Home renovations in general, take a lot of time, money and patience – even more so when it’s an important part of the house such as the bathroom. Fitting a new bathroom is not something that’s easy to do on the fly.

It’s important to not rush into the decision to renovate, and really think about what it is you want before you put any money down. If you’re just after a cosmetic lift, it might be that your bathroom just needs a design overhaul, like a new lick of paint, rather than any serious structural change. However, if you’re sure that you want to totally refit your bathroom, here’s a few things you should consider before approaching a plumber or renovation specialist.

1. Why Do I Need A Bathroom Fitting?

This is the most important question to ask, and one that you should come back to frequently throughout the renovation process. Maybe it’s winter and you need to install insulation in your bathroom, or you want to replace your tub with a standing shower to create more space. Whatever the reason is, it’s important not to lose sight of your end objective.

As, in the excitement of planning your renovation, it can be easy to get caught up in the process and start adding extras that deviate from your original purpose and may, or may not, actually help your end goal. If all you need is heating installation – new tiling, an automated shower and a self-flushing toilet bowl aren’t exactly essentials and will add extra time and money to your renovation. Or, if you want to beautify your bathroom to increase your home’s value before selling it, then be sure keep your home’s current market value in mind so that you don’t go overboard and end up losing money when you finally sell it.

Remember your reason for the renovation in the first place and you’ll save a lot of time and money.

2. Do I Have The Budget For A Bathroom Fitting?

Most homeowners make the mistake of calling a professional plumber or installation professional before they’ve set themselves a budget for the project. This is because most people find the sudden urge to upgrade their bathrooms after seeing a particularly lush bathroom either on social media, or a commercial on TV. People look for inspirational bathroom ideas even before they set their budget. So they call a professional and they plan for their dream bathrooms, only to find out in the end that they can’t afford it.

This is not to say that you shouldn’t get inspiration from pictures. Having a clear idea of what you want is important and if you need to take bits and pieces from other bathroom setups, it is perfectly normal. However, set your budget first before planning your dream bathroom. It’s a good idea to call your plumber up with a set budget in mind, and then ask them what can be done within those parameters.

Bathroom fitting prices change frequently, but in general, it can cost up to £1700 for a complete bathroom makeover, complete with plumbing, light and electrical changes, plus new fixture installations.

3. Do I Have The Space For A Bathroom Upgrade?

When designing your bathroom, it’s often more tempting to think about what you want, rather than what will actually fit within your current bathroom space. A nice, luxurious tub to soak in is great, but if you’ve got a small bathroom, that could end up taking way more room than necessary. The bathroom is a utilitarian space, and not having enough space to move about means you can’t take care of your business there efficiently and quickly. Also, bathrooms are a common culprit for home injuries. Slipping on bathroom tiles and hitting your toilet bowl with your knees is a lot more likely when you have a cramped bathroom space.

A minimalist style is still trendy among homeowners, so an uncluttered bathroom with little fuss can be achieved quite easily by utilising hidden storage and keeping space open.

4. How Do I Live Comfortably While Installation is Taking Place?

As mentioned earlier, the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house. Because of this, it is also the most difficult place to conduct major renovations. If you’re renovating your kitchen, at least you can eat out or eat in the living room while renovations are taking place. However, if your bathroom is undergoing a major overhaul, where are you going to go?

If your house has more than one bathroom, then you’re in luck. If not, you can hire builders to create a temporary bathroom that you can use in the meantime. Some people rent rooms at a local hotel while bathroom fitting is taking place, but that’s a huge expense. If you want, you can schedule tasks in your bathroom fitting project so that they don’t disrupt your daily routine. Remember, while installing a toilet or tiling your bathroom may only take a few hours, huge tasks like fitting a bath or installing underfloor heating can take days.

5. What Happens to my Old Bathroom Fixtures?

Waste doesn’t magically disappear, and bathroom renovations can generate a lot of it. Thankfully, some installation companies offer waste disposal services; taking all your old bathroom fixtures, tiles and other accessories and disposing of them responsibly. It does cost more, but it’s worth it to take the inconvenience off your hands.

If you’re a DIY master, it might make sense to keep some of the old tiles and metal for future projects. Or, if you do decide to get rid of them yourself, ensure that you take them to a proper waste disposal facility or a recycling centre in exchange for cash.

As you can see, there’s no easy way to go about a bathroom fitting, especially a major one. Asking yourself these 5 questions will ensure that you are mentally and financially prepared to take on the project even before you speak to a professional. That way, you know exactly what you are getting yourself into. Allowing you to retain some control over the project, ensuring that there are fewer hassles – extra stress you don’t need – along the way and that the job is done right the first time around!

If you need any advice on renovating your bathroom, call us on 01179 619 021 for a friendly chat.