Small bathroom renovation

Small bathroom renovation step by step

The first step we need to take before starting a bathroom renovation is to create a complete design for the new interior. Based on this, we can make a list of necessary purchases. It also allows us to create a schedule for the bathroom renovation - step by step.

In the case of public toilets, it is usually necessary to use the services of an interior designer who will prepare a professional design along with a cost estimate. It is important to use the services of a company specializing in designing public bathrooms. This will help avoid many mistakes and errors - often very costly or affecting the comfort of using the room. This way, we can also be sure that the design complies with current standards and regulations.

One person worth consulting with before starting work is the master of the chosen renovation team. Thanks to their experience, they can identify the most critical areas, assess the condition of individual elements, and provide valuable advice. It is important to remember that in the case of bathroom renovations, the advice of specialists can be invaluable. It is also an excellent opportunity to determine the scope of work - including which equipment needs to be replaced and where minor repairs will suffice. If possible, the former should be removed as soon as possible - especially if they are currently unusable. This also applies to unnecessary sanitary elements, which should be removed at the beginning of the renovation.

The next step is usually removing old tiles from the walls and floor. This is a very labor- and time-consuming task, so it is worth allocating at least a full working day for it. However, this is not always necessary. For example, if we plan to renew the floor using vinyl floor panels, we do not have to remove the tiles, as long as they are in relatively good condition and have a smooth surface.

Removing tiles allows you to uncover hidden elements of the electrical and water and sewage installations. This is a good time to consult with a specialist and carefully plan where sanitary devices, lighting, etc. will be installed.

After removing the coverings, it is necessary to perform waterproofing, which means sealing such places as the floor or its junction with the walls. This will prevent moisture from penetrating into the corners of the room, reducing the risk of developing harmful fungi that can appear in poorly insulated interiors.

If we plan to replace sanitary devices, their installation is carried out before laying new tiles or other finishing materials. This will prevent a situation where the tiles will be damaged or it will be necessary to remove them in case of unforeseen technical problems. Laying new tiles, grouting and jointing are usually one of the final stages of bathroom renovation.

How long does it take to renovate a small bathroom?

The duration of a bathroom renovation depends on many factors. The most important ones are:

- room size - the larger the bathroom, the longer it will take to lay tiles, sewage pipes, wires and other elements. It should be noted, however, that there are many exceptions to this rule.

- scope of work - a bathroom renovation consisting only of replacing elements such as tiles or sanitary equipment can be relatively short. However, replacing electrical, gas or water and sewage installations can take much longer. It is worth keeping this in mind when estimating how long a small bathroom renovation will take. It happens that even renovating a few-meter room can take several weeks.

 - availability of the renovation team - the best specialists may have their schedules booked even several months in advance. A lot depends, of course, on the type of work. If it takes a lot of time or requires specific skills or qualifications, we often have to be patient. However, having contacts with a reliable, experienced team, it is definitely better to wait than to choose random contractors. It may turn out that the result will be at least unsatisfactory, which often results in the need for costly corrections. In addition, errors during the installation of certain equipment can result in serious failures, which not only generate additional expenses, but can also pose a real danger to bathroom users.

 - potential unforeseen events affecting the pace of work - in practice, the duration of a small bathroom renovation rarely matches the previously established schedule. It happens that we encounter unforeseen difficulties, such as layers of concrete hidden under tiles, problems with the availability of finishing materials, or sudden breakdowns and malfunctions. It is worth avoiding creating a very tight work plan and assuming from the beginning that it may take more time than theoretically planned.

- the need to obtain any necessary permits - this applies, among others, to historic buildings, where larger interventions may require the approval of a conservator of monuments. A permit may also be necessary if the bathroom renovation affects the facade - for example, in the case of changing the size of window openings. The waiting time for decisions in such situations can vary greatly. Therefore, it is worth taking care to obtain all necessary approvals before starting the actual work.

How much does a small bathroom renovation cost?

The total cost of a bathroom renovation, even a very small one, can vary greatly. Just like the time needed to complete all the work, it depends on many factors. The cost estimate for a bathroom renovation is influenced by:

the price of the project and the services of an interior designer specializing in creating public toilet arrangements; they are usually the author of the initial cost estimate. It is worth remembering that the price of a small bathroom project may not always be lower than in the case of a large room. You should be prepared for costs reaching even several thousand zlotys.

style in which the bathroom is to be decorated - if the planned design is to consist of the highest quality equipment and accessories, unconventional solutions or luxurious finishing materials, this automatically means significantly higher costs compared to an arrangement created using products from the mid-price range.

prices of building and finishing materials - this point is closely related to the previous one. In order to create the most accurate cost estimate for a bathroom renovation, it is necessary to determine beforehand which products will be used. Due to the fact that prices of these types of materials are currently rising at a very fast pace, it is not worth estimating the costs of a bathroom renovation many months before starting its implementation, even if we have a ready plan. The cost of a small bathroom renovation can change surprisingly quickly.

labor cost - is also one of the most important items in a sample bathroom renovation estimate. It should include all the work to be done by the renovation team: painting walls, finishing walls with tiles or other materials, preparing the floor with self-leveling screed, as well as modifications and repairs carried out by specialists in the area of water and sewage connections, electrical wiring, etc.

As you can see, the cost of a small bathroom renovation can vary greatly. Not only due to the dynamic situation on the market, which causes large fluctuations in the costs of products and services necessary for bathroom renovation. The amount that needs to be allocated for this purpose also depends on the region of the country. The cost of a small bathroom renovation in Warsaw, the Tri-City, or Silesia may be significantly higher than for the same work commissioned in Podkarpacie or the eastern part of Poland. It happens that a general bathroom renovation in Lublin will be cheaper than refreshing the interior in the northern part of the country.

Taking into account the above issues, it is difficult to clearly determine the cost of a bathroom renovation. However, one should be prepared for an expense ranging from several to several tens of thousands of zlotys, including labor and architect services - even in the case of a bathroom renovation with an area below 10 square meters.

How much does it cost to equip a small public bathroom?

If you are planning a bathroom renovation in a public facility, you should be aware that the prices of appropriate equipment and accessories may be completely different from those of home bathroom elements. This is due, among other things, to the need to purchase accessories that are not used in the latter. These include:

• soap dispensers,
• paper towel and toilet paper holders,
• hand dryers,
• hand sanitizer dispensers,
• Handrails and handles for people with disabilities,
• Changing tables for infants,
• Additional dispensers, such as toilet seat covers, baby wipes,
• Trash cans.

The prices of individual elements start at just a few dozen zlotys per piece. A lot depends, of course, on the materials they are made of and the technologies used. For example, the cost of a touchless, automatic paper towel dispenser will be higher than that of a manual model. However, it is worth investing in such solutions in public toilets. Not only do they facilitate hygiene, but they can also reduce the consumption of soap, paper, and towels.

First of all, it is important to ensure the purchase of materials, sanitary equipment, furniture, and accessories that meet the standards and requirements for a given facility, as specified in applicable regulations. They affect issues such as the placement of bathroom equipment or the selection of finishing materials and accessories. It should be kept in mind that purchasing unsuitable equipment can have a negative impact on the result of inspections carried out by the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station.

How much does a bathroom renovation cost - labor?

As mentioned, one of the factors that significantly affects the cost of a bathroom renovation is labor. Prices for the services of a renovation team can vary greatly. Of course, the scope of finishing works is crucial for the total cost of labor. This should include, among others:

• Floor finishing,
• Priming and painting walls and ceilings,
• Removing old floor tiles and laying new ones,
• other types of work related to laying a new floor, such as laying panels or self-leveling screed,
• work within the scope of water and sewage installations and electrical installations,
• installation of underfloor heating,
• installation of a sink, toilet bowl, and other sanitary fixtures,
• placement of an inspection window.

To accurately know the cost of labor for a bathroom renovation, it is necessary to contact the renovation company that we intend to use. The estimate is usually based on factors such as the surface area of the walls and floor in the renovated bathroom, the complexity of the work, and the type of materials used. For example, the total cost of finishing the floor in a small bathroom can vary greatly depending on whether the project includes new ceramic tiles or if we plan to install panels without removing the old floor tiles.

How to renovate a small bathroom on a budget?

Considering the above-mentioned factors, is it possible to renovate a small bathroom at a low cost?

Of course, the answer to this question is not straightforward. However, there are certainly elements where you can save some money. These include products that do not change their properties over time or even in the cheapest version are durable enough to fulfill their function for a long time. These include tiles for walls, plasterboard panels, and small accessories such as disinfectant dispensers.

A good idea may be to take advantage of an offer that combines several services. For example, when buying a toilet set from Faneco, you can also get transportation and installation of the ordered equipment.

However, there are things that are definitely not worth saving on when properly renovating a bathroom. Mortars, adhesives, putties, and sanitary devices should be of high quality. The durability of the renovation results, as well as the safety and comfort of users, depend on them.