Bathroom fit-out subcontractor

Do the tiling, fit-off and finishing on bathroom jobs for builders, plumbers and renovation companies.

Tradesperson fitting a new bath and tiles in a bathroom renovation.
Startup costA$3k to A$15k
Monthly revenueA$5k to A$20k
Time needed20+ h/week
First incomeWeeks
  • A$3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
  • Licence or permit needed

Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.

What it is

Contract bathroom fitting work for other businesses: you turn up, complete your stage of the job (such as tiling, vanity and shower installation, or fit-off) and move to the next site.

Your first three steps

  1. Check your state's licensing requirements for the work you plan to do, including tiling and waterproofing
  2. Get public liability insurance and set up an ABN, then check if you need to register for GST
  3. Contact local builders, plumbers and renovation firms with photos of your work and offer a trial job
Who pays

Builders, plumbers, renovation companies and project managers who need reliable people for bathroom work.

How it makes money

Day rate or price per job or per square metre. Less time on marketing and quoting for homeowners, but your income depends on a few regular contractors.

Skills that help
  • Tiling or bathroom fitting experience
  • Neat finishing
  • Reliable timekeeping and working to others' schedules
Watch out for
  • Whether you are a genuine subcontractor or may be treated as an employee, so check with the ATO
  • Licensing rules for plumbing, electrical and waterproofing work differ by state
  • Late payment from contractors, so agree terms in writing
  • Relying on one or two main clients
  • Physical work with knee and back strain risks

Deep research report · Australia

Everything you need to start: bathroom fit-out subcontractor

Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start as a bathroom fit-out subcontractor?

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your tools and setup. Also check with the ATO whether you would be a genuine subcontractor or could be treated as an employee.

How much can a bathroom fit-out subcontractor earn?

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around $5,000 to $20,000, depending on how much work you win. Late payment from contractors and relying on one or two main clients can affect income, so agree payment terms in writing.

What rules should I check before subcontracting on bathroom jobs?

Check with the ATO whether you are a genuine subcontractor or may be treated as an employee. Licensing rules for plumbing, electrical and waterproofing work also differ by state, so check what you can do yourself.

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