Bathroom Renovation: What to Expect From Start to Finish

The quote visit

A useful quote starts with someone measuring the room and looking at what is already there: where the waste runs, how the water is heated, the state of the floor and the walls. Our quotes are free and written, so you can see exactly what is included rather than relying on a figure given over the phone.

This is the moment to mention anything you are unsure about, such as moving the toilet, swapping a bath for a shower or adding storage. Layout changes affect pipework and cost, so it is better they are priced from the start.

Decisions that are yours to make

Most delays on bathroom jobs come from choices that are still open when work begins. Settling these early keeps the programme steady.

• Bath, shower or both, and the type of shower
• Toilet and basin style, including wall hung or floor standing
• Tiles for walls and floor, plus trims and grout colour
• Heating, such as a towel radiator
• Lighting, ventilation and any mirror or storage positions

Living with the work

If this is your only bathroom, plan for some days without a working toilet or shower. We sequence the job to keep that period as short as the work allows and will tell you in advance which days are affected. Expect some noise and dust during strip out; we protect floors and routes through the house and clean up at the end of each day.

The stages, in order

Every room is different, but the order rarely changes. The old suite and finishes come out, then any hidden problems are dealt with before new work covers them. Pipework is altered and tested, walls are boarded, and wet areas are waterproofed. Tiling follows, then the new sanitaryware, taps and shower are fitted and connected. Sealing, making good and decorating close the job.

Our guide to how long a bathroom takes breaks those stages down by day, including the drying times that cannot be skipped.

When something unexpected turns up

Opening up an old bathroom sometimes reveals rotten boards, old leaks or pipework that is not worth reconnecting. When that happens we stop, show you, explain the options and agree any change before carrying on. Nothing extra should appear on your bill without a conversation first.

Handover and aftercare

At the end we run every tap and the shower, check the seals and the waste, and walk through the room with you. You will be told how long to leave the silicone before heavy use and how to care for the finishes you chose. Our bathroom work is covered by a 1-year workmanship warranty, and if anything is not right in that time, you call us.

Bathroom renovation is our main service across Essex, Kent and London. If you are still weighing up budget, our bathroom renovation cost guide explains what drives the price.