Bathroom Renovations Tugun
Real Projects, Real Costs
Why Tugun Bathrooms Need Special Attention
Tugun sits in a unique position – caught between the salt air of the beach and the flight path of Gold Coast Airport. After 15 years renovating bathrooms across the Gold Coast, I’ve learned that Tugun homes face specific challenges that directly impact renovation decisions and costs.
The proximity to the ocean means constant salt exposure, while the airport brings its own set of considerations for noise and vibration. Add in the mix of 1960s beach shacks being modernised and newer apartment complexes, and you get a suburb where every bathroom renovation tells a different story.
Three Real Tugun Bathroom Renovations: Understanding the Cost Differences
Singh Street Luxury Ensuite: When Everything Goes Premium ($52,709.80)
Neil and Isolde’s ensuite renovation on Singh Street represents the high end of Tugun renovations. This wasn’t just about updating an old bathroom – it was about creating a luxury retreat in their home.
The standout feature? A $5,000 bidet toilet. Now, you might wonder why anyone would spend that much on a toilet. But here’s what most people don’t realise: when you’re dealing with Tugun’s humid, salt-laden air, investing in quality fixtures actually saves money long-term. Cheaper alternatives corrode faster near the beach.
Their 1800mm double vanity required wall-mounting with additional framing support – adding $220 to the labour cost but essential for the weight distribution. The rainhead shower coming through the ceiling meant rerouting plumbing through the roof cavity, complicated by the home’s position under the flight path where any roof work needs careful timing.
The bay window in their bathroom created an opportunity for a custom shelf along the window – perfect for plants that thrive in Tugun’s humid environment. We waterproofed extensively around this area, knowing that windows facing the ocean cop the worst of the weather.
Technical Details
- Demolished existing cornice for square-set ceiling (tiles to ceiling)
- Created shower niche (600mm x 350mm) and bath niche
- 1700mm corner bath installation
- Custom LED strip lighting under vanity and in shower niche
- Complete rewater proofing to current Australian Standards
Wyberba Street Complete Overhaul: Smart Choices on a Budget ($24,508
Tim’s unit on Wyberba Street tells a different story. This 1970s bathroom was already 99% demolished when we arrived – Tim had done the demo himself to save costs, leaving us with a clean slate.
The challenge here was the existing exhaust fan venting into the ceiling cavity – a common problem in older Tugun units. We ran new ducting out through the soffits, critical for managing moisture in a beachside bathroom. Ignore this, and you’re looking at mould problems within months.
Tim chose 600×600 tiles throughout – a smart choice for a smaller bathroom. Larger format tiles mean fewer grout lines, which means less maintenance in Tugun’s humid environment. We upgraded to 1200×600 tiles on the feature wall for an extra $1,680, creating visual height in the compact space.
The floor had to be completely rebuilt with Secura interior flooring after we discovered water damage – not uncommon in these older units where waterproofing standards were different decades ago.
Money-Saving Decisions:
- Client managed waste removal
- Standard-sized tiles (600x600) for most surfaces
- Semi-frameless shower screen instead of frameless
- No painting included (client handled separately)
Inland Drive Apartment: Three Bathrooms, Strategic Priorities ($30,833 total)
Tracey’s apartment on Inland Drive presented a different challenge: three bathrooms needing attention with a limited budget. This is common in Tugun’s apartment complexes where owners need to update multiple wet areas simultaneously.
We prioritised the main bathroom ($24,478) and ensuite ($21,340), doing minimal work on the powder room ($1,240). This strategic approach is often smarter than trying to spread the budget too thin across all spaces.
The main bathroom got a complete overhaul including a new ceiling (critical when the old one showed water staining from the unit above). We installed a 1700mm corner bath – surprising in an apartment, but these 1980s Tugun complexes were built with generous bathroom spaces compared to modern builds.
For the ensuite, we created a walk-in shower with a 40mm step up at the door. Why not a stepless entry? In these older concrete slab apartments, creating proper drainage for a true stepless shower would require cutting into the slab – adding $3,000+ to the cost.
Understanding Tugun's Unique Renovation Challenges
Waterproofing: The Non-Negotiable in Tugun
Every quote includes proper waterproofing to Australian Standards AS 3740. In Tugun, this isn’t just about compliance – it’s about survival. The combination of high humidity, salt air, and frequent storms means water finds every weakness.
Our standard process:
- Two to three coats of membrane
- 24-48 hours drying between coats
- Special attention to junction points
- Extended waterproofing up walls in shower areas
- Flood testing before tiling begins
Real Costs: What Tugun Residents Actually Pay
Based on our recent projects:
| Renovation Type | Example Project | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Basic renovation | Wyberba Street | $23,000 – $25,000 |
| Standard full renovation | Inland Drive | $25,000 – $30,000 |
| Luxury renovation | Singh Street | $35,000 – $55,000+ |
These prices include everything except your PC items (tiles and fixtures), which typically add $5,000-$15,000 depending on your choices.
Common Questions from Tugun Homeowners
Yes. Marine-grade fixtures last longer. Standard chrome tapware might look fine for two years, then rapidly deteriorate. Spending 20% more upfront saves replacing everything in five years.
Absolutely. We work around flight schedules for any external work, but internal renovations continue regardless. The noise is actually helpful – clients don't hear our demolition work!
Most internal bathroom renovations don't need strata approval, but we always check. Waterproofing certificates are mandatory, and we provide these as standard.
Planning Your Tugun Bathroom Renovation
Planning Your Tugun Bathroom Renovation
Built in the 80s and 90s, many Ashmore homes have had termite issues. When we cut concrete and create a cold joint (where new concrete meets old), it becomes a potential termite highway. That’s why this project included professional termite treatment – something coastal suburbs don’t worry about, but inland Ashmore absolutely must.
Why Local Knowledge Matters in Tugun
After 15 years working across the Gold Coast, I’ve renovated dozens of Tugun bathrooms. Each one teaches something new about this unique suburb. From dealing with salt-corroded pipes in beachfront properties to working around aircraft noise in homes near Boyd Street, local experience makes the difference between a good renovation and a great one.
We include QBCC Home Warranty Insurance on every project, pull all necessary permits, and manage the complete renovation from demolition to final silicone. Most importantly, we understand that Tugun residents need bathrooms built to withstand the beautiful but challenging coastal environment.
Rheyen Moore (Reo) has been renovating Gold Coast bathrooms for over 15 years. Based in Mudgeeraba, Only Bathrooms services all Gold Coast suburbs with a focus on quality craftsmanship and realistic pricing. Call 0412 720 336 for a detailed quote on your Tugun bathroom renovation.