The parts of a bathroom renovation that cost money to get wrong
Consent, waterproofing, who has to be licensed, what records to keep, and how long it all takes. Every figure and every rule is quoted from a source we read in full, with the date we read it.
Do you need a building consent for a bathroom renovation?
Most bathroom renovations that keep the same fixtures in the same places are exempt under Schedule 1 of the Building Act. What the two clauses actually say, and what tips you over into needing consent.
Read the guideUpdated 16 September 2026Bathroom waterproofing: what the rules require, and what to photograph
Building Code clause E3 requires wet-area surfaces to be impervious and constructed so splash cannot get behind the linings. What that means for a shower, and what a determination found when it failed.
Read the guideUpdated 16 September 2026What to keep when your bathroom work did not need a consent
Exempt work gets no council inspection and no code compliance certificate, so the only record is the one you keep. Here is the checklist, and why a buyer's lawyer will ask for it.
Read the guideUpdated 16 September 2026Who has to be licensed on a bathroom renovation
Plumbing, electrical and restricted building work each need a different licence and a different register. Tiling and waterproofing need neither. One table, and how to check each one.
Read the guideUpdated 16 September 2026Tiled or acrylic shower: which one is right for your bathroom
An acrylic shower unit costs $900–2,000 installed; a tiled shower $1,550–8,250 in New Zealand (Superior Renovations). Where the money goes, and where the leak risk sits.
Read the guideUpdated 16 September 2026How long a bathroom renovation takes, and where the days go
A budget refresh is 2–5 days, a mid-range renovation 2–3 weeks and a structural job 5–6 weeks in New Zealand (Superior Renovations). CheckMyBuilder puts a bathroom at 2–6 weeks.
Read the guideUpdated 16 September 2026Asbestos in a bathroom renovation: what to check before anything comes off
WorkSafe says homes built before 1 January 2000 may contain asbestos, including in wet-area linings, wall-tile backing and vinyl. What that means before a bathroom strip-out.
Read the guideGot a bathroom that needs doing? Let's measure it.
A scaled plan, a line-item budget and a consent check for your own room, within 5 working days of the visit.