What to Expect During a Bathroom Renovation: Day-By-Day Breakdown (Sydney Guide)

Renovating a bathroom is exciting but most Sydney homeowners aren’t sure what actually happens each day once the project begins. A clear timeline helps reduce stress, sets expectations, and ensures the renovation runs smoothly.

At Mr Bathrooms Sydney, our renovation process is structured, transparent, and designed to minimise disruption while delivering high-quality finishes. Below is a realistic day-by-day breakdown of a standard bathroom renovation in Sydney.

Bathroom renovation day-by-day Sydney

Day 1–3: Demolition & Strip-Out

This is the loudest and messiest stage.Our team will:

• Remove all old tiles, fixtures, vanity, shower screens, and fittings

• Strip out walls and floor.

• Disconnect plumbing safely

• Protect surrounding areas of your home

• Dispose of all waste and rubble responsibly

What you should expect: Noise, dust, and a lot of visible progress. Your bathroom will be fully gutted by Day 2-3.

Day 4–5: Plumbing Rough-In

With the room stripped we remove all old pipes in the wall and replace with brand new pipes so you are problem free in the future:

• Water lines

• Drainage points

• Shower mixer and bath plumbing

• Toilet plumbing

• Any new fixtures you’ve chosen

Note: All water pipes in walls and drainage pipes under floor should always be replaced with new pipes to ensure a stress free bathroom for years to come

Day 6–8: Electrical Rough-In

Once plumbing is complete, the electricians come in.They’ll install wiring for:

• LED lighting

• Mirror lighting

• Heated towel rails

• Exhaust fan or ventilation systems

• Power points and switches

This is when you confirm final light placement before walls are sealed.

Day 9-11: Sheeting & Wall Preparation

The walls and ceiling are re-sheeted or rendered and prepped so the bathroom can be waterproofed.We use high-moisture-resistant materials suitable for Sydney’s humidity.

Day 12-13: Waterproofing

A licensed waterproofing technician applies:

• Two coats of waterproof membrane

• Silicone sealing in corners

• Full shower area coverage up to Australian Standards AS3740

Important:The membrane must dry and cure — no one steps inside the room for 24 hours.

Day 12–15 Tiling (Floors & Walls)

This is where the bathroom starts to take shape.

The tiler will:

• Mark out tile layout

• Lay floor tiles first

• Install wall tiles

• Cut tiles around fixtures

• Install feature walls if selected

Expect:

• Cutting noise

• Tile glue setting time

• Precision work (good tiling takes time)

  
  

Day 15–16: Grouting & Silicone

Once tiles are fully set:

• Grout is applied (colour of your choice)

• Corners and edges are sealed with silicone

• Tiles are cleaned and inspected

This stage finalises the aesthetic.

Day 17–18: Fit-Off (Plumbing & Electrical)

Now the bathroom gets all its new features installed:

• Toilet

• Vanity

• Tap-ware

• Shower mixer & shower head

• Bath (if applicable)

• Mirrors

• Bathroom accessories

• Lights, switches, exhaust fan

• Heated towel rail

Your bathroom finally looks complete.

Day 19–20: Shower Screen Installation

Most Sydney shower screen installers require measurements after tiling, so the glass is custom-made.

Once ready:

• Install frameless or semi-frameless glass

• Seal edges

• Allow silicone to cure

  
  

Day 21: Final Detailing, Cleanup & Handover

We finish with:

• Quality inspection

• Testing all plumbing

• Checking fall levels

• Ensuring ventilation works

• Removing all debris

You receive your bathroom ready for use.

Bathroom renovation day-by-day Sydney

Total Duration: 3–5 Weeks

A bathroom renovation involves multiple licensed trades, inspections, and sequential steps. While we follow a structured timeline, certain stages such as waterproofing cure times, custom glass lead times, or unforeseen site conditions may extend the schedule slightly. We always communicate updates promptly to ensure you know exactly what to expect.

How Mr Bathrooms Sydney Keeps Renovations Smooth

Choosing the right renovator prevents delays, miscommunication, and messy outcomes.

At Mr Bathrooms Sydney, we deliver:

• Fast communication

• Licensed and insured trades

• Transparent timelines

• Minimal disruption to your home

• Quality workmanship with reduced call-backs

• Strata-friendly service

• Clean, respectful tradespeople

  
  

FAQ

How long does a small bathroom renovation take?

Around 3 – 4 weeks, as fewer tiles and fixtures mean faster progress.

Do I need to move plumbing?

We always recommend replacing all plumbing pipes in walls and under floors to ensure that your bathroom renovation will last a long time.

Can I live at home during the renovation?

Yes - our team keeps disruptions minimal and cleans daily.