Although bathroom renovation is exciting, it is also a quite costly project. In addition, when it comes to full bathroom refurbishment, your task is not only constrained by your budget but also by your timetable.
Installing a new bathroom is one of the most eagerly anticipated projects for most homeowners, and they would like to get it completed as soon as possible. It can be a quite messy and annoying process. Furthermore, you will not be able to utilize the facilities that you normally would use on a daily basis.
For these reasons, it's essential that you plan carefully and set a realistic timescale that your fitters can work within. Thus, you will also be able to better consider your budget and reduce stress during the renovation process.
In order to find out how long it will take to fit your new bathroom, it is important that you get acquainted with the major stages of bathroom installations so that you know what to expect. You also need to anticipate some factors that will determine the scope of your job hence how long it will take to install the new bathroom.
In this article, we outlined the entire process of constructing a new bathroom and also the estimated timeframe involved. We hope this information will be useful to you.
What factors do you need to consider when planning a complete refit of your bathroom?
You need to consider a number of factors when planning to do a full refit of your bathroom. Here are some of them.
- What do you want to fit into the new space? Would you like a bathtub or shower cubicle? Do you want to have a radiator in the bathroom or maybe you want to replace it with a heated towel rail?
- Who is going to fit the new suite? Are you going to tackle it on your own or hiring a bathroom fitter?
- Will your new bathroom be located differently from your existing suite?
- How much tiling should be laid?
It is a good idea to answer these questions first before you embark on bathroom renovations.
How long does it take for bathroom fitters to install a new bathroom?
A professional team may need between 10 and 14 days to install your new bathroom. However, it really depends on how big the space is and what you want to be installed there. Among other factors that will affect the time frame of the bathroom fitting process are the materials and furniture you choose for the new bath, as well as the complexity of the project - whether it is just a straight swap where all the pipe will be used or you want to reposition the bathroom suite. The duration of the job is largely determined by the amount of work involved.
Due to the sheer number of factors that need to be taken into account, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact length of time it will take for fitters to fit a new bathroom. In any case, it will take less time than if you DIY.
Bathroom fitters are experts who are exceptionally skilled in doing the job correctly and producing a high-quality finish. Professionals use the proper tools and equipment necessary to complete the bathroom refurbishment from start to finish. In addition, they are excellent consultants who can offer advice about designing, decorating and choosing the right materials for your bathroom. Feel free to contact us for a consultation or a free quote in Surrey.
Does DIY take a long time?
In short, yes. There's a good chance it'll take you longer than anticipated. However, the length of time it takes to fit a new bathroom yourself is dependent on a multitude of factors, including your experience level. But, if you have never done this before, you might be better off not trying at all.
Keep in mind that it may take you a few weeks or even a couple of months to complete your bathroom project on your own. Additionally, there is always a risk of messing up something as well, especially if you don't have enough experience in this area. Therefore, you may end up having to spend more money and time, which is probably not what you desired.
The professionals can complete your project more quickly and more cost-effectively than you might have expected. They are well trained in the different jobs related to bathrooms renovations, so they can finish any task quicker. So if you're on a tight schedule or looking for a more complete bathroom refit, it makes more sense to hire an expert to carry out the job rather than try to do the work yourself.
Renovating a bathroom step by step: how long will each step take?
Here we will look at the basic steps for installing a new bathroom. Be sure you do not forget to take into account all of them before taking any action, regardless of whether you plan to remodel your bathroom on your own or to split it up between you and contractors.
It is possible for you to do some things yourself if you are pretty handy with your hands, but on the other hand, there are some parts of the job that you may want to limit your involvement in and hand over to others who are the experts in that phase.
When you know the steps and have a clear idea of your goal, it will be easier for you to gauge the scope of your bathroom project, how much money you will need, and how long it will take.
Creating a project
Often people miss this crucial first step, but it is the one that can save you a great deal of time and headaches in the future. To make the new bathroom suite as efficient as possible, measuring the dimensions and thinking about the design of the suite is an important part of the bathroom renovation process. To make the space more comfortable and functional, you should follow some ergonomic recommendations. You can talk about them with the designer or builder company.
The best way to visualize your ideas is to measure your bathroom and put all of the data on paper. Don't stress - it doesn't have to be perfect - you can just get a piece of paper, draw a rough outline, and plot where you'd like things to be. Just start in one corner of the room and measure every wall individually. It is also a good idea to mark doors, windows, and any existing plumbing or electrical sockets.
Once you've taken your measurements, give them to the design companies, who will do the rest. They will make a 3D image of your bathroom based on all this information, so you can see if all your practical and design considerations are taken into account.
The process of creating a project might seem daunting at first, but it usually doesn't take over a day.
Demolition and emptying of the bathroom
After you have your project done, you can start with the real task at hand. The first thing you need to do is remove everything from your existing bathroom including the old tiles, any old furniture as well as the sink, shower, bathtub, and toilet. Then you should also get rid of the garbage.
This step can be carried out on your own, and depending on the size of the space it may take you anywhere from 1 to 2 days.
If you hire a company that specializes in construction and repair, they will carry out everything- from demolition, dismantling, and collection to disposal of waste. This process shouldn't take longer than a day for a standard bathroom, which is 2.3m x 2.7m.
Plumbing
It is possible to experience some leaks in an old bathroom. In such cases, it is highly recommended to replace the water supply pipes during the renovation. After several years of use, the old pipes start to corrode, their diameter narrows due to accumulated scale, and partial blockage occurs. This can lead to several issues. It is also imperative that the new plumbing is tested before plastering the walls.
The supply pipework will also need to be rechanged in case you want to rearrange the location of the sink, bath or basin. It might be accomplished by drilling new holes in the joists placed in the new locations or by lifting floorboards. A small amount of external drilling may also be required if new waste pipes need to be connected to the soil vent pipe.
New plumbing is not an easy task, so it is best to leave this job to the professionals. A few days are usually sufficient for them to finish it - on average 2-3 days.
Dry lining and plastering
After finishing the pipework, it is time to straighten the walls and then plastering them. There is a chance that this step will take longer because of the drying time involved.
When you are putting in a new bathroom, you need to ensure the walls are perfectly straight and level. If you're unsure if you can complete this task correctly, you might want to hire a professional. Depending on the complexity and size of the bathroom, this step may take two days to complete.
Once the dry line walls are completely done, the plastering job can be started. If your bathroom is larger, it might take up to two or three days, but it shouldn't take longer than that. Keep in mind that the plaster walls also require adequate drying time. This time can be used to perform other jobs.
If you hire pros you can expect all of your walls and the ceiling to be replastered so that the finished result will be entirely smooth surfaces. It is recommended to replaster the entire space as this provides the best results.
Tiling and flooring
The next step will probably make the biggest difference in the appearance of your bathroom. If you are going to do it on your own, you should know there is a fair amount of planning and laying out the patterns before you actually start setting the wall tiles and flooring. The process will take a long time, especially if you don't have much experience.
Normally, the installation of wall tiles and flooring is a relatively quick process when done by professionals. It takes them on average 2 to 3 days depending on the size of the room. After every renovation job, there's a lot of cleaning left, don't forget to clean the tiles after the work is done.
Grouting, second fix plumbing and electrical finishes
Following the installation of the bathroom's tiles on the walls and the floor, the tiles are grouted and silicone is applied to the right places. For fitters, usually, one day is enough to complete the task.
Once that is completed, sinks, basins, and bathtubs will be connected, and the drainage under your floor will be completed. Installing a bathroom suite is usually a simple process, which also takes one day.
Next, it's time to finish the electrical work. In this step, the electrician will perform any electrical work, including lighting, ventilation systems, switches, and heated towel radiators. A half-day is about the time it will take.
In conclusion
Obviously, this is just a rough estimate that can change based on the bathroom size, the work required (whether you want a complete refit or just small changes) and the team you choose to do the job. The best way to learn more about the process and how long it takes to fit a bathroom is to consult professional bathroom fitters.