Bathroom renovation is an exciting opportunity to improve the functionality and aesthetics of your bathroom, adding overall value to your home. However, the bathroom renovation also comes with a few challenges. One such challenge is preparing your home before the bathroom renovation work starts.
So, if you are about to start a bathroom renovation in Sydney, here is something helpful for you. In this blog, we have listed some helpful tips to prepare your home for bathroom renovation. By following these tips, you can ensure hassle-free completion of the project.
Tips to Prepare Your Home for Bathroom Renovation
Understand Your Goals
While this may not be the actual home preparation step; but it is crucial to have a clear idea of your goals and vision for the successful completion of your bathroom renovation project. Analyse your requirements and what you want to achieve from the bathroom renovation.
You can ask the following questions to yourself –
- What is the problem with the current bathroom?
- Does your bathroom occupy unnecessary space?
- Does your bathroom look outdated and dull?
- Are there any structural issues such as cracks or leaks?
Whether you want to improve the space efficiency, upgrade the interior, change the fittings, or anything else, Make sure you are clear about your goals so that you can communicate clearly with the contractor and prepare your home accordingly. Apart from that, you can also make a list of must-haves in your bathroom.
Start by gathering ideas and inspiration from magazines, websites, or social media platforms for your new bathroom. However, when doing this, make sure you have a detailed budget for your bathroom renovation and that you are keeping it in mind when deciding what you want from your new bathroom.
Plan Things Carefully
Once you are clear about your goals and requirements, you should move to careful planning of the bathroom renovation process. This step will include creating a detailed timeline for your bathroom renovation. By engaging experienced bathroom renovation specialists in Sydney, you can get a clear timeline.
With the timeline in hand, you can manage things accordingly. This will also give you an idea of what materials to bring and at what time. So you can plan things like preparing storage space, clearing the home, and relocating your things accordingly.
Clear the Area
Once you are ready to start the renovation work, you must clear the area. Clearing the space will make it easier for contractors to work and prevent your belongings from getting damaged or dusty. Remove all the things such as toiletries, carpets, clothes, and other items.
Also, take out the shower curtains, towels, rugs, and any decorative items. Carefully remove removable lighting and plumbing fixtures and store them safely if you are willing to use them in future.
You can also take out the removable furniture such as shelves, cabinets, etc. If the bathroom renovation also includes the demolition of adjacent walls, you also need to take care of that. Remove the wall hangings and any other piece of furniture near the walls.
Cover Other Areas
Renovations can be messy, and dust and debris can spread to other parts of your home. When renovating a bathroom, it is necessary to cover the other areas in your home to protect them from potential damage and accumulating dirt and dust.
Use plastic sheets or drop cloths to properly cover adjacent rooms, floors, walls, furnishings and other items. If there are any electrical appliances near the bathroom, it is good to shift them somewhere else.
You might also need to cover the outdoor areas such as windows, doorways, vents, and other openings to prevent dirt and debris from getting outside your home. Use a painter’s tape to cover the gaps where dust could escape.
Seal off doorways and vents to prevent dust from travelling through your home’s ventilation system. Taking these precautions will protect the other areas and electric applications from potential damage and also save you time and effort when it comes to post-renovation cleaning.
Manage Water & Electrical Supply
Another crucial step is managing the water and electrical supply of your bathroom. Before any work begins, ensure that the water and electrical supplies to the bathroom are turned off. This step is crucial for the safety of both the workers and your home. Inform your contractor of the locations of these controls to avoid any mishaps.
You have to carefully cut off the water and electrical supplies in your bathroom without disrupting the other rooms of your home. You might need the help of a plumber and electrician for this job. They can help you disconnect the water and electricity supply without any hassle. Label the valves and breakers clearly, so there is no confusion during the renovation.
Get Approvals if Required
Most of the indoor bathroom renovations in Sydney do not require any approval or permit from the local authority. Check with your local council to determine if your bathroom renovation needs any approvals. This is especially important if you’re making structural changes, moving plumbing fixtures, or altering the layout significantly.
Getting the necessary permits is essential for the successful completion of the bathroom renovation project. Failing to obtain the necessary approvals can result in fines and complications down the line.
At Edyco Building and Construction, we are a local bathroom and kitchen renovation specialist in Sydney. We are aware of the local building codes in Sydney and can help you with the permits and approvals if required.
Arrange a Temporary Bathroom
Renovating your bathroom means you won’t have access to it for a period. Arrange for a temporary bathroom solution during this time. If you have another bathroom in your home, ensure it’s equipped with all necessary supplies. If not, consider renting a portable bathroom or making arrangements with neighbours or friends.
This will ensure minimal disruption to your daily routine. Stock up on essentials like toiletries, towels, and cleaning supplies for the temporary bathroom. If you have young children or elderly family members, ensure the temporary setup is safe and accessible for them.
Prepare for Waste Disposal
During the renovation work, there will be a significant amount of trash including old tiles, fixtures, and packaging materials. This waste will need a proper disposal. So make sure you have a dedicated space for collecting this trash and have made the required arrangements to dispose of that demolition waste.
You can have a word with your contractor regarding waste management. They can guide you. Proper waste management will keep your home clean and comply with local regulations. Familiarise yourself with local recycling guidelines and separate recyclable materials accordingly. If you have items that are still in good condition, consider donating them to local charities or
Be Ready for The Common Challenges
When you start a construction project such as bathroom renovation, it comes with its own challenges that can affect the total timeline and cost of your project. So to avoid that, you must be aware of the common challenges and be ready to tackle them to ensure minimum disruptions.
These challenges can include hidden water damage, outdated plumbing, or structural issues. Be prepared mentally and financially for these surprises. Having an emergency budget and a flexible mindset will help you handle any setbacks without derailing the entire project.
Apart from that, communicate regularly with your contractor to stay informed about the progress and any issues that arise. Keep transparent communication and address any concerns promptly to avoid misunderstandings. Consider having a backup plan for unexpected delays or changes in the project scope.
Summing Up
Bathroom renovation can be easy with the tips mentioned above. By following these simple tips, you can reduce the last-minute crisis and ensure a smooth and successful completion of the project. However, the key here is to clearly communicate with your bathroom renovation contractor about different steps in the renovation process.