Sydney's Trusted Laundry Renovation Specialists
A laundry renovation in Sydney typically costs between $3,500 for a cosmetic refresh and $25,000 or more for a full rebuild with premium finishes, and the laundry is subject to the same AS 3740 waterproofing requirements as a bathroom, since it's classified as a wet area under the National Construction Code. NSW Builder Licence No. 387501C backs every project, and Ali's 15+ years across Sydney covers everything from a simple cabinet and benchtop update through to a full laundry-bathroom combo build.
Despite being one of the hardest-working rooms in the house, the laundry is often the last space homeowners think to renovate, and it's frequently treated as an afterthought when quoting a broader bathroom job. We treat it as its own scope, with the same compliance standards and attention to detail as any wet area renovation.
What Types of Laundry Renovations Are Available?
Laundry renovations generally fall into three tiers: a cosmetic refresh, a standard mid-range renovation, and a full structural rebuild, with a combined laundry-bathroom conversion as a fourth option for space-constrained homes and apartments. Every renovation involving new waterproofing or plumbing includes compliance certification at handover, regardless of scope.
| Renovation Type | Typical Scope | Best Suited To |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic Refresh | Fresh paint, new cabinet hardware, a new mixer tap, floating shelves | Homes needing a quick, budget-friendly update without structural change |
| Standard Renovation | Flat-pack or semi-custom cabinetry, new benchtop, splashback tiling, minor plumbing adjustments | Most Sydney homeowners renovating on a mid-range budget |
| Full Structural Rebuild | Complete strip-out, plumbing relocation, new waterproofing, tiling, custom cabinetry | Older laundries needing genuine structural attention, not just a cosmetic update |
| Laundry-Bathroom Combo | Integrated wet area combining laundry and bathroom functions in one space | Apartments and homes where floor space is limited |
How Much Does a Laundry Renovation Cost in Sydney?
A cosmetic laundry refresh in Sydney typically costs $3,500 to $7,000, a standard mid-range renovation sits between $8,000 and $15,000, and a full structural rebuild with premium finishes can reach $25,000 or more.
| Renovation Tier | Typical Cost Range (AUD) | What's Usually Included |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic Refresh | $3,500 – $7,000 | Paint, new hardware, a new tap, floating shelves, no structural change |
| Standard | $8,000 – $15,000 | Flat-pack or semi-custom cabinetry, new benchtop, splashback tiling, minor plumbing adjustments |
| Full Rebuild | $16,000 – $25,000+ | Complete strip-out, plumbing relocation, new waterproofing, custom cabinetry, premium finishes |
Waterproofing a standard laundry typically costs $400 to $900 on its own, since it's a required, non-negotiable part of any renovation involving new tiling or plumbing work, not an optional upgrade. Older Sydney homes, particularly Eastern Suburbs and Inner West terraces, sometimes need plumbing relocated or ventilation upgraded, which adds cost beyond a straightforward cosmetic refresh.
Choosing the Right Laundry Renovation Approach
The right approach depends heavily on the property type and how much of the existing layout can stay in place. Here's how three common scenarios compare.
| Factor | Scenario A: Investment Property Refresh | Scenario B: Family Home Full Rebuild | Scenario C: Apartment Laundry-Bathroom Combo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Budget | $3,500 – $7,000 | $16,000 – $25,000+ | $8,000 – $18,000 |
| Timeline | 1 – 2 weeks | 3 – 5 weeks | 2 – 4 weeks |
| Common Considerations | Plumbing stays in place, cosmetic focus only | Plumbing relocation, waterproofing and full compliance | Combined wet area, shared waterproofing and ventilation |
| Waterproofing Required | Only if tiling is disturbed | Yes, full new membrane | Yes, extended to cover the combined space |
| Ideal For | Landlords wanting a clean, functional update on a tight budget | Homeowners with an ageing laundry needing genuine structural work | Owners maximising limited floor space |
What's the Process for a Sydney Laundry Renovation?
- Consultation and quote – a free in-home consultation, followed by a precise, itemised quote
- Design and selections – cabinetry, benchtop, tiling and fittings finalised
- Planning and approvals – any strata or council approvals managed, trades booked
- Demolition and preparation – strip-out, with plumbing and electrical rough-in scheduled first
- Plumbing and electrical – licensed trades complete rough-ins before waterproofing begins
- Waterproofing and tiling – certified waterproofing to AS 3740, followed by tiling
- Cabinetry and fit-off – benchtop, cabinetry, sink, tapware and appliances installed
- Handover – compliance certificates provided, space cleaned, final walkthrough completed
Trade sequencing matters more than most homeowners expect, skipping or overlapping these stages is one of the most common causes of delays and rework on a laundry renovation.
What Design Features Actually Make a Sydney Laundry Work Well?
A genuinely functional laundry needs more than just a washer, dryer and sink, sorting and folding space, dedicated storage for cleaning tools, and the right tub size for how the household actually uses it all matter more than most homeowners plan for upfront.
| Design Feature | Why It Matters | Recommended Spec |
|---|---|---|
| Sorting and folding bench | Prevents sorting migrating to the dining table or bedroom floor | At least 650–700mm deep, enough that the washer and dryer don't protrude past the front edge |
| Broom cupboard | Keeps mops, brooms, vacuum and ironing board out of sight and off the floor | A tall cupboard around 450–600mm wide, often with hooks or pull-out racks |
| Laundry tub or trough size | Determines whether the tub can handle real soaking and stain treatment, not just rinsing | 45L tubs suit light use, 70L tubs with a 280–330mm deep bowl suit families needing to soak sports kit, cloth nappies or stained work clothes |
| Ventilation | Reduces mould risk, particularly important for heat pump dryers and compact layouts | A window or mechanical exhaust fan, sized to the room and dryer type |
| Overhead and pull-out storage | Keeps detergent, stain treatments and linen accessible but out of reach of children | Wall cabinets at eye to shoulder height, soft-close drawers for smaller items |
Can a Laundry Chute Work Between an Upstairs Bathroom and Downstairs Laundry?
Yes, where a two-storey home has the upstairs bathroom sitting directly above or near the downstairs laundry, a laundry chute is a genuinely practical addition, and it's a far easier retrofit when the two rooms already share a similar footprint rather than being on opposite sides of the house. Chutes are typically built into the laundry's own cabinetry, dropping washing straight into a concealed basket or bag rather than leaving it in the open.
This is worth raising during the design stage of a renovation that touches both floors, since it's a much smaller job to plan for while walls are already open than to retrofit afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if the existing plumbing stays in place and the scope sticks to flat-pack or semi-custom cabinetry with basic tiling. The moment plumbing needs to move, costs rise substantially beyond this range.
A standalone laundry renovation that doesn't change the plumbing layout or footprint typically doesn't require council approval. Apartment renovations affecting waterproofing or plumbing generally need strata approval, the same as a bathroom renovation would.
A cosmetic refresh typically takes one to two weeks, while a full structural rebuild involving plumbing relocation, waterproofing and cabinetry installation takes three to five weeks.
Often yes, since both are wet areas requiring the same waterproofing and licensed trades, combining them into one project can reduce duplicated costs and disruption compared to renovating each separately. Our guide to combining a laundry into your bathroom covers this in more detail, and if you're deciding where the laundry should actually go, our comparison of laundry placement in the bathroom versus the kitchen is worth reading too.
This depends on how the household uses it rather than the size of the room. A compact 45L tub suits light, occasional use, while a larger 70L tub with a deeper bowl genuinely earns its keep in a family regularly soaking sports uniforms, stained school clothes or cloth nappies.
Yes, this works well where the two rooms share a similar footprint between floors, and it's a much simpler addition to plan during a renovation that already has walls open on both levels than to retrofit later.
Most homeowners find it becomes one of the most-used parts of the room once it's there, a dedicated tall cupboard for mops, brooms, the vacuum and an ironing board keeps bulky cleaning items out of the main walkway and off the floor.
Why Renovate Your Laundry With Aussie Bathroom Renovations?
- 15+ years of experience renovating wet areas across Sydney
- NSW Builder Licence No. 387501C, fully licensed and insured
- Genuine attention to correct trade sequencing, avoiding the rework that causes most delays
- Design input that goes beyond the basics, sorting bench depth, tub sizing, broom cupboard storage and ventilation are all part of the conversation
- Experience with both standalone laundry renovations and combined laundry-bathroom builds
- Fixed, itemised quotes, no surprises once work has started
- Compliance certificates provided for all waterproofing, plumbing and electrical work
