Look Out For These Hidden Costs When Renovating Your Bathroom
Avoid nasty surprises during your bathroom project by paying attention to these key details
Denise O'Connor
7 January 2018
Denise holds a degree in architecture from Richview School of Architecture in UCD. After graduating in Dublin she moved to London where she worked on residential, healthcare and office schemes including the award-winning headquarters for Holiday Extras for which she was project architect at Walker and Martin. In 2005 she returned to Dublin and set up architecture and interior design consultancy Optimise Design.
Denise is an architecture and interiors columnist for the Irish Times and a contributor for HOUZZ. She is also a regular contributor to various other publications and also gives lectures on a range of topics. She was a presenter for the first series of the RTE TV show ‘The Design Doctors’ and is the creator and name behind the successful paint collection for Dulux called Signature...
Denise holds a degree in architecture from Richview School of Architecture in UCD.... More
Bathrooms and en suites are often the smallest rooms in the house, yet refurbishment usually involves almost every trade, from plumbers to tilers, and painters to plasterers. There are so many people to manage that the key to getting it right and staying on budget is organisation.
Plan in advance
The more organised you can be, the less likely it is that you’ll incur additional costs. These small projects have a tendency to drag on, so to ensure the contractor and crew are out of your hair as swiftly as possible, try to purchase everything before they start. This will ensure all goods are delivered as soon as they’re needed on site, avoiding unnecessary delays and cost overruns.
Think about the details you’d like to include and discuss all of them before work begins. For example, if you want a recess in your shower to hold shampoo and body wash, be clear about this from the outset, as it will be difficult and costly to install after the tiler has started.
The more organised you can be, the less likely it is that you’ll incur additional costs. These small projects have a tendency to drag on, so to ensure the contractor and crew are out of your hair as swiftly as possible, try to purchase everything before they start. This will ensure all goods are delivered as soon as they’re needed on site, avoiding unnecessary delays and cost overruns.
Think about the details you’d like to include and discuss all of them before work begins. For example, if you want a recess in your shower to hold shampoo and body wash, be clear about this from the outset, as it will be difficult and costly to install after the tiler has started.
Factor in the removal of existing fittings
It’s important to establish before the work commences who will be responsible for getting rid of the existing bathroom fittings and finishes. If your contractor has agreed to take care of this, make sure it’s included in their quote.
If it isn’t included, you’ll be responsible for getting rid of the items, which means you’ll need to budget for hiring a skip or disposing of the items at the local dump.
It’s important to establish before the work commences who will be responsible for getting rid of the existing bathroom fittings and finishes. If your contractor has agreed to take care of this, make sure it’s included in their quote.
If it isn’t included, you’ll be responsible for getting rid of the items, which means you’ll need to budget for hiring a skip or disposing of the items at the local dump.
Prepare for unforeseen problems
It’s hard to get a handle on the full extent of the works until everything has been stripped out. Depending on the age of your home and its general condition, you might have to spend a lot on fixing or preparing your walls and floor.
For example, once the original floor finishes have been removed, you may find the surface isn’t perfectly even. To level it, the contractors will have to lay a special compound, and a change in floor level might even lead to doors having to be adjusted. Unforeseen extras like these will add to the cost.
It’s hard to get a handle on the full extent of the works until everything has been stripped out. Depending on the age of your home and its general condition, you might have to spend a lot on fixing or preparing your walls and floor.
For example, once the original floor finishes have been removed, you may find the surface isn’t perfectly even. To level it, the contractors will have to lay a special compound, and a change in floor level might even lead to doors having to be adjusted. Unforeseen extras like these will add to the cost.
Budget for bespoke items
Anything that needs to be specially made is going to be more expensive than an off-the-shelf version. Unusually shaped shower screens or bespoke cabinetry, for example, will add to your renovation cost.
Custom-made items will also be on a longer lead time, so it’s important to flag this with your contractor early on to make sure there are no time delays or overruns.
Find professionals in your area to help with a complete bathroom renovation.
Anything that needs to be specially made is going to be more expensive than an off-the-shelf version. Unusually shaped shower screens or bespoke cabinetry, for example, will add to your renovation cost.
Custom-made items will also be on a longer lead time, so it’s important to flag this with your contractor early on to make sure there are no time delays or overruns.
Find professionals in your area to help with a complete bathroom renovation.
Deal with the details
Certain finishes can be harder to fit than others. Take mosaics or unusually shaped tiles, for example – they’ll take longer to install and will therefore be more costly. It’s best to have all of your finishes selected and purchased before your contractor starts. That way, they’ll be aware of what you’re planning to use and will price for the job accordingly.
Similarly, marble or stone may need specialist detailing at the edges. The best way to finish edges is by having the tiles bevelled. This can be done either on- or off-site. You’ll need to discuss all of this with your tiler in advance, as it will have an impact on the price, but the difference in the finish will be worth every penny.
Certain finishes can be harder to fit than others. Take mosaics or unusually shaped tiles, for example – they’ll take longer to install and will therefore be more costly. It’s best to have all of your finishes selected and purchased before your contractor starts. That way, they’ll be aware of what you’re planning to use and will price for the job accordingly.
Similarly, marble or stone may need specialist detailing at the edges. The best way to finish edges is by having the tiles bevelled. This can be done either on- or off-site. You’ll need to discuss all of this with your tiler in advance, as it will have an impact on the price, but the difference in the finish will be worth every penny.
Protect against leaks
Even if you’re not planning a wet room-style shower, you’ll need to waterproof the walls around a shower or bath. Moisture-resistant plasterboard should be used to create any shower enclosures. Alternatively, fibreglass can be used to cover the entire area.
Both of these methods are an additional cost, so even if you’re only replacing your existing sanitaryware, you should factor in your chosen material.
Even if you’re not planning a wet room-style shower, you’ll need to waterproof the walls around a shower or bath. Moisture-resistant plasterboard should be used to create any shower enclosures. Alternatively, fibreglass can be used to cover the entire area.
Both of these methods are an additional cost, so even if you’re only replacing your existing sanitaryware, you should factor in your chosen material.
Measure twice, cut once
A common pitfall when renovating a bathroom is not ordering enough tiles. This can cause delays, particularly if the tiles aren’t stock items and have to be ordered.
Calculate the floor and wall areas separately and allow a minimum of 10% extra for wastage. When getting a quote for tiles, make sure the supplier includes grout, adhesive and tile trims, as these can add an unwelcome extra cost once you’ve committed to a particular design.
To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image, then on Learn More if you’re in the app, and follow the links to the professional’s profile.
A common pitfall when renovating a bathroom is not ordering enough tiles. This can cause delays, particularly if the tiles aren’t stock items and have to be ordered.
Calculate the floor and wall areas separately and allow a minimum of 10% extra for wastage. When getting a quote for tiles, make sure the supplier includes grout, adhesive and tile trims, as these can add an unwelcome extra cost once you’ve committed to a particular design.
To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image, then on Learn More if you’re in the app, and follow the links to the professional’s profile.
Allow for electrics
If you’re planning layout changes to your bathroom, you’ll probably have to relocate lights and possibly light switches, so it’s important you don’t forget the cost of rewiring. If you’re having anything electric added or changed, you’re going to have to get an electrician in to upgrade the wiring.
This might be as simple a change as adding in a shaver socket, or as complicated as installing new light fittings on separate circuits. For example, it works well to have overhead lighting on one circuit and ambient cabinet or wall lighting on another. The cost for this kind of work will depend on the complexity of what’s involved.
If you’re planning layout changes to your bathroom, you’ll probably have to relocate lights and possibly light switches, so it’s important you don’t forget the cost of rewiring. If you’re having anything electric added or changed, you’re going to have to get an electrician in to upgrade the wiring.
This might be as simple a change as adding in a shaver socket, or as complicated as installing new light fittings on separate circuits. For example, it works well to have overhead lighting on one circuit and ambient cabinet or wall lighting on another. The cost for this kind of work will depend on the complexity of what’s involved.
Research your shower pump
When you’re choosing a pump for your shower, make sure you understand what you’re getting and where it’s going to be located. Are you going for a pressurised system with all of your water under pressure? For this you’ll need to install a new water cylinder, as well as the pump.
All pumps make noise, but some are a lot louder than others, so you might want to really think about where you’re locating yours. If you’re doing a larger renovation and can decide on where to put the water cylinder, it’s worth locating it away from the bedrooms. All of these decisions will have a bearing on costs.
Tell us…
Did you come across any unexpected costs during your bathroom renovation? Share your experiences and tips in the Comments section.
When you’re choosing a pump for your shower, make sure you understand what you’re getting and where it’s going to be located. Are you going for a pressurised system with all of your water under pressure? For this you’ll need to install a new water cylinder, as well as the pump.
All pumps make noise, but some are a lot louder than others, so you might want to really think about where you’re locating yours. If you’re doing a larger renovation and can decide on where to put the water cylinder, it’s worth locating it away from the bedrooms. All of these decisions will have a bearing on costs.
Tell us…
Did you come across any unexpected costs during your bathroom renovation? Share your experiences and tips in the Comments section.
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Hi Connie Hadley - Really had a tough time following the link to answer you question so I hope this works.
Q: What is the average cost to remodel the master bathroom that is rather large.?
A: There really is not an "average cost" as we've done gut remodels on bathrooms for $60k-$200k. Those jobs, typically in older homes, almost always require re-framing of structural framing as plumbers have cut support out of the floors for the past 100 years, running new water lines, running new electrical circuits (code req'd upgrades), dealing with lead or asbestos, etc.
If your home is relatively new - Read: has not had too many past remodels - hopefully you won't have those additional cost to deal with. To get started on rough pricing, decide on how much you want to spend on the project. This will, by default, set the scope of work. If its $2k then swap out a vanity and maybe a toilet. If it's $50k you have a lot more work you can do.
Determine the current condition of the space (Good, bad, train wreck?), decided on any changes to the floor plan and be honest with yourself if that is a substantial change(s) to the existing space. Run a long straight edge over your walls and floors to see if the surfaces are out of plane which will require straightening if the tile is to sit flat. Take some basic measurements of the size of the room and the location of the fixtures and draw them up. You can do a second drawing with these dimensions showing what the proposed improvements will be.
Next add up all of the fixtures and price them, determine the tile you want and how many square feet you need ( add 10% overage for waste) choose your cabinetry and medicine cabs, price out all of the bath accessories you want (towel bars, TP holder, etc.) and include any other items you might want to add (heated floors, steam unit, etc.).
Then with that in hand start speaking with a local contractor or two (labor and install prices vary wildly by geographic market). I know this does exactly answer your question, but in doing this preliminary assessment yourself, the contractors will see that you are serious and have take the initiative to start collecting the components of the scope and will provide pricing that is as specific as you have been.
Hope that helps get your project started.
Connie, your question leaves a lot open to interpretation. A rather large bathroom to some means 70 sf, to others 250 sf. Here’s an idea, however, my numbers are pre-Covid. I read on Houzz, a few years ago, that for a bathroom remodel, as a rule of thumb, one should expect to spend $5-7k per ”piece”, meaning toilet, vanity, tub, shower etc. If you’ve got 2 sinks, tub, shower, 1 toilet you have a 5-piece bathroom, so expect to spend between $25 and 35 k. I imagine this number would be higher right now. We remodeled our 165 sf primary bathroom in 2016; no walls were moved, removed or added, but we ran new plumbing for our 4’ x 7' shower to where a very large Jaccuzzi tub previously stood, and terminated the old shower lines. Where the previous owners had a dining room hutch (yeah, odd), we put a FS tub, so new plumbing was needed. The large double vanity's spot remained in the same location, as did the WC; in the old shower locstion we placed a large FS linen closet. We got new sconces over the sinks, 2 medicine cabinets, and all the other pieces are new, as well. Our 1.5 shower glass walls are frameless low iron glass, less green, and fairly tall (we have 10' ceilings). My husband did most of the old tile demo and installed the 2 med cabs, but everything else was done by pros. Our shower floor is marble, but all other tile is fairly inexpensive porcelain….an excellent choice for floors and walls alike. I ordered Kohler sinks and Grohe fittings online, and our towel holders etc are by Samuel Heath, so definitely not el cheapo. I think the whole thing cost us a bit over $30 K, definitely less than 35 K. Had we gone with Waterworks tub, Robern med cabs, marble everywhere, that number would have been at least $15 K higher. Much of these costs are driven by your choices, obviously, so you xan control that somewhat. I cannot even imagine what a $200 K bathroom would look like, but I'm sure it's possible to spend that much. I know this post is super long, but hopefully it will give you some idea. Good luck!
In terms of budgets... there's no set answer.
How high end are your materials? How old is the building? Have you renovated previously? Are you doing any or all of the work yourself? Having done multiple bathroom renos in our house (all by ourselves) over the past 12 years it's important to anticipate what you will need for each portion of the project. Working in the engineering field I have learned that what you see as a finished product is the tip of the iceberg in terms of cost. What starts as a "why isn't my sink draining?" went from snaking the drain, to removing the pedestal sink, finding the rotten subfloor, removing the flooring/subfloor and finding the cut up joists that were hanging on by hopes and prayers... not even threads. Discovering the drain went uphill and changed direction 4 times across an 8 foot wide bathroom. Then we noticed the existing wiring in the kitchen below had no insulation and signs of shorting out.... then a kitchen reno ensued and we had to redo 2 storeys on the budget of a small DIY bathroom with $10,000 spread over two years of paychecks. Do your due diligence, investigate as much as possible before committing to a plan. Have all the materials you need before beginning demolition, and have a contingency budget for unknown surprises. Being a new homeowner with a young family, we couldn't afford to do any of the finishes we intended and had to cut costs significantly to get the wiring, plumbing, ventilation and exterior insulation along with structure up to code before we could even drywall. That meant a used set of kitchen cabinets bamboo countertops, cheap vinyl flooring, acrylic tub and shower surrounds and the cheapest vanity we could find and making do without a completely finished space until we could afford to do another portion of the project. We are now finally re-doing it to upgrade finishes knowing full well that the bones of the room are good and with the increased material costs doing it ourselves we are already in for $15,000 before the floor/paint/trim, keeping an existing vanity, toilet and the original acrylic tub and there is no labour included. For labour costs assume 2x your material costs for a reasonable ball park if you are providing all materials.
If you are buying a fully finished vanity with counter top from a box store because it seems more affordable - consider that most of these are free-standing furniture style, and if you sit them against a wall there will be gaps at the bottom where the counter overhangs, and you will have a hard time finishing against the wall at the counter top especially if there is a beveled edge.