Can I relocate the bathroom in my house?

At Curran Plumbing, Electrical, Heating & Air we worked with our customers to help them relocate their bathrooms over the past 30 years, so the short answer is yes!

However, the degree of difficulty and the cost can vary big-time, depending on the type of property and the position of the relocated bathroom.

Things to consider for each property type:

Single level homes

For a standard one-storey home, relocations can be relatively straightforward. Start with your plumber’s advice about the proximity of the new bathroom to the existing household plumbing for water supply, and to the property’s sewer line for waste removal. Keeping fixtures like a sink to the same wall, for example, saves effort and money.

If your single level home is built on a concrete slab, there are extra costs to move key items such as toilets. To access the water lines and waste lines underneath, the concrete will have to be broken through and excavated, then later repaired.

Multi-storey homes, townhouses or terraces

Moving a bathroom upstairs or down to a basement level is a bit more complicated. Our plumbers can advise on the access to walls and ceilings to work with the plumbing system.

Older buildings may have plumbing and wiring that is no longer compliant and must be replaced if you renovate. And while this doesn’t affect many property owners, if you do live in a listed/historic home, extra heritage building restrictions will apply to your bathroom relocation plans.

In a block of units

A plumber can advise on the requirements for accessing and working on your unit.

 There can be a number of issues for unit owners, such as dealing with the body corporate, situations where space for your new pipes impacts the neighbouring unit and getting neighbours on side to grant temporary access to trades.

Why you need professionals

A properly relocated bathroom can make a real impact on your home and lifestyle. It can also add value.

The best way to start is to speak with our team of professional plumbers and electricians.

Our licensed and experienced plumbers can disconnect, move, reinstall or add plumbing and reconnect services as required.

Our licensed electricians will ensure the new bathroom location has adequate wiring for power outlets and can install special lighting, hot water heaters, underfloor heating, heated towel rails and extractor fans (with ducts and a roof vent) to combat bathroom mould.

Professionals play an important role in ensuring legal compliance. In NSW, relocating a bathroom in a house requires a Complying Development Certificate from a Private Certifier or the local Council. Your plumber must provide a compliance certificate on completion of the job.

Licensed plumbers will also ensure all products installed in a bathroom are covered by an Australian Standards WaterMark.

If your relocation project encounters serious issues such as asbestos or faulty wiring or the existing plumbing is non-compliant, our professionals can also advise on the best course of action.

For more information about bathroom relocations, contact Curran Plumbing and Electrical today.