Bathroom Renovations Essendon
Essendon Bathrooms,
Done Beautifully
Delivering exceptional bathroom renovations in Essendon and across Melbourne for over 20 years. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Essendon Bathroom, Done Properly
At Smarter Home Renovations, we have been delivering exceptional bathroom renovations in Essendon 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 Essendon Homes
Many Essendon homes still have a single bathroom that was updated decades ago, often with timber floors under the tiles, an old cast iron bath and limited ventilation. Bungalows and interwar homes may have a separate toilet and a small bathroom off the hallway, and larger families often find one bathroom no longer works.
That shapes most Essendon bathroom renovations: rebuilding main bathrooms with modern waterproofing over timber subfloors, adding an ensuite or second bathroom, combining a separate toilet and bathroom into one usable space, and choosing tiles and fittings that suit period homes. Most interior bathroom work doesn’t need a planning permit from the City of Moonee Valley, and in apartments we work with your owners corporation.
Essendon at a Glance
- Postcode
- Essendon VIC 3040
- Council
- City of Moonee Valley
- From the CBD
- About 8 km north-west
- Typical Homes
- Victorian and Edwardian homes
- Californian bungalows
- Interwar brick homes
- Apartments and townhouses
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,827,500
- Median unit price$620,000
- House rent$795 a week
- Unit rent$520 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
What to Plan For in an Essendon Bathroom
Structure
Freestanding Baths on Timber Floors
A freestanding bath suits Essendon’s Victorian and Edwardian homes, but filled with water and a person it is very heavy. On a timber floor, the joists and bearers under the bath may need extra support. We check the floor framing once the old bathroom is out, so the new bath sits level and the tiles don’t crack.
Layout
Ensuites in Large Period Bedrooms
Essendon’s 1880s villas and Edwardian homes often have large front bedrooms with high ceilings. Part of the room can become an ensuite without making it feel cramped. Drainage runs can be long from the front of the house, so we check the fall to the sewer and the best route for pipes before finalising the layout.
Materials
Original Art Deco and Interwar Tiles
Some of Essendon’s interwar and Art Deco homes still have original bathroom tiles in colours like mint, black or primrose. If they’re intact, you might keep a feature wall or replicate the style in new tiles. If they’re cracked or the waterproofing has failed underneath, a full rebuild is usually the better choice.
Heritage
Windows in Heritage Precincts
Parts of Essendon are covered by Heritage Overlays, such as the Edward Street and Richardson Street precinct and the Hoddle Street precinct. Inside work generally doesn’t need a planning permit, but changing or adding a window that is visible from the street may. We check the controls with the City of Moonee Valley before the design is final.
Design
Period Style Without Period Problems
Many Essendon owners want a bathroom that suits a Victorian or Edwardian house, with subway tiles, encaustic-look floor tiles and traditional tapware. Modern waterproofing, an exhaust fan and good lighting sit behind that look. The result feels right for the house but works like a new bathroom.
Apartments
Apartments Along Mount Alexander Road
Essendon’s apartments, many near Mount Alexander Road and the station, have bathrooms above other homes. Work needs owners corporation approval, lift bookings and careful waterproofing, because a leak can damage the unit below. We coordinate with the owners corporation on access, noise and timing, and plan deliveries around tram and traffic on the main road.
Get a Free Bathroom Estimate in Essendon
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Essendon 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 Essendon
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 Essendon 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 Essendon
Essendon (3040) is about 8 km north-west of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate bathrooms in Essendon and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Bathroom Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
Can I put a freestanding bath in my Essendon home?
Usually, yes. On a timber floor we check the joists and bearers and add support if needed, since a full bath is very heavy. Freestanding baths need floor space around them, so they suit the larger bathrooms in Essendon’s period homes. Floor-mounted tapware also needs planning before the floor is laid.
Will the City of Moonee Valley need to approve my bathroom renovation?
Usually not for internal work. If your home is in a Heritage Overlay and the renovation changes the outside, such as a new window facing the street, a planning permit may be needed. A building permit is generally only required for structural changes. We look up the planning controls for your address before any work begins.
Can I keep the original Art Deco tiles in my bathroom?
Sometimes. If the tiles are intact and the waterproofing beneath them hasn’t failed, a section can be kept as a feature. More often, the tiles have cracked or the walls behind them are damaged. In that case, we can suggest new tiles in a similar colour and style that suit your home’s era.
How long does a bathroom renovation take in an Essendon period home?
A typical bathroom renovation takes 2 to 4 weeks. Period homes can take a little longer if we find damaged floor framing, old galvanised pipes, or walls that need replastering. We let you know as soon as we find anything, along with the cost to fix it.
Is renovating the bathroom a smart move before selling or leasing in Essendon?
Buyers in Essendon’s Edwardian and interwar homes often like period character in the main rooms but expect a modern, practical bathroom. A dated bathroom here may be a 1970s or 1980s update with coloured tiles and a cramped shower. Focus on a sound, waterproofed room with good ventilation and simple finishes that suit the age of the house. For rentals, 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.