Space to work with
Burradoo is a suburb of larger houses on large, established blocks, many with substantial gardens. Some are historic estates, some are grand interwar homes, and some are newer houses built to a high standard.
That changes the renovation brief compared with most of the Highlands. The bathroom is rarely too small. The question is how to use a generous room well and how to specify it so it lasts.
Layout in a large bathroom
The layout most people want in a large main bathroom is:
- A freestanding bath, ideally positioned for a view or a window.
- A separate walk-in shower — level entry, a single glass panel or no glass at all, with a linear drain.
- A double vanity with generous storage and good light at the mirror.
- A separate toilet, either in its own small room or screened by a nib wall.
Large rooms from earlier renovations often have the right elements in the wrong places — a corner spa taking a quarter of the floor, a small shower cubicle, a single vanity against a long wall. Rearranging them is where the value is.
On a suspended timber floor, moving the bath, shower and toilet is generally achievable, because drainage can run through the subfloor.
Specification that suits the house
Burradoo houses suit a considered specification. Some choices that consistently work:
- Honed natural stone or a high-quality stone-look porcelain on floors and walls.
- Custom timber joinery for the vanity and storage.
- Unlacquered brass, bronze or aged nickel tapware, which develops a patina.
- A large-format tile on the floor with fewer grout lines, or a traditional pattern where the house is older.
- Architectural lighting: dimmable, layered, and positioned at the face.
Natural stone, honestly
Natural stone looks right in these houses. It also needs care. Marble etches with acidic products and can stain. Most natural stone needs sealing every year or two. Polished finishes are slippery when wet.
If that patina and maintenance appeal, stone is a lovely choice. If not, a good stone-look porcelain gives much of the appearance with none of the upkeep. We will set out the trade-off rather than just recommending the more expensive option.
Warmth, properly
Large bathrooms with high ceilings are hard to heat. In a Burradoo winter the right approach combines:
- Underfloor heating across the whole floor, on a thermostat and timer.
- A heated towel rail or two.
- Ducted exhaust sized for the room volume, vented outside.
- In very large rooms, a wall or ceiling heater as well.
Older houses
Older and heritage houses in Burradoo share the issues described on the Bowral page: timber subfloors that may have water damage, bathrooms without real waterproofing, old pipework, and — for listed heritage items — the possibility that internal alterations need consent.
What it costs
A large, well-specified main bathroom typically runs $40,000–$65,000. An ensuite at a similar standard runs $25,000–$40,000. See the 2026 cost bands.
Nearby
We also work in Bowral, Moss Vale, Mittagong and Bundanoon, plus Sutton Forest, Exeter and Berrima.
Call 02 4210 5289 or send the room details through.
Questions people ask before they commit
What does a high-end bathroom renovation cost in Burradoo?
A large main bathroom with a freestanding bath, a separate walk-in shower, a double vanity, underfloor heating and a premium specification typically runs $40,000 to $65,000. The range depends mostly on room size, tile and stone selections and the extent of any structural or subfloor work.
Is natural stone a good choice?
It can be beautiful and it is well suited to a Burradoo house. It needs a clear understanding of maintenance: marble etches and stains, and most natural stone needs periodic sealing. Honed finishes are safer underfoot. For people who want the look without the upkeep, a high-quality stone-look porcelain is a practical alternative.
Can a bathroom and ensuite be done together?
Yes, and in larger houses with more than one bathroom it is usually the efficient approach. Shared trade travel, set-up and waterproofer attendance reduce the cost per room, and the household can use the remaining bathroom in the meantime if the rooms are sequenced.
Do older Burradoo houses have the same issues as Bowral?
Many do. Older houses here are frequently on suspended timber floors, some are listed heritage items, and bathrooms of that age often lack functional waterproofing. The difference is usually scale — larger rooms and higher expectations of finish.