Bathroom Renovations Northcote
Northcote Bathrooms,
Done Beautifully
Delivering exceptional bathroom renovations in Northcote and across Melbourne for over 20 years. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Northcote Bathroom, Done Properly
At Smarter Home Renovations, we have been delivering exceptional bathroom renovations in Northcote 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 Northcote Homes
Bathrooms in Northcote’s period homes are often a mid-century update or an addition at the back of the house, with one bathroom serving the whole family. Bungalows usually have a central bathroom off the hallway with original or 1970s tiling, and post-war brick homes tend to have a separate toilet and a small bathroom with a shower over the bath.
That shapes most of our Northcote bathroom renovations: rebuilding the main bathroom with proper waterproofing and new plumbing, adding an ensuite to the main bedroom during a renovation or extension, combining the separate toilet into a larger bathroom, and replacing old tiles with something easier to clean. Most bathroom work happens inside the house and doesn’t need a planning permit from Darebin City Council, though heritage areas affect any external change.
Northcote at a Glance
- Postcode
- Northcote VIC 3070
- Council
- Darebin City Council
- From the CBD
- About 6 km north-east
- Typical Homes
- Victorian and Edwardian homes
- Californian bungalows
- Post-war brick homes
- Townhouses and apartments
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,675,000
- Median unit price$680,000
- House rent$880 a week
- Unit rent$590 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 Northcote Bathroom
Structure
Weatherboard Villas on Stumps
Many of Northcote’s Edwardian villas, built in the years after 1900, are weatherboard homes on timber stumps. Bathroom floors in these houses are often the part that has dropped or softened most. Once the old floor is up we check the stumps, bearers and joists under the room, and level the floor before the new waterproofing and tiles go down.
Timing
Living With One Bathroom
A lot of Northcote cottages and bungalows still have a single bathroom for the whole household, so the main question is often how you will manage while it is out of action. Most bathrooms take 2 to 4 weeks. We set out the order of works in your written quote so you can plan around the days without a shower or toilet.
Layout
Separate Toilets in Post-war Homes
Post-war brick homes in Northcote commonly have a narrow separate toilet beside a small bathroom. Taking out the wall between them can make room for a walk-in shower and a proper vanity. We check whether the wall carries any load and where the existing drains run before suggesting a layout, because both affect what is practical.
Heritage
Heritage Areas such as Ruckers Hill
Parts of Northcote are in a Heritage Overlay under the Darebin Planning Scheme, including the Ruckers Hill area. Work inside a bathroom usually needs no planning permit, but a new or enlarged window, a roof vent or a skylight visible from the street may. We look up the overlay schedule for your street before the layout is locked in.
Asbestos
Fibro Behind the Tiles
Bathrooms that were updated in the 1950s to 1980s, or added in a rear lean-to, can have asbestos cement sheeting behind the tiles or in the ceiling. Suspect sheeting is checked before demolition starts, and larger amounts must be removed by a licensed asbestos removalist, so we include this in your quote rather than finding out halfway through.
Apartments
Apartments Along High Street
Newer apartments have been built along High Street within the Northcote activity centre, and more are planned. Apartment bathroom work needs owners corporation approval, booked lift and loading times and careful waterproofing, because a leak affects the home below. We coordinate these arrangements with your owners corporation before work starts.
Get a Free Bathroom Estimate in Northcote
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Northcote 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 Northcote
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 Northcote 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 Northcote
Northcote (3070) is about 6 km north-east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate bathrooms in Northcote and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Bathroom Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
Does a heritage overlay affect my Northcote bathroom renovation?
Usually not for work inside the bathroom. Heritage Overlays in Darebin mainly control changes to the outside of a building, so a new window, a larger opening or a skylight seen from the street may need a planning permit. You can check your address on VicPlan, and we confirm the requirements with Darebin City Council before work starts.
Can you add an ensuite to a Northcote bungalow?
Often, yes. In Californian bungalows the usual options are taking space from a large front bedroom, using part of an enclosed side verandah or sleep-out, or building the ensuite into a rear extension. The main things we look at during the first visit are where the sewer runs and whether the floor height allows the drainage fall a shower needs.
We only have one bathroom. How long will we be without it?
Most bathroom renovations take 2 to 4 weeks, and the toilet is usually out for part of that time rather than all of it. In older Northcote homes we sometimes find soft joists or old galvanised pipes once the room is opened up, and we tell you straight away if that changes the timing.
Do I need owners corporation approval for an apartment bathroom in Northcote?
Generally yes. Owners corporation rules usually cover waterproofing, noise, working hours and use of lifts and loading areas, and some buildings need sign-off before work begins. We prepare the information your owners corporation asks for and work within the building’s rules.
Will renovating the bathroom help when selling or leasing my Northcote house?
Northcote’s Victorian and Edwardian weatherboard cottages often have a bathroom in a rear lean-to, sometimes with a toilet outside or off the laundry. Buyers here tend to appreciate period character but expect a modern, dry bathroom. Focus on waterproofing, ventilation and fixing uneven floors, and choose simple fittings that suit the age of the house. 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.