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5 things you need to consider before your bathroom makeover

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Zara, Staff Writer

Thursday, 21 January 2021

Bathrooms are one of the most utilised areas of your home, and having a space that works for your needs is key. Over time, a bathroom can start to look dated especially if it’s been a while since it was installed. Or, your bathroom could simply have a poor layout or even a lack of storage. If that sounds familiar, it’s time to start fresh with a bathroom makeover. 

But before you jump in you need to be aware of what lies ahead. Here are 5 things you need to consider before your bathroom makeover to tell you more. 

Budget

Bathrooms aren’t the cheapest of renovations to carry out, especially if you are stripping everything back to the brick. It could be particularly pricey if you’re looking to create something high spec in a large bathroom! 

Working out your budget beforehand is key. A new bathroom that has been completed to a good standard will improve the value of your property. But given you need to factor in the materials and the labour, it’s simply not going to be as cheap as a standard painting and decorating job. 

Remember as with any building work you intend to carry out, it’s always a wise idea to leave some contingency in the budget. Sometimes unexpected expenses happen, but by being prepared this will prevent any nasty surprises or unnecessary stress. 

Style

These days, there are endless colours and materials to choose from for practically every single element of your bathroom. It can be overwhelming, which is why pays to pace yourself and do plenty of research about what you actually want in there.

If you’re unsure, a good strategy is to keep things neutral as you can always add in pops of colour with your accessories. Try to factor in the decor in the rest of your home, as ideally, your bathroom should work in cohesion with the rest of your property. 

Layout

Remodelling your bathroom is a golden opportunity to play with the layout, especially if it currently isn’t making the best use of the space. With smaller bathrooms, this can be a bit of a challenge. However, with the likes of L-shaped baths, you can install a shower at the wider end to save space. 

Relocating toilets can be tricky because they need to be connected to your waste pipe. However, the likes of showers, towel radiators and even sinks are usually easier to switch around. Another great tip is to consider flipping your door if it currently opens out into the middle of your bathroom floor, rather than extending back on itself towards the wall. This can free up some much-needed space! 

Disruption

You’ve probably spent ages dreaming about that first soak in your new tub once your bathroom makeover is complete. But, have you considered all the disruption that will come before it? If you only have one bathroom in the house, then it might be worth staying with family or in a hotel during the makeover. This is because there will be periods when you don’t have a bath, shower, sink or toilet. 

If you use a contractor that will be doing all of the work (instead of hiring separate electricians, plumbers, plasterers etc) then this can minimise the disruption. They may even be able to ensure you're never without any key pieces of your bathroom suite, by only installing one piece at a time rather than ripping everything out. Check this with them before you start so that you know what to expect. 

Also, as building work can generate a lot of mess, a top tip is to hire a post-construction cleaner

Your contractor

We’ve arguably saved the best till last here. Yes, you’ve bought beautiful tiles and a gorgeous new vanity unit, but who will be installing it all? Ultimately your contractor is going to be make or break for the whole project. If you get someone who is unprofessional or inexperienced, it could cause a huge nightmare that would be very costly to fix. 

It’s highly advisable to do your research beforehand. Check if they are regulated and a member of any trusted trader organisations. If they have a website or social media page, this is even better as you can view their work as part of your hiring decision. Your contractor should visit your property to scope the work, which is also a great opportunity to check that they are the right fit for you.

To sum up

When it comes to remodelling your bathroom, there’s certainly a lot to consider! Given bathroom makeovers are an investment purchase, it’s important you are happy with the result. You can ensure this will be the case by doing your research beforehand.

If you are on the hunt for a trusted bathroom installer then Bark will connect you with the best professionals for the job. From taps to toilets, sinks to showers, achieve your dream bathroom by hiring the right help.

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