Frequently asked questions

A full bathroom renovation in Newcastle typically ranges from $25,000 to $50,000, with smaller refreshes starting from around $25,000 and premium or large-scale renovations running $50,000+.

Final cost depends on:

• The size of your existing bathroom
• Whether structural changes are involved (knocking down walls, expanding the room, moving plumbing)
• Existing damage that needs repair (leaking showers, water damage, faulty waterproofing)
• Electrical and plumbing alterations
• Product and finish selections — tiles, tapware, vanities, shower screens, baths

Every project is quoted individually. We provide a detailed quote before work starts, so you know exactly what you’re investing.

See our full bathroom renovation page →

Laundry renovations typically range from $15,000 for a compact refresh to $35,000+ for a premium, mudroom-style build with custom cabinetry, drying zones and integrated storage.

Many clients save by combining a laundry renovation with a bathroom or ensuite project — shared trades, shared deliveries, and one disruption window rather than two.

Our quotes are fixed-price and include:

• Demolition and removal of existing bathroom or laundry
• All structural, plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, tiling, carpentry and finishing trades
• All products specified during your showroom selections — tiles, tapware, vanities, fixtures, etc.
• Project management from start to handover
• Site protection during the build
• Final clean

Variations during the build (changes you request after contract signing) are quoted separately and approved by you in writing before they’re carried out.

Most bathroom and ensuite renovations are completed on site in 3 to 4 weeks. Larger jobs, structural changes, or combined bathroom-and-laundry projects may run 4 to 6 weeks.

The total project timeline — from first consultation to handover — is usually 6 to 14 weeks, including design, selections, plans, contract sign-off, ordering and the build itself.

See our full bathroom renovation page →

Build start typically sits 2 to 8 weeks after contract signing, depending on our current schedule and product lead times. Custom items (vanities, specialist tiles) can extend this.

We’ll give you a realistic start window at your initial consultation so you can plan around it.

We respond to every enquiry within 24 business hours and book your initial on-site consultation within 1 to 2 weeks. Your full proposal — including construction, product and tile quotes is delivered within 48 business hours of your showroom appointment.

Yes. Novocastrian Bathroom Solutions is owned and operated by Shane Grant, a fully licensed builder under NSW Contractor Licence No. 267690C and a member of the Housing Industry Association (HIA) Australia.

This is important. Many bathroom renovation companies in NSW operate under a Kitchen, Bathroom and Laundry Renovator licence — which legally restricts what they can do. A full builder’s licence means we can take on structural changes, integrate bathroom work with the rest of your home, and sign off on the entire project.

Read more about why a licensed builder matters for bathroom renovations →

A fully licensed builder holds an unrestricted Builder’s Licence issued by NSW Fair Trading. To qualify, the individual must complete:

• At least 2 years’ full-time, paid building industry experience
• A Certificate IV in Building and Construction
• Plus one of: Diploma of Building and Construction, a relevant Bachelor’s degree, or a current carpentry or bricklaying contractor licence

A licensed builder can undertake any residential building work, including structural changes, additions, and modifications to load-bearing parts of the home.

A Kitchen, Bathroom and Laundry Renovator licence is conditional. It’s issued to tradespeople with a Certificate III in carpentry, joinery, plumbing, or wall and floor tiling. They are legally restricted to surface-level renovation work and cannot undertake any work involving structural or load-bearing parts of your home.

If your renovation involves moving walls, creating new doorways, repairing structural damage, or extending the room, you legally need a licensed builder.

Every NBS renovation is backed by:

• 6-year structural warranty under the NSW Home Building Act 1989
• 2-year defects warranty on all workmanship
• 6-year warranty on our waterproofing system
• HBCF insurance on all projects over $20,000

All work is completed by qualified, fully licensed tradespeople under the supervision of your NBS
project manager.

You can check any builder or trade licence — including current status, restrictions and compliance history — on the NSW Fair Trading public register.

Beyond licensing, look for:

• Word-of-mouth recommendations from people who’ve used them
• Genuine online reviews (Google, Facebook)
• A real project gallery showing completed work
• A physical premises and showroom you can visit
• Membership of industry bodies (HIA, Master Builders Association)
• A clear, written contract with fixed pricing

Yes. Every NBS renovation includes 3D renders of your bathroom, ensuite or laundry — so you can see exactly how the space will look before any work begins. For most clients, the 3D render is a highlight of the project.

We strongly recommend selecting from our curated showroom range. Products supplied by clients sit outside our warranty and quality control, and inferior products often cause issues during installation or shorten the life of the renovation.

In limited cases, such as a specific heritage piece or family heirloom you want incorporated, we’ll discuss options at your consultation.

Common signs include:

• Missing grout between wall or floor tiles
• Visible gaps in joints between the floor and walls
• Cracks or discolouration in tiles
• Deterioration of silicone sealant around the shower screen or tiles
• Bubbling or peeling paintwork
• Dampness, water marks or mould on bathroom walls or ceilings (or rooms below an upstairs bathroom)
• Swollen plasterboard, architraves, skirting boards or door frames
• A bathroom door that sticks or rubs

Unchecked leaks can cause significant damage and expensive repair bills. We recommend acting early.

Read our full guide on leaking shower signs and repairs →

Yes. Our team is fully licensed and accredited for asbestos removal, and we manage asbestos-containing materials in bathrooms and laundries on a weekly basis.

Asbestos was widely used in Australian homes built before 1990, particularly behind wall tiles and in cement sheeting in wet areas. While asbestos in good condition is relatively safe if undisturbed, removal is required for almost any bathroom renovation. Our processes are designed to protect you and your family throughout the removal and renovation.

For most internal bathroom renovations within the existing footprint, council approval is not required. Approval may be needed for:

• Extensions or additions that change the building’s footprint
• Some structural changes
• Heritage-listed properties
• Properties with existing council restrictions

We’ll flag any approval requirements at your initial consultation and can manage the process for you where required.

We deliver bathroom, ensuite and laundry renovations across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley.

See our full service area →

Yes, though apartment and strata renovations come with additional considerations (strata approval, building access, noise restrictions, working hours).

We’ll walk you through the requirements at your initial consultation.

We focus on full bathroom, ensuite and laundry renovations rather than standalone repair work. If you have a leaking shower, faulty waterproofing or damaged tiles, we’ll assess the situation honestly — sometimes a repair is the right call, sometimes a renovation is the better long-term solution.

Read more about shower repairs →