Coast laundries, as they usually are
The old back-verandah laundry. Common in fibro and weatherboard cottages around Woy Woy, Ettalong, Long Jetty and Budgewoi. Concrete tub, bare walls, often cold and damp, sometimes still lined with old sheeting.
The 1980s internal laundry. A tub on steel legs, a gap for the washing machine, a single overhead cupboard and a door straight to the backyard.
The estate laundry. Reasonably sized, but with builder-grade laminate, no drying space and not nearly enough storage.
The unit laundry. A cupboard in the hall or a corner of the bathroom.
What people want now
- A proper sink and bench with room to fold, soak and pre-treat.
- Stacked washer and dryer on a sturdy frame, or side by side under the bench.
- Hanging space for drip-drying swimmers, rash vests and wetsuits.
- Tall cupboards for the vacuum, ironing board, mop and beach umbrellas.
- A hand-held spray at the tub for rinsing sand off boogie boards, feet and the dog.
- Durable floors that shrug off sand and water.
- Ventilation so washing actually dries and mould does not settle in.
Salt, sand and damp
Sand gets everywhere, so floor tiles with a slightly textured finish and a floor waste are practical. Choose cabinetry with moisture-resistant boards and sealed edges. If there is a dryer, vent it outside or choose a condenser or heat-pump model. A small exhaust fan helps more than people expect in a humid climate.
Pairing with the bathroom
The laundry often sits next to or behind the bathroom, sharing plumbing walls. Doing both at once means one demolition, one set of trades and one membrane inspection round. See main bathroom renovations and the renovation process.
Asbestos in older laundries
In homes built or renovated before about 1990, laundry walls and eaves can contain asbestos cement sheeting, and older vinyl floors can contain asbestos too. Anything suspect is sampled before demolition, and removal goes to a licensed asbestos removalist.
Price guide
Most laundries sit between $8,000 and $19,000 as a 2026 guide. The cost page has the full set of bands.
Call 02 4307 6205 or pop your bathroom details in the form.
Questions people ask before they commit
Does a laundry need waterproofing?
Yes. Laundries are wet areas under the building code, so the floor and the wall behind the tub need waterproofing to the relevant standard. If there is a floor waste, the floor should fall to it.
Can the laundry be moved into a cupboard?
Often. A European-style laundry in a hallway or garage cupboard works well in units and smaller homes, freeing the old laundry room for storage or a second toilet. It needs water, drainage, power and ventilation for the dryer.
Is it cheaper to do the laundry with the bathroom?
Usually. The plumber, electrician, waterproofer and tiler are already on site, and demolition and waste removal are shared. Per room, the combined job generally costs less than two separate projects.
How much does a laundry renovation cost?
As a 2026 guide, most Central Coast laundry renovations fall between $8,000 and $19,000, depending on size, cabinetry, benchtop and whether plumbing moves.