Renovating a bathroom: step-by-step plan, smart choices and common mistakes

Renovating a bathroom is a project where a lot of choices come together: layout, pipes, electrics, ventilation, tiling, sanitary fittings and finishing. So the best bathroom does not start with tiles or taps, but with a good plan and the right order of work.

In this step-by-step plan you can read what to look out for before the demolition starts, which technical choices matter and which mistakes during a bathroom renovation often cost extra time and money. Would you like the whole job taken care of? Then also see our page about bathroom, toilet and kitchen.

1. Start with the bathroom layout

First decide which parts must stay and which may move. Think of the shower, washbasin, toilet, radiator, washing machine and any storage space. Moving sanitary fittings often affects the water pipes and drains, so it is sensible to fix the layout you want before you order materials.

Also make sure there is enough room to move. A large shower or a wide bathroom cabinet can look good, but it has to be in proportion to the space available. In smaller bathrooms, a smart layout often gives more comfort than simply choosing bigger parts.

2. Check the pipes and drains before you start finishing

As the bathroom is being opened up anyway, this is the right moment to check old or illogically laid pipes. Building a new bathroom over outdated pipework can lead to unnecessary breaking out later.

Do water pipes, drains or connection points need to be renewed or moved? Then read more about our sanitary fittings and plumbing. If there are already damp patches or you are unsure whether there is a hidden leak somewhere, leak detection beforehand can be sensible.

3. Think about electrics and lighting early

Bathrooms place extra demands on electrical installations because of the combination of moisture and electricity. So decide beforehand where the lighting, mirror lighting, sockets, ventilation and any electric underfloor heating will go.

Also check whether the existing installation is suitable for the new situation. If changes to circuits, cabling or the meter cupboard are needed, you can find more information on our page electrics and consumer units.

4. Make sure there is good ventilation

A bathroom produces a lot of moisture every day. Without good removal of that moisture, condensation, mould and damage to sealant and grout can develop. A window helps, but is not always enough if there is no proper ventilation.

So check the existing ventilation unit, extraction and vents. During a renovation it is often easier to make improvements straight away. See what we can do for ventilation in the bathroom and the home.

5. Make the surface water-resistant and flat

The visible finish is only as good as the surface behind it. Walls and floors must be firm, flat and suitable for a damp room. Especially around the shower, the bath and other wet zones, a correct waterproof build-up is important.

Rushing this stage can later lead to tiles coming loose, cracks, leaks or poor sealant joints. So it is sensible to finish the technical build-up first before you start on the visible finish.

6. Choose tiling or wall panels for how you use them, not just for the look

Large tiles can give a calm look, while smaller tiles are sometimes more practical with a sloping floor or awkward corners. Wall panels can also be a sleek alternative in some situations.

Besides colour and size, also look at upkeep, slip resistance, grout width and how well the material suits the surface. For different finishes, see our page about tiling and wall panels.

7. Think about heating in advance

A comfortable bathroom needs a suitable source of heat. That can be a radiator, but also underfloor heating or a combination. When pipes or floors are open anyway during the renovation, this is the right moment to decide what is technically possible.

Would you like to know which solution suits your home? Read more about radiators and underfloor heating.

8. Only order sanitary fittings once the measurements and connections are fixed

A common mistake is ordering a cabinet, shower screen or toilet before the final measurements are known. A difference of a few centimetres can be enough to make fitting difficult or impossible.

So check the measurements again after the demolition and technical preparation. With concealed taps, niches, cisterns and shower channels, pay extra attention to the built-in depth and position.

9. Keep to the right order of work

A logical order prevents doing work twice. A bathroom renovation usually goes roughly like this:

1. demolition and removal of old parts;
2. checking and adjusting the drains and water pipes;
3. adjusting the electrics and ventilation;
4. preparing the floors and walls and making them waterproof;
5. tiling or wall finishing;
6. fitting sanitary fittings, cabinets and taps;
7. sealing, finishing and a final check.

Common mistakes when renovating a bathroom

Most problems do not come from someone choosing the wrong colour of tile, but from technical details being considered too late. Pay particular attention to these points:

• too little attention to ventilation;
• ordering sanitary fittings before everything has been finally measured;
• hiding pipes without checking their condition;
• deciding on sockets, lighting or mirror connections too late;
• not enough fall towards the shower drain;
• not taking enough account of upkeep and access;
• starting the finishing before the surface is completely ready.

What does a bathroom renovation cost?

The final cost depends heavily on the size of the room, how much pipework has to change, the sanitary fittings you choose, the finish and the amount of custom work. A renovation where the existing layout largely stays is very different from a complete rebuild where pipes, electrics and walls are changed.

For our current labour and call-out charges, see the prices page. For a realistic estimate for your own bathroom, a photo, measurements and a short description are usually much more useful than a general price per square metre.

Also read: Do you already have damp patches or suspect a leak before the renovation? Then first see what to do with a leak in your home.

Having your bathroom renovated in Almere and the surrounding area?

In Almere and Lelystad, Klusbedrijf MSZ can combine different parts of a bathroom renovation, including plumbing, sanitary fittings, electrics, ventilation, tiling and finishing. That makes it easier to plan the work in the right order.

Would you like to know what your bathroom needs? Then ask for a free, no-obligation quote and, if possible, send a few photos and the rough dimensions along with it.