PROJECT LAUNCH How to plan a new bathroom

Take a considered approach to renovating and you could land a spa-style bathroom at home, writes Shannon Vos

The bathroom is that one space of solace in the home where you can shut the door and forget about adulting for a few minutes. It’s usually the only room with a lock, making it a more private and personal place, with an added bonus: the power to thoroughly relax and refresh you.

Traditionally utilitarian spaces, bathrooms used to be all about function and cleanliness, but, these days, aesthetics are also high on the list of must-haves. Most are after a day-spa feel, complete with organic materials and natural light, reflected in the ‘spaces of scrub’ gracing magazine covers and flooding Pinterest feeds.

But beauty is more than just skin deep. The devil is in the detail when it comes to a wet area, and planning is key. Know what you’re doing well before the tools are picked up, and have all your rubber duckies in a row.

planning

It seems like fun to plan the ultimate bathroom, but you must wade through a plethora of planning before booking a plumber. The first item is budget. If ya don’t know, don’t go. Always set a limit on the amount you’re willing to spend, as things can quickly get out of hand once you start picking tiles and fittings. On average, Australians spend just a smidge under $20,000 on a bathroom renovation. That seems like a lot, but once the trades start working, the bills add up. Spend time in front of a calculator and assess how much you will be able to spend.

Then comes the plan. What you allow for in your bathroom is entwined with your budget. Generally, the more you want to do, the more you pay. You will need floor plans, elevations, ventilation plans and specific selections to determine those costs.

Think of who will use the space and for what. If that’s children, you may need a bath, plenty of storage and non-slip floors. However, if the kids have flown the nest, you may want a double shower, stone finishes and a more minimalistic aesthetic. It’s all about balancing what you want with what you can afford.

Third on the checklist is a permit. Again, generally speaking, you will need strata permission and a by-law passed if you want to renovate a bathroom in an apartment or unit. With a house, you may need council approval to move forward with your renovation. Local laws vary as much as the weather, so check with your local council before booking any trades.

building checklist

Once you have a plan, the go-ahead with local authorities and the contingencies to deal with any changes or blowouts, you’re ready for work. Your best bet is to have a builder manage the build and trades, but if you want to save a pretty penny, you can manage this sort of renovation yourself.

First, disconnect the power and water. Legally, you will need your electrician and plumber to do this for you. It’s also a good idea to have the fittings and fixtures on site before any trades start work. That way, they can see what they need to install and advise of any changes you may need to make.

Second, prep for the demo. This is something you can handle with a pair of safety glasses and a crowbar, but be careful. Only remove what you need to, be careful of load-bearing elements and stray chips of porcelain tile – they’re as sharp as glass. In older homes (built before 1984), keep an eye out for asbestos; avoid it like the plague and get a professional to remove it.

The next step is to frame up any built elements and get your plumber and electrician to ‘rough-in’. This means placing the electrical, water and waste points where they need to be.

Three things – sheeting the walls and floors, plastering and waterproofing – come next. The latter has to be done by professionals for the waterproofing certificate, which can guarantee against leaks or water damage for up to seven years.

Then, depending on where you live, the cement bed should be laid (give this a couple of days to dry), followed by another coat of waterproofing as you can never be too careful. If you’re having underfloor heating, now is the time to lay that down.

Hang in there – we’ve turned the corner. It’s time for the floor tiles and wall tiles, grout and anything that needs to be painted. You could probably tackle the painting on your own, but I’d advise leaving the tiling to a professional.

The glass (if needed) can then be installed, and the plumber and electrician can fit off the taps, vanity, sinks, bath and toilet, as well as the lights and switches. A carpenter can fit off the towel rails and door handles plus any hooks or shelves.

Now you’re ready for caulking (sealing joints) – and the rest is up to you. Style that space within an inch of its life and you’re ready to broadcast your achievement on every damn social media channel you can get your thumbs on. Good luck!