bathroom renovation.
Yes, we coordinate all the trades involved, including plumbing and electrical, so everything happens at the right point in the build and you’re not left managing separate tradespeople yourself.
Yes, in most cases. Large format tiles, wall-hung vanities, and frameless shower screens all help a small ensuite feel more open, without changing the actual footprint of the room.
We waterproof every ensuite to AS 3740, which covers the shower, floor, and any walls near a bath or basin. This matters even more in older homes, where the original waterproofing has often broken down over time.
Get a Free Design Consultation for Your Ensuite
Every ensuite is different, and the only way to know what’s realistic for yours is to talk it through with someone who’s worked on homes like yours across Wollongong and the Illawarra.
We start with a free design consultation, where we look at your space, talk through what’s not working, and get a feel for what you want the finished room to do for you. From there, we measure up and scope the project properly, before putting together a fixed quote, so there’s no guessing once the work begins.
If you’re ready to talk about your ensuite, give Wollongong Kitchen Renovations a call on 0242026399, or send through an enquiry and we’ll get back to you.