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Bathroom Renovation Guide
Planning ahead
Planning is key to keeping a renovation on time and on budget, but even the best laid plans falter. Allow time for the inevitable setbacks. Here are some roadblocks to look out for.
Inspect what's underneath
Sometimes you may find surprises like rotting floor or water leaks under your tiles. Be sure to take a look for these early with a building inspection so you know what to expect.
Plan for customisation
Bespoke items that are made to order, like vanities and benchtops, can take longer than you anticipate. Order them early to avoid project delays.
Asbestos
Some older homes may have asbestos in their floors, ceilings and walls. Consult your builder about the potential of asbestos in your bathroom so you can account for its removal if necessary.
Plan your tradespeople
Timelines are sensitive. Ensuring the right tradespeople are there at the right times is integral to the execution of your renovation. Book ahead and allow enough time for each task to be completed.
Guide for Project Timeline
Project Start Meeting
Trades required: Supervisor, Plumber, Electrician, Builder, Designer
Here is where your main team will come together to begin planning your project. It might be just you and your builder, or it could include others like your designer or supervisor.
Protection Works, Demolition, Building Works
Trades required: Carpenter
Here is where the team will start prepping your bathroom for the job. Demolition will take place as required and the early building phase will commence. Protection might include plastic sheeting over doors to prevent dust travelling or other structural works.
Plumbing Rough In
Trades required: Plumber
Rough in refers to the bones of the plumbing works. Concealing water pipes, plumbing wastes and frames behind the wall and in the floor.
Electrical Rough In
Trades required: Electrician
Electrical rough in includes all the cables and wires that sits behind the wall. Your electrician may need to make holes in the plaster to allow for feeding through of wires.
Building Work: shower base, straighten walls & ceiling, doors, windows
Trades required: Carpenter
At this stage, your carpenter will start to fit your shower base, straighten walls, and finalise the installation of doors and windows.
Plastering
Trades required: Plasterer
Your plasterer will plaster the walls and ceiling with water resistant board.
Plaster Finish
Trades required: Plasterer
Any last touch ups to imperfections such as repairing any cracks in the walls or ceiling, to ensure a smooth finish for painting.
Underfloor Heating
Trades required: Electrician
Your electrician will need to lay the underfloor heating before the floor is finished and the tiles are laid.
Waterproofing
Trades required: Waterproofer
The waterproofer will prep and prime the area, before applying at least two coats of material. It is important to use a licensed professional to ensure this step is done properly.
MILESTONE — WATERPROOFING COMPLETE
Cabinet Installation
Trades required: Cabinet maker
Vanities, cupboards and shelving are fixed to the walls.
Skirtings and Architraves Install
Trades required: Carpenter
Skirting boards, architraves and other decorative finishes like picture rails are fitted to the walls.
Benchtop Check Measure, Fabrication & Installation
Trades required: Stonemason
If you're installing stone benchtops, they will first be checked then measured by your stonemason before installation.
Tiling
Trades required: Tiler
Floor, wall and any niche tiles will be laid. This involves proper placement and spacing, and grouting, and may necessitate cutting of some tiles to fit.
MILESTONE — TILING COMPLETE
Electrical Fit-Off
Trades required: Electrician
Your electrician will install light fittings, fans, heated towel rails and other electrical items.
Plumbing Fit-Off
Trades required: Plumber
Your plumber will complete installation of toilets, tapware, showers and drains.
Accessories Fit-Off
Trades required: Carpenter
Final touches to the bathroom include towel rails, hooks, toilet roll holders and shelving.
Cleaning
Trades required: Cleaner
Final tidy up of building materials, loose grout and silicone, as well as stray paint spills or mess.
Caulking
Trades required: Caulker
A sealant is applied around the base of products and joins to protect against leaking.
Screen Installation
Trades required: Glazier
The installation of your shower screen will include measurement and checking before final installation.
Supervisor & Job Sign Off
Trades required: Supervisor
Final approvals to ensure building regulations are met and all stages are complete and compliant.
MILESTONE — JOB COMPLETE
Notes
How to use
Here is a general timeline for a typical bathroom renovation. It details all the key milestones and stages to act as a reference point for when you’re in planning phase.
Use as a guide only
This timeline is indicative of a standard 3x3 bathroom renovation. All projects vary in terms of time and complexity. Please refer to this as a guide only.
Backup plan
Lean on your neighbours
Certainly the most practical alternative, chat to your neighbours to see if you can borrow their bathroom while yours is out of action.
Get by with a little help from your (family and) friends
If you have local family or friends, ask if you can pop by daily for a shower and a hug.
Use the shower facilities at the gym or your workplace
Get to work a little early or stop by the gym each day.
If you have two bathrooms, renovate one at a time
This seems like an obvious solution, but it’s easy to forget when you’re focused on a big project.
Notes
Plan ahead
Even with the most solid of plans, bathroom projects can take a while, and there will be times your bathroom is out of action. Be prepared by planning an alternative.