How to Coordinate a Bathroom Renovation

How to Coordinate a Bathroom Renovation

Taking on a DIY bathroom renovation is no easy task. I say this not to discourage you, quite the contrary, I want you to renovate your bathroom! However, you must be aware there like most things, there is a right and wrong way to approach a bathroom renovation.

To help you get this right, today, I will explain how to coordinate a bathroom renovation. This will ensure your project goes to plan, and that everything runs as smooth as it should.

1. Planning and preparation

bathroom design

The first step in coordinating any renovation, bathroom or otherwise, is to plan out your design. At this stage, you do not need to engage any outside help unless you require plans to be drawn. In which case, now is the time to contact an architect. Expect this phase of the renovation process to take 3 to 6 months.

Things to consider in the planning and preparation stage include positioning of fixtures and fittings, placement of electrical outlets, and what carpentry work is required. If plumbing or electrical outlets are being moved, be mindful that you will need to coordinate a qualified plumber and electrician (see 3.).

You will also need to check in this stage if any council approvals are required.

2. Shop for products

bathrooms online

The next step is the fun step – shopping for products. And, there is much to buy for a bathroom renovation, all of which you can find right here, at Ross’s Discount Home Centre.

Items to include on your shopping list are:

Make sure to purchase products that are in stock. Items that need to be ordered will only cause scheduling problems with tradies, costing you time and money.

3. Hire external tradies

trades person

With the shopping done, now it’s time to establish what external help you will need to complete your renovation.

Be realistic about what you can and cannot carry out yourself. Consider all areas of the renovation and decide on the tradies you need to hire. Even if you are doing a DIY bathroom renovation, chances are you will need assistance from at least three or four following tradies; a carpenter, gyprocker, plumber, electrician, water-proofer, tiler and painter.

Make contact with each tradie and ask for a quote and their availability and work schedule.

3. Coordinate the project schedule

project schedule

The key to a stress-free bathroom renovation lies in the scheduling of each tradie. You don’t want them turning up at the same time, in the wrong sequence of order, or weeks apart. Their arrival needs to be well-coordinated – as each tradie finishes, the next should arrive, without any overlapping.

The tradies below are listed in order of appearance with a time estimate for each to help you coordinate a project schedule.

  • A carpenter – one week for demo and any structural work.
  • A gyprocker/plasterer – two to three days to re-sheet the bathroom walls, ceiling and cornice.
  • A plumber – two to three days for the plumber if existing plumbing is being moved.
  • An electrician – one day to re-wire cabling into the new position.
  • A water-proofer – four to five days for the water-proofer and the water-proofing membrane to cure.
  • A tiler – one week for the tiler to lay and grout the tiles.
  • A painter – one day to paint the ceiling and any plaster walls.

Once the above tasks are complete, the following tradies will need to return to complete their work.

  • The carpenter – three days to install the shower, vanity and mirror.
  • The plumber – two days to fit the sink, toilet, shower and bath to the fittings.
  • The electrician – one day to connect the electrical outlets, exhaust fan and lighting.

Conclusion

To make sure your DIY bathroom renovation goes smoothly and to plan, you need to know how to coordinate it properly and do so before you start renovating.

There is a right and a wrong way to approach a renovation. The right way is to plan and prepare for the renovation by working out the layout and design. This is followed by soucing all products, making sure that all items are in-stock. Next, consider what tradies you need to help complete your renovation and engage their services, and lastly, coordinate a schedule, so each tradie arrives in the correct sequence of order, with none overlapping.

Once you have coordinated your bathroom renovation, you’re all set to get started.