Renovating a bathroom in Melbourne isn’t like ordering new paint. It’s going to involve plumbing, tiles, waterproofing—and often surprises. Having helped a few friends redo their bathrooms (and learnt from the disasters), I’ve come up with ten questions you should really ask any tradie/ bathroom contractor before you sign anything. These will help you avoid regrets, unnecessary costs, and messy finishes.
1. "Are you licensed, insured, and registered here in Victoria?"
I always start here. Ask to see their Victorian contractor’s licence, and verify it, if possible. Also check that plumbing/electrical work will be done by someone with current credentials. Ask about insurance—public liability and workers’ compensation. If the tradie’s answer is vague, that’s a red flag.
2. "Can I have a detailed quote, showing exactly what’s included—and what’s not?"
You don’t want surprises. Ask for everything: demolition, removal of old stuff, waterproofing, sewer work, tiling, permits, fixtures. Make sure they write down what's excluded too—sometimes “I’ll supply the tapware” ends up meaning you going with the cheapest stuff because tradie didn’t budget for it.
3. "What’s the timeline—and how will delays be handled?"
Melbourne weather, council inspections, waiting for special tiles or glass screens—they all cause delays. Find out when work can start, how long each phase (demolition, waterproofing, tiling, etc.) takes, and how they deal with unexpected hold‑ups. If the tradie seems to promise “done in two weeks” for a full bathroom without layout changes, dig deeper.
4. "Who will be doing the work—your own people or subcontractors?"
Sometimes the name above the business isn’t the name on the site. If subcontractors are involved, are they equally licensed, do they carry insurance, do you get to see their prior work? Having a dedicated site manager is a plus—they’re the ones who pick up when things go awry.
5. "What’s your waterproofing method, and will you provide a certificate?"
This is non‑negotiable. Ask what membrane they’ll use, how high on the walls, whether they follow AS 3740 (the standard for waterproofing in Victoria), and whether they’ll give you a certificate at the end. A bathroom with poor waterproofing can turn into a nightmare of leaks, mould, and ruined walls—and those kinds of problems show up after the invoice is paid.
6. "What deposit do you want, and how does your payment schedule work?"
Don’t hand over a big chunk of cash before any work is done. It’s pretty normal to pay something up front—sometimes 5‑10%—but then subsequent payments should match completed stages (e.g. after demolition, after waterproofing, after tiling). If someone wants 50% before even removing tiles, walk away.
7. "If I change my mind in the middle (tile, layout, fittings), how are variations handled?"
Because trust me: you will change your mind. Maybe you see a tile you like more, or decide you want a wall niche, or the lighting feels wrong. Ask: how much does a change cost? Will there be written variation quotes? How much extra time is added? Does this affect warranties?
8. "Can you show work you’ve done recently, and can I speak with past clients?"
See if the tradie has photos of bathrooms just like what you want—size, style, materials. It doesn’t help if all their photos are big‑luxury bathrooms if yours is a 3×2m ensuite. If possible, ask for client referrals—someone who can tell you “yes, the plumber was clean and turned up on time”, or “tile layout was perfect”. Also check online reviews (Google, local Facebook groups, etc.) but don’t rely only on those.
9. "What warranties or guarantees do you offer?"
Ask: how long will the tile work last, the waterproofing, the plumbing fixings? What happens if stuff fails—who fixes, who pays? Make sure you get the warranties in writing. Also, check what warranty the manufacturers of taps, screen, shower, etc., give you.
10. "How will you manage the site—safety, cleanliness, daily disruption & communication?"
You’ll be living around the work‑site. Ask how they’ll protect the rest of your home (dust, smells, floor protection, cover furniture). How often will they clean up? What hours will they be working? And communication—how will they update you (daily? weekly?), and who do you contact if something isn’t going right?
Some Melbourne‑Specific Tips
Because doing a bathroom renovation here has its own quirks, I’ve picked up a few lessons around town:
- Heritage overlays pop up in many inner suburbs. If your house is heritage‑listed, there may be extra rules about materials or styles. Make sure the tradie has done heritage work before.
- Access can kill your timeline. If you’re in a narrow terrace, coma district, or back block, moving materials and tradespeople around takes more time (and cost).
- Weather matters. Winter rains, condensation, humidity—good ventilation, sealed windows, solid waterproofing are more than just “nice to have”.
- Lead times for special tiles or imported fixtures can be long. Factor that into your quote—if someone quotes “we’ll pick up tiles next week” but item is backordered, your whole schedule might stall.
After You’ve Asked: What to Do
Here’s how to use all those answers to make a smart hire:
- Get at least three written quotes. Compare them not just by price, but by how complete and clear the quote is.
- Check licences and insurance yourself if possible (via Victorian regulatory bodies).
- Insist on a contract. Not just a handshake. Include: start date, estimated finish date, payment schedule, what happens if changes are made, and what happens if things go wrong.
- Keep records: photos “before”, “during”, “after”. Keep all written communication—texts, emails—so you can refer to them if there’s a dispute.
- Stay in touch during the project: quick check‑ins, site visits, making sure trades are on track. Don’t let problems build up.
Final Thoughts
From what I’ve seen, the tradies who stand out are the ones who don’t just tell you what you want to hear, but who are upfront when something’s hard or costs extra, who show you recent work, who communicate regularly, and who care about the small stuff (like proper waterproofing or clean tile grouts).
If you use these ten questions as your “screening test,” you’ll be in a much better position—not just to avoid disaster—but to get a bathroom that actually feels satisfying to walk into.