One of the most common questions we get asked at Ca La Donna is simple: how much does a custom timber bathroom vanity actually cost?
It is a fair question. When you are renovating a bathroom, budget matters. And unlike a flat-pack vanity from a big-box store with a price tag on the shelf, custom furniture does not come with a fixed sticker price. Here is our honest breakdown of what drives the cost and what you can expect.
The Short Answer
Our custom vanities start from $2,500 for a simple wall-hung design in Tasmanian Oak. Most of our vanity builds land between $2,500 and $4,500, depending on size, timber, and complexity. Larger double-basin vanities or those in premium timbers like Blackwood can go higher.
What Affects the Price?
1. Timber Species
The timber you choose has the biggest impact on price. Tasmanian Oak and Victorian Ash are our most accessible species. Blackwood costs more because it is harder to source in wide boards and takes longer to work. Jarrah sits in the mid-range. And rare timbers like Huon Pine are priced accordingly.
We work exclusively with reclaimed and locally sourced timber. This means the boards have already lived one life (often as structural beams, floorboards, or bridge timber) and carry a character that new timber simply cannot match.
2. Size and Configuration
A simple 900mm single-basin vanity costs less than a 1500mm double-basin unit. Wall-hung designs are typically simpler than freestanding units with legs or frames. Drawers add cost (especially with soft-close runners), and the number of drawers matters.
3. Basin Type
Vessel basins (sitting on top) require a simple hole cut. Undermount basins need more precise routing and a waterproof rebate. We handle all basin cutouts in the workshop so the vanity arrives ready for your plumber.
4. Finish
All our vanities are finished with a food-safe natural oil that is durable, water-resistant, and easy to maintain. We do not use polyurethane or lacquer – the oil finish lets the timber breathe and age beautifully. Refinishing down the track is straightforward.
5. Complexity
Open shelving underneath, towel rails, integrated mirror frames, custom drawer dividers, waterfall edges – these details make a vanity special but they also add build time.
How Does This Compare to Off-the-Shelf?
A decent solid timber vanity from a retail store starts around $1,500-2,000 for a basic design. But there are key differences. Retail vanities are typically made from plantation timber or imported hardwood, often with an MDF carcass behind a timber face. Our vanities are solid timber all the way through – the drawer box, the shelf, the back panel. Everything.
Mass-produced vanities also come in standard sizes. If your bathroom is 847mm wide instead of 900mm, you are stuck with a gap. Our vanities are built to your exact measurements.
The Process
Here is how a typical vanity project runs:
- Enquiry: You send us your bathroom measurements and a few photos. We chat about timber preferences, basin type, and your vision for the space.
- Quote: We come back with a detailed quote within a few days. No surprises.
- Deposit: A 50% deposit secures your spot in our build schedule.
- Build: Typical build time is 4-6 weeks, depending on timber availability and workshop schedule.
- Delivery: We deliver to Melbourne metro and the Yarra Valley. Interstate shipping is available too.
- Balance: The remaining 50% is due on completion, before delivery.
Is It Worth It?
A custom timber vanity is not for every bathroom. If you are flipping a rental property, a $500 flat-pack does the job. But if this is your home – the bathroom you use every morning, the space you are investing real money in renovating – a handmade vanity from reclaimed timber is the piece that makes the whole room feel different.
Every board has a story. Every drawer is built to last decades. And when someone walks in and says “that vanity is stunning”, you get to say it was made by hand in a workshop in the Yarra Valley.
Ready to Get a Quote?
Send us your bathroom measurements and a few photos of the space. We will get back to you with a design concept and quote within a few days.