How Long Does It Take to Renovate a Bathroom in NZ?

Your complete timeline from planning to the final clean — written for Kiwi homeowners

Renovating a bathroom is one of the most rewarding upgrades you can make to your home, but it’s also a project that takes careful planning. One of the first questions homeowners ask is:

“How long does it take to renovate a bathroom in NZ?”

In most cases, a full bathroom renovation in New Zealand takes 3–6 weeks, depending on size, complexity, consent requirements, material availability, and contractor schedules.
However, every project is different — and the timeline can be shorter or longer.

This guide breaks down the step-by-step timeline, what affects the duration, and how to avoid delays so your renovation stays on track.

Bathroom Renovation Timeline at a Glance (NZ)

Total typical timeframe: 3–6 weeks

1. Planning & Design: 1–3 Weeks

Before any tools come out, you’ll go through a planning phase.
This includes:

• Choosing your layout

• Selecting tiles, paint colours, fittings, and fixtures

• Receiving quotes

• Setting a realistic budget

• Establishing the construction timeline

Most bathroom renovators in NZ take 1–3 weeks to complete this step, depending on how quickly decisions are made.

Tip: The more organised you are with selections, the faster your project begins.

2. Ordering Fixtures & Materials: 1–4 Weeks

Once the design is confirmed, your fixtures need to be ordered.
This includes:

• Tiles

• Toilet

• Vanity

• Shower or bath

• Tapware

• Waterproofing materials

• Heated towel rail

• Mirror and accessories

In NZ, common reasons for delays include:

• Out-of-stock items

• Imported tiles

• Specialty tapware

• Custom vanities

Most materials arrive within 1–3 weeks, but specialised or imported items can take longer.

To avoid timeline blowouts, choose products that are available now, not on backorder.

3. Building Consent (If Required): 2–6 Weeks

Not every bathroom renovation needs consent — but some do.

Consent is typically required if you are:

• Moving plumbing fixtures (toilet, shower, bath, vanity)

• Reconfiguring the bathroom layout

• Making structural changes

• Installing new drainage

• Relocating walls

Consent timeframes depend on your local council, but most NZ councils process building consent in 10–20 working days (2–4 weeks).
If your plans require changes, the process can take up to 6 weeks.

Tip: Extreme Plumbing NZ can advise whether your project needs consent so you don’t waste time.

4. Demolition: 1–3 Days

Once the project begins, the first step is stripping out the old bathroom.
This includes:

• Removing tiles

• Lifting existing flooring

• Taking out old fixtures

• Disconnecting plumbing

• Removing damaged or rotten framing (if required)

Most standard bathrooms take 1–3 days to fully strip out.

Older Kiwi homes (especially 1950s–1980s) may uncover surprises like:

• Rotten flooring

• Leaks

• Asbestos

• Outdated wiring

These can add time to the schedule.

5. Plumbing & Electrical Rough-In: 2–5 Days

Once the bathroom is stripped, plumbers and electricians come in to “rough-in” essential services.

Plumbing rough-in includes:

• Water supply lines

• Waste and drainage lines

• Shower mixer installation

• Toilet waste positioning

• Bath or shower plumbing

Electrical rough-in includes:

• Lighting

• Power points

• Extraction fans

• Heated towel rail wiring

• Underfloor heating (if included)

This stage takes 2–5 days, depending on how much is being moved or upgraded.

6. Carpentry, Framing & Flooring Prep: 1–3 Days

If any structural work is needed, a builder steps in to prepare the room for waterproofing.

This can include:

• Straightening walls

• Strengthening floors

• Replacing rotten timber

• Adjusting framing for new niches or wall-hung vanities

Flooring preparation is crucial for waterproofing and tiling.
This part usually takes 1–3 days.

7. Waterproofing: 2–4 Days

Waterproofing is required by NZ building code for all bathrooms.
A certified waterproofer will:

• Apply multiple coats

• Allow correct drying time

• Prepare the area for tiling

Full waterproofing typically takes 2–4 days, depending on drying times and room size.

Skipping drying time is one of the biggest causes of wet-area failures — so this is a step you cannot rush.

8. Tiling: 4–10 Days

Tiling is often the longest part of a bathroom renovation.
Timeframes vary depending on:

• Tile size

• Tile type (stone, porcelain, mosaic, ceramic)

• Room size

• Whether you’re tiling walls, floors, or both

• Intricate patterns, niches, or borders

• Underfloor heating

A standard NZ bathroom takes:

• Floor tiles only: 2–4 days

• Floor + wall tiles: 5–10 days

This includes:

• Laying tiles

• Grouting

• Drying

• Cleaning

If tiles need to be custom-cut or if mosaics are used, expect the longer end of the range.

9. Painting & Finishing: 1–2 Days

If the bathroom has any untiled areas, painters will complete:

• Ceiling painting

• Door and trim painting

• Moisture-resistant wall paint

This usually takes 1–2 days.

10. Final Plumbing Fit-Off: 1–2 Days

Once tiling and painting are complete, plumbers return for the final fit-off, which includes:

• Installing the toilet

• Connecting the vanity

• Fitting tapware

• Installing the shower head & mixer

• Installing bath fixtures

• Connecting heated towel rails

• Setting up underfloor heating (if included)

This part is normally finished within 1–2 days.

11. Final Clean & Inspection: 1 Day

The last stage is a thorough clean and final inspection.

This includes:

• Deep cleaning tiles

• Checking plumbing connections

• Testing water pressure

• Ensuring drainage is correct

• Confirming waterproofing compliance (if required)

• Ensuring the room is fully functional

After this, your bathroom is ready to use.

Total Time: 3–6 Weeks (Typical NZ Bathroom Renovation)

A standard bathroom renovation takes 3–6 weeks, but the exact timeline depends on:

Factors that Speed Up the Process

• Fixtures are in-stock

• Simple layout (no major plumbing changes)

• Minimal tiling

• No consent required

• Good coordination between trades

• No structural damage

Factors that Extend the Timeline

• Moving plumbing fixtures

• Custom vanities or imported tiles

• Large format or mosaic tile patterns

• Structural repairs

• Electrical upgrades

• Unexpected issues (leaks, rotten timber, faulty wiring)

• Council consent delays

How to Avoid Delays in Your Bathroom Renovation

Here are the biggest time-savers:

1. Make all selections before work starts

Tiles, tapware, vanity, fittings — delays happen when items arrive late.

2. Use a renovation team that handles everything

When plumbers, builders, tilers, and electricians are coordinated, timelines stay tight.

3. Order fixtures early

Especially if choosing imported or premium brands.

4. Get clarity on whether consent is needed

Consent confusion can add weeks — or months.

5. Choose a realistic timeline

Rushed waterproofing and tiling leads to long-term issues.

Bathroom Renovation Timeline Examples

Small Bathroom (6–8m²)

Estimated time: 3–4 weeks
Minimal tiling, simple plumbing, modern refresh.

Standard Bathroom (8–10m²)

Estimated time: 4–5 weeks
Full tiling, updated plumbing fixtures, mid-range finishes.

Large or Luxury Bathroom

Estimated time: 5–7+ weeks
Custom vanity, underfloor heating, feature tiles, layout reconfiguration.

Conclusion

Extreme Plumbing are north shore plumbers, we help homeowners across the North Shore and Auckland complete bathroom renovations smoothly and efficiently.

We coordinate all plumbing work, ensure compliance, and help you avoid delays by planning correctly from day one.

Whether you’re refreshing a small bathroom or planning a full remodel, we’re here to help.

So, how long does it take to renovate a bathroom in NZ?
Most Kiwi bathrooms take 3–6 weeks, but the timeline depends on design choices, consent requirements, fixtures, and the condition of your home.

With clear planning and the right team, your renovation can run smoothly — giving you a modern, functional bathroom that adds value to your home for years to come.