Bathroom Renovations Ivanhoe
Ivanhoe Bathrooms,
Done Beautifully
Delivering exceptional bathroom renovations in Ivanhoe and across Melbourne for over 20 years. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Ivanhoe Bathroom, Done Properly
At Smarter Home Renovations, we have been delivering exceptional bathroom renovations in Ivanhoe 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 Ivanhoe Homes
Many Ivanhoe homes still have a single family bathroom from the Edwardian or interwar era, often refitted in the 1970s or 1980s with coloured tiles and a shower over the bath. Larger Queen Anne villas and bungalows often have the floor space for a second bathroom or ensuite, but the original plumbing runs under timber floors on stumps, which needs care when fixtures move.
Typical Ivanhoe bathroom projects include stripping back to the frame and waterproofing properly over timber subfloors, adding an ensuite off the main bedroom, converting a bath and shower combination into a walk-in shower, and fitting heated towel rails and better ventilation. Most internal bathroom work doesn’t need a planning permit from Banyule City Council, and all plumbing and electrical work is carried out by licensed trades with compliance certificates.
Ivanhoe at a Glance
- Postcode
- Ivanhoe VIC 3079
- Council
- Banyule City Council
- From the CBD
- About 9 km north-east
- Typical Homes
- Edwardian and Federation villas
- Californian bungalows
- Interwar brick and Spanish Mission homes
- Townhouses and apartments near Upper Heidelberg Road
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,884,500
- Median unit price$777,500
- House rent$798 a week
- Unit rent$625 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 Ivanhoe Bathroom
Floors
Tiling Over Timber Floors
Most Edwardian and interwar homes in Ivanhoe have timber floorboards on stumps, which flex more than a concrete slab. Before tiling, the floor is checked for rot and movement, joists are packed or replaced where needed, and a fibre cement or similar sheet goes down so the waterproofing and tiles are not cracked by a moving floor.
Layout
Adding an Ensuite to a Villa
Queen Anne villas around Marshall Street and Thoresby Grove were built with a single bathroom. An ensuite can often be carved from a large bedroom, a sleepout or part of a wide hallway. Waste pipes need enough fall under the floor to reach the existing drain, so we check the subfloor height and the drain route before drawing a layout.
Heritage
Heritage Precincts and the Street View
Parts of Ivanhoe are in Heritage Overlay precincts, including Marshall Street and the Sherwood Road and Thoresby Grove area, both with intact Edwardian Queen Anne houses. Inside work is generally not controlled, but a new window, roof vent or external flue visible from the street may need a planning permit from Banyule City Council. We check before design.
Asbestos
Asbestos in Later Refits
Bathrooms refitted between the 1960s and 1980s, a common update in Ivanhoe’s older homes, can contain asbestos cement sheeting behind tiles or in the ceiling over the shower. Suspect material is tested before demolition, and larger amounts must be removed by a licensed asbestos removalist. Allowing for this in the quote avoids surprises once the room is opened up.
Ventilation
Steam in High-Ceiling Rooms
Period bathrooms in Ivanhoe often have high ceilings, an old wall vent and a window that is the only way steam escapes. Condensation then sits on cold plaster walls and leads to mould. A ducted exhaust fan vented outside, not into the roof space, plus a heated towel rail, keeps the room dry in winter without changing the character of the house.
Get a Free Bathroom Estimate in Ivanhoe
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Ivanhoe 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 Ivanhoe
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 Ivanhoe 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 Ivanhoe
Ivanhoe (3079) is about 9 km north-east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate bathrooms in Ivanhoe 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 for a bathroom renovation in an Ivanhoe heritage precinct?
Usually not for the bathroom itself. Heritage Overlays in Ivanhoe mainly control changes that can be seen from the street, such as new windows, roof penetrations or alterations to the front of the house. Fully internal work generally doesn’t need a planning permit from Banyule City Council, but we confirm the controls for your address before work starts.
Can you keep a period look in my Ivanhoe bathroom?
Yes. Many Ivanhoe owners choose subway or hexagonal tiles, a pedestal or wall-hung basin, cross-handle tapware and a freestanding bath to suit an Edwardian or interwar house, while the shower, waterproofing and plumbing behind the walls are entirely new. We help you pick details that match the era of your home.
How long does a bathroom renovation take in an older Ivanhoe home?
Most bathrooms take 2 to 4 weeks. In Edwardian and interwar homes the timeline can stretch a little if the subfloor needs repairs, old galvanised pipes have to be replaced or asbestos needs licensed removal. We open up and check these early, so any change to the timeline is known in the first days.
Is it worth updating the bathroom before selling an Ivanhoe period home?
Buyers looking at Edwardian and interwar homes in Ivanhoe usually expect period character in the front rooms and a bathroom that works without problems. A dated 1970s refit with cracked tiles, a leaking shower or poor ventilation tends to stand out at inspections. Sometimes repairs, new tapware and regrouting are enough; in other cases a full renovation suits the house better. We can quote both so you can decide.
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.