Bathroom Renovation FAQs — Cairns

Our bathroom renovations start from $25,000. Most Cairns bathrooms land between $25,000 and $50,000 depending on size, layout and finishes, with luxury renovations above $50,000. We give a fixed written quote after a free in-home consultation. See our full bathroom renovation cost guide for Cairns for a detailed breakdown.

Under Queensland law the maximum deposit for domestic building work is 10% for contracts under $20,000 and 5% for contracts of $20,000 or more. Payments are then made in stages as work is completed.

Our written quote covers everything needed to finish the job: demolition and rubbish removal, carpentry, plumbing and electrical work, sheeting, waterproofing to AS 3740, tiling, joinery, fixtures and tapware (or allowances if you're still choosing), the shower screen, sealing, fit-off and a final clean. We list inclusions line by line so you can compare quotes properly, and we flag any provisional sums — such as allowances for unknown conditions behind walls — so nothing comes as a surprise.

Keep the existing layout. Leaving the toilet, shower and vanity where they are avoids the cost of moving drainage and water lines. Choose standard-size porcelain tiles over natural stone, pick quality mid-range tapware, and use an off-the-shelf vanity instead of custom joinery. Don't save on waterproofing or ventilation, though — those protect the whole investment. Our standard renovation tier from $25,000 is built around this approach.

Labour is usually the biggest single cost, because a bathroom needs several licensed trades working in sequence: demolition, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, tiling and glazing. After labour, tiles and the time to lay them are the next major cost, especially with large-format, natural stone or mosaic tiles. Moving plumbing, custom joinery and premium tapware can also add significantly. Our cost guide breaks this down item by item.

Yes. Relocating a toilet, shower or vanity means new drainage runs, new water lines and often changes to the floor or wall framing. On a slab-on-ground home it can involve cutting concrete; on a high-set home it means working underneath. It's often worth it for a better layout, but expect it to move a project towards the mid-range or luxury tier. We'll price layout options side by side so you can decide.

We aim for none. Our quotes are fixed and itemised. The one genuine unknown in any bathroom is what's behind the tiles — rotten framing, termite damage, failed waterproofing or old asbestos sheeting. If we find something after demolition, we stop, show you, explain the fix and give a written price variation before going further. Nothing extra happens without your approval.

Ensuites follow the same pricing as main bathrooms and start from $25,000. A smaller footprint doesn't always mean a much lower price, because the same trades, waterproofing and fit-off are needed in a compact space. Finishes and layout changes drive the final figure. Read more about ensuite renovations in Cairns or see the full pricing guide.

Laundries are priced individually after a free consultation, because they vary so much — from a simple Euro laundry in a cupboard to a full under-house laundry with new cabinetry, benchtops and plumbing. The main cost drivers are cabinetry, benchtop material, whether plumbing moves, tiling area and ventilation. Learn more about our laundry renovations in Cairns.

Yes. After the deposit (capped under Queensland law at 5% for contracts of $20,000 or more), payments are made in stages tied to completed work — for example after demolition and rough-in, after waterproofing and tiling, and at practical completion. Each stage is set out in your written contract, so you only pay for work that's been done.

Usually 3–5 weeks on site for a standard bathroom once work starts, plus time beforehand for design, product selection and ordering materials. Layout changes or unexpected damage behind walls can add time.

We follow a clear step-by-step process: consultation, quote and contract, design and product selection, demolition, carpentry, plumbing and electrical rough-in, wall and ceiling sheeting, waterproofing, tiling, joinery, fit-off, shower screen installation and a final clean before handover.

Yes — one licensed builder coordinates plumbers, electricians, waterproofers, tilers, carpenters and glaziers, so you have one point of contact from start to finish.

Usually not — it's stripped back to the frame. If it's your only bathroom, we'll talk through options and keep the timeline as tight as possible.

Yes. We help you plan the layout, then guide you through tiles, vanities, tapware, lighting and shower screens to suit your budget and the tropical climate. We can point you to Cairns showrooms and suppliers, recommend products that hold up in high humidity, and check everything fits before it's ordered. You make the choices; we make sure they work together and arrive on time.

Usually not for a like-for-like bathroom renovation, where the room stays in the same place and no structural walls change. Approval may be needed if you're removing load-bearing walls, adding a new bathroom, making significant plumbing changes or building in under a high-set home. We'll tell you at the consultation whether approvals apply and can coordinate them as part of a full home renovation.

Either way works. We can supply everything through our trade suppliers, or you can choose and buy your own tiles and fixtures and we'll install them. If you supply items, we'll give you a schedule of what's needed and when, so delivery lines up with the build. We do check owner-supplied products are suitable for wet areas before installation.

It's common in older Cairns homes, especially Queenslanders and high-set timber houses. If demolition uncovers rotten framing, termite damage or failed waterproofing, we stop and show you photos, explain what needs fixing and provide a written variation with the cost. Repairs are done properly before the room is rebuilt, so the new bathroom sits on a sound structure.

Yes. Demolition, removal and disposal of the old bathroom is included in our quote. We protect floors and walkways through your home before work starts, strip the room back, and take all rubbish away. If asbestos-containing sheeting is found — common in homes built before 1990 — it's removed by a licensed asbestos removalist in line with Queensland regulations.

Yes. Waterproofing is carried out by a licensed waterproofer to Australian Standard AS 3740, and you receive a waterproofing certificate when it's complete. Keep it with your property records — it's useful for insurance and when you sell. We also allow proper curing time before tiling, which matters in Cairns' humidity.

The dry season (roughly May to October) is ideal: lower humidity helps waterproofing membranes, grout and sealants cure properly, and there's less weather disruption. Book design and quotes in the wet season so you're ready to start when it dries out — good trades book out early.

Fix leaks and hidden water damage, beat mould with proper ventilation, improve safety and accessibility, add value before selling or renting, and get a space that suits how your family lives.

Watch for leaks or water stains on ceilings and walls below, drummy or cracked tiles, mould that keeps coming back however often you clean, crumbling or discoloured grout, lifting floor coverings outside the bathroom door, rotten or swollen vanity bases and outdated fittings that are hard to replace. Any sign of water escaping the wet area is worth acting on early — hidden damage gets more expensive the longer it's left.

Often, yes. A tired or leaking bathroom can put buyers off or lead to lower offers, while a fresh, well-ventilated bathroom photographs well and reassures buyers about water damage. If you're selling soon, a practical standard renovation with neutral finishes usually makes more sense than a luxury fit-out. Talk to a local agent about what buyers in your suburb expect, and we can price options to suit.

A well-done bathroom is one of the renovations buyers notice most, and it can improve both sale price and how quickly a home sells. The value depends on your suburb, the rest of the house and how much you spend, so it's best not to over-capitalise. Fixing leaks, mould and dated fittings almost always helps. We can talk through a budget that fits your goals.

Usually. In Palm Cove, Trinity Beach and Port Douglas especially, bathrooms are a big part of guest reviews and rental appeal. Durable porcelain tiles, easy-clean surfaces, good ventilation and quality tapware reduce maintenance and complaints. We plan around booking calendars and tenancies to keep downtime short. See our bathroom renovations in Port Douglas page for more on holiday properties.

Ideally two to three months before you'd like work to start. That allows time for the consultation, quote, design, product selection and ordering, which can take several weeks in Far North Queensland because of freight lead times. If you want to renovate in the dry season, book your consultation during the wet so you're ready to go when conditions improve.

A correctly sized exhaust fan ducted outside, good natural ventilation, mould-resistant grout and sealants, waterproofing to AS 3740, and finishes that dry quickly.

Porcelain tiles are the best all-rounder for Cairns bathrooms: they're dense, absorb almost no water and are easy to clean. Choose a suitable slip rating for floors (P3 or higher for wet areas). Natural stone looks beautiful but needs sealing and more care in humidity. Larger-format tiles mean fewer grout lines for mould to grab. Read more on our bathroom tiling Cairns page.

Epoxy grout is the most mould- and stain-resistant option and is ideal for showers and floors in our humid climate. It costs more and takes more skill to lay than cement grout, but it doesn't absorb water. Good-quality cement grouts with added mould inhibitors, properly sealed, are a sound budget alternative. Pair either with a mould-resistant silicone at corners and junctions.

Yes — they're a big part of Cairns housing. Timber-floored bathrooms in Queenslanders and high-set homes need careful attention to floor framing, set-downs or raised floors for the shower, and waterproofing that allows for timber movement. Access for materials up stairs also needs planning. We often find and fix old water damage in these homes. Learn more about full home renovations for Queenslanders.

They can. Heavy rain makes rubbish removal and deliveries harder, and high humidity slows the curing of waterproofing membranes, adhesives and grout. During cyclone warnings, work stops and sites are secured. We build realistic allowances into our timelines for wet-season projects, and many clients choose to plan in the wet and build in the dry season (roughly May to October).

Often, yes. Under-house build-ins are popular in Cairns, and adding a bathroom, toilet or laundry downstairs can make a big difference for families and guests. It usually needs building approval, new drainage, and attention to ceiling heights and flooding or stormwater risk. We'll assess your site at the consultation. See full home renovations in Cairns for under-house conversions.

Yes. Many tiles, vanities, tapware and shower screens are freighted up from southern warehouses, and specialty or imported items can take several weeks to arrive. Wet season road closures can add delays. That's why we finalise selections and order early, and why we don't start demolition until key items are on hand or confirmed. It keeps your bathroom out of action for the shortest time.

Yes. Bourjon Contracting Group is licensed in VIC & QLD (QBCC 15188942). Residential work over $3,300 in Queensland is covered by the QBCC Home Warranty Scheme and requires a written contract.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licenses builders and trades in Queensland. A QBCC licence shows the contractor meets technical, financial and experience requirements for the work they do. Bourjon Contracting Group holds QBCC licence 15188942 — you can check it on the QBCC online licence search. Always check a licence before signing a building contract.

In Queensland, residential building work over $3,300 must be done under a written contract and is covered by the QBCC Home Warranty Scheme, which can protect you against non-completion and defective work for set periods after completion. Manufacturers' warranties also apply to products like tapware, toilets and vanities. We'll explain the warranties that apply to your project when you sign.

You'll deal with John Bourjon directly. John is your single point of contact from the first consultation through to handover — he coordinates every trade, keeps you updated on progress and is the person you call with any questions. No call centres, no being passed between subcontractors. Read more about us.