B A R C O

What’s involved when renovating a bathroom ?

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Whether your bathroom remodeling project is a small powder room or a complete redesign of the master bathroom space (i.e. re-locating plumbing, electrical or adding square footage to the space), it is no small undertaking. Below is a guide on what to expect before you decide to demo your bathroom and start selecting fixtures and finishes.

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Meeting with a bathroom remodeling contractor:

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The initial consultation is crucial. This is your chance to ask all kinds of questions and address all your concerns regarding your bathroom renovation as well as discussing your functional needs and preferred style that will ultimately impact the overall cost of the job. Multiple ideas are exchanged between you, the contractor and or the interior designer if one is on board; pin pointing key elements that are feasible within the space. Sometimes small details may be over looked by the homeowner. In this case, the design professional and or general contractor may step in and make recommendations and suggestions, subsequently drafting an accurate estimate based upon the stated budget.

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Beginning the bathroom remodel process:

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After both you and the contractor are on the same page and everyone is happy and looking forward to the end result, it is now time to say good-bye to your dated bathroom and take the first swing, commencing the demolition process.

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During the demolition phase we make sure to constrain the dust within the space. In order to control the dust, we use plastic and tape to mask off the work area. We also protect the floors leading to the work area by using ram board (a heavy-duty, temporary floor protection mat). At the end of every workday, all debris and trash is removed from the project site, maintaining a clean and safe environment.

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The rough work phase of a bathroom remodel:

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After the demo process is complete and the job site is free from all construction debris; it is now time to start installing all rough plumbing and electrical… the stuff you don’t see, what goes behind the walls. Of course before this stage even begins the contractor, designer, and you would have already discussed what goes where, for example if you are relocating the sink to the opposite side of the wall, etc. Those decisions also affect lighting placement, a domino effect. After all rough fixtures (i.e. plumbing valves and recessed light cans) have been installed, walls and ceiling are closed, making way for the finish work, where everything starts to take form and start looking more like your dream bathroom!

 

 

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The final phase of a bathroom remodel:

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This is the moment you have been waiting for, seeing all the selected fixtures, materials, and cabinetry come together. The walls and ceiling are being painted, plumbing and electrical fixtures are being installed, you start to notice tile designs taking form on your floor and walls, cabinetry and the countertop have been fabricated and are next in line to be installed. A bathroom remodel can take up to two weeks to complete from start to finish, depending on the size of the job. However, there is a huge factor to take into consideration, two weeks sounds like a reasonable time to execute a bath remodeling job and its feasible only when all materials, fixtures, and cabinetry have been ordered in advance. This saves time and money in the long run. Depending on the size and scope of work, hiring an interior designer to guide can be beneficial; all the legwork of driving around town and putting together the finishes is done for you. The general contractor and interior designer coordinate with each other making sure that everything is relatively in stock, checking on lead times (if a product has a long lead time, make sure that is the first thing you order and schedule construction around that time frame) and coordinating deliveries. It would really be unfortunate if you absolutely fell in love with a tile that has an eight-week lead-time and have that hold up the rest of the job. Plan accordingly and make sure that most if not all building materials and finishes are on site or easily accessible.

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At the end of each project there is a punch list to go through, it’s the small details that make a difference. For example installing towel bars at a certain height, any adjustments that are needed, small paint touch ups, etc. Usually punch list items are small but are important details that take place after major construction is completed, that way nothing is overlooked and isn’t left unattended making way for you to enjoy your new bathroom remodel down to the smallest detail.

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