The bathroom is one of the most functional rooms in the modern family home – not to mention the busiest – which is why so many of us think about bathroom renovation and remodelling as a priority when we are considering home improvements. However, this seemingly simple task can turn into a catastrophe if you don’t carefully plan and consider all aspects to the project.
This is why we have created a simple guide covering the main points and topics to think about before renovating your bathroom
From the moment your family wakes to the moment they retire the bathroom is constantly in demand. Your bathroom can often be used as anything from a relaxing utopia where you can relax in bubbles washing of the day’s stresses, to a professional make up studio where hair is straightened, blusher is applied and lippy is added. Therefore, getting your bathroom renovation exactly right is of paramount importance to your entire household.
Budget:
- Be Realistic:
You don’t have to spend a fortune on bathroom renovations but you do have to make sure that you have accurately assessed the kinds of sums of money involved in your project. It may sound like common sense but many people fail to make accurate budgets before undertaking home improvements – even jobs as big as bathroom remodelling projects. Consider your needs, your wants and your available funds before you commit to booking tradesmen or buying your fixtures and fittings. - Nothing Good is Cheap, Nothing Cheap is Good:
When it comes to buying quality bathroom suites and fixtures, remember that cheap doesn’t always mean low cost. Because the majority of items that you choose to have fitted into your bathroom take skilled craftsmen to both install and remove, replacing substandard products when they break or fail becomes very expensive and hugely inconvenient. Buying a high quality bathroom suite doesn’t mean spending thousands and thousands either. Speak with a reputable bathroom fitting company to discover the true prices and qualities of fixtures and fittings that are available. - DON’T Do It Yourself:
All too often homeowners will make the mistake of undertaking bathroom renovations themselves. There are many varying tradesmen who are required to make the magic happen in your new bathroom including plumbers, electricians, plasterers, tilers, labourers and possibly even gas engineers, and it is extremely unlikely that one person will have all of these skills. The relatively small cost of employing the right skill sets will quickly eclipse the costs you would face to put any DIY mistakes right. - Expect the Unexpected:
What starts out as a simple job can often lead to unexpected and unwanted surprises as you begin to remove your old bathroom fixtures and fittings. Hidden water damage is a common issue found by homeowners who are undertaking bathroom renovations. Things like leaking shower pans and damaged sealant can, over time, cause costly damage to flooring and walls. Such damage must be addressed and dealt with before you can fit your new bathroom, regardless of whether you envisaged the problem or not. Therefore, having a portion of your renovation budget available as a contingency fund is an absolute must!
Timescale:
- Don’t Rush:
Before you decide how long your bathroom renovation will take, ask the experts. Speak with a reputable home improvements company to establish exactly how long each phase of your remodelling will take…then add some extra time as well! The only thing worse than going over on your budget is going over on your timescale. Generally speaking, unless you have a second bathroom in your home, you will need to vacate your property while your bathroom renovation takes place. You may need to stay with friends and family or book a hotel while the work is completed. This makes your timescale assessment just as important as your budget. - Availability of Products and Materials:
Before you bring in the contractors and workmen you need to make sure that everything you need for your new bathroom is available and ready to use. Ensure that every fixture and fitting is available for your start date. The last thing you need is for your entire bathroom renovation to be held up while you wait for ‘those’ flooring tiles or ‘that’ shower cubicle.
Design:
- How Do You Use Your Bathroom?
Before you start choosing bathtubs, showers and decorations you should first carefully consider how you and your family use the bathroom. Ensure that there is plenty of space and light for vanity purposes, plan for adequate ventilation – especially in busy bathrooms, and plan for any electrical needs such as lighting and shaver plugs. - Splash Out on the Shower:
These days the shower is possibly the most used appliance in the home. Therefore, it makes sense to allow as much space as possible for the shower. As a rule, shower cubicles are normally restricted to just three or four feet square but by expanding this area to 4’x6′ or even 5’x7′ you are able to create a much more functional wash space. You may even be able to do away with a shower curtain or door. Consider creating an L-shaped design for your shower area, which will contain the spray. - Hide the Toilet:
An increasingly popular design idea for bathrooms is to offer some discretion when it comes to the loo. You can create a room within your bathroom by adding dividing half-walls or screens. Other options include adding furniture such as dressers to create privacy without the expense or intrusion of a framed wall.
So there you have it. A complete guide of things to consider and plan for when undertaking a bathroom renovation in your home. Think “Budget, time and design” before you start ripping out the walls and you won’t go far wrong.
