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Shower Base & LVT Overlay

Indicative Investment Guide: $2,600 - $3,900

Where renewal extends beyond the shower enclosure, replacing the shower base and overlaying the surrounding bathroom floor often provides a more cohesive and contemporary outcome without introducing unnecessary floor reconstruction.

Where the existing floor remains suitable for continued service, premium luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring may be installed directly over the existing surface, creating a continuous, grout-free finish throughout the wet area.

A standard floor allowance of up to 4m² has been adopted to accommodate the majority of Australian bathroom layouts. Larger floor areas remain suitable for renewal but may require adjustment to the investment range to account for additional materials and installation time.

This installation approach preserves suitable floor construction while introducing only the work required to renew both the shower base and surrounding bathroom floor.

The qualification criteria below explain where floor overlay becomes appropriate, the construction it introduces, and the point at which existing floor construction requires broader preparation before renewal can proceed.

Determining Suitability.

Purpose

Where the existing bathroom floor remains structurally suitable, overlaying the finished surface provides an efficient method of renewing the appearance, comfort and functionality of the space without unnecessary demolition and finished floor height alteration.

Requirements

Appropriate application generally assumes:

• Existing shower base removal.

• Plumbing waste reconnection.

• Existing bathroom floor suitable for overlay installation.

• Localised floor preparation where required.

• Existing wall construction remains suitable.

• Existing structural floor requires little or no repair.

Where existing floor construction cannot provide a suitable foundation for the new floor system, broader floor preparation becomes necessary.

Limitations

This level of construction remains appropriate while the existing floor provides a stable foundation for overlay installation.

Bathrooms exceeding the standard 4m² floor allowance, containing unstable floor finishes or requiring broader floor preparation may require adjustment to the construction scope before renewal can proceed.

Applications

This level of construction is commonly encountered where:

• Existing shower bases require replacement.

• Existing bathroom floors remain suitable for overlay installation.

• Flooring is dated or has a high slip rating.

• A continuous floor finish is preferred throughout the wet area.

• Existing floor construction remains suitable for continued service.

Outcome

Following installation, the completed bathroom provides:

• New shower base.

• Premium LVT bathroom flooring.

• Reconnected drainage.

• Integrated floor transitions.

• Improved underfoot comfort.

• A renewed bathroom floor designed to complement the engineered wall system.

Progression

Progression generally becomes necessary where inspection identifies:

• Unsuitable existing floor finishes.

• Unstable or deteriorated subfloors.

• Significant floor levelling requirements.

• Cement sheet underlay installation.

• Broader floor preparation.

• Reconstruction beyond an overlay floor system.

These conditions indicate that renewal should extend beyond the finished floor surface, introducing Tile Removal and Floor Preparation before installation of the new shower base and engineered LVT floor system.