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How long does the bathroom selection appointment take?

Most bathroom selection appointments take 1–2 hours depending on the number of bathrooms and how prepared you are. Buyers who arrive with a mood board, finish preferences and a budget generally finish faster and feel more confident.

Do I choose bathroom tiles at the bathroom appointment?

It depends on the builder. Some combine tile selections with bathroom fixtures in one appointment. Others have a separate tile selection appointment. Either way, your tile choices (floor, wall, feature) should be coordinated with your vanity, tapware and bath selections for a cohesive look.

Can I have different tapware finishes in different bathrooms?

Yes, but most buyers choose one consistent tapware finish across the home for cohesion. Mixing finishes (e.g. chrome in the family bathroom, matte black in the ensuite) can work if done intentionally, but it's generally safer to pick one finish and stick with it.

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Bathroom & Plumbing

Bathroom Selection Appointment Explained: What to Expect & How to Prepare

What the bathroom selection appointment involves, what to prepare, and the decisions you'll make.

7 min read·Compare My Build — Independent Resource· Updated July 2026

Cost estimates only: Any building or upgrade figures in this guide are indicative, not fixed prices or quotes. Costs and inclusions vary by project, supplier, location and time. Confirm current written prices and specifications directly with your builder, suppliers and relevant trades.

Key Takeaways

The bathroom selection appointment covers vanities, tapware, toilets, shower screens, baths, tiles and plumbing fixtures
It may be combined with kitchen and tile selections in a single appointment or split into separate sessions
Bring your house plans with bathroom layouts, a mood board and a realistic upgrade budget
Plumbing rough-ins (freestanding bath, wall-hung vanity, bidet) must be decided before construction
Request a full bathroom upgrade price schedule before the appointment

The bathroom selection appointment is where you choose every fixture, fitting and finish for your bathrooms, ensuites and powder room. From vanities and tapware to toilets, shower screens, baths and tiles, the decisions are dense and can add up quickly. Walking in prepared ensures your bathrooms are both beautiful and functional.

What Is the Bathroom Selection Appointment?

The bathroom selection appointment is a scheduled meeting with your builder's colour or selection consultant. You'll choose fixtures, fittings and finishes for each bathroom in your home. Depending on the builder, this may be combined with kitchen, tile and paint selections in one or more appointments, or it may be a dedicated bathroom session.

Tip

Bathroom selections connect to other appointments. Your tile selections (floor, wall, feature) are made at the tile appointment. Your bathroom lighting and exhaust fan are planned at the electrical appointment. Your bathroom plumbing rough-ins (wall-hung vanity, freestanding bath, bidet) must be decided before construction starts. Think about these connections before you go.

What to Bring

Your house plans with bathroom layouts — note dimensions, vanity size, bath position
A mood board of bathroom styles (Pinterest, Instagram, display home photos)
Your tapware finish preference (chrome, matte black, brushed brass)
Decisions on major plumbing items — freestanding bath (yes/no), wall-hung vanity (yes/no), bidet (yes/no)
A realistic upgrade budget for each bathroom
A list of must-haves vs nice-to-haves for each bathroom

Decisions You'll Make

Vanity — wall-hung or floor-mounted, single or double, size, colour, basin type
Tapware — basin mixer, bath filler, shower mixer; finish (chrome, matte black, brushed brass)
Toilet — close-coupled, back-to-wall, wall-faced, or smart toilet; button or plate flush
Shower — fixed head, rain head, handheld, or combo; slider rail; shower screen type
Shower screen — frameless, semi-frameless, or framed; glass thickness
Bath — freestanding, built-in, or spa bath; if freestanding, style and position
Shower niche — inset shelf; size, position, feature tile
Bathroom tiles — floor tile, wall tile, feature tile (at the tile appointment)
Accessories — towel rails, toilet roll holder, robe hook, soap dish
Mirror — standard, LED backlit, or shaving cabinet
Heated towel rail — if desired (plan power at electrical appointment)

Typical Upgrade Costs

Example Bathroom Upgrade Costs — Real Builder Quotation

Upgrade	Example Cost
Wall-hung vanity (vs floor-mounted)	$300–$800
Double vanity (vs single)	$500–$1,500
Matte black / brushed brass tapware	$100–$400 per set
Frameless shower screen (vs semi)	$300–$800
Freestanding bath (vs no bath / built-in)	$1,000–$3,000+
Wall-faced toilet (vs close-coupled)	$200–$600
Shower niche	$150–$400
Heated towel rail	$200–$500
LED mirror / shaving cabinet	$200–$600

Real-world examples only. Costs vary by builder, brand and specification. Always confirm pricing with your builder in writing.

How to Prepare

Visit display homes to see bathroom fixtures in person — photos don't capture the scale and feel of a vanity, bath or shower screen. Note what you like: tapware finishes, vanity styles, shower configurations, tile layouts. Think about how each bathroom will be used — the main family bathroom needs different features than an ensuite or powder room.

Decide on major plumbing items before the appointment. A freestanding bath, wall-hung vanity, or bidet all require specific plumbing rough-ins that must be in place before the slab is poured. If you're undecided, it's usually safer to include the rough-in (plumbing provision) during construction — you can always choose not to install the fixture, but adding plumbing later is very expensive.

Watch Out

Plumbing rough-ins for freestanding baths, wall-hung vanities, bidets and body jets must be decided before construction starts. Once the slab is poured and walls are plumbed, adding new plumbing is extremely expensive — it requires breaking through concrete and tiles. If there's any chance you want these features, include the rough-in during construction.

Questions to Ask Your Builder

Can I get a full bathroom upgrade price schedule before the appointment?
What's included as standard — vanity, tapware, toilet, shower screen, bath?
Which plumbing rough-ins need to be decided before construction starts?
Are bathroom tiles chosen at this appointment or at a separate tile appointment?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not deciding plumbing rough-ins (freestanding bath, wall-hung vanity, bidet) before construction
Walking in without a mood board or finish preference — decisions under pressure are costly
Forgetting that bathroom lighting and exhaust fans are planned at the electrical appointment
Not coordinating tapware finish across all bathrooms and the kitchen for a cohesive look

Builder Tips

Request a full price schedule beforehand so you can budget per bathroom
Decide major plumbing items before construction — freestanding bath, wall-hung vanity, bidet all need rough-ins
If undecided on a fixture, include the rough-in during construction — adding plumbing later is very expensive
Visit display homes to see bathroom fixtures at scale — photos don't capture feel and proportions

Bathroom Upgrade Costs Explained

See real-world example pricing for all bathroom upgrades.

Read the Guide