Quick answer
A well-built bathroom renovation is usually made to last 15 to 20 years or more before it needs major work. The look may be refreshed sooner, but the room underneath should go the distance.
What decides this is the work you cannot see once the tiles are on: the waterproofing, the fall of the floor to the drain, the tiling and grout, and the exhaust fan. Get those right and the room lasts. Get them wrong and it fails early, whatever the taps cost.
| Part of the bathroom | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|
| WaterproofingHidden under the tiles. | The life of the renovation, done to AS 3740 |
| Tiles and groutGrout may need resealing. | 15 to 20 years or more |
| Taps, shower and toiletThe working fittings. | 10 to 15 years |
| Silicone sealsAround the shower and basin. | 5 to 10 years, then redone |
| Exhaust fanClears the damp air. | 5 to 10 years |
These are general guides, not a promise about your room. The firm commitment we make is a 10-year workmanship warranty on the work we do.
What makes a bathroom last?
The parts that keep water where it belongs are what make a bathroom last: the waterproofing, the way the floor falls to the drain, and a fan that clears the damp air. When these are right, the tiles stay sound and the walls behind them stay dry.
Fittings and finishes matter too, but they are the easy part to change later. The hard part to fix is the work sealed under the tiles. That is why a lasting bathroom is decided before the first tile goes on, not at the shop when you pick the taps. Our guide to how waterproofing works sets out what sits under the surface.
Why waterproofing decides the lifespan
The waterproof layer under the tiles is the single part that most often ends a bathroom early. If it fails, water gets into the walls and floor, and you see mould, lifting tiles or stains on the ceiling below.
We seal every bathroom to AS 3740 with a primer and two coats, and hand over a certificate for the work. A room sealed to that standard should stay dry for the life of the renovation. Read what the waterproofing certificate proves and why it matters.
What wears out first?
The first things to go are the soft seals, not the tiles. The silicone around the shower and basin lasts about 5 to 10 years, then it is scraped out and redone. Grout can stain or crack in spots and may need resealing or patching.
The exhaust fan also has a working life and gets weaker with age. A tired fan leaves damp in the room, which is where mould starts. Keeping these small parts fresh is cheap next to a room that fails. Our grout guide covers how to keep yours clean.
How care makes a bathroom last longer
A bathroom lasts longer when the damp is cleared and the seals are kept fresh. Run the fan during and after a shower, wipe down the screen, and redo the silicone when it lifts or goes dark. None of this is hard, and it adds years.
Most bathrooms that fail early fail for one reason: trapped damp. A good fan and a dry room stop mould before it starts. Our guide to stopping mould explains why it comes back and how a renovation ends it.
Does a cheaper bathroom last as long?
It can, if the money is spent in the right place. A Basic bathroom with sound waterproofing, good falls and a proper fan can last as long as a Premium one. The parts that make a room last are the same at every price.
Where a cheap job fails early is in the hidden work: thin waterproofing, poor falls, or no fan. Our package prices and size bases keep that core work in every tier, and our guide to hidden costs shows where corners get cut.
What our warranty covers
We back the work we do with a 10-year workmanship warranty. That covers the quality of our labour, not the life of a tap or a fan you chose, which carry their own maker warranties.
A warranty is only as good as the builder behind it, so it sits alongside our NSW Builder Licence and insurance, not in place of them. Our warranty guide explains what to ask, and you can check our licence and cover on the About page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does bathroom waterproofing last?
Waterproofing done to AS 3740 is made to last for the life of the renovation, which is usually 15 to 20 years or more. It fails early only when it is done poorly or damaged by later work.
How often should I reseal the silicone in my bathroom?
Silicone around the shower and basin usually lasts 5 to 10 years. Redo it sooner if it lifts, splits or goes dark, because a failed seal lets water in behind the tiles.
Do bathroom tiles need replacing over time?
Good tiles can last 15 to 20 years or more and often outlast the rest of the room. The grout and seals around them wear first, so they are what usually needs attention, not the tiles.
Does a bathroom renovation come with a warranty?
Ours does. Elite Touch Renovations provides a 10-year workmanship warranty on the work we do. Taps, fans and other fittings carry their own separate maker warranties.
What makes a bathroom wear out faster?
Trapped damp is the main cause. A weak or missing exhaust fan, poor falls to the drain and failed seals all let moisture sit in the room, which leads to mould and tile and membrane failure.