Complete Bathroom Renovation Checklist: Products, Costs & What To Buy First

Most bathroom renovation checklists are just product lists that tell you to buy a vanity, tapware and tiles, but that’s only a part of the picture. Getting the order wrong, like choosing tapware before rough-in positions are locked, is how budgets blow out and timelines stretch. This checklist follows the sequence Australian homeowners work through, from budget to final handover, with realistic cost context along the way.

Your complete bathroom renovation checklist: Every phase in order

A bathroom renovation in Australia can cost anywhere from around $15,000 for a basic cosmetic refresh to $35,000 or more for a full renovation with structural changes, depending on size, fixtures and how much of the layout is changing. Where your renovation falls on that scale shapes almost every decision below, starting with layout and plumbing long before fixtures come into it.

Set your budget and scope

• Decide whether you're doing a cosmetic refresh (new tapware, mirror, paint or minor fixture swaps) or a full renovation (layout changes, new waterproofing or full re-tiling).
• Set a total budget and add a 10-20% contingency for unexpected issues like hidden water damage or ageing plumbing.
• Work out whether you're managing trades yourself or hiring a project manager or builder.
• Check if strata approval, council permits or building notifications apply before any work starts.
• Confirm your timeline, including how long you'll be without a working bathroom.

Lock in layout and design decisions

• Decide whether the toilet, shower and vanity are staying in their current positions or moving, since moving plumbing adds significant cost.
• Measure the space and confirm clearances around the toilet, shower and vanity before choosing fixtures.
• Choose between back-to-wall and wall-hung toilets, since this affects whether the wall structure needs to be opened up.
• Settle on an overall style direction (finishes, colours, tile style) before buying individual products, so everything works together
• Confirm door swing, ventilation and any structural walls that affect the layout.

Choose fixtures and materials

• Select a vanity style and size that fits the confirmed layout and storage needs
• Choose tapware finishes and configurations (basin mixer, wall mixer and three-piece) to match across the bathroom.
• Decide on a shower type, screen style and base or hob configuration.
• Pick a toilet suite based on the installation decision made in the layout phase.
• Choose tiles, including floor, wall and any feature tiles, accounting for lead times.
• Select a mirror or mirror cabinet based on available wall space and storage needs.

Plan plumbing and electrical work

• Confirm rough-in positions for water supply and waste with your plumber before any fixtures are ordered.
• Factor in extra plumbing work if you've chosen a wall-hung toilet or moved any fixtures.
• Plan electrical requirements, including exhaust fans, heated towel rails, LED mirror lighting and any underfloor heating.
• Book licensed plumbing and electrical trades early, since good tradespeople are often booked out weeks in advance.
• Check that all planned fixtures match the confirmed rough-in and power points before installation day.

Get waterproofing right (AS3740)

• Confirm your waterproofer is licensed and understands the current AS3740:2021 requirements for domestic wet areas.
• Check shower walls are waterproofed to a minimum of 1800mm where a showerhead is fitted, and the full shower floor is membraned.
• Make sure junctions between floors, walls and any bath or shower hob are properly sealed, since these are common failure points.
• Confirm correct falls to the floor waste to allow water to drain properly and prevent pooling.
• Get a waterproofing inspection completed and documented before tiling begins, since problems are far harder and more expensive to fix once tiles are down.
• Keep compliance certificates and documentation, particularly important for strata properties or if you plan to sell.

Organise trades and project management

• Sequence trades correctly: demolition, then plumbing and electrical rough-in, then waterproofing, then tiling, then fixture installation and fit-off.
• Get multiple quotes for major trades and confirm licensing for plumbing, electrical and waterproofing work specifically.
• Agree a realistic timeline with each trade and build in buffer time for delays.
• Keep a single point of contact, whether that's you or a project manager, so trades aren't working from conflicting information.

Work on installation stage by stage

• Demolish and remove old fixtures, tiles and, where needed, wall linings.
• Complete plumbing and electrical rough-in, and get it inspected before walls are closed up.
• Apply waterproofing, then have it inspected and left to cure before tiling starts.
• Tile the walls and floors, then grout and seal.
• Install fixtures, including the vanity, toilet, shower screen, tapware and mirror or mirror cabinet.
• Finish fit-off, including silicone sealing, door hardware and any accessories.

Handle final inspection and handover

• Test all tapware, the shower, and the toilet for leaks and correct water pressure.
• Check exhaust fans, lighting and any heated features are working correctly.
• Confirm you've received compliance certificates for plumbing, electrical and waterproofing work.
• Walk through the finished bathroom with your builder or trades and note anything on a snag list before final payment.
• Keep all documentation and warranties together in case of future issues.

Find the fixtures for your bathroom renovation checklist at Tradelink

Once your layout and plumbing decisions are locked in, the fixture stage is where a lot of renovation budgets actually get spent and where it pays to compare options properly. Tradelink's range covers everything from vanities to toilets, so you can work through your complete bathroom renovation checklist. Check current promotions before you commit, or visit your nearest Tradelink store to talk through your renovation with someone who can help you sequence the purchase. 

Not sure what to buy first? The FAQs are a good place to start.