The early stages of planning a bathroom renovation
Renovations are exciting and also scary! The unknown is terrifying when there’s so much to coordinate and you don’t know where to start.
We’ve been planning our bathroom renovation so want to make the process easier for you than it was us as we waded the unknown to organise our bathroom reno, it’s a mission right but we couldn’t find a place that just told us what to do!!!
Things to consider
Do you need a ‘makeover’ or a renovation?
It could be easier and more cost-effective to paint tiles and replace accessories and fittings than doing a full renovation that costs anywhere upwards of 10k. Want to see what’s involved in a makeover? We did a YouTube series with bunnings doing a bathroom reno - watch here
Budget vs return?
You might have the cash to splurge on a bathroom, yes they make your home more appealing therefore resulting in a price increase come resale, but will it make you a decent return on investment?
DIY or pay a pro?
Something we’ve asked ourselves. We know we will make a nice job of the things we can DIY but there are jobs we aren’t qualified to touch such as plumbing and electrical work. You can easily nail certain elements yourself like gibbing and plastering (if you’re practiced) but use someone like Foley plumbing to get the job done right the first time.
Budget
Before you start you’ll need to know what you’re working with. As mentioned above this will dictate what you do. Trades are expensive but worth it if you use the right ones! So prepare yourself for a chinky quote.
Spec then coordinate
If you have an idea of what you want in terms of form and function it will make the process ahead faster and smoother for all parties because they will tell you if it all functions together and if you’ve missed anything.
You’ll want to create a Pinterest board like this, and work from there on what your base aesthetic is then going on a hunt for products that match. We’ve spent hours in Bunnings and Brymac tiles considering different options.
Coordination and timeline
Get that timeline ready, It doesn’t matter if it’s via a spreadsheet or in a diary, you’ll need a journal of what’s happening when it’s happening and who's doing it.
The process varies based on your project but you’ll be looking at a line up similar to this: demo, plumber cap off, demo continued, electrician and plumber in to reconfigure, any prep work, gib and plastering, waterproofing, painting, plumber and electrician in to refit, flooring, skirts, touch-ups, insta pics 😉
Handy tips
Try use a “master trade” because they are backed by a quality insurance that covers you if their workmanship isn’t up to scratch.
Take your time, it’s a big investment so you want everything to be perfect
Be realistic for your house, if it’s going to make some good coin come resale, splash out on the quality fittings
Talk to people that have done a bathroom reno and ask them questions.
Listen to your tradespeople, they see 100s or bathrooms a year so they know what they are talking about (but stick with your gut when it comes to design).
You don’t have to be boring on a budget, things like vanities can be upcycled drawers or you can buy them without tops so you can swap them around.
Keep up to date with our bathroom renovation on Instagram