Waterproofing to AS 3740
Wet-area membranes installed to AS 3740, the Australian standard for waterproofing internal wet areas. Getting the membrane, junctions and upturns right is the single most important step in a lasting bathroom.
Bathroom Renovations In Sydney
Bathroom renovations suit owners dealing with dated finishes, failing waterproofing or a layout that wastes a small footprint. The trigger is often movement in tiles, persistent damp or a fixture arrangement that makes a compact room feel smaller than it is. Homeowners use this service when they want the waterproofing and tiling done to standard the first time, with an accredited Sydney builder coordinating the wet-area trades from membrane to tapware.
The first conversation covers the existing layout, the condition behind the tiles and what the room needs to do for the household. Unlike a kitchen or whole-home brief, a bathroom turns on waterproofing integrity and falls to drainage, so the builder treats the membrane and tiling sequence as the core of the job rather than an afterthought.
What a bathroom renovation brief covers
A bathroom packs waterproofing, drainage, tiling and fixtures into a small, unforgiving space. The builders in our network scope the hidden work first, because a membrane or fall that is wrong shows up as a leak long after the visible finishes look complete.
Wall and floor tiling
Tiling laid over a sound substrate with correct falls to the drain. Network tilers set out from focal points so cuts land sensibly and grout lines run true across walls and floor.
Vanity and tapware
Vanity, basin, mixer and accessories selected for the layout and storage needs. Plumbing rough-in is positioned so tapware and waste land cleanly without compromising the cabinetry.
Shower and screen install
Shower bases or hobless setups, drainage and glass screens fitted so water stays contained. Screen type and tray detailing are matched to the layout for a watertight, easy-clean result.
Layout reconfiguration
Repositioning fixtures to make a small room work harder, including moving plumbing where needed. A reworked layout can free up floor space and improve how the bathroom feels and functions.
Renovation Sydney: how this service moves from brief to quote
Bathroom work follows a strict sequence because waterproofing and tiling cannot be rushed or reordered. The steps take you from enquiry to a written, fixed-price contract with an appropriately licensed Sydney builder before demolition begins.
01
Enquire
Describe the bathroom, any leaks or damage you suspect and the look you are after. Note whether the layout needs to change or just the finishes.
02
Match
The brief is matched to an accredited Sydney builder experienced in wet-area work, where waterproofing and drainage knowledge matters more than general build scale.
03
Measure and scope
The builder inspects the space, checks the condition behind existing tiles, confirms falls and drainage, and scopes the waterproofing and tiling sequence in detail.
04
Quote and contract
A detailed quote and written contract follow. Residential work over $5,000 incl GST requires a written contract under the Home Building Act 1989, with Home Building Compensation cover over $20,000.
Why homeowners use this service for bathrooms
Waterproofing done to standard
The most costly bathroom failures are hidden ones. Network builders install membranes to AS 3740 and detail junctions properly, so the room stays dry behind the tiles for years.
Falls and drainage that work
Water has to reach the drain. The builder sets correct floor falls and waste positions, avoiding pooling that ruins both finishes and the membrane beneath them.
Small spaces planned hard
Most Sydney bathrooms are compact. Network builders set out tiling and fixtures so a tight footprint feels deliberate and usable rather than cramped and awkwardly cut.
Bathroom Renovations is presented as its own service lane so Sydney homeowners can describe the project with more precision before pricing starts. That sharper framing helps the builder decide whether the job suits a full build, selective work or an earlier planning conversation, and keeps the first quote grounded in the real scope.
Bathroom Renovations questions homeowners ask first
The FAQ selection here is tuned toward bathroom renovations rather than the full site-wide renovation corpus.
Which renovations add the most value to a Sydney home?
Kitchens and bathrooms consistently return strong value because they are the rooms buyers scrutinise most. Adding usable space through an extension, a second storey or a granny flat can also lift value and liveability, particularly in Sydney's tight, high-value market. The best return comes from work that suits the home and the street rather than over-capitalising, which a good builder or designer will advise on.
How much is a bathroom renovation in Sydney?
Bathroom cost is driven by size, tiling extent, whether the layout moves and the quality of fixtures. A straightforward same-layout renovation is usually the most affordable path; moving plumbing, enlarging the room or using premium tiling and tapware increases the figure. Waterproofing to Australian Standard AS 3740 is a non-negotiable part of any compliant bathroom. A licensed renovator will price the work in writing after seeing the room.
Do I need council approval to renovate in Sydney?
It depends on the work. Many internal renovations and minor works can proceed as exempt development with no approval, while larger projects follow either a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) through a certifier or a Development Application (DA) lodged with your council. Heritage items, conservation areas and certain overlays usually require a DA. Your designer or builder will confirm the right pathway for your property before work begins; the rules are set by NSW planning legislation and your local council.
How long is a bathroom out of action during a renovation?
A full bathroom renovation usually takes a few weeks on site. Waterproofing needs curing time before tiling, and tiling, grouting and silicone each need to set, so the schedule has built-in waiting periods that cannot be rushed without risking the finish. If it is your only bathroom, your builder can plan the sequence and discuss temporary arrangements so you are not left without facilities longer than necessary.
What waterproofing standard applies to bathrooms in NSW?
Internal wet-area waterproofing in Australia is governed by Australian Standard AS 3740. It sets where waterproof membranes are required - shower areas, floors and wall junctions - and how they must be applied. Compliant waterproofing is essential to prevent leaks and long-term damage, and it is one of the items a certifier looks at. A licensed renovator will waterproof to the standard and can arrange the required inspections.
Sydney suburbs we cover for Bathroom Renovations
The Bathroom Renovations service is available across all 15 Sydney suburbs in our coverage area. Pick your suburb for the local notes, or submit the form for a free review.
Bathroom Renovations in Bondi Coastal Eastern Suburbs renovations Bathroom Renovations in Mosman Lower North Shore renovations across Federation and interwar homes on steep harbourside blocks Bathroom Renovations in Paddington Inner-city heritage renovations in one of Sydney's tightest conservation areas Bathroom Renovations in Balmain Inner West peninsula renovations of workers' cottages and Victorian terraces Bathroom Renovations in Newtown Inner West renovations across Victorian terraces and warehouse conversions around the King Street strip Bathroom Renovations in Chatswood Upper North Shore renovations spanning solid interwar houses and a dense apartment core Bathroom Renovations in Manly Northern Beaches renovations of beach cottages and coastal units between the harbour and the ocean Bathroom Renovations in Parramatta Greater West renovations across post-war brick homes and new apartment towers in Sydney's central city Bathroom Renovations in Hornsby Upper North renovations of brick homes on bushland blocks at the gateway to the Upper North Shore Bathroom Renovations in Castle Hill Hills District renovations of large project homes and former-acreage blocks in Sydney's north-west Bathroom Renovations in Cronulla Sutherland Shire renovations of beachside brick homes and units along the peninsula Bathroom Renovations in Randwick Eastern Suburbs renovations of Federation homes and art-deco apartments near the racecourse Bathroom Renovations in Hurstville St George renovations across post-war full-brick homes and high-density apartments Bathroom Renovations in Drummoyne Inner West waterfront renovations of interwar brick and Federation homes on the Iron Cove peninsula Bathroom Renovations in Ryde Northern Sydney renovations of post-war brick homes on sloping blocks between the Parramatta and Lane Cove riv
Get matched with a builder
Ready to talk about bathroom renovations?
Tell us about your bathroom and what needs fixing. Get matched with an accredited Sydney builder who can waterproof to standard, tile it properly and quote the work in writing.