If you’re considering a bathroom renovation but afraid you won’t be able to stick to your budget, here are some simple steps to ensure that when your new bathroom is handed over, it doesn’t come with any nasty surprises.

Know what you’re working with

Before you even get to the quote stage, it’s critical to know everything you can about the space you’re planning to renovate. Does it have asbestos, water damage, double brick? These things will likely influence the baseline cost of your renovation and knowing this early will allow you to weigh up what luxuries are important to you and offset them by saving costs in other areas. To achieve the best possible outcome within the budget you have set, knowledge is your best friend.

Do your research and get inspired

You don’t know what you don’t know, so ask for advice from a trusted person or do your own independent research. It’s important to know what features you want in your bathroom that will add to the baseline costs, such as underfloor heating, concealed lighting, a skylight over the shower, premium bath or vanity, tiles laid in a herringbone pattern. It’s important to have all of these features included in the quote so you can be realistic about what to add and what to leave out. 

This is the fun part so let your imagination run wild! Create Pinterest boards to gather inspiration and help you identify the style and features you love.

Plan and plan some more

Now that you’re feeling inspired, it’s time to take that inspiration and translate it to your bathroom. Are you going to keep the same layout or take this opportunity to change it? Stand in the space, imagine how it might look, and visualise your options. Then draw up a small-scale version on a sheet of paper.

Set a realistic budget 

Do some research on what it costs to renovate a bathroom and speak to people you know who have recently gone through a their own reno to get an idea of what they paid. It’s a good idea to build in a contingency (at least 10 per cent of the total amount) for any issues that can potentially arise, such as unexpected water damage.

Get a quote (finally!)

Now you get to test your budget. Be as detailed as possible about what you want to get the most accurate quote, and also be open to knowledge and expertise that your tradies can provide. If you’ve already researched fixtures and fittings, ask the plumber’s opinion on quality.

You can seek quotes from each trade individually if you plan on project managing your renovation yourself, or you could engage a full renovation service, like we provide at Action Plumbing. If you’re not undertaking structural work, you don’t necessarily need to engage a builder. 

If the quote is way more than your budget, you have a few options – reconsider your budget, see if adjusting your plans brings the cost down, or even consider saving for another 12 months. Bathroom renovations are a once in a decade (or two) process, so they are worth doing properly! 

Choose your tiles, fixtures and fittings

Once you’ve locked in your trades, it’s decision time for your tiles, fixtures and fittings – one area where you can make a huge impact on your budget. Chat to your plumber about where you can afford to save and what items are worth paying for quality.

Keep the lines of communication open

Good communication is a two-way street – set the expectations early that any change to the plan or budget needs to be clearly communicated, and be empowered to ask questions so that you feel in control. 

There should never be a shock when you receive your final invoice. If you have a good tradie, any variation of the cost would have been clearly communicated so if you adjust the plan, both of you are 100 per cent clear on what that decision means for the bottom line. 

Bathroom renovations aren’t cheap or easy. Some costs in a bathroom renovation are within your control while others are fixed and unavoidable. To avoid a budget blowout, spend the time to plan properly because knowledge is power, and build in a contingency into your budget, just in case.

Contact Action Plumbing

If you have any questions about bathroom renovations, contact Action Plumbing on 0438 630 508 or visit actionplumbing.net.au