Bathroom renovation can be an exciting project, particularly for first-timers. It presents the opportunity to turn a mere space of necessity into comfort and elegance. However, it’s also a process fraught with potential pitfalls, including common “bathroom renovation mistakes,” and these errors often come with a hefty price tag.
Understanding common errors made during the renovation process can save you from unwelcome surprises and extra expenses, ensuring you create a bathroom that’s aesthetically pleasing, functional, and well within budget.
Whether you’re planning a complete transformation or just a minor update, avoiding these 10 common bathroom renovation mistakes can significantly impact the success of your project and the enjoyment of your newly renovated bathroom.
Underestimating Costs
While it’s easy to get caught up in the exciting design aspects of bathroom renovation, it’s crucial not to underestimate the costs involved. A failure to accurately budget can quickly turn the thrill of a renovation project into a financial nightmare. From unexpected plumbing issues to the cost of materials and labour, many unforeseen expenses may arise.
The first step is giving each part of the renovation a realistic cost estimate. From fixtures to tiling, lighting, and plumbing, each component carries its price tag. While it is tempting to consider only the upfront costs, remember to account for any unexpected scenarios as well. Elements such as waterproofing, substrate conditions, or plumbing modifications are common areas where unforeseen costs can creep in.
To get a real sense of the budget required, research extensively into the prices of materials and labour.
Check in at local stores, compare costs online, and gather quotes from multiple contractors. It’s always safer to overestimate and give yourself some room to manoeuvre if unexpected costs crop up. Be regular in updating your budget as the work progresses to ensure you stay within your financial limits.
Unfortunately, anything can happen in a bathroom renovation. One particular case comes to mind A couple in a renovation Facebook group posted that they had budgeted for the cost of their renovation by working out the cost of all the fixtures and rough ideas of labour from other people’s information and hoped to save money organising the trades themselves. But once they pulled the wall linings off they found termites had eaten a fair bit of the wall framing and then to make matters worse the plumbing drainage all had to be re-run too at a significant extra cost that they hadn’t budgeted for.
The reality is, no matter how careful you are, there will always be a potential for unforeseen costs. However, you can significantly minimise this risk by being thorough in your budget planning. Make sure you take into account not just the obvious elements but also hidden costs that can materialise in the process of bathroom renovation.
Choosing The Wrong Materials
One common pitfall that many first-time renovators make when embarking on their bathroom renovation journey is choosing the wrong materials for their space. Much of the charm of a well-designed, visually appealing bathroom lies in the details – the patterning on the tiles, the sheen of the fixtures, the choice of countertop. However, it’s crucial to remember that a bathroom’s functionality is just as important as its aesthetic appeal.
Not so much overall looks as tase is relative but the incorrect materials.
For example – Glossy tiles on the floor make the floor slippery and dangerous.
One particular common mistake at the moment is using MDF vj lining in a bathroom.
One drop of water inside the mdf and it sucks it like a sponge.
Selecting durable, moisture-resistant materials for your bathroom renovation is one of the most fundamental ways to ensure the longevity of your design. From countertops and cabinets to flooring and wall coverings, it’s important to choose materials equipped to handle the unique environment of a bathroom setting.
Aside from their moisture-resistant properties, these materials should also be easy to clean and maintain. This not only guarantees a sleek and stylish bathroom but also one that stands the test of time.
Incorrect Waterproofing
Waterproofing is the most important part of a bathroom renovation. Now more than ever with recent changes to the National Construction Code as of May 1st 2023 in relation to wet areas, incorrect waterproofing requirements could see your bathroom not covered by insurance should the incorrect waterproofing installation fail.
Judging by the confusion online I’d estimate at least 50% of builders are still waterproofing their bathrooms incorrectly by their failure to keep on top of current legislation.
Never attempt waterproofing yourself always get a licensed waterproofer or better still specialist bathroom company who will provide you with a waterproofing certificate and insurance.
Overlooking Ventilation & Lighting
In any well-designed bathroom, a calculated approach to two factors – ventilation and lighting – is paramount. These aspects might seem minor or secondary to other elements such as stylish fixtures or fancy tiles, yet they are integral in a functional and comfortable space. By ignoring these details, you might find your dream bathroom plagued with a host of unnecessary problems.
When it comes to bathroom renovations, ventilation is a critical consideration often overlooked by first-timers. Proper ventilation prevents excessive condensation, inhibiting the growth of harmful mould and mildew while protecting your investment for the long term. Bathrooms without adequate ventilation can suffer from Black mould, peeling paint, warped doors and unhealthy air quality levels – all expensive and detrimental outcomes you wouldn’t want to deal with after spending time and money on your renovation.
Lighting is another aspect equally crucial yet frequently brushed aside in bathroom renovations.
Nothing enhances a bathroom like the correct type of lighting, especially natural light.
On the flipside have you ever tried to get ready in front of a mirror with dull light or with light behind you?
What is the point of making your bathroom beautiful if you can’t even see it properly
Incorrect layout
Think about how much it would annoy you if you renovated your whole bathroom and then failed to consider making better use of the space. Some people try to save costs by sticking with their old layout not realising that the layout was designed by someone else who has a very different routine and homelife than you.
Take a moment to think of all the things that annoy you with your current bathroom. Clutter, banging your knee, wet towels because they can’t dry correctly.
Impossible to keep clean…
The list goes on make sure to factor these in when you design your new bathroom space.
The Solution
As you can see there are a number of challenging factors that go into getting a bathroom renovation to not only run smoothly but look stunning as well.
Instead, If you’d like to transform your current bathroom into a stunning, relaxing haven that not only adds value to your property, helps your mornings run smoother and makes your friends jealous at the same time then we’d love to help you reach that goal.
Give us a call today on 0490449506
