Re-Modelling / Renovating Your Bathroom? Be Sure to Follow These Steps!

When it comes to re-designing and renovating your bathroom, there are some important steps that should be followed to ensure that your project finishes on time and within budget.

Have a firm idea what you're looking to accomplish.

When you invite contractors over to provide you with an estimate, it's always good to have an idea of what you would like the finished product to look like. It will also help the contractors to provide you with an accurate quote.

You can hire a designer, or provide a rough blueprint from pictures online. Example: If your bathroom is 7' x 12', Google search "7' x 12' bathroom ideas."

Choose the right general contractor for your re-modelling / renovation project.

A "Jack of all trades" is usually a master of none. A good general contractor has a team of professional and licensed trades to complete the work properly and safely. Check your local "HomeStars" or "Google reviews" before providing a down payment. You may also ask for a portfolio of their work, or to see some of their past work in person. It's not unusual to have to provide a down payment, and have the work commence at a later date. Often, when someone is available to start work the same day, the next day, or too soon, it can be a major red flag. From my experience, the good trades people are often busy and booking into the future.

Thinking of moving the location of the fixtures? (Toilets, Vanity, Shower)

This can come at a very large cost. If your ceiling is finished below the bathroom, it may have to be cut open to access and modify the existing plumbing, then pay to have the ceiling redone. With relocating a toilet, the cost is commonly not worth it, and in some cases: impossible. Another option would be to access the existing plumbing by removing the sub-floor in the bathroom. However, unless you are removing the sub-floor already, this too, comes at a cost.

Now that you have a good idea of what you want the finished bathroom to look like, it's now time to source the finishing materials below:

• Tile, its design, grout spacing and grout colour.

• Shower, shower trim*, and/or bath and bath trim*.

• Toilet, faucet*, vanity, counter top (ensure the new vanity size fits the bathroom).

• Baseboards, doors (if applicable) and paint colours.

• Light fixtures*, their location, and how many (ie 4 pot lights ceiling, 2 pot lights in shower).

*Consider having the finishes for the shower/bath trim, faucet, and light fixtures match (ie. brushed nickle, or satin nickle).

**Please also note that certain tile installers prefer a specific type of grout. Check with the principal contractor before ordering. The same is true with particular vanities and toilets. Commonly, if they're fancier than the average, some modification to the existing plumbing has to occur, and at a cost. Check with the principal contractor and/or plumber before ordering.

Tile / new flooring transitioning to existing flooring.

This is a big one. You've removed some tile in your washroom, and outside of the washroom is hardwood. You want a smooth transition from the existing hardwood, to the new tile. To accomplish this, the sub-floor in the bathroom may have to be removed, and a different thickness of sub-floor re-installed, or just removed, and Ditra added. A further consideration is if you would like your tile to be heated, this would also affect the finished floor height in your washroom.

Furthermore, this is why it is important to have the floor tile chosen, and on site ahead of time. It will give the installer a visual on whether sub-floor modification is required.

Don't rely on the measurements from the tile manufacturer and their packaging or website. And always order +10% of tile than what's included in the total sq/ft for your renovation.

Delays and going over-budget.

No matter how well planned your project is, expect some delays. There can be delays in the lead time for your fixtures, and delays in start times for certain trades. This is the unfortunate reality for construction projects.

Moreover, it's important to have a contingency fund for your bathroom project. Depending on the age of your home (the older, the more unforeseen potential issues) and the complexity of your renovation, there may be unknowns lurking behind the walls, and under the floors that come at a cost to correct. Don't be caught off guard if there are delays, and unforeseen costs. Be flexible and understanding with your material suppliers, your general contractor and the trades.

Let the project begin! But first... begin it safely.

Construction dust from drywall, cement, and cutting of the building materials is hazardous to our health. The demolition process of a project creates more hazardous dust than other trades that can cut their materials outside, or trades that don't create any dust at all.

It's just as important to have a specialist during the bathroom demolition, as it would be in the plumbing, electrical and structural processes. An experienced demolition contractor can identify hazardous building materials such as mold, silica, lead and abestos, and create a plan to safely remove the affected building materials in accordance with government laws and regulations.

Furthermore, with an experienced demolition contractor, more common building material dust can be secured and filtered with negative HEPA air filter machines and HEPA vacuums. This creates a safe environment for you, the homeowner, and the trades during the duration of your project, in addition to reducing the time and costs associated with cleanup.

Below are some of the tools, equipment and methods that Demolition Now uses to provide Dust-Free Demolition for our clients:

We hope this information has helped and will encourage you to start your bathroom renovation project off on the right foot!

Below is a bathroom re-model/renovation that Demolition Now Inc. worked along side with The Anything Guys Inc. in Greely (Ottawa), Ontario. The clients were so impressed with our work, that they booked us to renovate their entire basement in 2022!

Demolition Now offers residential and commercial demolition solutions for your project. We offer Dust-Free Demolition Services, and specialize in house flipping projects. Whether you're a contractor, home owner, or real estate agent, Demolition Now will save you time and money, and ensure that your project stays on, or ahead of schedule.

We look forward to hearing from you and becoming a part of your team!

Greg Dods

Owner / Operator

T: 613-220-5121

E: greg@demonow.ca

www.demonow.ca