How to Stay on Top of Your Bathroom Renovation
15 useful project management tips for keeping on track and in control of your bathroom refresh, from planning to fitting and finishing
Often one of the smallest rooms in the house, your bathroom can be one of your trickiest interiors projects. The fine balance between style and functionality is key and, with a bathroom, a lot of the action is behind the scenes.
Good project management is absolutely essential with a bathroom, as there’s so much to think about, not to mention the slight adjustments or unexpected additions that can have a significant effect on your budget. As part of our Getting Started guide to planning a bathroom renovation, here are some tips to ensure your project runs smoothly.
Good project management is absolutely essential with a bathroom, as there’s so much to think about, not to mention the slight adjustments or unexpected additions that can have a significant effect on your budget. As part of our Getting Started guide to planning a bathroom renovation, here are some tips to ensure your project runs smoothly.
2. Think about where smaller items will go
As well as the main items (loo, basin, shower), you should also think about where the smaller items and accessories will go. Make sure you plan where the toilet roll holder will sit, and don’t forget the towel ring or rail, hooks, toilet brush, bin etc. It’s important to consider all these details so the final result looks well-thought-out.
The toilet roll holder in this little shower room is tucked under the basin, where it can easily be reached but remains inconspicuous. Nothing looks as if it’s been awkwardly crammed in or is there unintentionally, and there’s still room for the owner’s personality to shine through with the vintage jugs and painting on the wall.
As well as the main items (loo, basin, shower), you should also think about where the smaller items and accessories will go. Make sure you plan where the toilet roll holder will sit, and don’t forget the towel ring or rail, hooks, toilet brush, bin etc. It’s important to consider all these details so the final result looks well-thought-out.
The toilet roll holder in this little shower room is tucked under the basin, where it can easily be reached but remains inconspicuous. Nothing looks as if it’s been awkwardly crammed in or is there unintentionally, and there’s still room for the owner’s personality to shine through with the vintage jugs and painting on the wall.
3. Measure the space – properly!
Measure your room as precisely as you can and, when planning your layout, don’t forget to allow for tiling, panelling, towel rails etc, which will all make the space smaller. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but 10mm can be the difference between a basin being perfectly in line with an edge to having it jutting out ever so slightly, forever to niggle you.
Small or narrow bathrooms are the trickiest. In this slim room, appropriate-sized pieces have been chosen, so the space doesn’t feel cramped. Make sure you allow room to stand comfortably at the basin and enough width for the toilet, so you’re not squished up against the bath.
If you have any cupboards, then make sure there’s room to open them, and check the door doesn’t bang into anything. A useful tip for small bathrooms is to rehang the door to open outwards, giving you a little more space inside.
Need help with managing your project? Find local bathroom designers on Houzz.
Measure your room as precisely as you can and, when planning your layout, don’t forget to allow for tiling, panelling, towel rails etc, which will all make the space smaller. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but 10mm can be the difference between a basin being perfectly in line with an edge to having it jutting out ever so slightly, forever to niggle you.
Small or narrow bathrooms are the trickiest. In this slim room, appropriate-sized pieces have been chosen, so the space doesn’t feel cramped. Make sure you allow room to stand comfortably at the basin and enough width for the toilet, so you’re not squished up against the bath.
If you have any cupboards, then make sure there’s room to open them, and check the door doesn’t bang into anything. A useful tip for small bathrooms is to rehang the door to open outwards, giving you a little more space inside.
Need help with managing your project? Find local bathroom designers on Houzz.
4. Research your finishes
When it comes to fittings, it’s important to think about the practical side as well as design. Chat to suppliers about the restrictions and considerations to take into account before you make your decision. You may need to make the odd compromise, but at least you’ll know what to expect.
Under-mounted basins with a stone countertop, as shown here, look stunning, but if your room is small, check the size will work. The cut-out in the stone for the basin needs to be at least 100mm from the edge on all sides, so if you’ve specifically chosen a slimline basin, the overall size could still be quite deep.
Maintenance is also something to bear in mind. If you live in a house with kids who are likely to leave pools of standing water, a raw wood countertop is probably best avoided, unless you want to live with a microfibre cloth permanently in hand!
When it comes to fittings, it’s important to think about the practical side as well as design. Chat to suppliers about the restrictions and considerations to take into account before you make your decision. You may need to make the odd compromise, but at least you’ll know what to expect.
Under-mounted basins with a stone countertop, as shown here, look stunning, but if your room is small, check the size will work. The cut-out in the stone for the basin needs to be at least 100mm from the edge on all sides, so if you’ve specifically chosen a slimline basin, the overall size could still be quite deep.
Maintenance is also something to bear in mind. If you live in a house with kids who are likely to leave pools of standing water, a raw wood countertop is probably best avoided, unless you want to live with a microfibre cloth permanently in hand!
5. Be upfront about materials
The materials you decide to use will also have an effect on the specification and cost of the work, so it’s a good idea to get all these decisions down before starting the process.
A walk-in shower with a tiled floor, like this one, will require a wetroom shower tray that can be tiled. You’ll need to make sure there’s enough depth available under the floor and the area will require tanking, so be prepared for this to be factored into the quote.
Similarly, porcelain tiles are harder to cut, so can require more work to fit. If you don’t specify the tile type, a tiler could argue they had only allowed for ceramic tiles, so your chosen porcelain will cost more than the quote. Being upfront gives you a more realistic budget from the start.
The materials you decide to use will also have an effect on the specification and cost of the work, so it’s a good idea to get all these decisions down before starting the process.
A walk-in shower with a tiled floor, like this one, will require a wetroom shower tray that can be tiled. You’ll need to make sure there’s enough depth available under the floor and the area will require tanking, so be prepared for this to be factored into the quote.
Similarly, porcelain tiles are harder to cut, so can require more work to fit. If you don’t specify the tile type, a tiler could argue they had only allowed for ceramic tiles, so your chosen porcelain will cost more than the quote. Being upfront gives you a more realistic budget from the start.
6. Factor in the pipework
Many bathroom brochures show their products without pipework, which can be misleading. As well as thinking about where you’ll place the loo, bath, basin and shower, you also need to think about where the water will go.
Look at where the pipes need to come from and get to, as well as how to conceal them. And don’t forget, especially with flush-fitting shower trays, that water in a waste pipe needs to flow downhill.
In this bathroom, a false wall has been used to contain the pipework for the loo, basin and shower. This allows the sleek, clean look achieved by a hidden cistern, neat vanity unit, wall-mounted taps, and concealed shower with no visible pipes or boxing.
Many bathroom brochures show their products without pipework, which can be misleading. As well as thinking about where you’ll place the loo, bath, basin and shower, you also need to think about where the water will go.
Look at where the pipes need to come from and get to, as well as how to conceal them. And don’t forget, especially with flush-fitting shower trays, that water in a waste pipe needs to flow downhill.
In this bathroom, a false wall has been used to contain the pipework for the loo, basin and shower. This allows the sleek, clean look achieved by a hidden cistern, neat vanity unit, wall-mounted taps, and concealed shower with no visible pipes or boxing.
7. Address the electrics
Just like pipework, electrics are an important behind-the-scenes player in creating your perfect bathroom. Plan out your electrics for the whole room, thinking about sockets, switches, extractor fan, shaving point and lighting. Make sure you consider ambient, accent and task lighting to achieve those all-important lighting levels that are key to excellent design.
Imagine completing this bathroom then thinking, “You know what would have looked good? Lighting in those shelves.” No. This is not how we roll. Consider these points before you start, so everything can be planned out properly. If you’re not sure, you can still ask the electrician to run a cable, then, if you decide not to use it, it will just get boxed in. Better to be safe than sorry.
Don’t forget to ensure your light fittings are bathroom compliant for the area they’re in. Check with your electrician or lighting supplier if you’re not sure.
Find electricians on Houzz.
Just like pipework, electrics are an important behind-the-scenes player in creating your perfect bathroom. Plan out your electrics for the whole room, thinking about sockets, switches, extractor fan, shaving point and lighting. Make sure you consider ambient, accent and task lighting to achieve those all-important lighting levels that are key to excellent design.
Imagine completing this bathroom then thinking, “You know what would have looked good? Lighting in those shelves.” No. This is not how we roll. Consider these points before you start, so everything can be planned out properly. If you’re not sure, you can still ask the electrician to run a cable, then, if you decide not to use it, it will just get boxed in. Better to be safe than sorry.
Don’t forget to ensure your light fittings are bathroom compliant for the area they’re in. Check with your electrician or lighting supplier if you’re not sure.
Find electricians on Houzz.
8. Don’t forget storage
You’d be surprised at how much storage space you need in a bathroom. Toiletries, cleaning products, laundry, towels, toys… The room will look better if it’s all stored away in its place. So when planning your layout, be sure to factor in good storage.
The shelves in this bathroom add interest and plenty of space. You don’t have to keep everything hidden from view, but storage baskets help to keep things looking tidy and stylish.
A good project manager will note down the items that need to be stored and plan what will go where, so that everything has its place once the room is complete.
You’d be surprised at how much storage space you need in a bathroom. Toiletries, cleaning products, laundry, towels, toys… The room will look better if it’s all stored away in its place. So when planning your layout, be sure to factor in good storage.
The shelves in this bathroom add interest and plenty of space. You don’t have to keep everything hidden from view, but storage baskets help to keep things looking tidy and stylish.
A good project manager will note down the items that need to be stored and plan what will go where, so that everything has its place once the room is complete.
9. Contemplate adding a false wall
If you’re tight on space, then combine a false wall with some sleek, built-in storage – it’s a great way to hide your clutter and conceal a cistern and pipes.
The bespoke joinery in this room packs loads into a small space without it feeling cramped. High-level cupboards, along with the vanity unit and an open shelf in-between, provide plenty of storage. This joinery would require careful planning and a detailed specification for the construction and finish.
When project managing joinery, remember to include details such as hinges, handles, catches and shadow gaps. Try to include at least one drawing with dimensions.
Find carpenters and joiners on Houzz.
If you’re tight on space, then combine a false wall with some sleek, built-in storage – it’s a great way to hide your clutter and conceal a cistern and pipes.
The bespoke joinery in this room packs loads into a small space without it feeling cramped. High-level cupboards, along with the vanity unit and an open shelf in-between, provide plenty of storage. This joinery would require careful planning and a detailed specification for the construction and finish.
When project managing joinery, remember to include details such as hinges, handles, catches and shadow gaps. Try to include at least one drawing with dimensions.
Find carpenters and joiners on Houzz.
10. Create a rock solid spec
A detailed specification of every tiny element is vital to good project management. Avoid unwanted surprises by presenting all the information to your plumber or contractor at the quoting stage of the project. Contractors appreciate you giving them as much information as possible when they’re asked to quote, as it allows them to be more accurate, and gives them a better idea of the work involved, which also minimises the chance you’ll be hit with an unexpected additional cost.
A written specification will also prevent you from forgetting anything. The high-level window, the alcove shelves, the built-in shower bench, the wall-hung vanity unit… they all need to be factored in from the start of the project. Forgetting to mention even small details may cost you more and delay the schedule.
A detailed specification of every tiny element is vital to good project management. Avoid unwanted surprises by presenting all the information to your plumber or contractor at the quoting stage of the project. Contractors appreciate you giving them as much information as possible when they’re asked to quote, as it allows them to be more accurate, and gives them a better idea of the work involved, which also minimises the chance you’ll be hit with an unexpected additional cost.
A written specification will also prevent you from forgetting anything. The high-level window, the alcove shelves, the built-in shower bench, the wall-hung vanity unit… they all need to be factored in from the start of the project. Forgetting to mention even small details may cost you more and delay the schedule.
11. Understand the schedule
As part of your project management, it’s important you understand the order in which things need to be done. This is especially true if you’re coordinating a timetable that involves separate trades (plumber, electrician, joiner, decorator), as you’ll need to know at which point during the project each tradesperson will be required.
Consider not only what will be happening, but how it’s going to happen. If you aren’t sure, then ask a professional before starting the project, so you can plan appropriately. It’s also a good idea to make sure you’re there in person to discuss the spec every time a new element begins, just to check everyone’s on the same page.
To fit alcove lighting like this, for instance, the electrician would need to run the wires to the right place before the boxing was constructed. The builder/carpenter and the tiler would need to know where the lights were going and how large the fittings were in order to cut the holes. Once the tiling was complete, the wires would be pulled through and the fittings attached. As the project manager, it’s your responsibility to communicate details like this to all the parties involved. You can’t assume they’ll ask or pass on information to each other.
At the start of a project, it can feel as if there’s too much information to get across to your contractors, but even if it’s all written in your spec, you should explain it in person, too. It can feel as though you’re bombarding them and it can be tempting to skim over the minor details, but don’t feel shy! You may not know how they work, so covering it all is essential, and helpful.
As part of your project management, it’s important you understand the order in which things need to be done. This is especially true if you’re coordinating a timetable that involves separate trades (plumber, electrician, joiner, decorator), as you’ll need to know at which point during the project each tradesperson will be required.
Consider not only what will be happening, but how it’s going to happen. If you aren’t sure, then ask a professional before starting the project, so you can plan appropriately. It’s also a good idea to make sure you’re there in person to discuss the spec every time a new element begins, just to check everyone’s on the same page.
To fit alcove lighting like this, for instance, the electrician would need to run the wires to the right place before the boxing was constructed. The builder/carpenter and the tiler would need to know where the lights were going and how large the fittings were in order to cut the holes. Once the tiling was complete, the wires would be pulled through and the fittings attached. As the project manager, it’s your responsibility to communicate details like this to all the parties involved. You can’t assume they’ll ask or pass on information to each other.
At the start of a project, it can feel as if there’s too much information to get across to your contractors, but even if it’s all written in your spec, you should explain it in person, too. It can feel as though you’re bombarding them and it can be tempting to skim over the minor details, but don’t feel shy! You may not know how they work, so covering it all is essential, and helpful.
12. Order materials in advance
By now you should be a dab hand at making lists, so write down every product you’ll need, then, once it’s all decided, order everything, even if you only need it right at the end. Items such as designer tiles, specialist materials and made-to-order products can have a longer lead time than you might expect.
All sorts of annoying things could delay a delivery that are totally out of your control, particularly when a shipment is coming from abroad. Many factories in Europe close in August, for example, adding up to six weeks to a standard lead time, while suppliers in Asia can be affected by holidays and festivals that aren’t on our radar.
Note the bespoke mirror in this bathroom. The taps and lights have been mounted directly onto the mirror, so the exact position would have needed to be confirmed before it was ordered, so the supplier knew where to cut the holes. You can get a plain mirror quite quickly, but a bespoke one with holes or bevelled edges can take a while, and since the taps and lights couldn’t be installed until the mirror was in place, a delay in ordering could delay the whole project.
By now you should be a dab hand at making lists, so write down every product you’ll need, then, once it’s all decided, order everything, even if you only need it right at the end. Items such as designer tiles, specialist materials and made-to-order products can have a longer lead time than you might expect.
All sorts of annoying things could delay a delivery that are totally out of your control, particularly when a shipment is coming from abroad. Many factories in Europe close in August, for example, adding up to six weeks to a standard lead time, while suppliers in Asia can be affected by holidays and festivals that aren’t on our radar.
Note the bespoke mirror in this bathroom. The taps and lights have been mounted directly onto the mirror, so the exact position would have needed to be confirmed before it was ordered, so the supplier knew where to cut the holes. You can get a plain mirror quite quickly, but a bespoke one with holes or bevelled edges can take a while, and since the taps and lights couldn’t be installed until the mirror was in place, a delay in ordering could delay the whole project.
13. Celebrate precision
Here’s another example of a bespoke product – glass again, in fact. If you look closely, the screen in this chic shower room is perfectly notched against the ceiling. It’s a subtle yet clever design feature, and it’s precise little touches like this that, when implemented properly, can take your design to the next level.
Not only would glass like this need to be ordered far enough in advance to be ready to fit, you would also have to make sure your measurements were super-precise: just a few millimetres out and the effect would be lost.
Here’s another example of a bespoke product – glass again, in fact. If you look closely, the screen in this chic shower room is perfectly notched against the ceiling. It’s a subtle yet clever design feature, and it’s precise little touches like this that, when implemented properly, can take your design to the next level.
Not only would glass like this need to be ordered far enough in advance to be ready to fit, you would also have to make sure your measurements were super-precise: just a few millimetres out and the effect would be lost.
14. Provide clear instructions
Project management is all about the details. Everything has to be spot-on to ensure your finished project is as perfectly polished as you’d hoped it would be. In order to achieve this, you need very clear, comprehensive instructions for each element of the project.
Try to imagine every possible error, misunderstanding and pitfall, then include any details to avoid them. It might seem obvious to you, but it may not be as clear to someone else, and unless you have it written down in black and white, you won’t have a leg to stand on if/when it’s done incorrectly.
Take this bathroom, for example. There are white metro tiles with white grout in a horizontal offset layout on the main walls, and aqua metro tiles with yellow grout in a vertical layout on the central partition. Without a clear set of instructions, a tiler could easily use the wrong tiles for each wall, or tile both areas horizontally. Details need to be given for where to start/stop tiling and how to finish edges – not to mention the colour of the grout and sealant, and the size of the grout joints. All these things need to be specified in writing and I always find a diagram helps enormously, too.
Project management is all about the details. Everything has to be spot-on to ensure your finished project is as perfectly polished as you’d hoped it would be. In order to achieve this, you need very clear, comprehensive instructions for each element of the project.
Try to imagine every possible error, misunderstanding and pitfall, then include any details to avoid them. It might seem obvious to you, but it may not be as clear to someone else, and unless you have it written down in black and white, you won’t have a leg to stand on if/when it’s done incorrectly.
Take this bathroom, for example. There are white metro tiles with white grout in a horizontal offset layout on the main walls, and aqua metro tiles with yellow grout in a vertical layout on the central partition. Without a clear set of instructions, a tiler could easily use the wrong tiles for each wall, or tile both areas horizontally. Details need to be given for where to start/stop tiling and how to finish edges – not to mention the colour of the grout and sealant, and the size of the grout joints. All these things need to be specified in writing and I always find a diagram helps enormously, too.
15. Consider the long term
When your project is complete, it will no doubt look fantastic. However, whether you enjoy the process or not, I’m sure you’d like it to last for as long as possible. Factor in details to promote the longevity of your design, such as hard-wearing materials, access panels and good ventilation. The fashionable return of wallpaper is happily making its way into bathrooms and cloakrooms, and keeping the room well-ventilated will help to maintain the finish and prevent those dreaded peeling corners.
If you’re going to tackle project managing your bathroom, there’s a lot to think about, but you should try to enjoy the process, too. It may seem a little overwhelming at times, constantly imagining the worst-case scenario, but that’s how you know you’re doing it right. And when it’s all done, the results will be totally worth it. Good luck!
Tell us…
What lessons did you learn when renovating your bathroom? Share your tips in the Comments.
When your project is complete, it will no doubt look fantastic. However, whether you enjoy the process or not, I’m sure you’d like it to last for as long as possible. Factor in details to promote the longevity of your design, such as hard-wearing materials, access panels and good ventilation. The fashionable return of wallpaper is happily making its way into bathrooms and cloakrooms, and keeping the room well-ventilated will help to maintain the finish and prevent those dreaded peeling corners.
If you’re going to tackle project managing your bathroom, there’s a lot to think about, but you should try to enjoy the process, too. It may seem a little overwhelming at times, constantly imagining the worst-case scenario, but that’s how you know you’re doing it right. And when it’s all done, the results will be totally worth it. Good luck!
Tell us…
What lessons did you learn when renovating your bathroom? Share your tips in the Comments.
If you’re refurbishing an existing bathroom, look at the current layout. If it works, then you may wish to keep it; there’s no point changing it if you don’t need to, as it will just be a waste of money.
Often there isn’t one right answer, but bathrooms usually have a ‘best’ layout option due to the plumbing arrangement. The layout in this bathroom works really well. Positioning the loo on an outside wall allows the cistern to be hidden below the window recess and avoids the use of boxing for pipework. This maintains the sleek appearance of the room.
Anything is possible, but certainly some options will cost more than others. If you consider the technical side at the same time as the design, it might help you to make your decision.