Planning a strata bathroom renovation in Sydney

Start with the strata manager and the scope

Ask for the scheme's renovation process and current by-laws before setting a construction date.

NSW's guidance treats work involving waterproofing as major renovation work, requiring owners corporation approval by special resolution.

Have the scheme confirm the application, maintenance responsibility and any by-law arrangements needed for your particular proposal.

Strata permission and planning or building approvals are separate questions, so check both where relevant.

Official guidance: NSW Government: strata renovation rules.

Prepare a clear approval pack

• Existing and proposed layouts with the scope of work explained.
• Contractor details, licence information and requested insurance documents.
• The proposed waterproofing and plumbing work.
• Expected dates, working hours and the access route.
• Delivery, lift, waste-removal and common-area protection arrangements.
• Any acoustic, engineering or other material the scheme requests.

Allow for approval and procurement

Ask when your application can be considered and what would make it complete enough to assess.

Coordinate the contractor's availability with that process, then confirm the delivery dates of items needed early in construction.

The building's working hours, lift access and delivery rules should be reflected in the quote and programme.

Ask who will notify neighbours and coordinate any agreed interruption to shared services.

Price the building logistics

Walk the access route with the contractor, including parking, corridors, stairs and lift dimensions.

Ask how demolition material will be removed and where deliveries can wait without obstructing the building.

Record protection and cleaning responsibilities, plus any scheme charges or bonds advised by the strata manager.

A compact apartment room can still have substantial handling work, so include it in the comparison rather than judging solely by floor area.

Bring the approval conditions, access arrangements and contractor responsibilities together in the brief using the strata bathroom renovation guide.

Close out the approval conditions

Before handover, check which completion records the owners corporation requires and who supplies them.

Keep the approved scope, written permissions, relevant trade records and final product schedule together.

If the design changes during construction, have the revised work checked against the approval before it proceeds.