10 Things You Need to Know Before Embarking on a Bathroom Renovation

Is a bathroom renovation calling you this year? If you’re like most people, the idea of renovating your bathroom fills you with dread. It’s a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. If you plan and execute your renovation properly, you can achieve the desired results while staying within budget.

Here at Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we’re all about bathroom renovations. Moreover, we’re all about making bathroom renovations easy and affordable. So, to help you plan and execute a successful bathroom renovation, we’ve put together a list of things to consider before renovating your bathroom:

1. Plan, plan, plan

A bathroom renovation can be a big undertaking, but proper planning can help ensure the project goes smoothly. First, take a look at your current bathroom and make a list of everything that you would like to change. Ask yourself questions like:

• Do you need more storage?
• Would you like to update the fixtures?
• Does the layout need to change?
• Can I move fixtures?

Once you have a good idea of what you would like to do, start gathering inspiration from magazines and websites. Then, begin to put together a budget. Remember that even small changes can add up quickly, so it is essential to set realistic expectations.

Finally, start making some decisions about who will be responsible for each task—I’ll touch on this more below. If you plan to do some of the work yourself, be sure to allow adequate time for the project.

With careful planning, your bathroom renovation will go off without a hitch. Our guide to bathroom renovations should be your first port of call to ensure you’re making the best decisions for your space and budget.

2. Know your budget and stick to it!

The first step in any renovation is knowing how much you can afford to spend and to do this, you need to know how to budget a bathroom renovation. Bathroom renovations can be expensive, so it’s essential to have a realistic budget in mind before you start planning your project.

Tips to help you set a realistic bathroom renovation budget include:

• Decide on the features you want and need in your bathroom
• Assess the condition of your bathroom and determine what needs to be fixed or replaced
• Research the average cost of materials and labour for each feature
• Create a preliminary budget based on your research
• Make adjustments to your budget as needed
• Stick to your budget as closely as possible during the renovation process

Tips to help you stick to your bathroom renovation budget include:

• Choose affordable materials that will still look good
• Shop around for the best prices on everything you need
• Do as much of the work yourself as possible
• Use reclaimed or recycled materials where possible
• Get creative with storage solutions to avoid having to buy extra cabinets or shelves

Once you’ve outlined your budget, begin comparing prices and gathering quotes for materials and fixtures. At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we offer an extensive range of affordable, high-quality bathroom renovation products, making it easy to cut your renovation costs in half without sacrificing style or functionality.

3. know your space and plan your layout

Before you start any bathroom renovation, it is important to create a floor plan to get an accurate idea of the space you have to work. To do this, take careful measurements of the room as it currently is. Measure the width and length of the room, including window positioning and plumbing. This will give you a better sense of the changes you need to make and how they will impact the overall look and feel of the room.

If your goal is to keep costs down, then you will want to work with the existing plumbing. This means that the bath, shower, and vanity will essentially remain in their current position and simply be replaced with new fixtures and fittings. However, if you’re more focused on style and functionality than costs, then you have the flexibility to change the location of your plumbing. Bear in mind, though, that if your home is built on a concrete slab and does not have a raised floor system, the costs to move such fixtures can be rather high.

There are plenty of free online planners to help you create a 3D plan of your bathroom, which is how I personally designed my recent bathroom renovation. While Ross’s Discount Home Centre has a free 3D kitchen planner, unfortunately, we don’t have a bathroom planner. So, I recommend you try floorplanner.com, which is what I used. With a little careful planning, you can ensure that your bathroom renovation goes off without a hitch.

4. Think about storage and organisation

Before you begin planning your bathroom renovation, another important thing to think about is how you want to use the space. If you’re hoping to create a more functional and organised bathroom, then storage and organisation should be at the top of your list. One way to add more storage is to install open shelves or cabinets. This will give you easy access to items like towels, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. If you have a small bathroom, then consider adding a pedestal sink to free up floor space. Mirrors can also help to create the illusion of more space, and they can be used to reflect light and brighten up the room.

Whether you have a large or small bathroom, storage is a necessity, and you’ll have no trouble maximising your storage with the wide range of storage solutions at Ross’s Discount Home Centre. From large bathroom vanities to tall boys and shaving cabinets, we have everything you need to keep your bathroom tidy and organised.

By thinking about function as well as form, you can ensure that your bathroom renovation is a success.

5. Choose a bathroom design style

Before embarking on a bathroom renovation, it is also essential to choose a bathroom design style. This will help you to create a cohesive overall vision for the space and ensure that your budget matches your ambitions. There are many different bathroom design styles, so take some time to browse different magazines and online resources. You can also take inspiration from our articles on Bathroom Design Style Ideas and Bathroom Design Trends. Some of the most popular bathroom design styles in Australia right now include Hamptons, industrial, and Scandinavian. Of course, contemporary is another popular choice.

Once you have an idea of what you would like, you can start to think about how the space will look and what materials you will choose to achieve your desired look. Remember that a more detailed and complex design will likely require a higher budget. However, with careful planning and execution, it is possible to achieve the bathroom of your dreams on any budget.

6. Decide on your finishes and fixtures

One of the best ways to streamline any bathroom renovation is to choose your fixtures and finishes long before the renovation starts. This will help you avoid delays and added costs down the line. Of course, you’ll want to ensure that your choices complement your design style. For example, if you’re going for a contemporary bathroom, you may want to include brushed gold tapware and subway tiles. Or, if you’re aiming for a more Hamptons feel, then you might want to consider a freestanding bathtub and natural marble-look tiles.

Regardless of your preferred style, Ross’s Discount Home Centre provides all the necessary finishes and fixtures. Best of all, our bathroom renovation products are priced competitively to help you stick to your budget. Whether you’re after a bathroom vanity, bath, shower, toilet, bathroom tapware, bathroom tiles, or bathroom mirrors and accessories, know that Ross’s has got you covered. We have everything in stock to avoid any costly delays.

By taking the time to select your bathroom finishes and fixtures upfront, you can avoid potential headaches later on and create a space that truly reflects your personal style.

7. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

If you’re considering a bathroom renovation, it’s important to remember that you can’t do everything yourself. Unless you’re a licenced plumber and electrician, certain jobs should be left to the professionals. However, don’t let this stop you from renovating your bathroom—there are plenty of experienced professionals who can assist you with your project. Bathroom renovation contractors can guide you through the process, ensuring that your renovation is completed safely and on time. In addition, they can provide helpful advice on choosing the right fixtures and fittings for your new bathroom.

If you’re looking to get your hands dirty, there are plenty of jobs you can take on to reduce costs. These jobs include:

• Demolishing your bathroom
• Waterproofing the new bathroom
• Tiling the new bathroom
• Painting the new bathroom
• Installing the new shower screen
• Siliconing the bathroom

But, before you start tearing out tiles or ripping up floorboards, make sure you get in touch with a bathroom renovation contractor. They’ll be able to lend a helping hand and make sure your renovation goes smoothly.

8. Choose the right contractor

Speaking of getting in touch with a bathroom renovation contractor, you must choose the right one for the job. After all, they’ll be responsible for making your vision a reality. Here are a few things to look for:

• Look for a contractor with experience in bathroom renovations. They should be able to show you examples of their work and give you an estimate of the cost and timeline for your project.
• Make sure you are clear on the scope of the project. What exactly will the contractor be doing? Will they be responsible for all aspects of the renovation, or just some of them?
• Get references from previous clients. Ask about their experience working with the contractor and whether they would recommend them.
• Make sure you are clear on the budget for the project. Get a detailed estimate from the contractor, and make sure you understand all the costs involved.

Choosing the right contractor is an important first step in any bathroom renovation. With a little research, you can find a contractor that is perfect for your project and budget.

9. Get your permits in order

Before starting any bathroom renovation, it’s essential to check whether or not you need a permit. In many cases, a permit is required for an apartment or residence that shares a body corporate. The rules and regulations vary from location to location, so it’s essential to do your research beforehand. If you own a free-standing home, then you shouldn’t need a permit for your bathroom renovation.

To avoid any delays or problems down the line, make sure you get all the necessary permits before beginning your renovation.

10. Set a realistic timeline

Before you start your bathroom renovation, it’s essential to work out a timeline for the project. This will help you avoid any delays or trades from overlapping each other.

Bear in mind, though, that even the best-planned renovations can run off track in very little time. I found this out the hard way with my own bathroom renovation that I project-managed myself. While I had planned enough time for each tradesperson to complete their part of the renovation well, I couldn’t make them show up on the day intended. My plumber got COVID, so he was behind in his other jobs; the tilers were juggling three bathroom renovations at once, so one day, they would show up, and the next day, they were nowhere to be seen.

My advice is that if you need to renovate in a short timeframe—for instance, if it’s your only bathroom in your home or it’s the bathroom of a tenanted investment property—contract a bathroom renovation specialist to complete the renovation (rather than using separate tradespeople). They have a whole team of professionals, including their own plumbers and tilers, ensuring a much quicker and hassle-free experience.

Conclusion

Renovating your bathroom can be a daunting task, but with the right planning and execution, it can also be a very rewarding experience. We’ve outlined ten essential things you need to know before embarking on your bathroom renovation, from permits and timelines to choosing the right contractor. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to having the perfect bathroom for you and your family.

And, if you need products for your bathroom renovation, look no further than Ross’s Discount Home Centre. You’ll find everything you need, from baths to bathroom tiles, tapware to waste, all under one roof and all in stock!