how disappointing but does it leak due to bad workmanship or some new problem?..make sure you investigate options for builders' insurance to cover cost of replacing (the local Builders licencing board should be able to advise and my daughter just had a whole bathroom replaced and only had to cover the extra cost of a change of vanity).. if you would like the vanity to be taller the most cost effective solution is to make the plinth taller and add the new counter and sink or consider a wall hung vanity and in wall mirror doored shaving cabinet that are so much better than small things lost in drawers but don't make any purchases until you know the legal liabilities, best of luck

Thanks so much oklouise. Sadly the tiling is 30 years old!

30 years and still looking this good is amazing..

Can you post a floor plan so we can see to towel storage. The shower taps are in the wall so if the vanity is on same wall, you said it’s a concrete wall, I guess you can do the basin taps to. Shaving cabinet doesn’t need to be recessed if bench is 500 deep. If you want to reuse the same cabinet it will prob need a new plinth. Hung cabinets usually have more in built structure for support than a floor mounted cabinet.
Hung pan needs an Expensive in wall cistern

Hi Kate and thank you! Here’s a floorplan. It’s the grey room. 2.8m on the long side, 2.1m on the side with doorway opening into shower.

Currently hand towel is next to toilet (inconvenient) and bath towel rack is behind door opposite shower (blocking door swing!).

How much is a "moderate" budget? Moderate means different things to different people depending if they are involved in the renovation industry or outside. With your concrete slab and solid brick walls I would anticipate a moderate spend would be in the range of $15K to $20K. "Floating" cabinetwork and a wall-mounted toilet pan will push this over your $20k due to installation.

Under $15K you are probably not spending enough. Always pay for quality tapware sanitaryware and fittings when doing a bathroom renovation as the labour is so expensive to replace them if they are cheaply made, they fail and need to be replaced.
Best of luck,
Dr Retro
of Dr Retro House Calls/Dr Retro Virtual Visits

So is it just used as a 2 way bathroom between 2 bedrooms?

Yes it’s a 2 way bathroom. I’m hoping to get it done for $20k, project managed myself, reusing vanity!

@Dr Retro - many thanks! My #1 priority is that it’s easy clean. Thinking of Corian shower tray & walls but no idea what that would cost!

Hi @meljo999, we run a boutique, 6-week online program that guides & teaches people like you how to design, deliver and project manage their own bathroom renovations from concept through to completion, (including how to budget/how much it will cost etc). You can get a lot more 'bang for your buck' by doing it yourself rather than through a building company. The course is designed by my partner (Ash @ The People's Plumber) and me, ARBV Registered Architect. You can find out the full details here; www.bmai.com.au/courses

Hope that helps, and feel free to get in touch if you'd prefer a free phone consultation.