Your complete guide to renovating a bathroom successfully

The task of renovating a bathroom is likely to be a job top of your hit list if you have taken on a period property or an older style home that hasn't been updated in the last decade or so — rarely was this a room given as much attention by our ancestors as it is today. 

These days we expect a great deal from our bathroom design. Not only do we want bathrooms to fulfil a number of practical roles, we also expect them to be calming, restful sanctuaries. A cold, poorly equipped bathroom starts and finishes your day on a bad note – while a beautifully kitted-out and decorated space has the power to help you feel refreshed or relaxed like no other room in the house. 

While this is a job that is a little more complex than the renovation of other spaces in a home you need not worry. Our guide to renovating a bathroom is here to save the day meaning that before you know it, you'll have a bathroom you can't wait to spend time in.

What's involved in a bathroom renovation?

Bathroom renovations can seem quite daunting when compared to the sprucing up of other rooms – after all, there are all kinds of tasks involved and skills needed. Heating, plumbing, electrics are all involved, not to mention the decisions surrounding choosing the right sanitaryware and brassware — in fact a bathroom requires specialist skills more than any room when renovating a house.  

Because of this, it is useful to begin with a complete bathroom renovation schedule of works.

Bathroom renovation schedule of works

Although all bathroom renovation projects are different in their requirements, there tends to be a certain order that tasks are carried out in order to ensure they run smoothly. According to More Bathrooms, the average bathroom renovation takes two weeks.

A typical schedule of works for a new bathroom runs something like this:

• Assess your requirements
• Clearly decide on your budget
• Come up with a layout and design
• Choose sanitaryware, brassware and fittings
• Remove old bathroom
• First fix plumbing and electrics
• Wall tiles or other coverings are installed
• Bathroom flooring is laid (be sure that the old floor will take the weight of any new baths)
• Sanitaryware plumbed in and fitted furniture fixed into place
• Second fix electrics
• Final decoration

Aim to work around what you have

It is far more cost-effective to work with what you already have, but even when keeping sanitaryware in the same position, there are still other elements of the space to take into account.

"You need to consider the size of the room, where the basics are, the windows and doors, where will the pipework go and whether you are having radiators or underfloor heating," says Adam Teal, head of sales at Kaldewei. "Once you have these key elements sorted you can then start to plan the specifics, such as where you want the washbasin, whether you want it wall hung or freestanding and think about if you want a shower or bath – or a shower over the bath." 

Check the condition of walls and floors

Wonky walls and uneven floors often crop up when renovating a bathroom, especially in older properties. Once floors are ripped up and tiles chipped off, get the surfaces checked out to see if you’ll need to replaster walls or screed floors before any finished surfaces get laid. This is often an area where a contingency fund gets spent because you don’t know what’s underneath until you reveal all.

You definitely don't want your beautiful bathroom flooring ideas to be ruined by an uneven subfloor that could cause cracks in your new tiles. Additionally, your existing floor might need reinforcing in order to take the weight of new sanitaryware such as heavy cast iron baths.

What is the best bathroom layout for you?

In the case of a bathroom renovation (as opposed to starting from scratch with a blank canvas), you should begin by taking a look at the layout of your existing bathroom, including sanitaryware, windows, doors, pipework and radiators/towel rails. Note down what areas of the space you want to change or retain and formulate your new bathroom design ideas based on this. 

Ask a few questions, such as:   

• What doesn’t work at present?
• Who’s will be using the bathroom?
• Is there room for a separate shower?
• Can more bathroom storage be added?
• What condition is the existing plumbing in?
• Will new electrics be required?

"If you are upgrading your bathroom you need to make sure the bathroom works for an individual or the whole family – delivering a flexible solution for present and future needs," points out Adam Teal.

Keeping the bathroom layout the same will minimise the amount of work involved and therefore the cost of doing it. If you’re happy with the current configuration and will keep the plumbing in place, then the design is a lot more straightforward. You’ll already have your layout partly done.

Think about how you can create a more functional bathroom with the configuration you have. For example, think about walk-in shower ideas if you haven’t already got one, or look at how you could fit built-in storage shelves, a heated towel rail or underfloor heating (UFH).

Now’s the time to pin down exactly what you want from the space. It’ll also help initiate conversations with builders and bathroom companies about what you want and what work will be involved to achieve it vs sticking to your budget.

Adam Teal

Adam is UK head of sales for Kaldewei, a German family company that specialises in bathroom solutions that combine modern luxury with sustainability. It has been running for more than 100 years and which is now in its fourth generation. 

Changing the bathroom layout

Remodelling a bathroom while renovating gives you the scope to play around with the design of the space. For example, bringing together a separate WC and bathroom or removing a boiler or water tank from a cupboard to free up more room. 

But, remodelling does also mean more work. Plumbing will need to move to accommodate the new layout so think about what impact this will have on the design and your budget.

Your layout plan will come in handy here. Pay particular attention to the pipework and soil stack. It’s important to establish where it all is and where it all goes so that you can be sure your new layout will work. For instance, it can be costly to move a soil stack, so it can often pay to leave the toilet where it is.

You can discuss the relocation of plumbing/pipework at the design stage with your plumber and builder.

Replacing the old sanitaryware

It is unlikely that the old bath, basin and toilet are going to live up to your idea of what makes a dream bathroom, so you will need to choose new sanitaryware to replace it. 

If it is small bathroom ideas you are after, think about introducing wall hung basins and units. They open up the floorspace creating the illusion that the room is bigger than it is. They are also a great choice for those looking for something a little more contemporary.

Do bear in mind that wall hung sanitaryware often needs reinforcement work to ensure it’s fixed securely so may impact your budget. Concealed cisterns, wall mounted taps and wall-hung toilets require stud walls to fit in the workings so they’re hidden from view. Sometimes they will fit into the cavity of a stud partition wall but often a stud partition will have to be built, which will increase how much it will cost to renovate a bathroom.

If you want to retain a traditional feel or like vintage style bathrooms, classic pedestal basins and close coupled toilets work well, as do high level toilets and roll top, freestanding baths.

Will your bathroom need new plumbing?

Whether or not new plumbing will be required for your bathroom will very much depend on when it was last updated and the kind of fittings you want to install. 

New pipework will definitely be needed if you decide to reconfigure the layout of the space (not to mention floor and wall finishes needing to be renewed). Relocating a toilet is usually one of the most disruptive jobs as it will mean moving the soil stack – something that takes time, the services of a plumber and will add several hundred pounds to your overall bathroom renovation costs. 

Will your bathroom need rewiring?

It may well be that your entire property needs rewiring if it hasn't been touched in many years, in which case your bathroom electrics will be updated at the same time. 

However, if you are adding new lighting, electric underfloor heating or shaving points, you will need to call in an electrician. They should also ensure that the bathroom is 'earth bonded'. This will ensure that if a fault occurs that causes the metal plumbing, bath, taps, radiators or boiler casing to become live, this will not lead to electrocution.

How to renovate a bathroom on a budget

"Renovating a bathroom can be an investment, however there are a few ways that you can minimise costs," says Richard Ticehurst, Britton brand expert at Bathroom Brands Group. "One of the most expensive aspects of renovation a bathroom can be moving any plumbing fixtures. Aim to keep the existing layout, if possible, to avoid additional costs." 

"When it comes to a bathroom renovation make the most of your budget by mixing affordable fixtures and fittings with more expensive statement pieces. Investing in a statement piece will not only deliver a wow factor and focal point to the room, but it will also elevate more affordable fixtures in the room. A freestanding bath or vanity unit makes for a great statement piece.

"If you’re looking for ways to update an existing bathroom, upgrading fixtures such as brassware and accessories can instantly modernise the look of a bathroom. If your bathroom surfaces are looking tired, consider giving them a refresh. Applying a fresh coat of paint or new tiles can make a big difference in the overall look of the space," continues Richard.

"You don’t need a complete renovation to create a sanctuary within your own home," agrees Brian Athey, managing director of Renaissance at Home. "With a few key elements and some clever styling, you can create your own haven of relaxation.

"Small details make a big difference when it comes to the look and feel of a relaxing bathroom," continues Brian. "If your towel rail has seen better days, for example, or is no longer functioning like it should, it might be time to invest in a new one.”

Richard Ticehurst

Richard is a brand expert passionate about design, quality and performance. His background in European manufacturing, projects and retail has led to him coming a product expert in everything related to designing and creating the perfect bathroom.

Bathroom renovation checklist

Use this simple checklist to ensure you have thought of all aspects of your bathroom renovation.

• The plumbing & soil stack: Is it moving or staying put?
• Heating: Think about UFH and heated towel rails
• Flooring: Pick a style that’s non-slip, easy to clean and suitable for wet areas
• Lighting: A bathroom is zoned so make sure any lighting conforms to regulations
• Wall covering: If budget is tight, tile just around the shower/bath and basin and paint the rest of the wall.
• Storage: Do you need more? Where can it go? Can it be built-in?
• Sanitaryware: Shop around and do your research, it pays to be a savvy shopper.

A bathroom renovation is a really exciting project that will transform the way you use and feel about your home. If you are worried about new bathroom costs, do think about carrying out some of the work on a DIY basis – there is plenty you can do to help your budget go further. 

Straightforward jobs include ripping out the old bathroom and chipping off tiles, to final decoration tasks such as painting and tilling. Some keen DIYers also try their hand at some of the simpler plumbing jobs. Beware tackling bathroom electrics yourself though – it is safer (and sometimes required by the building regulations) to call in the professionals.