Bathroom Reno - should we get pro help?

7 years ago

My hubby and I are looking to start updating the bathroom and ensuite in our c.1928 Queenslander. Both rooms are somewhat narrow, and we want to change the outdated and flawed current layouts. We have never renovated a house before. My question is, should we engage a bathroom professional (to get the most out of the spaces), or arm ourselves with knowledge and go for it ourselves? (with trades help, of course)

Thanks!

Featured Answer

Sammy Elder

7 years ago

If you've got great project management skills, design skills and an understanding of the building process for wet areas then go for it. If not I'd recommend hiring professionals, remembering you are not just paying for the work they are doing but also their training, experience and knowledge whether that be in design or building. Some of the bathroom product supply companies offer a design service (with varying level of design skills) and some builders can give you design advice (sometimes great, sometimes not). Alternatively, there are plenty of Houzzers who are happy to offer design advice and suggestions if you wanted to throw up your floor plans and a wish list. Once you've got your design in place I'd either hire a builder to manage the project for you or do some serious research into wet areas and engage trades as required, depending on your skill level; remembering some work like electrical and plumbing must be completed by a qualified trade. There are also a number of specific Australian Standards that need to be adhered to in wet areas for yours and others safety, now and in the future.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

PRO
MB Design & Drafting
7 years ago
If you've never been down the reno path before use a good local builder or bathroom builder.

Next time around you'll know the process and expectations of trades so should be good to go it alone.

There's not a big margin in bathroom's (or any residential building) and the builder takes on the responsibility and warranties of the project so the saving's aren't as massive as people would have you believe.....
Leigh Hodge thanked MB Design & Drafting
oklouise
7 years ago
a good professional is a great option for building the bathrooms but it's also good to have an idea of what might suit you before you approach the professionals to do the work..posting some photos and a rough floor plan of the existing bathrooms will invite suggestions that will help make your choices much clearer
Leigh Hodge thanked oklouise
Related Discussions
Ugly bathroom reno
Q
Comments (24)
Are you after a quick makeover to sell or do you intend to live in the finished renovation. ? I will work on details of a renovation to last say 15 years. First step advise the body corporate in writing the water proofing has failed and a renovation is necessary Floor drainage can.t be moved on top floor, however vanity drainage 40 mm pipe can be chased into a wall and with a tile bed 25 mm thick, chased 10mm into floor. to change pos'n of vanity Water is easy to relocate, Plumber on Never paint a bath, the guarantee is only 5 years, Never use white floor grout. Part of a mixer tap is under your tiles, problem expensive to replace. Only purchase tapware with 15 yr warranty, Grohe, Methvan, Sussex, expect to pay from $ 300 each mixer. Bath Only steel Kaldewei Eurowa $ 400 , 15 yr warranty. Designers secret, to make your bathroom appear larger, place all the available space together. Vanity All drawer wall hung ( floating ) is really the only vanity Harvey Norman recently had an imported 900 wall hung at about $ 900. Tile to ceiling Replace your ceiling and add cornice after tiling, top floor unit will require fire rated ceiling and fire rated LED Length of time by pro 3 weeks, any shorter waterproofing is below standards. when obtaining quotes you want the whole bathroom floor coated, 1 coat under tile bed, 2 coats on top, 2 coats on relevant walls. $ Quality Reno All up 20 K, Porcelain floor tiles, Ceramic wall tiles you can save about $ 1000 if you strip out. KEN
...See More
Designers/creative folk..Please help with..ideas for bathroom reno....
Q
Comments (18)
Your mockup scheme is similar to our master bathroom we just completed - photo below. I know you mentioned storage being a concern - our mirrored cabinet has offered an amazing amount of storage in a very small space and also helps bounce light around. I was worried about black taps etc too so we kept chrome fixtures but added in a matte black candle and black potted orchid to create a similar effect which we can change out later on. Our floor tiles are dark but because they are semi-polished they actually bounce around a lot of light and don't make the room feel dark if that is a concern. We also have a huge fiddle leaf fig in the corner (not pictured) which adds a really nice feel to the space - a plant like that could help bring in the outside greenery in your bathroom. Instead of the storage tower you have to the left of the vanity could you do say some floating wood shelving, possibly with baskets added for more hidden storage? You could also bring in the 60s theme with what you displayed on there eg. photos as you mentioned? In regards to the window - a previous house we lived in had a window at about shoulder height in the shower - as well as letting in heaps of light it was amazing for storing toiletries etc!
...See More
Where should we put the toilet in this small bathroom?
Q
Comments (65)
Hi AndrewJason, I love cavity sliders. they are there when you want them but not visible when you need the space open. Having said that they cost more, take a bit of wreckage to set up and in you WA case you will be wrecking brick walls to put them in which might be a stretch of mess too far. BUT you will need to weigh up if they are worth it in the end. I do not think the build will be too bulky in the kitchen/dining because it will be superbly practical on both sides and it maybe just a matter of what you are used to. Not sure about "Average Joe...…" we are all good at somethings, mine is plans, function, practicality, solar. Yours might be brain surgery, empathy for unwell folks, kinda or you make the best seafood lasagne in the world... we are all needed to make for a great world: and it really is that!!! Good luck with your splendid home: I think it is beautiful. And PS if you do make the best seafood anything I better have your address....!!!!!!! MK
...See More
Bathroom Partial or Full Reno?
Q
Comments (21)
before committing to the decoration why not plan for how you use the space..do you need storage for toiletries, towels, cleaning products and toilet paper etc start with the new vanity (with or without wall cabinets) ..you may be able to use a shorter vanity with gaps at either end (as in your photo) to give more a look of free standing furniture..using tiles salvaged from the old vanity to patch the walls..i think the tiles look so much better than altering just one wall for shiplap and you can avoid having to change the tiles elsewhere and focus expenditure on new taps, toilet roll holder, power point covers, light fittings etc
...See More
User
7 years ago
If you've never renovated before, bathrooms aren't the place to start. You don't mess around with waterproofing, and getting tile-fall right. It might look ok when you are done, but then cause a world of pain and problems later when you have water penetration and rot, which then attracts white ants.
bigreader
7 years ago
I agree with all the advice above. It is hard work. But my first makeover was a bathroom. And it worked out to be something I was proud of. Take your time. It will put pressure on your relationship and budget. Research and plan. Pick paint colour last. Start a mood board. Find friendly tradies and they prob won't be the cheapest. And if you are a stress head pay someone else.
Leigh Hodge thanked bigreader
suancol
7 years ago
if you do it yourself make sure you do one at a time since no toilet or shower/ bath can be real problem if there are delays
Leigh Hodge thanked suancol
PRO
The Napier Renovation Co.
7 years ago
Hi there. I've project managed literally dozens of bathroom renovations and still get caught out. My advice would be this: If you are not working and can manage the process on a daily basis yourself, then a good builder will guide you (up to a point) through the minefield.

If however, you want the process to start, flow and then finish within 2-3 weeks then get a pro in to help. A friend of mine tried to prove me wrong on a kitchen reno and it blew out costs by 20% and took him 3 and a half months to finish.

Money well spent would be to get paid advice on design, product selection and pass the PM process over....

Good luck, please feel free to pick my brains from over the ditch!

Dan
Leigh Hodge thanked The Napier Renovation Co.
strawberry47
7 years ago
If you take on the renovation yourself stage the work so your not left without a functioning bathroom
Leigh Hodge thanked strawberry47
Leigh Hodge
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you all for the honest advice!

Bathroom Reno - should we get pro help?

Sammy Elder

Comments (9)

MB Design & Drafting

oklouise

Related Discussions

User

bigreader

suancol

The Napier Renovation Co.

strawberry47

Leigh Hodge
Original Author

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US

Bathroom Reno - should we get pro help?

Comments (9)

Related Discussions

Leigh HodgeOriginal Author

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US

Leigh Hodge
Original Author