Before You Start: The Decisions That Matter

A full bathroom renovation follows an order that doesn't change: first the strip-outDemolitionKnocking down or stripping out whatever has to go before a renovation: walls, tiles, render, bathroom fittings, old floors or old insulation., then the pipes, the floor and the renderRender (plaster)A layer of mortar (sand, cement or lime, and water) spread over brick or concrete to give a wall a straight, sound surface ready for paint or tiles., and finally the tiles and the fixtures. Each stage is hidden under the next. That is why most decisions need to be made before the first tile comes off.

Full or partial renovation?

Not every old bathroom has to be stripped out completely. If the tiles are holding, don't sound hollowHollow (debonded) tilesTiles or slabs that have come away from their base. They sound hollow when tapped lightly, and often rock or crack. when you tap them and there are no leaks, repairing the walls above the tiles and changing the fittings may be enough. In one bathroom, damp had lifted the plaster above the tiles: the old fittings came out, the walls were repaired and painted, and the tiles stayed where they were.

When the tiles are coming loose, the pipes are old or you want a different layout, a full renovation is usually the sensible choice. In the bathroom with the green bathtub, the old tiles, the tub and the pipework had all done their time. Which of the two suits your bathroom is decided on site.

What to decide at the start

• Bathtub or shower. In most of the bathrooms renovated, the bathtub became a shower. A walk-in showerWalk-in showerA shower with no tray and no step, level with the rest of the bathroom floor. The water drains through a floor drain or a linear channel drain., with no step, needs enough depth in the floor for the drainFloor drainThe outlet in a floor where water drains away on roofs, balconies and in bathrooms, with a grate on top and usually a trap below. and the slopeFalls (drainage slope)The gentle slope built into flat roofs, balconies and bathroom floors so water runs to the drain or gutter instead of pooling.. If there isn't enough, a low built-up shower baseBuilt-up shower baseA low, built shower floor sloping to the drain and finished with tiles. An option when the floor isn't deep enough for a level shower. is an alternative.
• Toilet and cistern. A concealed cisternConcealed cisternA toilet cistern hidden inside the wall on a metal frame, which usually also holds a wall-hung toilet. Only the flush plate shows. with a wall-hung toiletWall-hung toiletA toilet bowl fixed to the wall on a metal frame, together with a concealed cistern, without touching the floor. goes on a metal frame before the wall is closed. It can't be added later without stripping out again.
• Where each fixture goes. The basin, the toilet, the shower mixer and the towel rail decide where the pipes and cables come out.
• NichesShower nicheA recess built into the shower wall and lined with tiles, for shampoo and soap. It replaces shelves and baskets that stick out., shelves, lighting. A niche in the shower wall for bottles, or recessed lights in the ceiling, are planned in advance.
• Tiles. Their size and pattern affect how straight the walls need to be. Large tiles and striped tiles show every crooked spot.

Who does what

A bathroom renovation combines several trades: strip-out, plumbing, electrics, rendering, tiling. The plumbing and electrics are work for a plumber and an electrician. Ask at the start who coordinates the different trades and who buys the tiles and fixtures, so they are on hand when their turn comes.

Practical matters before work starts

While the work lasts, the bathroom can't be used, and for some hours the water will be off. If it is the only bathroom in the home, think ahead about how you will manage. In a block of flats, it helps to let the neighbours know about the noise and to know the building's rules on working hours and rubbleDebris (rubble)The waste that comes out of demolition and building work: broken tiles, render, bricks and concrete. It is collected in bags and has to be disposed of legally..