Our comprehensive guide is packed with helpful insights and information that will get you on the right track whether you are just beginning a bathroom renovation and want to make sure your project fulfils your vision, or are just thinking about planning a bathroom.
Many homeowners look forward to the completion of a bathroom remodel since it means finally getting rid of their old, antiquated bathroom suite and plumbing and replacing it with a brand new, shining, spa-worthy sanctuary.
But before you let yourself get carried away in the first bathroom showroom you step foot in, make sure you plan the space correctly, examine all of your alternatives when it comes to bathroom layouts and fittings, and think about who will carry out the work. Do not forget that many construction companies also offer bathroom design services.
Do I need a professional builder to put up my new bathroom?
To complete a bathroom installation, you’ll need the services of a builder, tiler, electrician, and plumber. A plasterer or interior decorator may also be required. Some construction companies offer comprehensive bathroom renovation services. A contractor with experience in bathroom renovations will be able to hire and coordinate the various tradespeople needed to complete the job.
Your plan should take into account a number of elements, such as your available funds, your degree of DIY expertise, the timeframe you’re working under, the expected amount of effort needed in installing your bathroom fixtures, and the fixtures you’ve selected.
A bathroom remodel managed by a contractor is the best option in several typical cases.
- A complete bathroom overhaul entails installing new fixtures and plumbing. This is especially common in larger-scale renovation projects, when new bathrooms are put within an addition or when bathrooms are formed from rooms that were previously given over to another function.
- If the work could potentially compromise party walls (common walls between you and your neighbour),
- Especially if the walls in question are structural, this is the case when it comes time to build or tear down interior walls (load-bearing).
- In cases when the current floors need to be reinforced in order to accommodate the new fixtures, as is often the case when installing new, high-end bathrooms.
- for a wet room, where concerns with waterproofing, drainage, and structural calculations are typical.
- Instead of employing a bathroom specialist’s in-house supply-and-fit service, you can hire a builder to oversee the process if you opt to acquire all fixtures and fittings from separate suppliers.
- When permission from an authority responsible for building regulations (also known as building regs) or conformity with them is needed.
- Choosing hefty, large-format stone tile or wall-hung sanitaryware, both of which necessitate expert installation, might be a costly mistake.
- If you don’t have the time or expertise to oversee the bathroom remodelling process on your own, hiring a general contractor to handle it all is your best bet. Many builders are able to handle all areas of bathroom installation, such as tiling, plumbing, and electrics, so you won’t have to seek trades separately if you go this route.
A Guide to Bathroom Layout
Spend some time planning out your bathroom to make sure it matches your needs exactly before you start picking out sanitaryware and looking at the latest bathroom designs.
Communicate your vision for the new bathroom with the contractor you hire from the very beginning. A seasoned builder will be able to shed light on the feasibility of various layouts, types of fixtures, and estimated prices, which will help you make an informed decision.
The brief you give your bathroom supplier, installer, or builder should reflect your clear and precise vision for the finished space. Bring in bathroomexperts early in in the process if you need assistance with bathroom design.
When planning a bathroom renovation, it is important to first consider several bathroom layouts that make the most of the available space.
- First, determine where the existing dirt pipe enters the room, which will indicate the optimum location for the new toilet.
- Doors and windows, as well as existing elements like bulkheads, dormer windows, alcoves, and sloping ceilings, can all be marked out on graph paper to determine how they will affect the bathroom’s design.
- You can then experiment with the placement of fixtures like the toilet, sink, and bathtub if you sketch them to scale.
- A builder who is supervising the job could be able to help you plan out the bathroom or provide you with some suggestions for it.
- Who will be using the restroom is a crucial consideration. Anyone who, for instance, has young children is likely to want a bath and, consequently, should give some thought to cleanability and safety in the bathroom. Perhaps a primary en suite bathroom would benefit more from a walk-in shower and two sinks.
Are you beginning from scratch or remodelling an existing bathroom?
Several options exist for completing a bathroom remodel.
For those with limited resources, the ideal renovation is often a modest one. Avoid disrupting the plumbing by keeping the current layout in place, but consider updating to more contemporary fixtures like a heated towel rail.
To remodel a bathroom sometimes necessitates new or modified plumbing systems, as do expansions that include a separate WC or that take over some of the space of an extra bedroom.
When doing major renovations or building from the ground up, a bathroom will be constructed in an entirely new area. To ensure that your new plumbing and electrical adhere to local regulations, you should hire a builder or other qualified professional.
At the planning stage, always with your builder about moving any utilities.
Buying Bathroom Fixtures
Both a toilet and a sink are necessary fixtures in any bathroom. After that, you can opt for a bathtub, a shower stall, or both.
Which is better: a shower stall or a shower that hangs over the tub?
An over-the-bath shower is a great solution for anyone who is limited on space in their bathroom. Consider a shower bath, in which the tub is angled at one end to provide room for a shower head. Try to find tubs with level bases and a non-slip finish.
A shower enclosure should be at least 761mm × 761mm in size, with a minimum clearance space of 611mm for maximum comfort. Enclosures with fixed glass panels and sliding doors, which don’t require space to swing out, are an excellent alternative for compact washrooms. An air of refined indulgence is created by walk-in enclosures that are both spacious and private.
How big is a typical bathroom tub or shower?
Although the conventional size for a bath is 1711mm x 711mm, you can get baths that are larger or smaller than this, as well as double-ended baths with the waste in the middle.
picking a sink
Especially in a bathroom used by multiple people, such as a family, the largest basin that would fit is the one you should choose. Basins that are mounted on the wall or rest on a semi-pedestal can free up more floor space and be installed at a height of your choosing. Full-pedestal basins tend to be more affordable and maintain a more classic appearance.
Which codes am I required to follow?
Unlike when establishing a brand new bathroom, you will likely have to connect utilities like electricity, plumbing, and trash when repairing an existing bathroom. However, if you decide to upgrade your bathroom fixtures or rearrange your sanitaryware, you may find that you require additional wiring or plumbing, or that the present services need to be redirected.
While a permit is not needed to replace existing fixtures like sinks and bathtubs, moving or adding a bathroom does necessitate approval from building officials.
Similarly, construction codes must be followed for any electrical work in close proximity to water sources like sinks, tubs, and showers, as well as for any work that involves altering or expanding drainage systems.
A professional builder’s guidance will be invaluable at this stage as well. Many construction companies have access to qualified electricians and plumbers who may assist you as a project manager.
If required by local ordinances, have your staff produce documentation showing that their work is in accordance with building codes. Assuming you hired competent workers, this is a routine step in the process. When selling your home, prospective buyers will ask to see proof that you have the necessary certifications, so keep them in a safe place.
Learn more about the permits you need and how to find licenced plumbers and electricians by reading our guide on building rules.
Approximately how long does it take to put in a new bathroom?
It may take as little as a couple of weeks for a small, straightforward installation to take several months for a major overhaul of a whole bathroom.
To have an idea of what to expect in terms of timelines, you may ask your builder, but it can also be helpful to familiarise yourself with a typical bathroom installation schedule.
Installing a bathroom follows a very standard timetable.
- Make a plan for your bathroom budget and brief.
- Locate a builder, provide your brief, and solicit at least three bids before making a final decision.
- Select a contractor, agree to terms in writing, schedule your job, and begin construction. (Prepare in advance, because the best contractors are rarely available at short notice.)
- Together with your builder, finalise your project’s brief and choose finishes, fixtures, and appliances.
- The current lavatory should be discarded.
- As a first step, you should update the building’s plumbing and electricity by installing any necessary new services and replacing any ageing pipes or wiring.
- Wall levelling, tiling backer board installation, and plastering are all included.
- fix the ceiling by plastering it.
- The floor was levelled, reinforced (where necessary), screeded, and waterproofed.
- Second-fix plumbing consists of putting in a sink, a faucet, a bathtub, a shower stall, and a toilet.
- The second fix wiring includes the installation of an extractor fan, shaver points, electric underfloor heating, light switches, and spotlights.
- Tiling the walls and the floor.
- Closing touches
- You will receive the required certificates to keep in a secure location.
- Have fun taking a bath for the very first time in your shiny new bathroom!
Usually what you’d spend to update a bathroom.
The total cost of a new bathroom remodel will reflect factors like the price of materials, the degree of difficulty of your design, and the amount of time it will take to install. Get at least three bids to get a good idea of how much money you will need to create the bathroom of your dreams.
How much you spend on a new or remodelled bathroom depends on a number of factors, such as the size of the space, the amount of detail you want, the fixtures you select, and your geographic region. You will also need to allocate funds for the optional extras, such as designer hot towel warmers, ornamental accessories, and upgrades like natural stone flooring, underfloor heating, and new lighting.
A smaller budget will get you basic fixtures like conventional acrylic baths and simple electric showers, while a higher one will get you high-end things like natural stone baths, glass basins, and multi-functional shower stalls. For instance, the price of a toilet can range from as little as €51 for a basic model to more than €511 for a high-end one. The cheapest showers may be purchased for €51, while the most expensive ones can cost over €2,111. Remember that the expression “cheap doesn’t always mean cheerful” is absolutely true!
bathroomexperts.ie reports that the current average cost of materials for a basic new bathroom is €4,511 (not including installation). The average cost of installation for a simple renovation, according to bathroom experts, is €4,511.
Keep in mind that the most long-lasting, high-quality fixtures are not likely to be found at inexpensive costs, so a budget is still vital. Keep in mind that the final price of your project will depend on a variety of circumstances, and that luxury bathroom suites tend to be more expensive than the norm.
It’s best to hire a professional builder when you’re investing in high-quality fixtures and materials, as doing it yourself could end up costing you more in the long run. By comparing prices from multiple sources, you can determine if one offer is crazily costly or affordable.
The price of demolition, removal, and disposal of the old bathroom, as well as the price of plastering and decorating, can eat up a sizable portion of your budget. Make sure you know if value-added tax is added and if so, how much.
