Bathroom Renovations in Reservoir
Reservoir is one of the most active bathroom renovation suburbs in Melbourne's north. Housing here ranges from Californian bungalows on Broadway and Cheddar Road through post-war weatherboards along Cheddar and Spring Streets to the newer townhouse developments closer to Regent Station. Most bathrooms we replace in Reservoir were last renovated in the 1970s or 1990s — undersized, poorly waterproofed, and built on timber floors that need proper structural attention before tiling starts.
Bathroom styles for Reservoir homes.
Design directions and material palettes to inspire your renovation — not completed projects.
Why homeowners in Reservoir choose Vision Line
Homeowners in Reservoir usually ask us for three things: a bathroom that finally feels big enough, waterproofing done to AS3740-2021 with a certificate, and honest pricing that does not blow out mid-job. Because we run our own licensed trades — no subcontracted plumbers or roving electricians — we can commit to a start date, a finish date, and a fixed price. Every job carries a six-year workmanship warranty backed by our public liability insurance.
- Fixed-price contract, no surprise variations
- Licensed plumber and electrician on every job
- Waterproofing certificate provided on completion
- Workmanship warranty confirmed in writing
- Fully insured — public liability cover in place
- Photographic waterproofing sign-off before tiling
Renovating Reservoir homes
Timber-floor homes in Reservoir often need a fibre-cement or compressed-sheet substrate installed before waterproofing — factor in a day for that. Off-street parking along the Broadway strip can be tight; we bring a compact truck and set up the site protection to keep footpaths clear.
- Californian bungalows (1920s–30s)
- Post-war weatherboards
- 1960s cream-brick veneers
- New townhouse developments
- Walk-in shower with bath alongside
- Reconfigure to twin vanity
- Combined main + laundry
- 600×1200 large-format porcelain
- Honed travertine-look
- Terrazzo-style feature floors
Ranges below are indicative and depend on layout changes, tile selection and tapware. Your written quote is fixed before any demolition starts.
- Most main bathrooms run about 3–4 weeks on site
- Ensuites are typically a little shorter
- Written quote after your on-site inspection
Four phases. Twelve stages. Same order, every job.
- 01
Planning
Inspection, design, selections, fixed written quote
- 02
Construction preparation
Site protection, demolition, plumbing and electrical rough-in
- 03
Waterproofing & finishes
Substrate, screed, waterproofing, tiling, joinery and fit-off
- 04
Handover
Detail clean, compliance paperwork, walk-through with you
Built for how Reservoir homes actually live.
Every material we specify has to earn its place three ways: it has to look right in the home, hold up under Melbourne water conditions, and still be maintainable ten years from now — not just at handover.
- Tiles
P3/P4-rated porcelain on floors and shower zones (slip-safe when wet). Natural stone reserved for feature walls to avoid ongoing sealing.
- Grout
Waterproof epoxy grout in wet zones — no cracking, no mould regrowth and no re-grouting.
- Tapware
WELS-rated tapware. Brushed brass and gunmetal finishes are PVD-coated (not electroplated) to survive Melbourne water hardness.
- Joinery
Moisture-resistant board substrate on every vanity carcass — not standard MDF, which swells in a wet-area cabinet within four years.
Everything under one contract
Frequently asked in Reservoir.
Do you renovate bathrooms in Reservoir's older Californian bungalows?
Yes — regularly. Older Reservoir homes need careful subfloor assessment because timber joists often sag or have been previously patched. We check falls, replace any compromised bearers, and use compressed fibre-cement sheeting before waterproofing.
Can you keep our footprint the same and just modernise?
Yes. A cosmetic-only renovation (same layout, no plumbing moves) starts from around $18,500 and takes about two and a half weeks. Most Reservoir homeowners still choose a partial layout change because the original bathrooms are too narrow.
Do you work with heritage overlays in the Broadway area?
Bathrooms are internal so heritage overlays rarely apply to the work itself, but we check the Darebin planning maps before quoting and take care with any front-facing external changes such as window replacements.
Do you provide fixed pricing?
Yes. Every quote we issue is fixed in writing before demolition begins, including tiles, tapware, waterproofing, plumbing, electrical and rubbish removal. There are no hourly surprises.
Are your trades licensed and insured?
All plumbing is completed by a licensed Victorian plumber who issues a Certificate of Compliance. All electrical work is completed by an A-Grade electrician who issues an Electrical Safety Certificate. We carry $20M public liability insurance.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
A standard main bathroom takes three to four weeks on site once demolition starts. Ensuites usually run two and a half to three weeks. Timelines are written into the contract with a start and finish date.
Reading that pays for itself.
- 7 min read
Bathroom Renovation Cost Melbourne 2026 (Real Prices, Trade by Trade)
How much it costs to redo a bathroom in Melbourne in 2026: $18,500–$45,000+ by tier, a trade-by-trade cost breakdown, and what a fair fixed-price quote must include.
- 5 min read
How Long Does a Bathroom Renovation Take? (Real Melbourne Timelines)
Day-by-day Melbourne bathroom renovation timeline, including waterproofing cure times and typical delays.
- 8 min read
AS 3740 Waterproofing Explained — Bathroom Standard in Plain English
AS 3740-2021 in plain English: exactly what must be waterproofed in a bathroom, membrane build-up, hob and threshold details, and how to check a waterproofing certificate is legitimate.
- 6 min read
How to Diagnose a Shower Leak Before You Strip a Tile
Moisture mapping, silicone tests and hob inspection — how to work out where a shower is actually leaking from.
Ready to renovate your Reservoir bathroom?
Free on-site inspection, a fixed written quote, and a start date on the contract.