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Bathroom remodelling is a great way to add value to your property as well as make the interior of your home feel a little more modern. As a result, bathrooms are one of the most commonly renovated areas of the home. However, bathroom remodelling is not a cheap exercise and demands an even balance of practical and aesthetic design elements which many amateur renovators struggle to achieve. In this article, we run through seven of the most common bathroom remodelling mistakes and what you can do to avoid them.
1. Failing to plan
Given your bathroom is one of the smallest areas in your home, it’s easy to slip into thinking that don’t need a remodelling plan or budget given there’s not much room to work with or seemingly not many major changes to be made. On the contrary, bathroom remodels are one of the most complex renovation projects a homeowner can undertake given the amount of plumbing and electricity the practical elements of the room demand, and the cost that goes with them. Moving a toilet is not the same as moving furniture and the plumbing required to do so has the potential to swallow up your budget. So before you call a contractor, take the time to create a bathroom design plan.
2. Overspending on design
Whilst artisanal tiling, marble floors and granite counters might sound charming and be recommended by the contractors and the suppliers, they’re probably not all going to fit into your budget. Think carefully about the essential elements that come together to create the bathroom you envision, select a key piece to invest in, and then design around it. If you’re dying for some old world luxury, invest in the claw footed bathtub but hunt around for second hand brass fittings and paint the walls in jewel tones rather than tiling. On the other hand, if you’re aiming for Nordic chic, spend big on a gorgeous natural stone countertop and keep everything else simple.
3. Replacing instead of refurbishing
Remodelling your bathroom doesn’t necessarily have to mean ripping everything out and starting afresh. Re-grouting tiles, changing the finishes on cabinetry, reglazing the sink and refinishing your bath, shower and counter are all affordable ways of freshening up your bathroom whilst minimising the amount of demolition debris you have to shift out of the house.
4. Forgetting the basics
Whilst it’s always going to be more thrilling to install some shiny new fittings or features in your bathroom, failing to give thought to practical elements like ventilation could mean all your hard work goes to waste. When it comes to bathroom design, ventilation is the most important element as it plays a role in removing odours, minimising dust and keeping the mold and mildew at bay. Whilst investing in a new ventilation fan might not have the immediate impact as installing a new shower screen, it will keep your bathroom looking cleaner and fresher in the long term.
5. Choosing stylish over practical
The bathroom is one of the hardest used rooms in the house with a high amount of traffic. When thinking about your remodel, think practically about the requirements of the room so you have a clear idea about what materials will suit your needs and budget. Stone flooring for example will need to be sealed and then regularly resealed over time to prevent water damage. These added maintenance costs might mean stone isn’t a viable option for a master bathroom, but could be suitable for a guest bathroom which is used less often and therefore requires less maintenance.
6. Going DIY all the way
DIY home renovation is a huge trend in Australia at the moment, but that doesn’t mean you should take on your bathroom remodelling alone. Service related jobs such as wiring and plumbing must legally be done by a professional and your insurance will not cover faulty DIY jobs. Jobs like tiling are also best left up to professionals as this is a skill which takes some years to master, and can be very expensive to fix if done improperly.
7. Starting with the master bathroom
Whilst you might have big plans for your master bathroom, test them out in the lesser used bathroom first. Bathroom remodelling is not a walk in the park and likely to have a steep learning curve for first time renovators. Think of your first remodelling job as a learning experience and do it in a smaller, lesser used space that won’t cost as much to refurbish or bother you as much if there are mistakes.
Need some help with remodelling your bathroom? JPG Plumbing has helped hundreds of Melbourne businesses and homeowners achieve their bathroom renovation dreams on time, on budget and to plan. To learn more about our capabilities please call 0400 978 442.
