The honest answer is that the build is rarely what takes the time. Most bathroom renovations take around three to five weeks on site once design, selections and scheduling are locked in. The weeks before that are where projects quietly lose a month.
What happens on site, week by week
Week one — strip-out and rough-in
Site protection goes down, the old bathroom comes out, and rubbish is removed. Once the room is bare, the carpenter frames any changes and the plumber and electrician rough in — pipework and cabling are set out in the walls and floor for exactly where fixtures will sit.
Week two — waterproofing and screeding
Sheeting goes up, then waterproofing is applied to the wet areas and left to cure. This is the step nobody sees and everybody regrets rushing. Waterproofing is carried out by appropriately qualified trades and certification is issued.
Weeks two to three — tiling
Floor and wall tiling, then grouting and silicone. Large-format tiles, mosaics, herringbone patterns and niches all add time, as do walls that are out of square in an older home.
Week four — fit-off
The vanity, toilet, tapware, shower screen and mirror go in. Painting and final finishes follow.
Week four to five — handover
Final clean, walk-through, defect check and warranty documentation.
What actually makes a bathroom run long
- Late selections. A vanity chosen in week two instead of before the start can hold up the whole fit-off.
- Special orders. Imported tapware, custom stone tops and made-to-order cabinetry have lead times measured in weeks, not days.
- What is behind the wall. Older homes hide rot, failed waterproofing, asbestos and undersized pipework. It cannot be priced until it is opened up.
- Set-out mismatches. A toilet bought without checking the waste set-out is a delay and often a return.
- Strata approval. Apartments generally need owners corporation approval before work starts, and that timeline is not yours to control.
How to make it faster
Finalise every selection before the first day on site. Order long-lead items early. Get the plans and approvals sorted before the strip-out rather than during it. And build a contingency into both the budget and the calendar for what is found behind the wall — on an older Sydney home, something usually is.
One bathroom in the house
If it is the only bathroom, say so at the quoting stage. The sequence can be planned to keep it usable for longer, and we will tell you in advance which days it will be out of service.
Planning a bathroom? See how we run a bathroom renovation, or book a free consultation and we will come and measure up.
