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Robert and Amanda Randall firmly believe that going the DIY route shouldn’t be an excuse to take forever to get things done. So when they decided it was time to renovate their bathroom, they were thrilled to get it done within two months.

The Randalls bought their home in Roodepoort three years ago with the intention of renovating it sometime in the future. However, they decided to err on the side of caution initially and rather get a feel for their home before blindly tackling a renovation project that might need to be changed later.

“We eventually started the project in March this year,” says Amanda.

She’s philosophical about the three years during which they merely dreamt about their makeover: “It meant that our planning was better. When we started the project, we knew exactly what we wanted.”

Top of their wish list was a bigger bathroom with a bath as well as a shower and enough space for them to move around without treading on each other’s toes. Their previous bathroom was so cramped that they had to take turns to bath (there wasn’t a shower). And adjacent to it was a laundry with lots of potential...

“We demolished the wall between the two rooms ourselves and lifted the old tiles. Then we discovered, to our horror, that all the pipes were old and rusted, and most of them had to be replaced. Fortunately, Robert’s assistant had some plumbing experience.”

Once that was done, the installation of the new bath, loo, basin and a convenient walk-in shower could go ahead.

Although the Randalls had help with the building, plastering, tiling and installation of the new ceiling, they tackled the rest themselves: replacing cornices, installing new lights and all the painting. “We also hung a new door,” says Amanda proudly.

They say the best part of the renovation was adding the finishing touches. “By that stage, you’re over the worst and it’s wonderful to see how it all comes together. It was a huge, expensive project but now we have our dream bathroom.”

Next up is the stoep. The floor is already cast; all it needs now is a roof...

Ruben and Tracey le Roux

Rietvlei, Johannesburg SIZE Bathroom 14m2; Kitchen 21m2; Stoep 60m2