There’s something about Manly that makes people care about their homes a bit more than average. Maybe it’s the salt air, the light, or just the fact that property here isn’t cheap — whatever the reason, when homeowners in Manly decide to renovate their bathroom, they want it done properly.
That’s where we come in.
Peninsula Contemporary Bathrooms has completed renovation work on homes throughout Manly — from units near the corso to older freestanding houses up toward Balgowlah Heights. We know the area, we know the types of homes, and we know what works.
We’ve Actually Worked in Manly
It sounds obvious, but it’s worth saying: a lot of renovation companies list Manly as a service area without ever having set foot here.
We’ve done real jobs on real streets. Bower Street is one of our completed projects — you can see the photos further down this page. We’ve dealt with the narrow access lanes, the older plumbing in Manly’s period homes, and the moisture challenges that come with being a few hundred metres from the beach.
That experience matters. It means fewer surprises on your job.
What a Bathroom Renovation in Manly Actually Involves
Most people come to us with one of three situations:
The bathroom is terribly old-fashioned. It really functions well but it seems as if it has not been renovated since the 80s. The tiles are cream colored, the vanity is laminate, and the shower screen rattles. You are not requesting anything over the top, just a space that feels fresh and is efficient to clean.
The layout is illogical. Either the previous owner had a strange taste, or the bathroom was somehow made out of a bigger room. There’s the toilet cramped in a corner or the shower is small while the space on the opposite wall is not being used. An extensive renovation involves a whole new layout and not just a change in the surface with tiles.
The whole place is gutted. Manly homes from the time of their glory including the weatherboard and fibro ones of the 50s and 60s often have bathrooms that require total demolition. Waterproofing failures, rotting subfloors, old galvanised pipes. It’s not a pleasant experience to uncover these things but it’s best to do the job right rather than cover up the problem with new tile.
No matter what your current circumstances are, we will be straightforward with you about what is involved.
Our Process — No Runaround
We keep it simple because that’s evidently what clients keep saying they want from us.
1. First talk
You describe your current bathroom frustrations to us. We listen, ask you some questions and get a sense of the project size.
2. Home visit
We will travel to Manly, see the actual space, sometimes we even open the walls to check if required and then give you a clear idea of what we would advise and why.
3. Written quotation
Absolutely no vague prices. A carefully detailed, itemized quote so you will know exactly what your money covers.
4. The work
Dave is personally involved in every single project. He doesn’t just hand over to a junior and disappear. He is physically present and doing about 80% of the work himself. The trades he brings in (plumber, electrician, tiler) are people who have been working with him for years. They understand his levels of quality.
5. Finishing
It’s not over until we would be happy to put our own name on it. Final inspection, all fine, you get your bathroom back.
Bower Street, Manly — Completed Project
One of our most-viewed projects is a full bathroom renovation we completed on Bower Street in Manly.
The brief was a modern, open feel without going overboard. The clients wanted something that suited the home — a period property that had been well looked after — without making the bathroom feel like a showroom.
What went in:
- Custom stone benchtop and vanity
- Frameless shower screen
- Penny tiles as a feature wall
- Custom louvre window for airflow
- Porcelain floor and wall tiles
- Heated floor
- USB power points built into the cabinetry
The photos are below. Every one of those tiles was laid by hand. No shortcuts.
Click or tap each image to enlarge
Commonly Asked Questions
How much does a bathroom renovation in Manly cost?
It varies quite a bit depending on the size of the space, whether you’re changing the layout, and the finishes you choose. A mid-range renovation on a standard-sized bathroom in Manly typically starts around $18,000–$25,000. High-end custom work will go higher. We give you a proper itemised quote before anything starts.
How long does it take?
Most bathroom renovations take two to three weeks from demolition to handover. If there’s structural work or we find something unexpected behind the walls (it happens in older Manly homes), it can run slightly longer. We’ll let you know upfront if that’s likely.
Do I need council approval?
For most bathroom renovations — even full gut-outs — you won’t need council approval as long as you’re not moving walls or changing the footprint of the room. We’re familiar with Northern Beaches Council requirements and will flag anything that needs attention.
Is it possible for me to stay in the house while the renovation is being done?
Yes, most of our clients do. You’ll be without a functioning bathroom for part of the job, so it’s worth having a backup plan (second bathroom in the house, or a gym membership for the fortnight). We’ll give you a realistic timeline so you can plan around it.
A Note on Coastal Bathrooms
Bathrooms near the water have their own challenges that don’t come up in renovations further inland.
Salt air accelerates corrosion on fittings. Ventilation matters more. The humidity in Manly is higher on average, which means waterproofing needs to be done properly — not cut short — and the materials you choose for fixtures and hardware need to be rated for coastal conditions.
We factor all of this in when we spec out a job. It’s not something we need to be reminded of; it’s just part of how we work in this area.
Get a Quote for Your Manly Bathroom
If you’ve been thinking about renovating your bathroom for a while, the best next step is a conversation.
No pressure, no sales pitch. Just a straight chat about what you’re after and what it would involve.
📞 Call Dave directly: 0416 136 965 📩 Request a free quote online
We’re based in Belrose and work regularly throughout Manly, Balgowlah, Fairlight, and the Northern Beaches.