Northcote, VIC 3070 · inner north

Bathroom renovations in Northcote

Complete bathroom renovations from $19,999 — tiles, fixtures, waterproofing, rubbish removal and GST all in. Typically 4 weeks on site. We're a small local team — the people who quote your job are the people who build it, so you're not paying for a showroom or a sales rep.

  • Registered building practitioner
  • Fixed price, no surprises
  • Free inspection across Northcote

Local knowledge

What we see in Northcote homes

Northcote is single and double-fronted Victorian and Edwardian cottages, most with bathrooms added into the rear of the house long after it was built.

The thing that catches people out here

Northcote bathrooms are frequently the smallest room in the house, and the ceiling in a rear lean-to is often lower than the rest of the home. Both constrain what's possible — usefully, they also keep costs down.

Street parking restrictions and narrow frontages make skip placement a real consideration here. We handle permits where the council requires them.

Before you get quotes

Three things that decide the price in Northcote

1. What your house is built on

Northcote's older housing is Victorian and Edwardian on stumps, with California bungalows through the flatter streets. Timber subfloor, so relocating a shower or toilet is achievable without concrete work. What we find often in Northcote is that a previous renovation — frequently a 1990s one — was done over the original floor rather than back to the joists. That hides both the old waterproofing failure and a floor build-up that now sits above the door threshold.

2. Permits, overlays and owners corporations

Internal work needs no planning permit, including in the heritage overlays that cover much of Northcote. Overlays are about the streetscape. If your plan involves a new window or an external vent on a visible elevation, that is the one thing worth checking first.

3. What a renovation is worth here

Northcote has had two decades of renovation, which means buyers here compare against renovated stock, not original stock. An untouched 1970s bathroom in an otherwise updated Northcote house is now conspicuous, and it is usually the cheapest thing on the list to fix.

None of the above is guesswork on a quote — we look at the subfloor, the wall behind the tiles and the existing drainage during the free inspection, then put a fixed written price on it.

Pricing

Bathroom renovation cost in Northcote

Our starting price against the current Melbourne market rate for the same scope of work. Check both against any other quote you get.

MelReno, all inclusive $19,999
Melbourne market $21,000–$37,000

What's included at $19,999

No separate tile bill, no "supply your own fixtures", no GST added at the end.

  • Full strip-out and rubbish removal
  • Certified waterproofing to AS 3740
  • Floor-to-ceiling wall tiling
  • New vanity, toilet and shower screen
  • Tapware, shower set and towel rail
  • Plumbing and electrical by licensed trades

Moving plumbing to a new wall, upgraded finishes, or hidden damage found during demolition are quoted separately and always in writing before any extra work starts.

Also renovating the kitchen? See kitchen pricing for Northcote →

Questions

Northcote bathroom renovations — common questions

Do you actually work in Northcote?

Yes — Northcote is inside our regular service area, along with Thornbury, Fitzroy North, Preston and the surrounding inner north. Site inspections across Northcote are free and there's no travel charge.

How long will the job take?

Around 4 weeks on site for a standard bathroom of this type. Victorian and edwardian cottages homes like most of Northcote's are the kind we work on most, so the timeline we give you at quote stage is the one we work to.

What could push the price above $19,999?

Three things, in order of likelihood: moving plumbing or fixtures to new positions, choosing finishes above our standard range, and hidden damage behind the walls. In Northcote's Victorian and Edwardian cottages housing the third one matters — you get a written price before anyone touches it.

Can I see photos of your work?

Yes — there are real before-and-after photos and video walkthroughs of finished bathrooms on the home page. We'll bring more to the inspection, along with what each job actually cost.

Free, no obligation

Book your free site inspection in Northcote.

Tell us a bit about the room and we'll call you back to arrange a time. You'll get a fixed written price — and an honest answer about what your budget can realistically buy.

Please enter your name
Please enter a valid phone number
Please enter a valid email
Please enter your suburb
Please choose a project type

Prefer email? info@melreno.com.au — we reply Mon–Sat, 7am–6pm.

Thanks — we've got it.

We'll call you back to arrange a time, usually the same day.