Should I Use a Builder for a Bathroom Renovation?

Bathroom Renovations… Seem simple right?

Move a few tiles and put them back and move out the vanity and replace with a new one. Change over the shower and taps for new fancier ones….

Don’t need someone to project manage that?  Right?

Hmm… Let me delve into the complexities of a bathroom renovation and why it might be worth considering a builder to project manage the renovation for you
 
When starting a bathroom renovation, you first need to confirm if you need a building permit for the renovations or not. If you are moving any structural walls this may create the need for a build permit and engineering.

Also, if you are changing the glazing in the room this also may trigger the need for a build permit.
Building without a building permit can be considered breaking council guidelines and you may be asked to remedy it by local council.
 
Where do you start on a bathroom renovation…..
 
The demolition work on any bathroom renovation involves live electricity and water pipes behind walls and under the ground.

Demolition should not be considered lightly around wet areas. There is a lot that could go wrong and that one burst water pipe could cost you more than the extra cost of having a builder in the first place. It is worthwhile using someone who has done this before and knows what they are doing.
 
Once demolition has taken place what tradesman do you call on first to start the work?

This one will depend on the desired bathroom lay out of the new renovation, you may need to call a concrete cutter to cut concrete for the plumber or you may just pay the plumber to do this.
Waterproofing incorrectly is also very important and can create major long-term damage if not doe right as can dodgy tiling jobs.

I guess the big question and one thing that really can make or break a bathroom renovation is how to time your trades right. You don’t want three trades in the one small room getting in each other’s way and costing you more money in time delays.
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Also, what if you get the wrong trade in before the next, and then the initial tradesman has to start his work from scratch again.  For example, the carpenter needs to ensure all his/her frames are up before the tiler starts and the Gyprocker needs to have all the walls plastered and flushed before the tiler comes in. Rushing through things ad not allowing enough time in between trades is a big problem with DIY bathroom renovators. 

We see this happening a lot......

A builder has years of experience in renovations and new built homes he understands the flow of the trades and his/her main job is to supervise the trades to ensure number 1. That they get the job done to a high standard and to code and 2. To ensure the timing of the trades are correct.  
 
A Builder will ensure the job runs smoothly by organising the trades and booking them in at the right time.  You may find that if you compare a DIY bathroom renovation to a builder managed bathroom renovation that the builder managed job will reach practical completion a lot sooner and in most cases with a lot less stress.
 
In some cases, the builder managed jobs will be significantly cheaper too and this is due to the builder getting better rates with his trades that he uses all the time and getting builders rates with suppliers.

Budget blow outs on DIY bathroom renovations also blow out due to the above-mentioned issue of timing the trades incorrectly. Making trades come back when they could have got the job done on the last visit creates more call out fees and labour costs.
 
So, have a I changed your way of thinking about a DIY bathroom renovation?
 
Doing a bathroom renovation is not for the faint hearted and furthermore if you have little or no construction industry experience, I suggest either starting to educate yourself now or pay a builder to do your bathroom renovation. It will free up more time for you and will be money well spent.
 
If you want to know more or have a bathroom renovation in mind or any home renovations projects in mind contact us now for more insight.