Bathroom renovation quote template (Australia)

Bathroom renovations are one of the most disputed home-services jobs in Australia — and almost every dispute traces back to a quote that was not specific enough at the start. Use this template to lock the scope down in writing before any tile is broken: who is doing the waterproofing, what brand of fixtures, how variations are handled, and exactly how progress payments are released.

What is a bathroom renovation quote template?

A bathroom renovation quote template is the structure a complete written quote should follow — demolition, waterproofing, plumbing rough-in and fit-off, electrical, tiling and finishes, fixtures, contingency, progress payments and total with GST. It is also the list of items your renovator should be willing to discuss line-by-line before you sign a contract.

When to use this template

Use this template for any bathroom renovation — a single-room cosmetic refresh through to a full strip-and-replace, and including ensuites and laundries that share waterproofing requirements. The more comprehensive the renovation, the more important an itemised quote becomes.

Before you request quotes — get these details ready

The more concrete the detail you can give a bathroom renovator up front, the faster and more accurate the quotes you receive. Aim to have these details ready before you post the job:

• Property type, bathroom size in approximate square metres, and whether walls or floors are being moved.
• Whether existing waterproofing is intact or being fully redone (almost always redone in a strip-and-replace).
• A rough scope — "like-for-like replacement" versus "layout change" versus "full reconfiguration".
• Brand and model of any fixtures already selected (vanity, toilet, basin, shower screen, mixer).
• Photos of the existing bathroom from each corner plus any specific damage or concern (mould, lifting tiles, soft floors).
• Approximate budget range and the deadline you are working to.

What your bathroom renovation quote should include

A complete written bathroom renovation quote from a reputable Australian bathroom renovator should contain every one of the line items below. If any are missing, ask for the detail in writing before comparing against another quote:

• Demolition and disposal — strip-out of existing fittings, tiles, wall sheeting, bath/shower base and skip-bin fees.
• Waterproofing to AS 3740, with a named licensed waterproofer or renovator and a certificate to be provided on completion.
• Plumbing rough-in and fit-off, performed by a licensed plumber, with brand and model of taps, mixers, toilet and vanity connection.
• Electrical work performed by a licensed electrician — lighting, exhaust fan, heat lamp, GPOs, mirror demister — with a Certificate of Compliance issued.
• Tiling and finishes — square metres of wall and floor tile, brand, size, grout colour, edge treatment and pattern direction.
• Fixtures and fittings — vanity, basin, toilet, shower screen, towel rails — with PC (Prime Cost) sums for items not yet selected and a clear variation process.
• Contingency line of 10–15% for unforeseen issues (rotted timber, asbestos, old plumbing) — common in older Australian homes.
• Progress payments tied to milestones — typical schedule is 10% deposit, 20% at strip-out, 30% at waterproof certificate, 30% at tile complete, 10% at final fit-off.
• Total with GST clearly stated, plus the renovator's ABN, builder's licence (state-dependent) and insurance reference.

How to compare bathroom renovation quotes fairly

Bathroom quotes that look very different on price usually differ on PC sums for fixtures, waterproofing inclusions, tile coverage and whether plumbing and electrical are subcontracted or absorbed into the headline price. Line up the PC sums in particular — a quote with a $1,500 vanity PC and a quote with a $3,500 vanity PC are not actually quoting the same bathroom. Use the bathroom renovator cost guide for typical Australian pricing ranges, then line up the quotes against this checklist row-by-row before deciding on price.

Common quote mistakes to avoid

• Skipping or shortcutting waterproofing — the single biggest cause of post-renovation leaks and warranty disputes.
• Treating PC (Prime Cost) sums as fixed prices — they are allowances, and overspend goes to you as a variation.
• Accepting one big lump-sum payment schedule rather than staged payments tied to milestones.
• Not getting the contract in writing for jobs above your state's threshold (typically $5,000–$10,000).
• Letting trade-equivalent unbranded fittings substitute for the brands quoted without a written variation.

Red flags before you sign

Any one of the warning signs below is a reason to slow down and seek another quote. Two or more is a reason to walk away — there is always another bathroom renovator.

• No mention of AS 3740 waterproofing or who is doing it.
• No builder's licence on the quote where the state requires one for jobs above the threshold.
• Deposit requests above 10% (and above the state-set legal cap for residential building work).
• Vague PC sums with no described item — "PC vanity $1,500" without a brand or specification.
• No contingency line, or refusal to discuss how variations are quoted and approved.

Questions to ask before choosing a provider

The questions below tend to surface a thoughtful, experienced bathroom renovator from someone who is winging it. There are no wrong answers, but the willingness to answer them clearly in writing is itself the signal:

• Who is doing the waterproofing and will I receive a certificate to AS 3740?
• What is your builder's licence number, and is it current for the contract value?
• How are PC sums settled — do I get a credit if I spend less than the allowance?
• What is your variation process — written notice, separate sign-off, separate invoice?
• What is the milestone schedule and what does each payment release look like?
• How long is the workmanship warranty, and does it cover the trades you subcontract?

How TaskerAsker helps you get better bathroom renovation quotes

TaskerAsker is a free Australian marketplace for home services. Post your bathroom renovation job once and receive up to three written quotes from local bathroom renovators. Every provider has their ABN verified before they can quote, their trade licence is surfaced on the profile where the trade is licensed, and reviews are tied to completed jobs only. Post your job free or browse verified bathroom renovators first, or read the bathroom renovator cost guide for typical pricing.

Final checklist before you post

Tick each item off before you send a bathroom renovator job out to quote:

• Written contract with builder's licence, ABN and insurance reference.
• AS 3740 waterproofing certificate promised in writing.
• Itemised PC sums for every fixture not yet chosen.
• Milestone-tied progress payments, deposit at or below the legal cap.
• Contingency line for unforeseen issues.
• Two more comparable quotes before you sign — never just one bathroom quote.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a typical Australian bathroom renovation take?

Two to four weeks on site is the common range for a full strip-and-replace of a standard bathroom, but the calendar can stretch to six to eight weeks once you factor in waterproofing cure time, tile lead times, and any council or strata approvals. Get the on-site working days written into the contract, separate from the calendar end date.

Is a builder's licence always required for a bathroom renovation?

It depends on the state and the contract value. Most Australian states require a licensed builder for residential building work above a dollar threshold (commonly $5,000–$10,000, but the exact figure varies). Trades inside the renovation — plumbing, electrical, waterproofing — still need their own licences regardless. The quote should show all relevant licence numbers.

Why is waterproofing such a big deal?

Because failed waterproofing in a wet area is the single most common — and most expensive — defect after a bathroom renovation. AS 3740 is the Australian Standard that specifies how it must be done, and the certificate issued on completion is your insurance against the renovator's workmanship failing. No certificate, no proof, no recourse.

What is a PC sum and how does it work on a bathroom quote?

A PC (Prime Cost) sum is an allowance for an item you have not yet selected — typically the vanity, basin, toilet and shower screen. If the item you choose costs more than the allowance, the difference is a variation you pay. If it costs less, the renovator credits the difference. The quote should state the allowance clearly for every PC item.

How big should the contingency be on a bathroom renovation?

Ten to fifteen percent of the contract value is the typical range for an Australian bathroom renovation, especially in older homes where rotted timber, old galvanised plumbing and asbestos cement sheeting can all surface once demolition starts. A quote with no contingency is a quote that is hoping nothing goes wrong.

Ready to compare quotes? Post your bathroom renovation job free and receive up to three written quotes from verified Australian bathroom renovators. You can also browse the bathroom renovators hub, read the bathroom renovator cost guide, or browse all quote templates.

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