Bathroom renovating can be a very disruptive exercise but the end results are certainly well worth the inconvenience to your daily routine if done properly.
When deciding to renovate your bathroom you will need to think carefully about the extent of the renovation to be undertaken. Does your bathroom only need a simple makeover by replacing the bathroom fixtures and fittings, or does the whole space need a complete bathroom transformation including the current layout involving changing the plumbing and electrical wiring, installing new wall linings?
Depending on the value of your home and the use a particular bathroom gets you may decide that a simple makeover may be the best option so as not to overcapitalise on the renovation.
If you do decide to demolish an existing bathroom and start changing walls, plumbing and electrical then the price of the renovation is certainly going to skyrocket so make sure it is going to add real value to your property.
As well as determining your budget, selecting your bathroom fixtures and fittings, finding the right tradespeople, and complying with any council or government regulations, there are also a few very important things you will need to consider before tackling your renovation:
Demolition – Before starting any demolition work, especially wall linings, you need to find out if these products contain Asbestos. You will need to get professional asbestos removalists in to remove and deal with this particular hazardous material. Also, make sure the supply of electricity to the room is disconnected by a licensed electrician to avoid any fatal accidents.
Structural Changes – Before moving any walls or making any structural changes you must first consult with a licensed builder , some walls in your home are “load bearing” meaning they directly support the roof, remove one of these and you will be in some big trouble. You will also need to make sure you get any necessary council approvals before undertaking any structural changes.
Waterproofing – Make sure your bathroom area has adequate waterproofing, don’t just rely on the waterproofer to do his best job, research waterproofing best practice’s and find a waterproofer who will apply these.
As with anything a little knowledge will go a long way in identifying any problems before they become too serious. You don’t need to know everything about bathroom construction, but by doing your research about standard best practices, special installation requirements for your chosen products and making sure you are familiar with the relative council requirements, you will be able better manage your project to reduce issues, downtime and fix ups.