Bathroom Renovations in Ashmore, QLD
When Concrete Slabs Meet Creative Vision
The Ashmore Renovation Reality
If you live in Ashmore, chances are your home sits on a concrete slab. And if you’ve ever gotten quotes for a bathroom renovation, you’ve probably had that stomach-dropping moment when the contractor mentions “concrete cutting.” Welcome to the reality of renovating in one of the Gold Coast’s most established suburbs.
This recent project on Wilga Court perfectly illustrates what we deal with in Ashmore. The homeowner wanted to completely reimagine their ensuite – moving the shower, relocating the vanity, creating a luxury space with a skylight. Beautiful vision. But here’s what most people don’t realise: when your bathroom sits on a concrete slab and you want to move plumbing, you’re not just renovating. You’re engineering.
The Concrete Challenge Nobody Talks About
Why Moving Plumbing in Ashmore
Costs More?
Look at that before photo. Standard 90s layout – corner shower, vanity against one wall. Functional, but dated. The owner’s vision? A walk-in shower with a linear drain, a floating curved vanity with brushed gold fixtures, and natural light flooding in from above. Achieving this meant cutting through 100mm of reinforced concrete.
Here’s what $24,917 actually bought in this Ashmore renovation:
- Cutting channels through concrete for new drain locations
- Reinforcing steel bars into existing concrete (critical for structural integrity)
- Pouring new concrete to marry with the old
- Termite treatment on the cold joint (yes, termites can enter through new concrete joints)
Most quotes conveniently leave out these details. We’ve seen homeowners get quotes for $15,000 that don’t mention concrete work – until week two when suddenly there’s a $5,000 “variation” for unexpected concrete cutting.
The Termite Factor Unique to Ashmore?
Design Decisions That Transform Ashmore Bathrooms
The Skylight Game-Changer
That skylight wasn’t just about luxury – it solved a classic Ashmore problem. Many homes here have internal bathrooms with small windows or no natural light. Adding a skylight transforms the space, but it’s not as simple as cutting a hole in the roof.
Ashmore gets intense summer heat. Position a skylight wrong, and your bathroom becomes a sauna. This one faces south, capturing light without the harsh afternoon sun. The opening mechanism allows hot air to escape – natural ventilation that reduces the load on your exhaust fan.
Why VJ Panels Work in Ashmore
Notice those vertical VJ panels behind the vanity? This isn’t just following trends. In Ashmore’s climate – hot summers, mild winters, occasional heavy rain – painted surfaces in bathrooms struggle. VJ panels add texture while being more forgiving than flat painted walls when humidity levels fluctuate.
We paired them with full-height tiling on all other walls. No painted surfaces in the wet areas means no peeling paint in five years. It’s these decisions that separate a renovation that looks good on day one from one that still impresses a decade later.
The Technical Excellence Hidden in Plain Sight
What This Level of Quality Costs (And Why)
Let’s be transparent about the investment:
| Base renovation cost: | Fixtures and fittings: | Total: |
|---|---|---|
| $24,917 | $4,615 | $29,532 |
Where the money goes:
-
🛠️ Concrete cutting & termite treatment: ~$3,000
-
🚿 Frameless shower screen (radius corner): ~$1,200
-
🛁 Custom curved vanity with stone top: ~$1,000
-
☀️ Skylight installation: ~$2,500
-
💧 Waterproofing (Aus Standards): ~$1,800
-
🧱 Premium tiling labour (with niche): ~$3,500
Lessons Learned from 15 Years in Ashmore
Budget for the Invisible
In Ashmore, 30% of your budget goes to things you’ll never see – concrete work, termite protection, proper waterproofing. Skip these, and you’ll see the consequences in 2-3 years. We’ve repaired enough botched renovations to know.
Standard Exhaust Fans Aren't Enough
That heat/fan/light combo isn’t luxury – it’s necessity. Ashmore’s internal bathrooms need serious ventilation. Standard exhaust fans move 200m³/hour. The units we install move 320m³/hour. The difference? Your mirror doesn’t fog, mould doesn’t grow, and paint doesn’t peel.
Choose Fixtures for Longevity
Brushed gold isn’t just trendy – it’s practical. Chrome shows every water spot and fingerprint. In Ashmore’s hard water areas (yes, water quality varies across the Gold Coast), chrome also shows mineral deposits more readily. Brushed gold hides these daily annoyances while maintaining its finish for years.
Is Your Ashmore Bathroom Ready for Transformation?
Living in Ashmore means dealing with specific challenges – concrete slabs, internal bathrooms, termite risks, established gardens that limit access. But it also means being part of a community that values quality and longevity. Whether you’re near Ashmore City Shopping Centre, around Benowa Road, or tucked away in the quiet courts near Ashmore State School, your bathroom should reflect both your style and practical needs.
The difference between a bathroom that works and one that wows? It’s in understanding Ashmore’s unique challenges and designing solutions that address them. Not just making it pretty – making it last.
Considering a bathroom renovation in Ashmore? Rheyen Moore from Only Bathrooms has spent 15 years perfecting the art of concrete slab renovations. Based in Palm Beach, specialising in complex bathroom transformations across the Gold Coast. Call 0412 720 336 for a realistic assessment of your renovation needs.
Signs it's time to renovate:
-
-
🧱 Cracks in floor tiles
Often indicates slab movement -
🌫️ Persistent mould
Despite regular cleaning -
🚿 Shower screens that won’t stay clean
Soap scum, hard water, or age-related wear -
🚪 Vanity doors that won’t close properly
Usually caused by swelling or humidity damage -
👃 That “old bathroom smell”
Lingering odors that won’t go away, even when cleaned
-