How to Coordinate a Bathroom Renovation

Embarking on a DIY bathroom renovation can seem daunting, especially when juggling budget, style, and timelines. Having spent decades in the home improvement industry, I can confidently say that the key to a successful bathroom transformation lies in proper planning and understanding the bathroom renovation process. Whether you’re tackling a small refresh or a complete overhaul, breaking down the project into manageable bathroom renovation steps can make the journey far less overwhelming.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the essential steps of a bathroom renovation in Australia—from setting clear goals and creating a budget to selecting products and scheduling trades. You’ll gain practical advice on everything from sourcing materials to coordinating timelines efficiently. With the right approach, you can achieve a stylish, functional bathroom while avoiding costly mistakes and unnecessary stress.

If you’re ready to transform your bathroom but unsure how to start, this article is your step-by-step roadmap. Let’s dive in and make your dream bathroom a reality!

1. Planning and preparation

The first step in any bathroom renovation process 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 at this stage if any council approvals are required.

2. Shop for bathroom products

The next step in the process is the fun step—shopping for bathroom 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:

• Bathroom tiles
• Bathroom mirror
• Vanity cabinet
• Shower screen
• Basin
• Bathroom tapware – for the basin, shower and bath
• Floor wastes
• Bath – if applicable
• Toilet – if applicable
• Accessories

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

With the shopping done, now it’s time to establish what external help you will need to complete your bathroom 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 of the following tradies; a carpenter, gyprocker, plumber, electrician, waterproofer, tiler, and painter.

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

3. Coordinate the project schedule

The key to a stress-free bathroom renovation lies in the scheduling of each trade. 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 ensure your DIY bathroom renovation in Australia runs smoothly and stays on track, understanding the bathroom renovation process is essential. Proper planning and preparation can save time, money, and stress while helping you achieve a professional result.

The key to success lies in following clear bathroom renovation steps. Begin by finalising your layout and design, then source all necessary products to ensure everything is ready when you need it. Next, engage qualified tradespeople to complete the project and create a well-organised schedule, ensuring each trade works in the correct sequence. By coordinating these elements effectively, you’ll avoid delays and costly errors.

With a clear plan and the right approach, you’re well on your way to transforming your bathroom into a functional and stylish space. So, take that first step, and soon, you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of a perfectly executed DIY bathroom renovation!