6th July 2021 / Sarah Lowry: How to Renovate Your Bathroom in 12 Essential Steps

If you want to add value to your home, one of the best renovation projects in the current market is a bathroom makeover.

Few features of a home have the wow factor of a beautiful, new bathroom. Research suggests you can add 10% on to the asking price of your entire home if you're offering a brand new bathroom.

But bathroom upgrades can be difficult. Often, the space is tight and the room must be sealed with a waterproof membrane to ensure leaks do not damage the structure of the home.

It's a great investment, though. And with the market gaining strength in our area, this is an excellent time to consider maximising the value of your home with a view to a future sale.

A word to the wise: unless you're a professional builder, avoid a DIY renovation. A bathroom is the province of experienced tradespeople, especially as you may confront a few unforeseen problems along the way that can impact the structural integrity of your home.

Below are the critical components of a bathroom makeover to give you an idea of the work involved, and the order in which it comes.

Planning

Any mistakes that surface later in the project are usually made in the planning. You'll need to create a floorplan that includes storage options, power outlets, as well as identify the style and colour of tiles, and the design of shower, bath toilet and vanity. See if it's practical to install a large window, too, as this is highly desirable among buyers today. They love the additional ventilation and light, and (if possible) a bath with a view. (Although you do want to avoid 'flashing' the neighbours!)

Select a Contractor

Obtain a minimum of three quotes. Give each contractor the same brief so you can compare them equally. Be diligent with pricing that either embellishes or reduces your brief. With bathrooms, you pay for what you get. Make sure you're really clear on who is providing what materials and the quality of those materials.

Make a Budget

Once you have chosen the contractor, and you know their costs, you should create a budget (and stick to it!). By this stage, you should have selected items such as taps, toilets and towel rails.

Permits and Materials

Your contractor will be best positioned to undertake these tasks for you if required. So, don't forget to put this responsibility in your request for a price and make it part of your quote requirements.

Demolition

The degree of chaos will depend on your situation. You may be deploying a rip-and-replace strategy, which means everything comes out and you start again. This is hardcore, expensive but sometimes essential. With other bathrooms, a smaller scale approach is possible. You may be able to tile over the existing tiles, and swap-out the shower unit, toilet and vanity without having to reseal against water leaks.

You're Framed

Contractors will then go about what's called a "framing rough-in" that will set you up to install all the bathroom essentials in the right place and put up the drywall.

Plumbing

The pipes will be repositioned where necessary at this stage. If you can avoid moving pipes in a renovation, do so. It's expensive and may also require the bathroom to be sealed again. In a budget-oriented upgrade, don't move them. If you do, some authorities will want to inspect the rough-in and the final work.

Power On

Your contractor will call in their electrician at this stage and place the power sockets and lights. New safety regulations may mean they are not where you expect. Make sure that as part of the project, you have included heat lamps and an extractor fan to minimise the moisture residue from baths and showers. And don't forget an additional outlet if you want a heated towel rail. This can be another two-inspection process.

Wall It Up

Installation of gyprock walls, ceiling and plastering begins now, and the bathroom is starting to take shape.

The Cosmetics

Now the fun begins as tiles and flooring are laid. While it's tempting to do this task yourself, leave it to a professional, who should get the job done right first time and take only a fraction of the time needed by an amateur. Remember, you can save money here by purchasing end-of-line tiles, but don't underestimate your needs or you could get yourself in trouble.

Cabinets and Storage

You're getting close to the last lap now. While this is another task that you may feel is within your skill-set, leave it to your contractor. In small bathrooms, getting everything to fit can be a challenge even for an experienced builder. Make sure you choose a waterproof vanity, or you'll be replacing it again quickly.

The Hook-Up

Your plumber and electrician will return to install and connect everything. Make sure you like how the switches are positioned on the panel for the lights, heat lamps and extractor fan. And check the water pressure, toilet flush, temperature of the hot water and efficiency of the extractor vent.