Bathroom Renovation Cost in Cape Town: What You Pay For

Bathroom renovation cost is the first question most home owners ask us. The answer depends on the size of the room, the finishes you choose and what is hidden behind the old tiles. This guide shows you what you actually pay for, so you can plan a budget and compare quotes with confidence.

We do bathroom work across Cape Town, from small refreshes to full strip-outs. The prices below are only a rough guide. Every bathroom is different, so always get a proper quote.

Bathroom Renovation Cost in Cape Town: A Rough Guide

Most bathroom jobs fall into one of three groups. Use this table to see where your project sits.

Does a Small Bathroom Mean a Lower Bathroom Renovation Cost?

Not always as much as people expect. A small bathroom uses fewer tiles, but it still needs the same trades. The plumber, the tiler and the electrician all have to come in, set up and finish their work.

Small rooms can also be slower to work in. Tight corners mean more tile cuts and more careful waterproofing. So the price per square metre of a small bathroom is often higher than for a big one.

A guest toilet or a small en-suite is still cheaper overall than a large main bathroom. Just do not expect the bathroom renovation cost to drop in the same way as the floor size.

What You Pay For in a Bathroom Renovation

A quote is easier to understand when you know the parts that make it up. These are the main items in most bathroom renovations.

What Pushes Your Bathroom Renovation Cost Up

Two bathrooms of the same size can have very different prices. These are the things that add the most to a bathroom renovation cost.

• Moving the layout. Moving a toilet or shower means new drains and often cutting the floor.
• Bath to walk-in shower. This needs a new floor fall to the drain, extra waterproofing and a glass panel.
• Hidden damage. Old leaks can rot floors and walls. Old galvanised pipes often need to be replaced.
• Tile choice. Large tiles and mosaic need more prep and more careful labour.
• Custom items. Built-in vanities, niches and special order fittings cost more and take longer.
• Access. Upper floor flats, tight parking and body corporate rules can add time.
• Hot water. Some renovations also need a new geyser or new hot water pipes.

How to Keep Bathroom Renovation Costs Under Control

A good plan saves more money than cheap materials. Follow these steps before work starts to keep your bathroom renovation cost in check.

1. 1
   List your must-haves
   Decide what you really need, such as a bigger shower or more storage, and what is just nice to have.
2. 2
   Keep the layout if you can
   Leaving the toilet, shower and basin where they are is the easiest way to save.
3. 3
   Choose tiles early
   Pick tiles before the quote is final and buy about 10% extra for cuts and breakages.
4. 4
   Ask for itemised quotes
   A line-by-line quote shows exactly what you are paying for and makes quotes easy to compare.
5. 5
   Keep money aside
   Set aside about 10% to 15% of your budget for surprises behind the walls.
6. 6
   Order fittings before the start
   Make sure taps, the toilet and the vanity are on site before the old bathroom comes out.

Where Not to Cut Corners

Some savings cost you more later. In our experience, these are the parts of a bathroom you should never skimp on.

• Waterproofing. A leaking shower can soak the floor and the room next door. It is hard and costly to fix after tiling.
• Floor falls. The shower floor must slope to the drain so water does not pool.
• Good mixers and valves. Cheap mixers often drip within a year or two, and the wall must be opened to replace them.
• An extractor fan. Cape Town winters are damp. Without good air flow, mould grows on ceilings and grout.

Good bathroom tiling over proper waterproofing is what keeps a bathroom looking new for years.

The Steps of a Bathroom Renovation

Knowing the order of work helps you plan around it. A standard bathroom renovation usually goes like this.

• Site visit, measurements and a quote.
• Strip out the old bathroom and remove the rubble.
• First fix plumbing and electrical inside the walls and floor.
• Plaster and screed, with the shower floor sloped to the drain.
• Waterproofing on the floor and the wet walls.
• Tiling of walls and floors.
• Fit the toilet, basin, bath or shower, taps and glass.
• Paint, seal, clean and a final check with you.

If you see water stains on the ceiling above the bathroom, sort that out first. Our guide to roof leak repair explains how to find the source.

How to Compare Bathroom Renovation Quotes

The cheapest quote is not always the best value. A low bathroom renovation cost on paper can grow fast once extras are added. Use this checklist when the quotes come in.

• Is the quote itemised, or just one total figure?
• Is waterproofing listed by name?
• Who supplies the tiles, fittings and glass door?
• Is rubble removal included?
• Does it include electrical work for lights, plugs and the extractor fan?
• Is there a clear start date, a rough timeline and a payment plan?

If you plan to move walls or change the drainage, check the building plan rules on the City of Cape Town website first. In a complex, ask your body corporate before you book anyone.

Our team handles bathroom renovations from strip-out to the final clean, including the plumbing services a new bathroom needs. If your bathroom is part of a bigger project, we also do full home renovations.

The best way to know your real bathroom renovation cost is to have someone measure and look. Get a free quote and we will walk you through each line of it.

Bathroom Renovation Cost FAQs