A bathroom renovation packs more trades into a smaller space than almost any other home project — plumber, electrician, tiler, waterproofer and painter, all working in sequence in a room the size of a small car. In a city as damp and weather-exposed as Wellington, getting the waterproofing and ventilation right isn’t optional extra spend, it’s the part of the job that determines whether the renovation lasts. Here’s what Wellington homeowners are paying in 2026.
Bathroom Renovation Cost Tiers
| Tier | Typical Cost | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic refresh | $9,000 – $16,000 | New paint, vanity, toilet, tapware, minor tiling — no layout change |
| Mid-range full renovation | $22,000 – $38,000 | Full strip-out, new waterproofing, tiling, mid-range fixtures, updated plumbing/electrical |
| Premium / layout change | $45,000 – $70,000+ | Custom tiling, walk-in shower, underfloor heating, layout changes, premium fixtures |
What Drives Bathroom Renovation Costs in Wellington
Waterproofing comes first, always
Wellington’s damp climate and the number of older, uninsulated homes across the city make proper waterproofing and ventilation non-negotiable, not a place to cut costs. A bathroom that isn’t properly waterproofed can develop moisture damage in the surrounding framing and adjoining rooms within a couple of years — a far more expensive problem to fix later than paying for a compliant waterproofing membrane and adequate extraction at the outset. This is one area where a cheap quote that skips or skims on waterproofing detail is a genuine red flag, not just a place to save money.
The trades involved
A bathroom renovation typically needs a plumber (moving or connecting fixtures), an electrician (lighting, extraction fan, heated towel rail), a waterproofer, a tiler, and a painter or plasterer for any remaining wall surfaces — plus a builder or project manager coordinating the sequence if it’s a full strip-out. Each trade adds labour cost, but poor sequencing between them (tiling before waterproofing has cured, for example) is one of the most common causes of renovation failures and callbacks, so paying for proper coordination is generally worth it.
Layout changes
Keeping the toilet, shower, and vanity in their existing positions is the biggest lever for controlling cost, since it avoids relocating drainage and water supply lines. Moving the shower to a new wall, or reconfiguring the room, is achievable but adds plumbing cost and often extends the timeline.
Bathroom size and existing condition
A small ensuite under 5m² generally costs less in absolute dollars than a full family bathroom, but sometimes more per square metre because fixed costs (labour setup, waterproofing membrane minimums, tiler mobilisation) don’t scale down proportionally with room size. Older Wellington homes can also reveal existing moisture damage in wall linings or subfloor once the old tiling is removed, which is where a contingency budget earns its keep.
Acrylic vs Tiled Shower: Cost and Trade-Offs
Acrylic shower units are the more budget-friendly option, typically $900–$3,000 for the unit plus installation, and can usually be fitted within a day or two. They’re a practical choice for rental properties, family bathrooms on a budget, or anyone wanting to minimise disruption.
Tiled showers cost more — typically $3,500–$11,000 depending on tile choice and shower size — and take longer to install because of the sequencing required (waterproofing, screeding to falls, then tiling). They generally offer better resale appeal and a more contemporary look, particularly paired with frameless glass, and can be customised to any size or shape rather than the fixed dimensions of an acrylic unit.
Do You Need a Building Consent for a Bathroom Renovation?
A like-for-like renovation — replacing fixtures, tiling, and finishes without moving plumbing or walls — generally doesn’t require a building consent from Wellington City Council. Moving plumbing, relocating drainage, or making structural changes typically does. It’s worth confirming this with your renovation team before ordering fixtures, since a consent process can add weeks to months to the project timeline if it’s needed and hasn’t been planned for.
Typical Timeline
Most bathroom renovations in Wellington take 2–6 weeks from demolition to completion. A basic refresh with no layout change might be done in under two weeks; layout changes, custom tiling, or imported fixtures with longer lead times can push a project toward the 6–8 week mark. Waterproofing cure time is a fixed part of the schedule that can’t be safely rushed, regardless of how quickly the rest of the job is moving.
Budgeting Tips
- Never treat waterproofing as an area to save money. It’s the part of the job that determines whether everything else lasts.
- Keep the existing layout where practical — it’s the single biggest cost lever in most bathroom renovations.
- Get a written, itemised quote covering demolition, waterproofing, tiling, fixtures, plumbing and electrical separately.
- Set aside a 10–15% contingency, particularly for older Wellington homes where hidden moisture or subfloor issues can surface once tiling is removed.
- Order fixtures early if choosing imported items — lead times of 4–8 weeks aren’t unusual and can hold up an otherwise-finished renovation.
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