Do This 15-Point Checklist Before Starting Your Bathroom Renovation


A bathroom renovation it is an exciting task. But before you move on to choosing the latest tile or tub design, there are a few less exciting things to consider to make sure your project turns out just the way you envisioned it. Because a bathroom renovation can be overwhelming, time-consuming, and expensive, we’ve put together a simple 15-point checklist to make sure your project stays on track and your renovation goes off without a hitch.

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1. Budget

If you don’t already know, you need to get an idea of ​​how much you want to spend on your bathroom renovation. Establishing a budget will help guide you as you make decisions about what to include in your remodel. Once you’ve figured out what you can spend and subtracted the amount allocated to labor, you’ll have a better idea of ​​what you can spend on tiles, fixtures, and extras.

2. time

Many people assume that if they are remodeling a small bathroom, it will only take a few days, or it will take much less time than a larger one anyway. This is not necessarily the case. Depending on how many items you change in the bathroom, your contractor will have to follow the same steps as a larger bathroom. However, planning refers not only to defining the duration of the renovation works, but also to certain intermediate steps, such as ordering and buying custom-made tiles, fixtures, vanities or cabinets to ensure that they can be delivered when your contractor need them. Planning time is also crucial for those who only have one bathroom in their home, as they will have to make arrangements about where to take a shower and use the toilet while the bathroom is being disassembled.

3. Work sequence

When it comes to bathroom renovation, by completing the job in a specific sequence, you can save yourself a lot of cleaning time and mistakes. Whether you’re demolishing plaster or just repainting, you’ll always want to start at the top of the room. Remodel the ceiling first, then the walls, and third the floors so you can avoid damage to your new components.

4. Hidden problems

If you’re making a major upgrade to your bathroom, consider doing a “full gut.” When done by an experienced professional, you end up with a trouble-free bathroom that will perform flawlessly and add tremendous value to your home for years to come. Depending on the age of your home and how well it has been built, the biggest hidden problem you may find is water damage, so look for structural deficiencies in the floor structure, plumbing without adequate ventilation, old plumbing and corroded, non-waterproof tiled shower/tub surrounds, etc.

5. Design style and functionality

When you start, start by thinking about the look you want for your bathroom. There are many factors to consider such as paint color, tile options, vanities, showers, tubs, faucets, etc. It can get overwhelming very quickly, so start with some research. You can start putting together elements that you like into what will become the final bathroom design or you can choose a design element that you want to feature in the bathroom and then work with the rest of the bathroom design around it. Design should work hand-in-hand with functionality, so consider who will be using the bathroom and how, consider an eventual resale of the house, and also take a moment to think about how the bathroom design will fit in with the rest of the house. .

6. Measurements

There are 3 main limitations that really make size matter in a bathroom renovation: the overall size of the bathroom (usually the smallest room in the house), the location of existing plumbing and electrical wiring, and typical standard bathroom dimensions. bathroom accessories. So make sure you have the correct measurements and specifications when you go to the store. More frustrating than trying to shop without measurements is ending up buying things that don’t fit.

7. Contractor

Hiring a contract for a potential DIY job? Well, yes, that’s a smart thing to do given the complexity of the job and the difficult operations involved (electricity, tiling, plumbing, etc.). So don’t overlook the benefits of hiring a contractor and save yourself a lot of heartache and time.

8. Plumbing fixtures and features

No renovation is complete without remodeling or repairing fixtures and features, which could very well form a separate checklist: shower, tub, toilet, bidet, sink, faucets, and shower heads. You should also update or repair your mirrors and shower doors. You can also change the look of your bathroom very easily by changing the door handles, drawer pulls and shower door hardware. If you have the budget, a new set of shower doors can completely change the look of your room.

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9. Cabinets, storage and shelves

Planning cabinets, shelving and storage solutions is a complicated problem in most cases. In small and irregular rooms like the bathroom, it is even more so. They need to be functional and accommodate all your things while keeping everything easily accessible, they need to fit into the available space and make the most of it, and on top of all, they need to look stylish.

10. Walls and floors

Virtually any material can be used to cover walls and floors in the bathroom, as long as it is waterproof, either naturally or through a waterproof finish. Depending on your budget and style, ceramic, marble and granite tiles are beautiful and durable for bathroom floors and walls. For flooring, additional options may include concrete (painted or stained), vinyl sheet, or vinyl tile that are inexpensive and look better than before. Whatever your choice, always keep another key criterion in mind when choosing your bathroom floor: durability and slip resistance.

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11. Lighting

A bathroom can become impractical or downright dangerous without the right lighting, so plan designer lighting that’s both functional and ambience-inducing. Plan first to maximize natural light, while for artificial lighting it’s a good idea to have at least 4 watts of incandescent lighting per square foot.

12. Accessories

Though seemingly insignificant in the overall project picture, no remodel is complete without new fixtures. And amazingly, little things like new towels, laundry, soap dishes, mirrors, towel racks, bath mats add up to the final bill. If you’re on a budget, new hand towels will be better than nothing.

13. Ventilation

Ventilation is crucial in a wet room like the bathroom. It is also a complicated task that requires good planning: choosing the right fan, the right position for its installation and taking care of electrical wiring. Poor ventilation can leave your bathroom damp, moldy, and can even harm your health. However, a well-ventilated bathroom is not just a healthy bathroom. Continuous airflow can also prevent both deterioration of wood trim or fixtures and saturation of building insulation.

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14. Go green

Even if you personally don’t mind going green one way or another, the market is trending towards this, so it’s something to consider. And there are plenty of affordable options to add a green touch to your bathroom: a low-flow toilet that uses less water and saves you money on water bills; low VOC or no VOC paints; dressers made from sustainably harvested wood; recycled glass tile surface countertops etc.

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15. Final cleaning

Final cleaning should include a thorough cleaning of all cabinets, inside and out, ductwork, walls, flooring, windows, and light fixtures. Although often overlooked in the planning phase, in the event of a major renovation, you may want to consider hiring a cleaning service, which means additional costs that hit your budget. If you feel like doing it yourself, you may need to add a day or two to your starting time.


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