Bathroom Renovations Brisbane: What to Expect From Start to Finish

If you’ve been saving bathroom inspiration photos, quietly measuring your existing space, or wondering whether now is finally the right time to renovate — you’re in the right place.

Bathroom renovations are one of the most rewarding home improvement projects a Brisbane homeowner can undertake. A well-executed renovation adds genuine value to your property, improves your daily routine, and can completely change how a space feels. But if you’ve never been through the process before, it can seem hard to know where to even start.

At One Stop Bath & Tiles, we’ve completed over 100 bathroom renovations across Brisbane. We want every client to feel informed and confident before work begins — so here’s exactly how our process works, from your very first enquiry through to the moment you step into your finished bathroom.

Step 1: Your Initial Enquiry and Price Package

The very first step is getting in touch. When you contact One Stop Bath & Tiles, we’ll start by presenting you with our Price Package — a clear overview of our renovation options and pricing so you can understand what’s possible within your budget before committing to anything.

This is something we do differently to many bathroom renovation companies in Brisbane. Rather than asking you to sit through a lengthy consultation before you have any sense of cost, we give you the pricing picture first. That way, when you do come in for an inspection, the conversation is focused and productive.

You can view our Price Package at our showrooms in Camp Hill or Salisbury, or we can send it to you directly. No obligation, no pressure.

Step 2: On-Site Inspection (Initial Consultation)

Once you’ve reviewed our Price Package and you’re happy to move forward, we arrange an on-site inspection at your home. This typically happens within 3–10 days of your initial enquiry.

During the inspection, one of our team members will visit your bathroom to assess the existing space — layout, plumbing positions, condition of walls and floor, access considerations, and anything that might affect the renovation. This is where we get the detailed information we need to prepare your accurate, personalised quote.

This visit is also your opportunity to ask questions, share your vision, and tell us what’s most important to you — whether that’s a particular tile style, a specific fixture brand, accessibility features, or maximising storage in a compact space.

Step 3: Your Detailed Quote

Following the inspection, we prepare a detailed, itemised quote for your renovation. This includes:

• A full bathware list — every fixture and fitting included in the renovation, specified by item
• A tile quantity list — exactly how many tiles are needed for your floor and walls, based on your bathroom’s measurements
• A complete breakdown of all labour costs

This level of detail matters. You shouldn’t be signing off on a renovation without knowing exactly what you’re getting. Our quotes are transparent and thorough — no vague lump sums, no surprises.

We’ll walk you through the quote and answer any questions before you make any decisions.

Step 4: Deposit, Scheduling and Product Selection

Once you’re happy with your quote and ready to proceed, you’ll pay a $1,000 deposit to secure your booking and lock in your renovation start date.

This is also when the fun part begins — choosing your products. At our showrooms in Camp Hill and Salisbury, you’ll select your tiles, bathware, fixtures, and finishes from our full range. Seeing materials in person — touching the tile surfaces, seeing how colours look under real light, comparing fixture finishes side by side — makes a significant difference compared to choosing from a screen or a catalogue.

Our team will guide you through the selection process to make sure everything you choose works together cohesively — tile format with grout colour, tapware finish with vanity style, lighting with overall bathroom aesthetic.

Once your deposit is paid and your products are selected, your start date is confirmed and your renovation is locked in.

Step 5: The Renovation Begins

With everything confirmed, materials ordered, and your start date locked in, our team arrives on day one and work begins. A full bathroom renovation with One Stop Bath & Tiles typically takes 2–3 weeks to complete.

Here’s exactly what happens during the construction phase, stage by stage.

Stage 1: Demolition

The renovation begins with demolition — stripping out the existing bathroom completely. Tiles, vanity, fixtures, fittings, and sometimes wall linings are removed to expose the substrate beneath.

This is when any hidden issues become visible. Old waterproofing that needs replacing, water damage behind tiles, plumbing that isn’t where expected — in Brisbane’s older homes, particularly those built before the 1990s, surprises behind the walls are not uncommon.

This is exactly why we recommend building a 10–15% contingency into your budget. If unexpected variations arise, we’ll contact you immediately and provide a clear variation quote before any additional work proceeds. Nothing extra happens without your approval.

Stage 2: Carpentry — Preparation and Rough-In

Once demolition is complete, any carpentry preparation work takes place. This includes preparing wall framing, repairing or replacing damaged structural elements, and getting the space ready for the trades that follow.

This preparation stage is what allows everything downstream to be done properly. Rushing past it — or skipping it entirely — is a common shortcut that shows up in the finished result. At One Stop Bath & Tiles, this stage is given the time and attention it deserves.

Stage 3: Rough-In Plumbing and Electrical Work

With the space prepared, licensed tradespeople complete the rough-in plumbing and electrical work.

Rough-in plumbing involves positioning all water supply and waste lines — shower, basin, toilet, and bath connections — in their correct locations before the walls are closed up. If your renovation involves moving any plumbing points from their existing positions, this is when that happens.

Electrical rough-in involves running cables and positioning fittings for your bathroom’s lighting, exhaust fan, heated towel rail, and any other electrical elements.

In Queensland, all plumbing and electrical work in a bathroom must be completed by licensed tradespeople. This is a legal requirement — not an optional extra — and at One Stop Bath & Tiles, every renovation is completed with fully licensed plumbing and electrical contractors.

Stage 4: Plastering and Painting

Once rough-in work is complete, any plastering and painting takes place. Wall surfaces are prepared and finished to provide a smooth, sound substrate for the stages that follow.

This stage is often invisible in the finished product — but it contributes significantly to the overall quality of the renovation. Properly prepared walls mean tiles sit flush and even, reducing the risk of lippage (unevenness between adjacent tiles) and creating a cleaner finished appearance.

Stage 5: Screeding, Bedding, Waterproofing and Tiling

This is the most critical — and most involved — stage of the renovation. It encompasses several interconnected steps that must be completed in the correct sequence.

Screeding and bedding prepares the floor to ensure correct falls toward the drain — essential for a bathroom that drains properly and doesn’t hold water.

Waterproofing is then applied — and this is the stage that matters most from a compliance and long-term performance perspective.

In Queensland, waterproofing must be completed by a licensed waterproofer to Australian Standards. At One Stop Bath & Tiles, we apply a four-coat waterproofing system — including two waterproofing coats applied after screeding — to ensure the highest level of protection for your bathroom.

A waterproofing certificate is issued upon completion and must be retained for insurance purposes and any future property sale.

Why does waterproofing matter so much? Because once tiles go on, waterproofing is completely invisible. If it fails — and poorly applied waterproofing does fail — the consequences are serious: water damage behind walls, structural deterioration, mould, and costly remediation that may not be covered by insurance.

Once waterproofing is complete and approved, tiling begins. Your selected floor and wall tiles are laid, grouted, and silicone-sealed around all wet area junctions — shower recesses, floor-to-wall junctions, bath edges.

The time tiling takes depends on your bathroom size and tile design. Larger format tiles laid in a straight pattern tile faster than smaller mosaic tiles or complex feature wall designs. Our team will always give you a realistic tiling timeline at the quoting stage.

Tile tips for Brisbane bathrooms:

• Large format tiles (600x600mm+) reduce grout lines and make small bathrooms feel significantly larger
• Matte finishes are practical in Queensland’s climate and easier to maintain than gloss
• Warm neutral tones — creams, greiges, and warm whites — age beautifully and suit Brisbane’s light-filled, indoor-outdoor lifestyle

Stage 6: Fitting All Features — Bathware, Shower Screen and Accessories

With tiling complete and grout cured, the bathroom comes together in the final stage. This is where the space goes from looking like a construction site to looking like a finished bathroom — and it’s deeply satisfying to watch.

Everything selected at the showroom comes to life: your chosen vanity, basin, tapware, toilet suite, shower fitting, bath (if applicable), shower screen, mirrors, towel rails, accessories, and lighting.

All fit-off work is completed by our licensed plumber and electrician — ensuring every fixture is installed correctly and to code.

We then complete a thorough final inspection and quality check before handing the bathroom over to you. Every detail is reviewed — tile alignment, grout lines, silicone seals, fixture operation, lighting, and finishes. Any final touch-ups are addressed before you see it.

You’ll receive your waterproofing certificate and all relevant documentation, and we’ll walk you through your new bathroom together before we leave.

How Long Does It All Take?

Here’s a realistic summary of the full timeline:

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need council approval for a bathroom renovation in Brisbane?
Most standard bathroom renovations don’t require council approval. However, if you’re moving walls, adding windows, or making structural changes, permits may be required. We’ll advise you on this during the inspection.

What does the $1,000 deposit cover?
Your deposit secures your booking date and allows us to begin ordering your selected materials and scheduling trades. It is applied toward the total cost of your renovation.

Can I supply my own tiles or bathware?
We recommend selecting products from our showroom range so we can guarantee quality and availability — but discuss this with us if you have something specific in mind. We’re always happy to have that conversation.

Is One Stop Bath & Tiles QBCC licensed?
Yes. All renovation work is completed by QBCC licensed trades. You’ll receive a waterproofing certificate and all other relevant documentation at handover.

Do you renovate bathrooms in apartments and units in Brisbane?
Yes — though unit renovations may require body corporate approval before work starts. We can advise on this at the inspection stage.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re thinking about a bathroom renovation in Brisbane, the first step is simple — get in touch to receive your Price Package, and we’ll take it from there.

Visit our showrooms in Camp Hill or Salisbury, or send us a message and we’ll be in touch.