If your shower is letting your whole bathroom down, you’ve got two main options: regrout it, or renovate it.
The price difference is significant. A professional shower regrout runs from around $1,400.
A quality bathroom renovation, completed by licensed trades typically starts at $25,000.
So which makes sense for your bathroom? It depends on what’s actually wrong with the shower, how long you plan to stay in the home, and how much you want to spend right now.
Quick Comparison
| Option | Typical Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower regrouting | From $1,400 (typically $1,800–$2,800) | 1 day | Tired-looking grout, minor leaks, decent existing tiles |
| Regrout + screen + tapware | From $3,500 (typically $4,000–$6,000) | 2–3 days | Outdated shower zone, want a major facelift without full renovation |
| Full bathroom renovation | From $25,000 (typically $25,000–$35,000) | 2–6 weeks | Damaged or dated tiles, layout changes needed, long-term home |
Shower Regrouting in Detail
Regrouting fixes most of what makes a shower look tired:
- Grout that’s gone black, cracked, or come out completely
- Mould building up in corners and silicone joints
- Minor water leaks where the grout has failed
- Surface staining that scrubbing won’t fix
In 2026, professional shower regrouting in Sydney typically costs $1,400 to $2,800. The exact price depends on:
- Shower size: a single shower recess vs. a walk-in
- Tile condition: if some tiles need replacing or rebedding, that adds to the job
- Grout type: we use epoxy-fortified grout that resists mould and stains far longer than standard cement grout. Worth the upgrade.
- Access: second-floor showers or tight builds can take longer
It’s a one-day job in most homes. We remove the old grout, treat any mould or moisture underneath, and install new grout that should last 8 to 15 years before it shows the same wear.
What about DIY? Materials cost under $250, but the job is harder than it looks. Removing old grout properly without damaging tiles is the part most people get wrong. If the regrout fails inside 12 months, you’re back to square one,— and any leak damage in the meantime could cost more than the professional job would have.
Full Bathroom Renovation in Detail
A quality bathroom renovation in Australia in 2026, completed by licensed tradespeople, with full rubbish removal, fixtures, labour, and all trades coordinated — typically costs $25,000 to $35,000. Smaller bathrooms (around 2×2m) can start from around $14,000, while larger ensuites can reach $50,000 or more depending on finishes.
You’ll see lower quotes out there. Unlicensed operators can undercut significantly, but that comes with real risk: no compliance certificates, no warranty protection, and no recourse if the waterproofing fails or the plumbing isn’t up to code.
The cost breakdown for a proper renovation roughly looks like this:
- Demolition and waterproofing: 15–20%
- Plumbing and electrical: 15–25%
- Tiles and tiling labour: 25–30%
- Fixtures (toilet, vanity, screen, tapware): 15–20%
- Project management and contingency: 10–15%
What pushes the price up:
- Frameless screens vs. framedenovation.
- Layout changes (moving the shower, toilet, or vanity)
- Asbestos removal in older homes
- Underfloor heating or premium finishes
- Custom joinery or stone benchtops
A renovation makes sense when the bathroom layout no longer works for you, the tiles are damaged or genuinely dated, the waterproofing has been compromised or you’re planning to stay in the home long-term and want to enjoy the upgrade.
The Middle Option: Regrout + New Screen + New Tapware
This is what an increasing number of our clients choose. You get most of the visual impact of a full renovation for a fraction of the cost.
- Shower regrouting: $1,600–$2,800
- New shower screen: $1,200–$2,400 (frameless costs more)
- New tapware including plumber: $650–$900
Total: typically $4,000 to $6,000.
We coordinate the glazier and the plumber so you don’t have to chase three trades to get one shower looking right. Most jobs are done across two or three days with minimal disruption.
For most bathrooms, this combination is the highest return per dollar spent.
When Regrouting Is the Right Call
- Your tiles are still in decent condition — not cracked, lifting, or hopelessly dated
- The bathroom layout works for your household
- You have a leak that hasn’t yet caused major damage
- You’re prepping the home to sell or lease — fresh grout makes a real difference in photos and at inspections
- You want five to ten more years out of the bathroom before committing to a full reno
When a Full Renovation Makes Sense
- You’re staying in the home long-term and want to enjoy the upgrade
- Tiles are cracking, lifting, or visibly dated (1990s-era is the usual culprit)
- You want layout changes — moving the shower, removing a bath, repositioning fixtures
- The waterproof membrane behind the tiles has failed and you’re seeing damage in adjoining rooms
For Landlords and Sellers
If you’re freshening up a rental between tenants or getting a property ready for sale, regrouting is usually the smartest spend.
A clean, fresh-looking shower:
- Photographs better for listings
- Removes the “tired bathroom” objection at inspections
- Costs a fraction of what a renovation does
- Completed in a day
For sellers specifically: a $2,500 regrout can lift the perceived value of the bathroom by far more than that. Most buyers won’t pay extra for a brand-new bathroom they didn’t choose — but they’ll mark a property down for a tired one.
Call us today for a consultation or visit our website to learn more about our services and how we can assist in making your bathroom renovation dreams come true. Your fresh looking shower awaits!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a regrout actually last?
Properly applied with quality grout, 8 to 15 years before it starts showing wear. Cheaper jobs with standard cement grout often fail inside 3 to 5 years.
Will regrouting fix a leaking shower?
If the leak is grout-based or silicone-based, yes. If the waterproof membrane behind the tiles has failed, regrouting alone won’t fix it — you may need a more substantial repair to the wet area.
Can I regrout over the existing grout?
No. The old grout needs to come out completely first. Layering new grout over old fails fast.
How long does a full bathroom renovation actually take?
Typically 3 to 6 weeks when done properly by licensed trades. Some operators quote 2 to 3 weeks, but that often means stages overlap or trades get rushed. Realistic planning: allow 4 to 5 weeks with the bathroom out of action.
Is it worth getting a quote for both options?
Yes. Many of our clients book us for regrouting after getting a renovation quote and realising the regrout solves the actual problem for 5 to 10% of the cost.
Do you handle the screen and tapware swap as well?
Yes — we work with a glazier and a local plumber, so you book us once and the whole shower facelift gets coordinated.
