Bathroom Renovations Clifton Hill
Clifton Hill Bathrooms,
Done Beautifully
Delivering exceptional bathroom renovations in Clifton Hill and across Melbourne for over 20 years. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Clifton Hill Bathroom, Done Properly
At Smarter Home Renovations, we have been delivering exceptional bathroom renovations in Clifton Hill for over 20 years. Established in early 2002, our family-run business is proud to provide friendly, fast, fair, and efficient home renovation services throughout metropolitan Melbourne.
What Our Clients Say
5.0 out of 5 stars, based on 25 reviews
Powder room & laundry into a small bathroom
“We are delighted with our new bathroom. Tony made the entire process very easy for us, which is what you want when renovating. Nothing was too much trouble and he was very patient with all our questions and provided great advice on the design and installation. The workmanship was of high quality and the quote was highly competitive. Highly recommend Tony and his team!”
Bathroom renovations: stressless and wonderful
“Thank you, Tony and your team, for a stressless and wonderful bathroom renovation. Our 4-year-old townhouse bathroom and ensuite showers had serious leakage issues, with water leaking into the walls and between floors. The builder was happy to silicone the problem as a solution. The only options were to replace the showers, or a full renovation for both rooms. We chose the latter. Tony provided a competitive quote. Despite the inevitable out-of-square bathroom issues, the job was completed without stress, on-time and in budget, and the finish was fabulous. And square. We are now looking at a kitchen update. Tony, find some time. Highly recommend Tony and the team.”
Wow! Now that's a bathroom
“In such difficult times we were so grateful that we picked Tony and his crew to renovate our bathroom. His knowledge of the industry and his attention to detail is second to none. Tony was always easy to contact and happy to discuss any issues. The standard of workmanship was outstanding. We love our new bathroom!”
Renovating Bathrooms in Clifton Hill Homes
Bathrooms in Clifton Hill’s period homes were usually added later, often in the rear lean-to, beside the laundry or at the end of a passage. Many are small, cold rooms with timber floors, old pipework and little ventilation, and most homes have just one bathroom. Two-storey terraces sometimes have a second bathroom upstairs, though usually a tight one.
That shapes most Clifton Hill bathroom renovations: replacing timber floors and rebuilding lean-to bathrooms with sound waterproofing, finding room for a second bathroom or ensuite, adding skylights and exhaust fans for light and air, and choosing tiles that sit comfortably in a Victorian home. Interior work rarely needs a planning permit, but almost all of Clifton Hill is within two heritage precincts, so we confirm any external changes with the City of Yarra.
Clifton Hill at a Glance
- Postcode
- Clifton Hill VIC 3068
- Council
- City of Yarra
- From the CBD
- About 4 km north-east
- Typical Homes
- Victorian brick houses and terraces
- Victorian and Edwardian cottages
- Interwar weatherboard bungalows
- Apartments
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,632,500
- Median unit price$901,000
- House rent$850 a week
- Unit rent$700 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
What to Plan For in a Clifton Hill Bathroom
Heritage
Two Heritage Precincts
Almost all of Clifton Hill is covered by two Heritage Overlay precincts, HO316 in the east and HO317 in the west. A bathroom fitted inside the house rarely needs a planning permit, but a new window, skylight or vent on a wall or roof seen from the street may. We check your property’s grading with the City of Yarra before design.
Heating
Cold Lean-To Bathrooms
Lean-to bathrooms in Clifton Hill were often built with thin walls, no insulation and one small window, so they stay cold for much of the year. Insulating the walls and ceiling while they are open, adding electric underfloor heating or a heated towel rail, and sealing gaps make the room comfortable. We plan these before the walls are lined.
Plumbing
Old Pipes Under the Floor
Many Clifton Hill homes, built up during the 1880s land boom and after, still have old galvanised water pipes and earthenware sewer lines. While the floor is open, it is a good time to replace them. A drain camera inspection may be worthwhile if roots or slow drainage are suspected, and our licensed plumbers provide a compliance certificate.
Layout
Room for a Second Bathroom
Most Clifton Hill houses were built before indoor bathrooms were common, and the one added later is often still the only one. A second bathroom or ensuite can sometimes fit in a small rear bedroom, a widened passage or a new rear extension. We look at where the sewer runs along the side or back of the block, as that shapes where it can go.
Design
Tiles for Victorian and Interwar Homes
Hexagonal or small mosaic floor tiles, gloss subway wall tiles and a freestanding bath sit naturally in a Victorian Clifton Hill house, with modern waterproofing and plumbing hidden behind a traditional look. Interwar weatherboard bungalows, such as those on Brockenshire Street, often suit simpler tiling, timber vanities and fittings from their own era instead.
Get a Free Bathroom Estimate in Clifton Hill
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Clifton Hill home.
- 1Tell us about your project
Two quick steps. It takes about two minutes.
- 2We call you back
Tony will be in touch within one business day to talk through your ideas.
- 3Free on-site consultation
We visit, measure up and listen to how you want the space to work.
- 4Fixed-price quote
A detailed, itemised quote. What we quote is what you pay.
No obligation, no pressure
Family-run since 2002. Your estimate is free and your details are never shared with third parties.
Your Bathroom Renovations in Clifton Hill
Waterproofing
Applied by licensed trades to the Australian Standard for wet areas, and checked before a single tile goes down.
Tiling & Feature Walls
Floor and wall tiling, niches and feature walls, set out carefully so cuts and grout lines look right.
Vanities & Storage
Wall-hung or floor-standing vanities, mirror cabinets and recessed shelving that make the most of the space.
Showers & Baths
Walk-in showers, frameless screens, freestanding or built-in baths, chosen to suit your layout and routine.
Plumbing & Tapware
Licensed plumbers handle rough-in, drainage and fit-off, with tapware and toilets installed to manufacturer specs.
Lighting & Ventilation
LED lighting, heated towel rails and an exhaust fan ducted outside to keep moisture and mould under control.
Your Clifton Hill Bathroom in 5 Steps
Meet & Greet
We get to know you and your specific needs. And you find out more about us to make sure we are a good fit.
Consult & Design
We ask lots of questions to understand your ideal outcome for your project. We discuss layout, budget, colours and more.
Quote
A comprehensive quotation outlining all the details, costs and timelines to complete your project.
Construct & Manage
Time to get to work with all our suppliers and trades to construct your project and deliver it as promised.
Deliver
We strive to deliver your project on time and on budget. We believe in 100% customer satisfaction from start to finish.
Bathroom Renovations In and Around Clifton Hill
Clifton Hill (3068) is about 4 km north-east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate bathrooms in Clifton Hill and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Bathroom Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
Do I need a permit to renovate a bathroom in Clifton Hill?
Work inside the house usually doesn’t need one. Almost all of Clifton Hill is in a Heritage Overlay, so the City of Yarra may require a planning permit for external changes such as a new window, flue or skylight visible from the street. Plumbing and electrical work is done by our licensed trades, who provide the compliance certificates.
Can we put underfloor heating in our Clifton Hill bathroom?
Yes. Electric underfloor heating mats laid under the tiles suit most bathroom renovations, including rooms over timber floors once the subfloor has been made sound. They need a dedicated circuit, which our licensed electricians install and certify. In a cold rear lean-to, combining heating with wall and ceiling insulation makes the biggest difference to comfort.
How do you protect original features when renovating our Clifton Hill bathroom?
We protect hallway floors, plaster cornices and doors along the route to the bathroom, and contain dust with sheeting. If the bathroom itself has original features, such as a timber window, fireplace or decorative ceiling, we can work around them or restore them. We note what should be kept at the first visit and include it in the written quote.
Is a bathroom refresh worth doing before I sell my Clifton Hill house?
Many Clifton Hill homes have only one bathroom, often in a cold rear lean-to added decades ago, so buyers look at it closely. A refresh that fixes leaks and damp, improves ventilation and replaces worn fixtures can be done fairly quickly. Keep the style in step with a Victorian or Edwardian house, and leave bigger changes like a second bathroom until you have time for planning.
Ready to Start Your Renovation?
No matter the project, our team has the right solution. Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation quote, and let's get your renovation underway.