Eight lessons to keep your bathroom reno on track

If you're considering a renovation during lockdown or once restrictions ease, a bathroom or ensuite is a great place to start. 

Few investments will give you better payback than a bathroom renovation.

Experience in our suburb suggests your home will not only sell for a higher price but will be snapped up faster than you might typically expect.

If you go down the rip-and-replace path, then you have an array of choices in terms of the style, colours and location of the bath, vanity, shower and tapware.

For those on a tighter budget, you can seek contractors who will use special spray paint that revitalises a bath and the floor and wall tiles. If you use this option, it can still be worth investing in a new vanity, tapware and full glass shower screens to give it a modern appearance.

It’s always best to use the experience of agents such as ourselves to check whether you’re investing in the right areas of your home to maximise its value before sale. We’d be happy to advise you on your best strategies, and the potential results you might expect if you improve your home.

In the meantime, here are eight essential tips for making sure a bathroom renovation is a value-for-money success.

• It can be cheaper to select your own tradies rather than hire a company to do everything. You can save money if you take this path, but be prepared to be heavily involved in the project management and planning of the project. If you do opt for this path it is often worth hiring contractors who know each other. They will be more forgiving of each other when problems arise and timelines blow out.
• If possible try to use the one bathroom supply store, and cultivate a relationship with the salesperson. A bathroom is a complex room, and you’ll no doubt need to ring them with questions as the project proceeds, especially when it comes to coordinating the delivery of tiles, vanities, baths and sinks.  
• When buying any bathware, ask for the specifications of each item. Keep these in a file as they’ll be vital for the plumber, builder and tiler when they begin their work.
• Walk your contractors through each item you have bought or ordered before they start work. This will avoid confusion, such as the tiler setting tiles for a circular waste trap when you’ve purchased a square one. If you choose a bathroom company to co-ordinate the project you can leave this up to the experts and enjoy a more stress free renovation! 
• Don’t make assumptions about your tiles. Some will absorb water and expand over time. Manufacturers may state that grouting should be a minimum width to allow for movement. If you want minimal grouting, make sure your tiles will handle it. Talk to an expert before the process begins so you can get the best advice.
• Talk to your plumber about all your options for the placement of taps. If you’re ripping out your bathroom, you’ll be amazed at what you can do in terms of how you want them placed and the styles you can choose. 
• If you love those little alcove storage areas in the shower for shampoos and the like, ask the builder to construct this. 
• In tight spaces, consider installing a sliding entry doorway to avoid any possibility of the shower and entry doors hitting each other.