Bathroom Renovations on the Central Coast

Overview

Bathroom renovations look simple from the outside — new tiles, new fixtures, new vanity — but the trades sequencing, waterproofing and hidden plumbing decisions are what separate a bathroom that stays perfect for twenty years from one that leaks into the ceiling in year three. Shore Carpentry runs full bathroom renovations across the Central Coast with in-house carpentry, coordinated licensed trades and rigorous waterproofing to Australian Standard AS 3740.

Every bathroom starts with a free on-site consultation. We measure the space, discuss your priorities (walk-in shower vs bath, freestanding tub, double vanity, wall-hung toilet, heated floors, niche placement), and produce a fixed-price quote covering demolition, plumbing rough-in, electrical, waterproofing, tiling, joinery, fixtures and painting — with every fixture and finish specified upfront so there are no surprises.

Layout is often the biggest opportunity. Small bathrooms in older Central Coast homes were designed when a bath, hand basin and toilet was the standard, and modern living calls for something different: a large walk-in shower with fixed glass panel, wall-hung vanity with double basin, wall-hung toilet with in-wall cistern, and generous storage. Moving the toilet to a new wall, converting a bath alcove to a shower, or borrowing 300mm from an adjacent hallway can transform a cramped bathroom into a genuinely enjoyable space.

Waterproofing is the single most important part of a bathroom renovation and the part most owners never see. We use trade-quality membrane systems (Ardex WPM or equivalent), apply two coats over Fyrchek or fibre-cement sheeting with reinforced corners and penetration seals, and provide the compliance certificate required for handover. Every waterproofer we use is licensed and insured, and every job is photo-documented before tiles cover the membrane forever.

Tiling is done by long-term specialist tilers we have worked with for years. Format, layout and grout selection all matter — large-format porcelain (600x1200 or larger) makes small bathrooms feel bigger and reduces grout lines that discolour over time. We can honestly walk you through the trade-offs between porcelain, ceramic, natural stone and terrazzo, and between rectified and cushion-edge formats.

Plumbing is handled by licensed plumbers with full certification. Common decisions include in-wall cisterns vs floor-mount, thermostatic vs manual shower mixers, twin shower rails, rainhead heights, floor waste locations, and hydronic or electric floor heating rough-ins. Everything is pressure-tested before wall linings close in, and every fixture carries manufacturer and workmanship warranties.

Electrical work is licensed and certified: exhaust fans sized correctly for the room volume, IP-rated downlights in shower zones, heated towel rails on timer switches, mirror-integrated LED lighting, GPO placement for hair tools, and dedicated circuits for heated floors. Ventilation done properly is what stops the ceiling paint bubbling in year two.

Joinery for wall-hung and floor-mount vanities is built to marine-grade specs — moisture-resistant substrate, edge-banded seams, soft-close hardware and stone tops template-cut to suit. Feature niches for shower storage are set out to align with tile courses so grout lines run cleanly through — a small detail that separates a considered bathroom from a rushed one.

Timelines run 3-5 weeks on site for a full main-bathroom renovation, longer for ensuites tied into structural work. We supply a written build program before demolition starts, arrange skip bin and dust protection, and photo-update you weekly through the build. If it is your only bathroom, we discuss temporary arrangements upfront.

Shore Carpentry is a licensed and insured NSW builder with 20+ years on Central Coast homes. Every bathroom carries a written workmanship warranty backed by fully certified waterproofing and plumbing paperwork. Book a free on-site consult and we will give you honest design advice and a fixed-price quote before you commit to anything.

Benefits

• Certified waterproofing
• Custom vanity joinery
• Large-format tiling
• Floor heating and premium tapware

Common questions

How much does a bathroom renovation cost?

A basic bathroom refit with standard tiles, budget fixtures and a stock vanity starts around $18,000-25,000. Mid-range bathrooms with quality porcelain, wall-hung vanities and premium fixtures typically run $28,000-45,000. Premium bathrooms with feature tiling, freestanding baths, heated floors and custom stone go $50,000+. Fixed-price after the on-site measure.

How long does it take?

A full main-bathroom renovation typically runs 3-5 weeks on site. Ensuites and larger bathrooms with structural changes can run 5-7 weeks. Waterproofing has mandatory cure times that cannot be rushed — this is what stops leaks.

Do I need council approval?

Internal bathroom renovations that do not move external walls or windows are usually exempt development in NSW. Adding a new bathroom, moving a toilet to a new external wall, or structural changes may need a CDC. We check upfront and handle any paperwork.

Is waterproofing really that important?

Absolutely — it is the single most common cause of expensive bathroom failures. Poor waterproofing causes leaks into ceilings below, rot in the subfloor, mould in wall cavities, and tile failure. Every waterproofer on our jobs is licensed, the work is photo-documented, and you get the compliance certificate at handover.

Can I keep the existing plumbing layout?

Yes — keeping fixtures roughly where they are saves 20-30% on plumbing. Moving the toilet or waste to a new wall triggers subfloor work and often changes tile layout. We show you the cost impact of layout changes during design so you can weigh it against the benefit.