Bathroom Renovation Process

At Retreat Design, your bathroom renovation starts with a comprehensive design phase undertaken by one of our experienced interior designers. All of our projects are individually tailored to specific client requirements.

Bathroom renovations typically involve more trades than a kitchen renovation as there are usually tilers, glass and plastering trades. This means that the process is usually more complicated than the kitchen process.

Below we have compiled a general list of steps which are undertaken during the bathroom renovation phase:

Pre-Renovation

A few weeks before your bathroom renovation process is scheduled to commence your designer will touch base with a firm project time-frame that will be shared with you via our online project management system. Trade prices will be confirmed and our admin team will provide you with information on how to get your home “renovation ready”.

Disconnect

The first step is to disconnect all your electrical, gas and water services. Our project manager will liaise with you and our tradespeople on an appropriate time. This usually takes a few hours on a convenient day.

Demolition

This is the messiest part of a renovation so being prepared and having your house “renovation ready” is a good idea. Usually the demolition team need a day to demo a bathroom space, taking out baths and old spas add to the time and cost. Ensuring there is floor protection, other areas of the house are protected from dust and you are generally ready for the mess and dust is something you can chat through with our project manager before the demolition commences.

First Fix

Now the electrician and plumber return to chase and complete a “first fix”. This is the process of getting electrical wiring and plumbing chased into the new position, as per the shop drawings you have signed off on.

Tiling

Once the existing bathroom has been removed and the trades “chased” the new plumbing and electrical pipes and wires, the tiler comes in to tile the new space. This is quite a complex job, as the tiler will have to first apply a new screed and complete waterproofing before starting to lay your new tiles. As a result, this process usually takes a minimum of 1 week.

Shower Screen

As soon as the tiling is complete, our glass sub-contractors will template the shower screen. This can take 1-2 weeks to manufacture and install, so getting the template done early in the bathroom renovation process is good practice.

Cornices and Plastering

Having to replace at least part of the cornice is usually inevitable in a bathroom renovation. Allow 1 to 2 days for a gyprocker to fill any holes from the old fittings or apply a new ceiling and cornicing if required. The new cornice goes over the tiles if they are full height.

Cabinetry Install

Once your bathroom space is ready, the cabinetry installation usually only takes a few days. Our installation team are all qualified cabinet makers employed by Retreat Design, we don’t sub contract out the installation of our cabinetry! Once the installation is completed, an installer will template your bench tops and deliver them to our stonemason. You can save time by ordering a vanity with top included.

Bench tops

It usually takes 2-3 weeks from the time your bathroom cabinetry is installed and a template is made until the stone is available for installation. Bench top installation usually takes a few hours on a day convenient for you.

Splash backs

If you have a splash back, the splash back also requires a template, but this can’t be done until the bench tops have been installed. Glass splash backs have the quickest turnaround, with glass usually able to be installed within 3 days of the splash back templating occurring.

Final Fix / Additional Trades

At this time, the electrician and plumber return to fit off all your plumbing and electrical fittings. Plumbing and electrical fit off all the lights, power points, taps, showers and basin wastes to make your bathroom functional. This is also the time where our installers come back to install accessories and complete any final adjustments to your cabinetry.

Handover

Accessory install signals that your bathroom is completed and our project manager will touch base at this time to make sure everything is ok! This is by far the best bit of the process for everyone. As the client, you get to enjoy a new space that has been designed by you with one of our clever designers to make your life easier and happier. As the designers and team at Retreat Design, we get the satisfaction of knowing we have delivered a space that genuinely adds value to your lifestyle.

Allow 5-6 weeks for a standard bathroom renovation. . Lead times for manufacture of cabinetry can be between 8-14 weeks depending on the finish.