Unless you are a professional designer drafting remodel plans, bathroom renovations have become a source of satisfaction and pleasure for most homeowners. Whether your bathroom fixtures need a replacement or the room's interior decor has become outdated, a bathroom renovation will bring life to your dull looking bathroom.
Apart from the massive renovation costs, unexpected delays and suitable design ideas really take a toll on your project. Even if you set up a scheduled deadline for the completion, there's no guarantee the project will maintain its due course in time. An inefficient workforce, delay in material delivery, structural design issues, etc., there are a bunch of factors that may decrease the project efficiency.
As one of the most structural components of a home, people generally want their bathrooms up and running again. We have lined up everything you need to know to set a realistic bathroom renovation timeline.
How Long Does it Take to Remodel a Bathroom?
Typically, it takes around 20 - 25 days to remodel an average-sized bathroom. But if you count the workless weekdays, the project will amount to more than a month, especially if the ideal conditions are met. Nevertheless, from a realistic point of view, counting the inefficiency and work delays, consider yourself occupied for up to 46 days or 9 weeks.
Why Does Bathroom Remodel Take Longer than Expected?
Completing a bathroom remodel project within the declared deadline is almost impossible. Here are some common factors that may cause a delay:
The Nature of the Project
Complete remodelling and little touch-ups are two different things and would require time accordingly for the project completion. For instance, wall paint would be done in a week, while a complete strip-to-the-studs rebuild would take up months.
DIY vs. Professional contractors
While most people hire a professional contractor for a remodel project, some DIY enthusiasts prefer taking matters into their own hands. Regardless of how skilled a worker you are, you can't match the efficiency a workforce brings. Instead of hiring electricians and plumbers separately, prefer going with an owner-operator contractor that brings its own workforce. Not only is it cheaper, but it's also hassle-free since you don't have to juggle between various workers.
Availability of Materials
With the recent supply chain shortage, it has become much difficult to ensure on-time delivery of materials. Not to mention, if you are going for imported tiles and fixtures, there's no knowing when they'll be at your doorstep. Always place your order a couple of months before so they arrive by the time your project picks up.
Timeline of a Bathroom Renovation
Assuming that every contractor and technician works efficiently and the required materials are available when needed, we have assembled a timeline for a bathroom renovation. Do note that this is an idealised timeline that doesn't include dead days or minor refurbishments during the process.
- Demolition - Starting with the heavy-duty work of demolishing the previous fixtures, you need to start from the ground up. While the process normally takes a couple of days, it may get prolonged if your bathroom is on the second floor.
- Basic plumbing and carpentry - You may not need any additional carpentry if the underlined work is solid enough. Similarly, if you are not changing the layout of the bathroom, the already laid out plumbing lines would work just fine.
- Electricity rough-in - Despite being one of the jobs that involve clutter, installing underground electricity lines can be done swiftly if you hire a professional electrician. For most average-sized bathrooms, electricity rough-ins would take less than a day.
- Insulation - Apart from the initial inspection of the right spot, insulating a bathroom doesn’t take much time. Since only one or two walls need to be insulated, it’s only a matter of hours, even if you DIY.
- Paint - After you are done hanging and finishing the drywalls - in case of a different layout design - it’s time for a paint job. Although it’s a relatively quicker job, the process would take up to four days if you include the drywall procedure.
- Cabinetry - Depends on whether you install stock cabinets or custom-made for your bathroom. Fitting pre-built cabinets is easy and quick but designing personalised cabinets takes time.
How to Accelerate a Bathroom Renovation ?
Even though you cannot control the uncontrollable, there are three ways you can make sure your renovation plan suffers no delays:
- Stick to the plan - Before you sign off the contract, make sure you finalise the design blueprints, select the appropriate fixtures, and determine the theme. Any possible changes in the design or layout, once the work has started, will only result in delays.
- Make timely payments - Everyone should be paid timely and efficiently, from the dealerships to the workforce and labour. Set a budget accordingly, so you don’t run out of cash in the middle of the process.
- Be available - Stay active! Return every call, e-mail, or text from the dealerships, delivery companies, and your contractors. Keep yourself updated with the recent developments of the project.
FAQs about the Renovation Time of a Bathroom
How Do You Survive a Bathroom Renovation?
There are so many things to consider when going through a bathroom renovation, from the budget to the overall design to the logistics of where to put everything. The first step is figuring out what you want in your bathroom. Are you looking for a place to relax and unwind after a long day? Do you want a room that's designed for your family's needs? Do you want a room that is convenient and not too cluttered? All of these questions will help you decide what you want your bathroom to look like. In addition, you may need to move out or arrange an alternative place to use a bathroom if it is the one bathroom you had. It may be possible to use your gym membership, to go to a nearby friend for a shower, depending on the duration for which bathroom will not be available. Therefore, it is advised to plan and discuss the issues you may face with a bathroom fitter. Once you have an idea of what you want, and the time required to complete, it’s time to start getting down to business.
How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost?
There are many different factors that determine the cost of a bathroom remodel in the UK. Some of these factors include the size of the bathroom, the type of materials used, and the complexity of the project. A basic bathroom remodel can cost anywhere from £2,000 to £8,000.
Are Bathroom Remodels Worth it?
Bathroom remodels can be expensive and time-consuming, but they are a great way to improve your home. A bathroom remodel can be done in many different ways, such as painting the walls, installing new fixtures, or changing the layout of the room. If you are not sure if you want to invest in a bathroom remodel, talk to a professional designer who can help you figure out what would be best for your home. Experts believe a good makeover can add around 5% to your home value.
How Often Should a Bathroom be Renovated?
When it comes to remodelling a bathroom, it is best to do it every 4 to 5 years. That is when colors go out of style. It's also a good time to get rid of any old furniture and replace it with new. You may plan to add a luxurious feature that will make your bathroom feel like a spa. For example, install a heated towel rack or a rainfall shower head.
When Remodelling a Bathroom What Should I Pick First?
When you are remodelling your bathroom, there are so many different things that you can choose to do. It can be overwhelming to decide what to do first. It is important to first decide what you want the bathroom to look like and then take it from there. If you have a design in mind, then you should start with the fixtures. You can also decide what flooring and paint color you want to use for the bathroom. If you are not sure what you want, it's best to start with the plumbing and electrical work.
How Do You Live in a House While Renovating?
If you're trying to renovate your bathroom and you need to know if you can live in the house while the work is being done, the answer is yes. If you are worried about what it will be like to live in a house with a bathroom that isn't ready, you can move to some other place like hotel or relatives for the time it is being completed. For most people the bathroom fitters work in the day time while you may be away from work. But if you have a family, there may be small disturbance from noise due to fittings of the fixtures that you may have to bear for a week or so.