Bathroom Renovations Kensington
Kensington Bathrooms,
Done Beautifully
Delivering exceptional bathroom renovations in Kensington and across Melbourne for over 20 years. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Kensington Bathroom, Done Properly
At Smarter Home Renovations, we have been delivering exceptional bathroom renovations in Kensington 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 Kensington Homes
In Kensington’s workers’ cottages and terraces, many built between the 1880s and the First World War, the bathroom was usually added at the back long after the house was finished, often in a lean-to with a timber floor, little insulation and poor ventilation. Kensington Banks townhouses from the 1990s generally have their bathrooms upstairs, and apartments have compact bathrooms with fixed layouts.
Common bathroom projects here are rebuilding lean-to bathrooms with new framing, waterproofing and insulation, fitting a full bathroom into a tight footprint, adding a skylight where there is no window, and updating townhouse bathrooms and ensuites. A bathroom renovation in Kensington seldom needs a planning permit from the City of Melbourne; what matters is licensed plumbing, waterproofing to the Australian Standard and the certificates to prove it, which we handle.
Kensington at a Glance
- Postcode
- Kensington VIC 3031
- Council
- City of Melbourne
- From the CBD
- About 4 km north-west
- Typical Homes
- Victorian and Edwardian workers’ cottages
- Brick and timber terraces
- Kensington Banks townhouses from the 1990s
- Apartments
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,094,000
- Median unit price$505,000
- House rent$750 a week
- Unit rent$615 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 Kensington Bathroom
Waterproofing
Upstairs Bathrooms in Kensington Banks
Bathrooms on the upper floor of a Kensington Banks townhouse sit over living rooms or a garage, so a failed shower membrane shows up as stained ceilings below. When we renovate, the old membrane comes out completely, and new waterproofing to the Australian Standard goes over the floor and up the walls before any tiling starts.
Insulation
Cold Lean-to Bathrooms
The lean-to bathrooms on Kensington cottages often have thin weatherboard or sheet walls and an uninsulated skillion roof, so they are icy in winter. Rebuilding the walls lets us add insulation and a breathable wall wrap, and a heated towel rail or ceiling heater helps on cold mornings. We also check the roof sheeting and flashings above.
Light
Skylights in Windowless Rooms
Where a Kensington bathroom has been tucked between the kitchen and a bedroom with no outside wall, a skylight or roof window is often the only way to get daylight. It needs a flashed opening in the roof and a light shaft through the ceiling. In a heritage area, a skylight on the rear roof plane is usually far less visible from the street.
Plumbing
Drainage Under Old Floors
Kensington cottages often have old earthenware sewer pipes running under the lean-to towards the rear or a lane, and these crack and attract tree roots. Moving a toilet or shower is the time to camera-inspect the drains and replace sections if needed. Our licensed plumbers carry out the work and issue a plumbing compliance certificate when it is done.
Layout
Fitting a Bath, Shower and Toilet
Many Kensington cottage bathrooms are tiny, and the toilet may still be in a separate room outside the back door. Combining the two, using a wall-hung toilet and vanity, and choosing a sliding door or a single frameless screen can fit a complete bathroom into the space. We draw the options to scale so you can see the clearances first.
Get a Free Bathroom Estimate in Kensington
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Kensington 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 Kensington
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 Kensington 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 Kensington
Kensington (3031) is about 4 km north-west of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate bathrooms in Kensington and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Bathroom Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
Will a heritage overlay affect my Kensington bathroom renovation?
Many Kensington cottages are in heritage overlays managed by the City of Melbourne, but these controls are aimed mainly at external changes. A new bathroom inside the house usually needs no planning permit. A new window, skylight or vent visible from the street may need one, so we check the overlay and grading for your address first.
How long will a Kensington Banks townhouse bathroom take?
Most bathrooms take 2 to 4 weeks. In a Kensington Banks townhouse, the upstairs bathroom can often be renovated while you use the ensuite or a downstairs powder room, which makes the time easier to manage. We give you a written schedule, protect the stairs and floors, and let you know before the water is turned off.
Can I add an ensuite to my Kensington terrace?
Often, if there is space beside or behind the main bedroom. In a single-fronted Kensington terrace the main bedroom is usually at the front, so an ensuite may need a new drain run under the floor to the back of the house. We check the drainage path and the floor structure before confirming it is practical.
What bathroom work makes sense before selling or renting out a Kensington home?
Buyers and tenants usually notice condition first. In an older Kensington cottage, fixing leaks, replacing cracked tiles or a worn vanity, regrouting and fitting a quiet exhaust fan may be enough. In a Kensington Banks townhouse, new tapware, lighting and a fresh shower screen can update a 1990s bathroom. A complete rebuild is better timed for when you plan to live there yourself.
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.