Design
The first step in the renovation process is to design the room and finalise selections of fixtures and fittings, tiles, lighting, accessories and any added extras such as under-floor heating, skylights or custom joinery. Seeing 3d images of the room can be very helpful especially if you are going for a new layout to the existing room, this may be to add a walk-in shower, freestanding bathtub or added storage.
Preparation and Protection
It is vitally important to prepare for the renovation before it begins; this includes ordering all items that are required keeping in mind that some things take much longer to arrive than others. For example, custom cabinetry, new windows and some ranges of fittings may take four to six weeks. If these items have not been ordered well in advance the renovation could be delayed and take much longer to complete than you had hoped. In most cases, the homeowners are living in the home during the renovation so having the job run efficiently and on time is extremely important.
Also just as important is to schedule all trades, if you can book the trades well in advance and provide them with an expected timeline they are able to plan their work accordingly. This enables each stage to run smoothly and without delays.
Now it is time for the renovation to start so the next thing is to protect the other areas of your home where tradesmen may be accessing the property or working, this includes laying protective floor coverings, covering furniture and arranging a safe place for pets to be during the renovation.
Step 1 - Demolition
The messy bit! This stage involves removing all existing fixtures and fittings, wall and floor tiles, plaster where required, stud walls if the room size is changing and windows and doors if applicable. If the floor is a concrete slab there may be areas of the slab being removed to relocate plumbing to suit a new layout or to lower the floor level for walk-in tiled showers. Timber floors may also have areas removed or lowered and any damaged areas from water leaks would also be removed.
Step 2 - Rough In and Carpentry
During this stage the carpentry work is completed, this includes repairs to walls and floor, building frames for wall niches, mirror cabinets, built-in bathtubs and any other features that require framework. For timber floors new floor sheeting is laid and if applicable new windows or cavity sliding door units installed.
This is also when plumbers and electricians are roughing in for the new fittings such as toilets, mixers or tapware, vanities, showers, baths and so on. Also, the electrician will be wiring in new power outlets, new lighting, exhaust fans and other inclusions such as heated towel rails or underfloor heating.
Step 3 - Plastering
Now that all the work is complete behind the walls new plaster sheets can be installed on walls and ceilings where applicable.
Step 4 - Waterproofing and Tiling
This is an extremely important element of a new bathroom. Firstly the waterproofing needs to be done correctly as this is what will protect your bathroom and other areas of your home for years to come. Just as important is that the waterproofing is given the appropriate time to dry before tiling can begin.
Now it’s time to tile, tiling makes an important visual impact on the bathroom. The quality of the tiling job can make or break the overall final appearance of the room. Tiling is also an expensive element of the renovation so you want it done correctly. Once the tiling is complete you really start to see what the overall look of the room will be.
Step 5 - Fit Off
Now you have made it to the fun part and the worst is behind you. All the messy jobs are complete and the fittings are ready to be installed. You now start to see the tapware, vanities, shower screen and other fittings you have chosen months earlier installed.
The electrical items are now also fit off with things such as lighting, fans, outlets and switches finalised.
Step 6 - Finishing Touches
It's the home stretch now. This is where everything else is finished, painting completed, caulking done, accessories installed and the room given that final clean.
Time to enjoy your new bathroom!
