How Do You Renovate a Bathroom? A Guide

Renovating a bathroom can feel like a big task, with it being one of the most active rooms in the house, the disruption to normal life can be off-putting. But the bathroom sets a tone for relaxation and comfort. 

We are breaking down how you renovate a bathroom in 7 manageable steps that will fit your timescale and budget:

• Step 1: Planning

• Step 2: Set a Budget

• Step 3: Prepare the Space 

• Step 4: Plumbing and Electrical

• Step 5: Tiles and Flooring

• Step 6: Installation 

• Step 7: Finishing

  
  

A small bathroom can be elegant and modern; all you need is a clear vision.

Step 1: Planning

You start by thinking about what you want from a new bathroom. Would you like a bath, or is a walk-in shower more to your taste? Do you want the layout changed, or do you want fixtures, like the sink, moved? This will inform your budget, timescale, and need for a professional. 

Begin with blue sky thinking: what is it you want to do without thinking about budget or time constraints?

The second question you should ask yourself is: “Do I want to do any of it myself, or should I get a professional?”. The answer will depend on your level of confidence and skill. Often, homeowners will do some of the construction themselves and then call in a professional for specific tasks. 

Step 2: Budget

Now that you have established what your finished bathroom looks like, you can get an idea of how much it will cost, and if you need to make amendments to your plan. 

You can roughly split your renovations into two categories: 

The Basics - swapping out existing fixtures for new ones  

• Changing the sink

• New flooring

• Repainting or lighting 

The Advanced - relocating or installing brand new features

• Moving the location of fixtures, e.g. sinks, toilets, showers or baths. 

• Heating, including underfloor

• Addressing issues like damp. 

We have a blog on how long an entire house and each room should take to renovate, if you are curious. 

Step 3: Preparing the Space

Begin by removing the electrical fixtures from the bathroom. This might include something like a heated towel rail or lighting. Remember to turn the power off at the mains before beginning.  

Next is removing the furniture. This is often storage, like cabinets or shelving. 

When removing the fixtures like the sink, toilet, shower or bath, you will want to turn the water off at the mains and any isolator points going to the bathroom. 

The goal of this step is to remove anything that is not needed or delay the work. 

Step 4: Plumbing and Electrical

If you haven't previously, this is the point at which you should consider hiring a professional tradesperson.  

At this point, the foundations for the room are being laid. The wiring and plumbing are what will allow your bathroom to function. Finishing your beautiful bathroom only to then have to rip it all out again to fix an issue is only going to cost more in the long term.

Leaks can appear in the form of puddles, mould, smells, or issues with your tiles or plaster.

At GPPM, we are members of The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI), so you can trust us with your next plumbing challenge. 

Step 5: Tiles and Flooring

Adding tiles to your walls or floor is a staple of bathrooms, but which one is right for you will very much depend on your space. 

For a smaller space, large tiles can make a small bathroom feel larger, due to the reduced grout lines. 

Are Large Tiles More Expensive?

Large tiles can appear more expensive at first due to their higher individual price tag, but in the long term, large tiles have their financial advantages.    

Bigger tiles mean less cleaning. Due to the grouting between the tiles being less frequent, the cleaning of any mould or residue that builds up is greatly reduced. Not a money saving advantage, but definitely a time saving one. It just depends on how much you care about cleaning. 

Larger tiles tend to be more durable, so there is a much lower chance of cracking or damage. In theory, this will reduce the cost of replacements over time, making a larger tile more cost-effective. Of course, damage cannot be properly planned for, and is not consistent over time. The durability decision is going to vary depending on your lifestyle and needs. 

Your floor and wall tiles can match to create a cohesive look to your bathroom.

Step 6: Installation 

Now that the functional elements of the bathroom have been completed, this is where everything starts to come together in a visual way. We are putting back in the new fixtures and fittings, including sinks, toilets, showers, and baths. 

All these elements need to be fitted with care. Poorly fitted items can quickly lead to leaks and damage, undoing all of the hard work so far. 

Design and functionality meet here before going to the final ‘finishing’ stage. Everything should be tested for:

• Durability e.g. tiles and flooring

• Watertightness e.g. shower, bath, and sink 

• Safety e.g. electrical fixtures 

Step 7: Finishing

Your carefully crafted design and colour scheme can finally come out. Colours, mirrors, and lighting are the finishing touches. 

If you are looking for inspiration, Tile Mountain have a great blog on the subject. Best practise is to choose a primary colour for your walls and flooring, a secondary colour to complement, and an accent colour usually used for your fixtures, fittings, and furniture.

Remember that your bathroom needs to be functional over form. But that doesn't mean you can't have it both ways. You can incorporate lighting into your mirrors to create a relaxed atmosphere while saving wall space. Use floating storage units to save on floor space. 

There are loads of ways that you can ensure your space is functional and beautiful!  

A Tip From Us

Older houses often don't have an extractor fan fitted, but if you're renovating your bathroom, it's worth considering. Extractor fans primarily help you control the moisture in your bathroom. If moisture in the air sits around for too long, you'll be dealing with mould spots in no time.

Of course, if your bathroom is tiled from ceiling to floor, mould forming is far easier to clean.

Can We Help You With Your New Bathroom?

Renovating your bathroom doesn’t have to be overwhelming! As long as you follow each step, ensuring that you have a clear picture in mind from the beginning,  you'll have an amazing new bathroom in no time. 

Of course, doing it all yourself isn't for everybody. Sometimes you want a professional to take care of it. 

If that is you, then get a free quote from us, and let's build your perfect bathroom together.