By Sarah Nolen
I, like anyone, am a true fan of a great before & after makeover. And that’s exactly what reality TV has harnessed. The fact that you’re reading this article now assures me that you’ve been accustomed to fast-tracked renovation shows that are showcased every evening for our viewing pleasure.
The reason why they show bathrooms completely stripped out and made afresh in only a few episodes is because there is no way on earth they’d maintain your attention if you were to sit through a real life renovation. For one, it takes a considerable amount of time and two, it would be boring. The real world of design and construction is a lot less drama filled, but hey that’s the power of reality TV, who are they going to fight with next?
Keep in mind too that they also have a huge workforce on TV shows to speed up the process: double the carpenters, plumbers and electricians. This economically would not work in a typical domestic setting due to substantial additional costs.
In my 11 years’ experience working as an interior designer, I’ve designed and project managed countless bathrooms, some small and some bigger and more complex than the average sized apartment. It’s fair to say the process is very similar whether you’re completing a simple facelift or recreating the Taj Mahal. All of the same trades are going to enter the bathroom area and essentially complete the same tasks.
In my first appointment with clients, I always give a clear indication of how long a project is due to take. And when I say ‘your bathroom from start to finish will take approximately six weeks’ I get a look of utter shock. If you’re a designer or builder, I know you’ll be nodding your head in agreement. Reality TV has completely thrown out any realistic expectations for how long renovations take.
The aim of this article is to break it down for you so that you can be fully prepared and understand exactly what it takes to get yourself a new bathroom. I’ve team up with Terence Otter from Seacliff Constructions who has just completed a stunning bathroom for me. We’ve both been doing this a long time so we like to think we know what we’re on about.
In a residential setting, there are generally two types of builders. The first type will work on one job at a time. Once that job is complete, they move on to their next project. This allows their tradespeople to be working on your bathroom full time, which means overall the project timeline will be shorter.
The second type of builder (which I find to be more common) will work on a number of projects at a time. They schedule their work so that their tradespeople are constantly working but going from one job to another throughout the week. In this instance, there may be a day or two where you don’t have anyone working on site. For any domestic builder, they are more often than not smaller working teams. This enables a shorter rein for the builder to be able to move and shuffle their tradespeople about.
Below, Terence and I have worked out the basic schedule of trades for a typical bathroom renovation. At the bottom, we’ve estimated the total weeks it would take dependant on which type of builder you engage.
TYPE 1 / One project at a time.
TYPE 2/ Multiple projects at a time
DEMOLITION
The first thing a builder is going to look at is the existing space and what materials it is built from. This will give an indication of the timing for the demolition stage. Timber studs and sheeted walls are much quicker to work with than solid brick walls. During the demolition stage, the installation of structural beams to support change of walls or new windows will also take place.
TYPE 1 BUILDER: 2-3 days
TYPE 2 BUILDER-: 4-5 days
If asbestos is found, it will need to be professionally removed. Allow an additional 1-2 days’ work.
PLUMBERS & ELECTRICIANS ‘ROUGH IN’
Once we have the bare structure, we then can get plumbers and electricians involved. They will begin their rough in of the plumbing points in the walls and floor and the wiring for the electrical work.
TYPE 1 BUILDER: 1-2 days
TYPE 2 BUILDER: 3-4 days
PREPARATION FOR TILING
Depending on the tiles you’ve selected, larger sizes will need straighter walls then smaller ones. Wall needs to be straightened and strengthened. At this time, the installation of new windows, doors and wall niches will take place. A cement slab (known as a tiling bed) will be installed, and must be completely dry before the waterproofing stage.
TYPE 1 BUILDER: 1-2 days
TYPE 2 BUILDER: 2-3 days
SHEETING
Now we’re ready to sheet the walls and ceilings.
TYPE 1 BUILDER: 1 day
TYPE 2 BUILDER: 1-2 days
WATERPROOFING
Once the sheets are installed, the waterproofer comes in and waterproofs the room as required. This ensures a tight water seal for years to come and no leaking showers! Waterproofing takes at least 24 hours to completely dry, this can be at least a 2-day process for 2-3 coats.
TYPE 1 BUILDER: 2-3 days
TYPE 2 BUILDER: 3-4 days
TILING
The tiler spends the morning setting out the tiles. This is an important part, ensuring that the tiles are cut where they need to be (fall to the shower grate etc) and balance throughout the room. Note, I generally tile floor to ceiling for the walls. Once the tiling is complete, the shower screen can be measured ready for manufacture.
TYPE 1 BUILDER: 5 days
TYPE 2 BUILDER: 7 days
FINISHING OF TILES
Now that the tiles are in place on the floor and walls, it’s time for them to be grouted and siliconed at the critical joints.
TYPE 1 BUILDER: 1-2 days
TYPE 2 BUILDER: 3 days
TRIMS & PAINTING
If you have new doors or windows, the timber architraves will now be installed. Once they are in place, the painter arrives to paint them along with the door and ceiling.
TYPE 1 BUILDER: 1 day
TYPE 2 BUILDER: 1-2 days
PLUMBING FIT OFF
The items that require plumbing have already been roughed in, so now it’s time to install them and connect them all up. These items include the toilet, bath, basin, tapware and finishing the drainage underfloor.
TYPE 1 BUILDER: 1 day
TYPE 2 BUILDER: 1-2 days
ELECTRICAL FIT OFF
As with the plumbing, the electrical items have already been roughed in. The electrician is now back to install the light fittings, switches, fans, and heated towel ladder.
TYPE 1 BUILDER: 1 day
TYPE 2 BUILDER: 1-2 days’
ACCESSORIES
We’re now well and truly on the home stretch. The accessories like the toilet paper holder, hand towel rail, robe hooks etc can be put in place. The shower screen and mirror are also installed on this day. Once everything is in place, your bathroom is now ready for a final clean. Once it’s looking sparkly, it’s ready for use.
TYPE 1 BUILDER: 1 day
TYPE 2 BUILDER: 1-2 days
TOTAL APPROXIMATE TIMEFRAME:
TYPE 1 BUILDER: 3-4 WEEKS
TYPE 2 BUILDER: 6-7 WEEKS.
–Sarah Nolen is an interior designer with 13 years’ experience, founder of Birdblack Design in Wollongong.
Christine says
February 15, 2017 at 2:42 pmThank you. In the throes of a two bathroom reno. Absolutely spot on observations. But living in it is challenging. But if you want it done properly…….,
Laura says
January 8, 2018 at 3:56 amThe contractor I hire to do a total remodel started the job on October 29, 2016 and it is now January 7, 2018, he is still working on it. He was a no show more days than he worked.
I have been keeping a daily schedule on the days didn’t show (would call on those days and did not answer phone and left 10 plus messages) and days he did show and what work was done.
Laura says
January 8, 2018 at 3:58 amI meant to type October 29, 2017 instead of October 29, 2016.
richard e smith says
April 15, 2018 at 1:52 amI’m about to start this process, I know from the “get go” that this is going to be annoying.
About 4 weeks ago I discovered that the water proofing had gone AWOL in my shower recess.
I looked at the numbers of trades, involved and had a mini panic attack.
I am seriously dreading this.
The one thing that people around me at work do not get is ” it takes more than a night go waterproof a wall”.
Yours with thanks
Smithy
Jen Bishop says
April 15, 2018 at 10:45 amIt’s not fun but it’s always worth it! Good luck! Hope yours goes beautifully, Smithy!
Kay Mill says
November 12, 2018 at 1:22 amWhat waterproof? I was told by the contractors that the backingboard is all in on one mold resistant, sturdy etc.. i live in an apartment.
I was also told I did not need any layer of protection besides the board.
Is there modern boards that solve the moisture mold issue help me??
Kevin says
May 21, 2019 at 7:45 amVery nicely done post.
And those of us in the business know that even your longer time-projections can be blown away by any number of issues. Bathrooms require all the trades and most have to work sequentially. A hold up for one can mean a hold up for all.
We’ve all seen the tile order wrong – all the pieces are there but they’re from two different lots and the color is off.