How To - Renovate Your Bathroom in 6 Easy Steps
Step 1 - Ideas Start gathering pictures of the style of bathroom you would like to create for example do you imagine a chic boutique feel with mood lighting? A Zen-like spa with a Japanese inspired tub or perhaps a classic period style that has his and hers wash hand basins?
Step 2 - Practicality So you want the freestanding soaking tub and have visions of immersing yourself for an hour with a glass of bubbly and some scented candles… in reality, you may have a family of rubber ducks, an old shampoo bottle and some lego blocks to share your bathing experience. Kids need a bathroom too so think about who is actually going to be using this bathroom. If you are lucky, you may have an En-Suite?
Step 3 - Space How big is the bathroom? Is there enough space for a bath and a shower? Do you need a separate bath and shower? Would you prefer a wet room? (A bathroom with no bath and only a shower, is not ideal for babies though) Do you need storage space? What kind of storage would work well for you? Drawers, doors, low level or up high? Toilets do not necessarily need to stay where they are, they can sometimes be moved. Think outside the box.
Step 4 - Budget What will it actually cost? Ask yourself a few questions. Do you want a bathroom to last the next 10 to 15 years or Do you just want to spruce up what you have? Do you want to rent your property out? These questions need to be addressed when deciding on what to invest in a bathroom.
Before you get started -
It is important to think about a realistic budget. A small standard bathroom in a fairly modern house (less than 20 years old) will start at around £10,000. This would include a new shower, bath, wc, vanity unit, basin, taps, flooring, wall panels and fit-out. If your property has to be rented out you will probably spend less than this.
If you are considering moving the wc or any pipes, the cost will increase. If you have an older victoria type property you may discover that you have 3 or 4 layers of tiles on the walls which will need to be removed otherwise the tiles or wall panels may fall off. Some old properties still have lead pipes which can lead to legionella, so it is definitely worth checking this out before you start. If the scope of work involves down takings and building works there can be a significant increase in the budget. It is best to ensure these things are checked out before your start on your renovation journey.
Step 5 -
Who do you need to do the work? Depending on the layout and the scope of work, you will need at the very least a plumber, joiner and electrician. If you are looking to extend a bathroom or knock down a wall you may need an architect, structural engineer and a builder. This type of renovation work will possibly require planning permission and a building warrant. Some projects need a tiler or a specialist flooring fitter if you are considering a wet room. Also, remember the ceiling, do you need a plasterer or a decorator.
Step 6 - Check List There are many components to a bathroom renovation and a lot of choices to make. Here is a checklist of everything you will need to make a decision on.
● Bath-Type Plastic, Ceramic, Composite material, stone, other. Finish, colour & style
● Bath Waste - Pop up, click/clack to suit bath. Colour finish.
● Bath Taps - Mixer, Mono, Dual, Wall Mounted, colour finish, style
● Shower Valve - Type Electric or Thermostatic, style, colour finish
● Shower Head - Waterfall or variable, hand shower, style, colour finish
● Vanity Unit - Wall Mounted, Floor Standing, Drawer Units, Drawer & Door or Doors. Size, style, colour
● Basin - Undermounted, countertop, recessed, semi-recessed. Size, colour & style.
● Basin Taps - Mono, Dual, Mixer, Wall Mounted, Size, Projection, Colour, Style
● Basin Waste - Pop up, click/clack to suit basin. Colour finish.
● WC Pan, Seat & Flush - Floor standing, wall-mounted, close-coupled, back to wall, concealed cistern.
What tradespeople do you need? Do you know these people? Can they work together as a team?
Plumber Joiner
Electrician Gas Safe
Architect Structural
Engineer
Builder
Flooring Specialist
Plasterer Tiler Decorator Project Manger
Does this sound like really hard work to you? If so leave it to us, we do this kind of work every day. We have a magnificent team who will be delighted to lend a helping hand to guide you through the whole process, stress-free! Leaving you to buy the bubbly & candles for your tub.
