Taking on a bathroom renovation can seem daunting, even for experienced DIY enthusiasts. Aside from kitchen renovations, few other projects require such a varied range of skills. Plumbing, electrical work, and tiling are all part of the equation, requiring a solid understanding of each to ensure a successful outcome.
While many opt to hire a general contractor or subcontractors, it’s only sometimes necessary. If you’re working on a budget, you can handle many aspects of a bathroom renovation, saving money and adding personal satisfaction. With thoughtful planning and careful execution, a DIY approach can yield impressive results, giving your bathroom and home a new look.
In this guide, we’ll explain the different aspects of bathroom remodelling so you can decide whether to handle the project yourself or hire professionals.
Let’s get straight to the point.
A DIY bathroom renovation can save you significant money but requires many skills, such as plumbing, electrical work, tiling, and more. While framing, painting, and installing cabinets are manageable for many DIYers, tasks like plumbing hookups and shower installation are best left to professionals due to their complexity and regulations.
You can cut costs by carefully planning and tackling easier projects like flooring, wall construction, and finishing touches. However, hiring a contractor might be essential for a successful outcome for intricate work or tight deadlines.
Professional Vs. DIY Bathroom Renovation: What’s The Difference?
1. Costs
One of the main motivations behind DIY home improvement projects is to save money. Hiring a general contractor for a complete bathroom renovation can easily cost AUD20,000. Contractors often charge around AUD250 per square foot, meaning a 150-square-foot bathroom could set you back as much as AUD40,000.
In contrast, if you renovate the bathroom yourself, you can significantly reduce those costs. With careful planning and material selection, you can complete the same remodel for approximately AUD11,000 or about AUD75 per square foot. You’ll still need to cover all material costs but save substantially on labour, leaving more room for premium fixtures or other projects in your budget.
2. Time
While the financial savings of a DIY project are appealing, it’s important to consider the time involved. Homeowners who take on their projects typically take much longer than professionals. A renovation that might take a contractor a few weeks could stretch into several months for a DIYer, particularly if you’re balancing the work with other commitments.
This might be fine if you have a spare bathroom. However, if your home has only one bathroom, the delay could be a major inconvenience, making professional help almost essential.
DIY Bathroom Renovation: What Can You Handle?
1. Framing And Wall Construction
Most handy DIYers can frame and construct walls. This includes building walls, creating nooks for showers or bathtubs, installing insulation, and installing vapour barriers. While these tasks require careful planning and measuring, they’re achievable for homeowners with basic carpentry skills. Attention to detail is essential, as mistakes during framing can affect the rest of the renovation. If you’re confident with a hammer, this part of the project is within your reach.
2. Plumbing And Electrical Work
Many DIYers face challenges here. Plumbing and electrical work must adhere to strict building codes, and mistakes can lead to leaks, electrical hazards, or damage to your home. Only licensed plumbers and electricians in Australia can legally perform certain tasks, such as moving plumbing lines or electrical wiring.
Even if you’re handy around the house, rough-in plumbing and electrical work should usually be left to professionals. However, a skilled DIYer can often do simple tasks like replacing a faucet or installing a new toilet.
3. Flooring Installation
Installing bathroom flooring is one area where DIYers can save money. Modern materials like luxury vinyl planks or click-together tiles are designed to be easy to install, even for beginners. These options are affordable and offer the durability needed in a bathroom environment. With some preparation, this project can be completed in a weekend.
Installation is more labour-intensive for those who prefer ceramic or porcelain tiles but still within reach for DIYers. Tiling requires precision and patience, but you can achieve professional-looking results with careful planning.
4. Wall Surfaces And Drywall
Installing moisture-resistant drywall (green board) is crucial in bathroom renovations. While many homeowners can hang drywall themselves, achieving a smooth finish through mudding and sanding is more challenging.
Professional drywall installers can create a flawless finish, but you can handle this task without concern for minor imperfections. Remember that smoothing out rough patches and achieving a seamless look takes time and practice.
5. Cabinets And Countertops
Installing bathroom cabinets and countertops is one of the easier tasks for DIYers. Bathroom vanities are often pre-assembled and small enough to handle without professional help. Bath countertops tend to be shorter and lighter than those in kitchens, making them manageable for most homeowners. By choosing cabinets and countertops that come with clear installation instructions, you can save on professional installation costs without sacrificing quality.
Finishing Touches: Other DIY-Friendly Projects
1. Trim And Painting
Painting is one of the easiest and most cost-effective tasks in a DIY bathroom renovation. Whether you’re updating the entire colour scheme or simply refreshing the existing paint, most homeowners can handle this job with minimal experience. Opt for semi-gloss paint resistant to moisture, mould, and mildew to ensure it holds up in a bathroom’s humid conditions.
Installing this is another DIY-friendly trimming task, such as skirting boards or crown moulding. You’ll need a basic understanding of measuring and cutting angles, but with the right tools, this can be a satisfying way to finish your project. The trim provides a clean, professional look and can be installed without specialist help.
2. Hardware And Mirrors
Installing bathroom hardware such as towel bars, toilet roll holders, and hooks is another area where you can easily save money by doing it yourself. These items are often straightforward to install and can be completed in just a few hours with a drill and basic hand tools. Similarly, mirrors and lighting fixtures are simple to update on your own. Ensure a professional handles electrical work unless you replace your existing light fixture.
Additional Tips For A Successful DIY Bathroom Remodel
- Plan meticulously: A well-thought-out plan will help you avoid common pitfalls. Measure everything twice, and ensure you have all the materials and tools you need before starting.
- Budget for unexpected costs: Even in a DIY project, you might encounter unforeseen expenses, such as replacing old plumbing or discovering water damage under the flooring.
- Focus on waterproofing: Bathrooms are wet environments, and moisture can cause major problems if not properly managed. Use waterproof materials, and take extra care to seal areas around showers, tubs, and sinks.
- Take your time with tiling: Tiling is one of the most noticeable parts of a bathroom renovation. A rushed job will stand out, so take your time to get it right.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help: If you encounter a task beyond your skill level—especially when it comes to plumbing or electrical work—it’s better to hire a professional than risk making costly mistakes.
More Challenging Tasks: When To Call The Experts?
1. Shower And Tub Installation
Installing a shower or bathtub can be one of the most challenging aspects of a bathroom renovation. The precision required is high if you plan to tile the shower walls or build a custom shower pan. Mistakes here can lead to leaks, which are costly to fix once the job is done.
For this reason, many DIYers choose to hire a professional for shower and bathtub installation. Prefabricated shower stalls offer a more straightforward alternative for DIYers, but bringing in the experts is a wise investment if you want a custom look.
2. Plumbing Hookups
If your renovation involves moving plumbing fixtures, it’s essential to call a licensed plumber. In Australia, plumbing regulations are strict, and DIY work on plumbing systems can void your insurance if something goes wrong. However, if you’re only replacing existing fixtures—such as swapping out a toilet or sink—you might be able to handle this part yourself. Ensure the supply lines and drainage systems are correctly installed to avoid issues.
3. Toilet Installation
Installing a toilet is relatively straightforward. While toilets are heavy and awkward to manoeuvre, the actual process is simple and doesn’t require specialised tools. As long as the plumbing is already in place, most DIYers can install a toilet without calling a plumber.
This is a great opportunity to save on labour costs, provided you’re comfortable with the task.
Conclusion
A DIY bathroom renovation can save you considerable money and give you a deep sense of accomplishment. By tackling easier tasks like painting, tiling, and installing cabinets while leaving more complex jobs like electrical and plumbing to the experts, you can achieve a professional-quality renovation at a fraction of the cost. You can transform your bathroom without breaking the bank with patience and the right materials.
FAQs About Bathroom Renovation
Where Do I Start In A New Bathroom?
When designing a new bathroom, the first thing you should do is determine the layout that will work best for the space. The placement of the toilet should be your first consideration. Determine where the soil pipe enters the room now and where it will enter the room in the future. This should help you determine the best location for the bathroom; once you have that figured out, you can work around it.
Can You Fit A Bathroom Yourself?
It has been estimated that installing your own bathroom fixtures and accessories can save you up to 70 percent of the total cost. You need to have faith in yourself to complete the task successfully. Removing outdated tiles and sanitary ware is a task most people can complete independently.
How Long Does It Take To Build A Bathroom?
The answer to this question highly depends on the project’s scope; remodelling a bathroom can take three to four weeks. Completing larger remodelling projects can take anywhere from four to six weeks, but in general, you should be prepared for most remodelling projects to take at least one month.
What Is The First Thing You Should See When You Walk Into A Bathroom?
Avoid having the toilet be the first thing you see when you enter your bathroom. Position the toilet and the shower so they are not visible from any entry points into the bathroom. Someone should put the sink in a separate room so that two people can get ready simultaneously, even though one person is in the shower.
Do You Tile A Bathroom Before Fitting The Bath?
If you have the luxury of not needing to use the bathtub, you should tile the bathroom before installing the bathtub. It is much simpler, and the bathtub is less likely to be damaged. After everything else is in place, you should tile the final row of tiles next to the bathtub.
