Bathroom Renovations Thornbury
Thornbury Bathrooms,
Done Beautifully
Delivering exceptional bathroom renovations in Thornbury and across Melbourne for over 20 years. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Thornbury Bathroom, Done Properly
At Smarter Home Renovations, we have been delivering exceptional bathroom renovations in Thornbury 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 Thornbury Homes
Bathrooms in Thornbury’s bungalows and weatherboards are often at the back of the house, sometimes in a converted sleepout or verandah, with timber floors, old tiles and a bath under the shower. Most period homes have a single bathroom, while newer townhouses have a main bathroom and ensuite that are often small and dark.
Common Thornbury bathroom work includes replacing rotted subfloors and waterproofing properly, adding an ensuite or second bathroom during a rear renovation, fitting walk-in showers and freestanding baths, and keeping period details where they suit the house. Older bungalows often have galvanised or copper pipes under the floor, which are worth replacing while the room is open. Darebin City Council rarely needs to approve an internal bathroom renovation, so the focus is on licensed plumbers and electricians, waterproofing to the Australian Standard and, in apartments, your owners corporation.
Thornbury at a Glance
- Postcode
- Thornbury VIC 3071
- Council
- Darebin City Council
- From the CBD
- About 7 km north-east
- Typical Homes
- Edwardian and Californian bungalows
- Victorian and Edwardian weatherboards
- Interwar brick homes
- Townhouses and apartments
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,477,500
- Median unit price$722,500
- House rent$815 a week
- Unit rent$550 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
Before You Renovate a Bathroom in Thornbury
Floors
Converted Sleepouts and Verandahs
Where a Thornbury bathroom was built into an old sleepout or back verandah, the floor is often lower than the rest of the house, framed in light timber and poorly ventilated underneath. Before tiling, we check the joists and stumps, and often rebuild the floor so it is level, stiff enough for tiles and able to take a proper fall to the floor waste.
Layout
Ensuites in Bungalow Extensions
Californian bungalows, the most common interwar style in Thornbury, were built with one bathroom. When a rear extension is planned, an ensuite works best near the existing plumbing run and sewer connection, which keeps drainage simple. We find where the house drain leaves the property before fixing the layout of a new main bedroom and ensuite.
Heritage
Bathrooms in the Thornbury Park Estate
Darebin’s Thornbury Park Estate Heritage Overlay took effect in April 2026 and covers many late Federation and interwar houses. Internal bathroom work is usually unaffected, but a new window, a skylight seen from the street or a changed external wall may need a planning permit from Darebin City Council. We check your address against the overlay before design.
Design
Keeping Period Character
In an Edwardian weatherboard or 1920s bungalow, a bathroom can feel new and still suit the house. Tall skirtings, a timber double-hung window, a hexagonal or encaustic-look floor tile and a timber-framed vanity are typical choices. Where the original window frame is sound, we repair it and fit privacy glass rather than replacing it with aluminium.
Plumbing
Old Pipes Under the Floor
Many older Thornbury homes still have galvanised steel or early copper water pipes running under suspended timber floors, and older clay sewer pipes outside. Once the bathroom floor is open, it is the right time to replace them. Our licensed plumbers issue a plumbing compliance certificate for the new work, and we tell you about anything outside the room worth checking.
Ventilation
Steam in Windowless Rooms
Thornbury bathrooms tucked between bedrooms or squeezed into a lean-to often have no window that opens, so steam settles on the ceiling and mould follows each winter. A ducted exhaust fan vented to the outside, not just into the roof space, and a ceiling paint made for wet areas make a real difference. We size the fan to suit the room.
Get a Free Bathroom Estimate in Thornbury
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Thornbury 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 Thornbury
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 Thornbury 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 Thornbury
Thornbury (3071) is about 7 km north-east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate bathrooms in Thornbury and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Bathroom Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
Is my Thornbury home in the new Thornbury Park Estate heritage area?
The Thornbury Park Estate precinct, which includes streets such as Comas Grove, came into force in April 2026, and the final area was smaller than first proposed, leaving out properties east of Bracken Avenue. A planning property report or VicPlan will show whether your house has a Heritage Overlay. Internal bathroom work is usually not affected either way.
Can you fix a bathroom floor that has gone soft in my weatherboard?
Yes. A soft or bouncy floor usually means water has leaked past old tiles or a failed shower base and rotted the boards or joists. In Thornbury weatherboards we remove the damaged section, replace framing and stumps where needed, then install new waterproofing to the Australian Standard before any tiling starts.
Our Thornbury bungalow has one bathroom. How long will we be without it?
Most bathrooms take 2 to 4 weeks, and the shower and toilet are out of use for much of that time. Owners of single-bathroom bungalows often arrange to stay with family, use a nearby gym or hire a portable bathroom. We give you a written schedule so you know the dates well in advance.
Is it worth updating the bathroom before selling my Thornbury bungalow?
Buyers looking at Thornbury bungalows often expect to renovate the kitchen or extend later, but a leaking shower, cracked tiles or a soft floor can worry them and will show up in a building inspection. Fixing the waterproofing, replacing a tired vanity and tapware and regrouting may be enough. If the bathroom sits in an old sleepout, check the floor framing before spending on cosmetic work.
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.