Don't be Caught Out by Hidden Costs When Renovating Your Bathroom
Pay attention to these key details and you won't be hit by surprise material or labour costs
Bathrooms and en suites are often the smallest rooms in the house, yet refurbishment usually involves almost every trade, from plumbers to tilers, and electricians to plasterers. There are so many people to manage that the key to getting it right and staying on budget is organisation.
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 disposing of the items.
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 disposing of the items.
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.
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.
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.
Is marble right for your bathroom?
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.
Is marble right for your bathroom?
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 per cent 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.
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 per cent 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.
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.
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Did you come across any unexpected costs during your bathroom renovation? Share your experiences and tips in the Comments section.
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Did you come across any unexpected costs during your bathroom renovation? Share your experiences and tips in the Comments section.
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Pro Panel: Biggest Bathroom Blunders
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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.