The Bathroom Details to Settle Before You Order the Tiles
Before buying materials for a bathroom renovation, get an estimate for the plumbing work. Moving the toilet or replacing a bathtub with a shower can change the scope of the project, and those costs should be part of the budget from the beginning.
Have a plumber review the proposed layout and the fixtures you’re considering. Once you know what the work involves, you can make decisions about tile, paint colors and finishes without guessing how much money is left.
Start with what bothers you now
Spend a few days noticing how you use the existing room. Perhaps the sink is too shallow, the shower takes ages to warm up, or there’s nowhere to put a towel within reach of the tub. Write those things down.
Include the problems you’ve learned to live with. A slow drain still matters when you’re replacing the floor. So does water collecting beneath the sink, even if the leak seems minor.
Tell your plumber about those symptoms before work begins. A renovation gives you a chance to have them investigated while access is easier. Covering everything with new finishes could leave you with the same problem in a much more expensive room.
Be specific about what you want to improve. “More storage” might mean somewhere for six bath towels, space for cleaning products or a drawer that holds a hair dryer. Each needs a different solution.
Get the proposed layout priced early
Moving a toilet across the room can make a floor plan look much better. Have a plumber check what’s involved beneath the floor before you commit to that position.
Ask for a comparison between keeping the main fixtures where they are and moving them. Have the plumber explain what each option involves, including access through floors or ceilings. The contractor should account for putting those surfaces back afterward.
Before you commit to a new layout, have a Plumber Richmond business inspect the existing pipes and drains. They can explain what needs to change and give you an estimate before you start ordering fixtures.
Once you know the cost of moving things, you can decide where the change earns its keep. Moving the toilet might create enough space for a shower you can comfortably use. Shifting a sink a few inches may offer very little.
You can also change the room considerably without moving either. A shallower vanity, a wider mirror or different lighting may solve the problem that started the renovation.
Check the sink and faucet specifications
Check the mounting requirements before you buy either product. Some sinks have a single faucet hole, while others have three. The faucet needs to work with the sink or countertop you’ve chosen.
Keep the product drawings handy and ask the supplier to confirm compatibility if you’re buying from different brands. Check the faucet’s spout reach against the sink dimensions, too.
For a vessel sink that sits on top of the counter, consider the combined height of the cabinet, countertop and sink. Try a similar setup in a showroom if you can. The sink’s rim should be at a comfortable height for the people using it.
Decide where wall-mounted faucets will go with the installer before work begins. Share the sink specification and finished wall details before the plumbing is installed. Keep a record of the model and any concealed components so you can identify replacement parts later.
Plan the shower around an ordinary morning
A large overhead shower looks appealing in a photograph. Before buying one, ask your plumber whether the existing supply and hot-water system can support the fixtures you’ve chosen.
Explain how the household uses water. Two people getting ready at once creates a different demand from one person showering alone. If you’re considering a tankless water heater, its suitability depends on the required flow and how much it needs to heat the incoming water.
Then work through the physical layout. Decide where you’ll stand to turn the shower on. Position the controls so they’re comfortable to reach, and check how the door opens against the rest of the room.
Try marking the shower footprint on the floor with tape. Stand inside it, turn around and imagine bending down to pick up a bottle. Include the space taken by a shelf or seat.
A few minutes doing that can tell you something a floor plan doesn’t: whether the shower will feel cramped when you’re actually using it.
Look inside the vanity before buying it
Storage photographs tend to show neatly folded towels and a single bottle of hand soap. Your cabinet will also have plumbing inside it.
Check the drawer layout against the proposed drain and water supply connections. Ask for an internal drawing if the product listing only shows the front. You need to know how much usable space remains once everything is installed.
This is especially useful when choosing a vanity with deep drawers. A generous-looking cabinet may hold less than expected once space for the plumbing is taken into account.
Leave room to reach the shutoff valves and connections that may need repairs. If you’re having cabinetry made, get the cabinetmaker and plumber to agree on access before the drawings are signed off.
Also think about cleaning. A narrow gap between the vanity and tub may look fine on paper and be almost impossible to reach with a cloth.
Keep part of the budget unspent
Before demolition, some of the room is still a guess. Removing a tub or flooring may reveal a leak, damaged material or an earlier repair that needs attention.
Keep a contingency available for those discoveries. The amount should reflect the house, the scope of work and how much has already been inspected. Ask the people quoting the job where they see the remaining uncertainties.
Check what each quote includes. Plumbing, tile removal, wall repairs and painting may sit with different trades. Having those responsibilities written down helps you see the full cost of a proposed change.
Give replacement fixtures a proper look as well. Find out whether parts are available and read the cleaning instructions for the finish you’re considering. You’ll be living with those requirements long after the packaging has gone.
Use the room before signing off
Arrange a walkthrough once the work is complete. Run the faucets and shower with the installer present. Check drainage, look inside the vanity and ask to be shown the shutoff valves.
Open every drawer and cabinet. Check that handles clear nearby walls and that the shower door has the space it needs. Raise anything that feels awkward while the team is there to discuss it.
Keep the product details, warranties and photographs of concealed pipes together. They’ll be useful if you need repairs or decide to make another change later.
Then put your everyday things in place. Hang a towel, set out the toothbrushes and find a home for the spare rolls of toilet paper. Leave enough space beside the sink for the things that will inevitably end up there. A bathroom starts to feel finished when you can use it comfortably, even with someone else’s shampoo on the shelf.
Our writers like to find the latest trends for home decor. We launched the award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2015 and the luxury property and interior decor blog www.alltheprettyhomes.com in 2024 to cover all your interior design, travel and lifestyle inspiration needs. Download our free bathroom renovation guide here.
