Bathroom Renovations Coburg
Coburg Bathrooms,
Done Beautifully
Delivering exceptional bathroom renovations in Coburg and across Melbourne for over 20 years. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Coburg Bathroom, Done Properly
At Smarter Home Renovations, we have been delivering exceptional bathroom renovations in Coburg 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 Coburg Homes
Many Coburg homes still have a single bathroom from the 1950s to 1970s, often with original tiles, a shower over the bath and a separate toilet off the hallway. In the older cottages and bungalows, the bathroom was frequently added at the back years after the house was built, on timber floors that have moved over the decades.
That shapes most Coburg bathroom renovations: stripping back to the frame, levelling or replacing the floor, and waterproofing properly before retiling. Combining the bathroom and toilet often gains space for a walk-in shower, and many families look for room for a second bathroom or ensuite, with licensed plumbers handling every relocation. Internal bathroom work rarely needs a planning permit from Merri-bek City Council, but we check first if your home is in a heritage precinct and the outside will change.
Coburg at a Glance
- Postcode
- Coburg VIC 3058
- Council
- Merri-bek City Council
- From the CBD
- About 8 km north
- Typical Homes
- Interwar Californian bungalows
- Post-war brick veneers
- Victorian and Edwardian cottages
- Units and townhouses
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,255,000
- Median unit price$600,000
- House rent$750 a week
- Unit rent$580 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 Coburg Bathroom
Layout
Combining a Separate Toilet
Coburg’s bungalows and 1950s brick veneers commonly have the toilet in its own small room beside the bathroom. Removing the wall between them can make space for a walk-in shower and a wider vanity. If that wall carries load from the ceiling or roof, it needs a beam, so we check the structure at the first visit.
Floors
Bungalow Bathrooms on Timber Floors
Interwar weatherboard bungalows, like those in Coburg’s Bourke Street heritage precinct, usually have a timber-framed floor under the bathroom. After a century of use the floor can sag or flex, which cracks tiles. We level or reframe the floor before waterproofing to the Australian Standard, so the new tiles sit on a solid, stable base.
Asbestos
Fibro in Post-war Bathrooms
Many of Coburg’s post-war homes were built in the 1950s and 1960s, when fibro sheeting was common behind bathroom tiles, in ceilings and in eaves. Suspect materials are checked before demolition. Larger amounts of asbestos must be removed by a licensed removalist, and we include this in your quote so it isn’t a surprise halfway through.
Planning
Finding Room for a Second Bathroom
Coburg families often outgrow a single 1950s bathroom. In bungalows, the end of a wide hallway, part of a large front bedroom or an old sleepout can become an ensuite. The new room needs enough fall to the sewer, which is easiest close to the existing bathroom or laundry, so drainage is checked before the layout is drawn.
Materials
Choosing Tiles for an Older Home
In a Californian bungalow or Edwardian cottage, a bathroom that nods to the house’s age often feels right: hexagon or penny round floor tiles, subway tiles and a timber-look vanity. In a post-war brick veneer there is more freedom to go modern. We can show you combinations that suit your home’s era at the first meeting.
Apartments
Apartments Near Sydney Road and Pentridge
Coburg’s apartments, including those in the former Pentridge prison redevelopment and along Sydney Road, have bathrooms that sit above other homes. Work needs owners corporation approval, booked lift times and careful waterproofing, because any leak affects the unit below. We coordinate with the owners corporation and building manager on access and noise.
Get a Free Bathroom Estimate in Coburg
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Coburg 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 Coburg
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 Coburg 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 Coburg
Coburg (3058) is about 8 km north of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate bathrooms in Coburg 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 a Coburg heritage precinct?
Usually not for work inside the house. Merri-bek’s Heritage Overlay mostly controls external changes, so a new or enlarged window on a house in a precinct like Bourke Street or The Grove may need a planning permit. Structural changes can need a building permit. We check your address before the design is final.
How long will we be without a bathroom?
Most of our bathroom renovations take 2 to 4 weeks. Many Coburg homes have only one bathroom, so we talk through toilet access early. Where the toilet is in a separate room, it can sometimes stay in use for part of the job. We give you a written schedule so you can plan around the days without a shower.
Can a shower over the bath become a walk-in shower?
Yes, it is one of the most common changes in Coburg’s 1950s and 1960s bathrooms. On a timber floor, the area under the shower can be dropped slightly so the shower has a gentle step-free entry with proper falls to the waste. The floor framing is checked first so the new shower area is fully supported.
What does a bathroom renovation in Coburg cost?
Bathroom renovations in Melbourne generally range from $20,000 to $45,000, depending on size, layout changes and the fixtures you choose. Older Coburg homes can need extra work, such as floor repairs or asbestos removal. We meet you at your property and give you a detailed fixed-price written quote, with no hidden costs.
Will an old bathroom put off buyers or tenants in Coburg?
It can. Families looking at Coburg’s interwar bungalows and post-war homes often find a single original bathroom with pastel tiles, a separate toilet and a bath with a shower over it. A sound, watertight room matters more than a high-end fit-out, so fix leaks, cracked tiles and failing grout first. Replacing the vanity, tapware and shower screen can modernise the room. Victoria’s rental minimum standards require a washbasin, a shower or bath, and hot and cold water.
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.