Thinking about giving your bathroom a makeover, but unsure how long the whole thing will take? You’re not alone. One of the most common questions homeowners ask is: how long does a bathroom renovation take?
While every project is a little different, we’re breaking down the average bathroom renovation timeline and what you can expect at each step.
So, How Long Does It Take To Renovate A Bathroom?
On average, a bathroom renovation takes around 3–4 weeks of active construction time. But don’t be fooled that doesn’t include the planning stage or any time spent waiting for materials or council approvals.
The Housing Industry Association estimates that a full bathroom renovation typically takes 13 to 25 working days, but that might stretch longer depending on your bathroom’s size, layout changes, or delays in trades or supplies.
What Impacts How Long Bathroom Renovations Take?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how long bathroom renovations take, but here are a few things that can affect your timeline:
- Size of your bathroom.
- Extent of demolition and structural work.
- Whether you’re moving plumbing.
- Tile choice and layout complexity.
- Waterproofing and drying time.
- Availability of trades and materials.
- Any unexpected surprises (like asbestos).
Bathroom Renovation Timeline: A Week-By-Week Guide
To help you plan, here’s a general breakdown of a typical bathroom renovation timeline.
Week 1: Planning and Design
This is the behind-the-scenes phase. You’ll spend time choosing tiles, fittings, and fixtures, getting quotes, and working with your renovation team to finalise your design and budget.
This stage can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on how decisive you are and how much work is needed.
Need inspiration? Check out our trending small bathroom renovation ideas or our Melbourne bathroom renovation tips to get started.
Week 2: Demolition and Rough-In
Once the planning’s done, it’s go time. The existing bathroom is stripped back to its bones and this usually takes 1–2 days. If asbestos is found, that adds extra time for safe removal.
After demolition, your plumber and electrician will ‘rough in’ the new services, laying pipes and wires where they’ll eventually be connected. This part takes 1–2 days as well.
Week 3: Waterproofing and Tiling
Waterproofing is a crucial step. It usually takes 1–2 days to apply and 24–48 hours to cure properly. Tiling follows and can take up to 5–7 days, especially if your tile layout is intricate or involves floor-to-ceiling coverage. It’s really important not to walk on the waterproofed area, just one tiny puncture from a bit of debris can compromise the seal. If that happens, all the tiles may need to be removed and redone later when the issue shows up.
This phase often causes the most delays because it requires drying time, precision, and sometimes multiple trades working in sequence.
Week 4: Fit-Off and Finishing Touches
With the bones in place, now it’s time to bring everything to life.
- Plumbing fit-off (installing toilets, taps, showerheads, etc.)
- Electrical fit-off (lights, switches, heated towel rails).
- Final painting and touch-ups.
- Glass screens and mirrors.
This phase takes around 2–4 days, depending on complexity and finishing details.
Final Day: Clean and Handover
Once everything’s installed and working, your expert Melbourne bathroom renovation team will do a final clean and walk-through. This final stage usually takes 1 day, so you have time to admire your new space!
Why Planning Ahead Makes All the Difference
One of the best ways to avoid delays is to have everything lined up before the first tile comes off. That means locking in your design choices, confirming your trades, and ordering all materials early. Waiting on a vanity or custom tile to arrive halfway through the project can throw off your whole schedule. The more organised you are upfront, the smoother (and faster) your renovation will be.
Want to keep your bathroom renovation on track? Here are a few tips:
- Choose a reliable team with strong project management.
- Be flexible about timing: some delays are unavoidable.
- Always have a buffer built into your timeline (and budget).
How Long Does a Bathroom Renovation Take?
If everything goes to plan, you can expect your bathroom to be out of action for about 3–4 weeks. Add in planning and possible delays, and your full bathroom renovation timeline might stretch to 2–3 months from start to finish.
Every renovation is unique, so if you want a more specific estimate based on your space, contact our Matrix Renovation experts for a custom quote and timeline.
