If you are planning on upgrading your bathroom, you will likely need the help of a plumber when it comes to replacing things your shower and sink.

Finding the right plumbing specialist for the job is important; you don’t want someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing! Choose a professional who has plenty of experience and skill, such as those at Water & Gas Plumbing.

The bathroom is one of the most used spaces in the home, making it essential to take good care of it. Yet sometimes repairs and maintenance just aren’t enough and the time comes when a revamp is necessary. Here’s what you need to know about updating your washroom and getting a good plumber to help you.

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How a plumber can help

Quality plumbing underpins the success of a bathroom, and should provide both functionality and style. By getting a licenced plumber involved at the start of your project, they can help you create a bathroom plan which incorporates your existing plumbing system and is within your budget.

Services they provide

A plumber can offer a range of bathroom renovation services, including but not limited to:

• Repair, removal, repositioning and installation of hot water systems, pipes, fixtures (such as toilet, shower and sink) and drains
• Provision of environmentally-friendly fixtures and fittings
• Provision of lighting, ventilation, tiling and waterproofing; and
• Small demolition work and strip outs.

Reasons for renovating

There are many reasons why people choose to renovate their washroom, including but not limited to:

Different needs

As we age, our needs change; once we have kids, for example, a one-person bathroom may no longer be adequate and a larger space may be desired.

New tastes

Ever-evolving design trends mean that a once modern bathroom will eventually become outdated, leaving some to want to update to a newer style.

Upgrading home value

Renovating the bathroom is an easy way to improve your home’s resale value by $40,000+. Keep in mind that a low or mid-range upgrade will grant higher returns than more upmarket ones.

Determine your budget

Figuring out how much you have to spend will help you avoid accidentally blowing your budget. Expect to spend anywhere between $5,000-$35,000, though you can spend as much or as little as you like if you know what you’re doing.  The majority of your spending is likely to go towards fixtures and tiles. Plumbing and electricals should make up around 25% of your overall budget. Granting yourself a 10% buffer is a good way to avoid overspending due to unexpected events.

Small budget

Those on a small budget would do well buying only the essentials, such as new a new vanity, toilet, sink and shower. Things like mirrors and towel racks can be purchased at a cheap price. Re-grouting your tiles rather than totally replacing them is also a cheap option. However, ensure you don’t cheapen out on plumbing; you don’t want a leaky toilet!

Standard budget

People with a regular budget can likely afford to renovate the whole washroom. They should have enough money to retile and add things like a double vanity or freestanding bathtub.

Premium budget

Naturally, those with a higher budget will be able to spend as much as they want on the bathroom of their dreams. Whether they want to indulge with a spa, dramatically extend the room or use high-quality materials like porcelain or cedar, all options are open to them.

Costs of common amenities

The type of amenity you’re buying will determine its price, as will your budget. That is, a basin will generally be cheaper than a bathtub.

Toilet

An essential part of the bathroom, the price of a toilet can range widely depending on the style and quality you want. Expect to pay around $100-150 for a cheap one, $150-500 for a mid-range one and $500-1000 for a premium one.

Bathtub

A bath offers a little bit of luxury and peace in an otherwise hectic world. Budget bathtubs cost anywhere from $120, while a mid-range one will cost you around $500, and a top-tier one like a freestanding tub costs upwards of $800.

Basin

A budget basin will cost you around $70-150, a mid-range basin will cost around $150-400 and a premium one will cost $400 and up. There are also different types of basins to suit different bathrooms; wall-hung styles are great for small rooms (though they don’t provide much storage) whereas an above-counter basin looks great in roomier modern spaces.

Style and colour scheme

From a blue and white beach-style theme to a warm, wooden rustic feel, the different variations of bathroom styles are virtually endless. Some popular themes include:

• Scandinavian
• Industrial
• Transitional
• Contemporary
• Farmhouse
• Rustic
• Beachy
• Asian
• Mediterranean
• Victorian; and
• Mid-century.

When selecting a colour scheme and style, you may want to choose something that works with the overall feel of your house. Having an Asian-style bathroom in a Victorian-style house can feel a bit jarring, as can having bold, bright colours in a farmhouse. White, minimalist colour schemes often work well in contemporary bathrooms, and pops of colour can look nice when used in décor and accenting. Indoor plants are an easy way to add life and freshness to any bathroom.

Measure your space

Getting the right measurements of your bathroom is essential when renovating, as incorrect measurements can lead to things not fitting through your door! Craft a floor plan which includes the size and location of doors, windows and fixtures. You can then use this floor plan to decide which items you will buy and where you will place them.

How to survive while your bathroom is being renovated

Living in your home without a bathroom for several weeks can be challenging, however there are options available to make this easier for you. Port-a-loos, portable showers and possibly even portable bathrooms with hot water can be provided.