Planning a bathroom

Whether you are thinking about planning a bathroom or are just kicking off a bathroom renovation and want to make sure your project fulfils your vision – our complete guide is full of useful tips and advice that will help you on your way.

Remodelling a bathroom is an exciting project and for many renovators the moment they have been waiting for, when they wave goodbye to an out-dated bathroom suite and old plumbing system and say hello to a fresh, sparkling, spa-worthy retreat.

But before you get carried away in the first bathroom showroom you walk into, take some time to plan the space properly, research all the options when it comes to bathroom layouts and fitting, and consider who will carry out the work for you.

There are several trades involved in bathroom fitting — Home2do can oversee and project manage the bathroom installation, co-ordinating the various trades for you.

Your route should reflect several factors:

• Installing a brand new bathroom from scratch. This is very often the case with larger remodelling projects, where new bathrooms are being installed within an extension or where bathrooms are being created from rooms previously given over to another use.
• When party walls (walls shared between you and a neighbour) are liable to be affected.
• When internal walls need constructing or removing. This is especially the case when the walls are structural (load bearing).
• Where new fittings require the existing floors to be reinforced — a common issue when new, luxury baths are being installed.
• For the creation of a wet room, where structural calculations, waterproofing and drainage issues are commonly faced.
• When you have decided to source all fixtures and fittings from different suppliers rather than using an in-house supply- and-fit service from a bathroom specialist.
• Where building regulations (also known as building regs) approval or compliance is required.
• When opting for certain fixtures and fittings that require professional knowledge to fit, such as heavy, large format stone tile, or wall-hung sanitaryware.

How to plan a bathroom

Before you get started choosing sanitaryware and looking at the latest bathroom designs, you should spend time planning a bathroom properly in order to ensure it is perfectly suited to your individual needs.

A clear and concise idea of what you want from the bathroom will also form the basis of the brief you hand to your bathroom supplier.

When it comes to renovating a bathroom, begin by looking at bathroom layouts that will make the most of the space.

• Begin with the position of the toilet, looking at the position of the existing soil pipe and where it enters the room — this will show you the best location for the new toilet and you can then work around that.
• Use graph paper to mark out doors or windows, plus any existing features that may impact on the bathroom layout such as bulkheads, dormer windows, alcoves or sloping ceilings.
• You can then play around with where to place sanitaryware (basin, bath, shower enclosure), being sure to draw it to the same scale.
• It is important to think about who the bathroom will be used by. Anyone with young children, for example, may well want a bath and should think about easy-to-clean and non-slip surfaces. Alternatively, a walk-in shower and twin basins might be better suited to a main en suite bathroom.

Renovating a bathroom or starting from scratch?

There are several ways to achieve a new bathroom:

A simple update is the best option for anyone renovating on a budget. Keep the current layout as it is in order to avoid moving plumbing, but incorporate more modern sanitaryware, extra storage or a heated towel warmer.

Remodelling a bathroom usually involves moving things around, or perhaps extending the space by incorporating a separating WC or stealing some space from an additional bedroom, which can often involve new or altered plumbing systems.

In the case of new builds or larger renovation projects, a bathroom will be created in an entirely new space, in which case the services of Home2do will be vital to ensure your new pipework and electrics meet building regulations.

In all cases, you should discuss the relocation of plumbing, waste, pipework and electrics with Home2do at the design stage.

What building regulations do I need to consider?

If you are renovating a bathroom (as opposed to installing a brand new bathroom), you are likely to have services such as electrics, plumbing and waste connected. However, if you are upgrading your bathroom fittings and fixtures or changing the layout of your sanitaryware, you might discover you require extra wiring or pipework, or for the existing services to be rerouted.

Whilst replacing tired old sanitaryware and taps will not require building regulations approval, relocating a bathroom or adding a new one will.

Likewise, any electrical work near and around wet areas, such as baths and showers, will need to conform to the building regs, as will any work that expands upon or alters existing drainage systems.

When the job is complete, Home2do will hand over any required certification that proves the work complies with the Building Regulations. 

Note, that it is your responsibility to safely store your certificates and show them when needed – potential buyers will want to see compliant documentation when you wish to sell your house.

How long does it take to install a bathroom?

The length of time it takes to complete a full bathroom renovation can vary from a couple of weeks for simple installations to several weeks for larger and more complex bathroom projects.

Home2do can give you an indication of timescales so you know what to expect, but it also helps to understand a typical schedule of works for installing a bathroom.

Typical schedule of works for installing a bathroom

• Develop your bathroom brief and plan your budget.
• Book your work and finalise the schedule. (Plan ahead as Home2do will not be available to start straightaway).
• Confirm your final brief and select your sanitaryware, materials, fittings and fixtures in collaboration with Home2do. 
• Rip out and remove the existing bathroom.
• First fix plumbing and electrics, putting new services in place and dealing with now defunct pipes and wiring.
• Levelling walls, fitting plasterboard or tile backing board, plastering.
• Repairing and plastering ceiling.
• Levelling, reinforcing (where necessary), screeding and waterproofing the floor.
• Second fix plumbing, including the installation of the toilet, heated towel rail, bath and taps, shower, shower enclosure, basin and taps.
• Second fix wiring, including fitting extractor fan, shaver points, electric underfloor heating, light switches and spotlights.
• Wall and floor tiling.
• Final decoration.
• Necessary certificates are given to you for safe keeping.
• Enjoy your first soak in the new bathroom!

Average bathroom renovation costs

Prices for a completely new bathroom will be based on the costs of materials, the complexity of your project and the installation time required.

Variations that impact the cost of your new or renovated bathroom include the size of the room, the level of specification you are aiming for, the type of fittings you have chosen, and your location. Any extras such as natural stone tiles, underfloor heating, new lighting scheme, designer heated towel warmers and decorative accessories will also need to be factored into your budget.

Basic fittings such as standard acrylic baths and simple electric showers will be at the lower end of the pricing scale, whilst top-end items such as natural stone baths, glass basins and multi-functional shower cabins will require a larger budget. For example, the cost of a basic toilet can be as low as £50 but can rise to over £500 for a better-quality model. A shower can be from £50 with higher end models costing upwards of £2,000. Remember cheap isn’t always cheerful!

According to the Big Bathroom Shop, the average cost of materials for a basic new bathroom is currently £4,500, excluding installation. VictoriaPlum estimates installation costs for a straightforward refurbishment to average £5,000.

While keeping to a budget is important, bear in mind that it is unlikely that you will get the most durable, high-quality fittings and fixtures at bargain prices. Remember that a wide range of factors will influence the cost of your project and high-quality bathroom suites often cost substantially more than the basic suites.