5 things you must know before doing a bathroom renovation

After 2020 everyone is looking to make changes in their life. Whether you’re making small upgrades to your home, going for a full renovation project, a bathroom renovation is a great way to start to change the feel of your home. So it’s no wonder that along with the kitchen, this practical space is often the top priority when it comes time to remodel. But choosing a brand-new look isn’t always easy. Whether you are doing a full renovation or simply changing a few fixtures and accessories, it's important to remember these top 5 things before doing a bathroom renovation.

Set a budget

The most important aspect of any renovation project is the budget. When you are thinking of ideas, it's easy to go overboard and overspend. Working within a budget helps to make decisions, not only about fixtures and fittings but the many and varied labour costs involved, from tiling and plumbing to waterproofing. The budget will vary depending on the kind of facelift that you want to give your bathroom. The size of the bathroom is another factor that you need to consider seriously. If you’re planning to remodel to enhance the appeal of the bathroom with new things (such as replacing sinks with stainless steel sinks), then you will need to have a larger budget. Be sure to add in a little extra for unexpected problems. 

Create a plan

When it comes to bathroom renovations everything seems exciting. Instead of going overboard with changes, take a step back and decide what you really want. Make a list of things you can salvage and use later in your new bathroom. Then, make a list of things you wish to change - a fresh coat of paint, good bathroom tiles, new fixtures. Avoid making unnecessary changes to your existing structure and the layout is sound. Also, decide on the look you want to go for in this renovation. Do you want to give it a modern or vintage vibe? What colour scheme do you want to go with? Do you want a bathtub or do you want to keep your shower? For that reason, bring all of your ideas together onto one mood board to stay organised and ensure everything works well aesthetically. 

Plan ahead

Perhaps more than any other room in the house, renovating a bathroom requires a specific sequence of works to be performed and managed around one another. You can’t ask the painter to do his job first if the plumber hasn’t replaced the sink. Doing that can cause damage to the paint forcing you to re-do it. Never assume that any renovation work will take just a few days. Don’t be fooled by the size of the bathroom into thinking that it will take less time compared to a larger one. The time taken is determined by the kind of renovation you’ll be undertaking. If you’re doing a comprehensive remodelling, you should start from the top for easy cleanup.

Functionality is more important

You may have fancy ideas about how the bathroom should look but measure them against their functionality. Don’t get overwhelmed by the idea but first, do extensive research on them. If you are drafting a design, you must consider various factors such as who will use the bathroom and how, its value to the rest of the house, and how it will affect the cost in case of a resale. Fancy fixtures and accessories can’t be used by all. Too many ideas can take away the functionality of the space. Hence, before choosing your range of fixtures and tapware, shop around to understand the look and to also get the best price. When browsing showrooms don’t be afraid to collect your fixtures and finishes together to see how they look in real life. Lay the tile pattern with samples, take your taps to the tile shop or take samples home to see them in the light they’ll be placed in.

Find the right tradies for you

It's also important to find the right people to do the job for you. A full bathroom renovation can’t be a DIY project as you might end up damaging the space. Depending on the job you need to be done, it's important to choose the right tradie for you. If you are planning on adding a bath to your bathroom, it's essential to get a plumber as well as a bathroom builder. Whether your job is large or small, you should always choose a licensed and insured professional. It's also important to make sure they are licensed and insured in case something goes wrong. A reputable tradie will always provide you with a detailed written quote and when you hire them to do the work, will provide you with a written contract. A handshake agreement is not enough. Without a written contract, you have no recourse if a dispute arises.