10 tips to reducing the cost of a new bathroom

Bathroom tips

Keeping bathroom costs down

The bathroom should be more than a place to wash in. Whether you dream of a spa sanctuary or a modern designer room, transform your bathroom into a personal space that you can relax in. Renovating a bathroom will also add significantly to the value of your home, so it is worth employing a builder or bathroom installation specialist to help you plan the layout of the room. Many bathroom suppliers also offer a planning service so you can talk through your needs and even see 3D virtual images of how the room will look. To get you started, here are some design tips for making the most of the space available and choosing materials for your ideal look.

Refurbishing a bathroom can be an expensive process. To keep costs down, here a few basic tips:

  1. Minimise layout changes. The most expensive part of bathroom installations is the plumbing work needed to re-route pipes so try to keep baths, toilets etc. in the same place where possible. Raising the floor height by laying tiles can also mean that pies have to be extended.
  2. Single out features you need to spend the most money on. Adding a new vanity unit or flooring could transform your bathroom but will mean you have to spend less in other areas.
  3. Keep fixtures basic and simple. Buy a plain bath or basin and jazz it up with more expensive taps or conceal it behind panelling.
  4. Avoid the necessity of a whole matching bathroom suite by dividing off the toilet area with a screen or partition wall.
  5. Update existing wall and floor tiles using tile paints and transfers or new border tiles.
  6. Reduce flooring costs by laying vinyl tiles or rubber-backed carpet in the bathroom.
  7. Change the look of the room by painting walls. Blues and greens can be refreshing, whilst purples and warm colours create a relaxing intimate mood.
  8. Save yourself money later on by waterproofing the bathroom before installation.
  9. Get quotes in advance and consult your plumbers and electricians about suitability of fittings before you buy them.
  10. Organise builders and tradespeople to visit in the right order to avoid revisits and delays because something hasn’t been done. Work should usually be carried out in the following order: Re-route plumbing; Prepare wiring; Install bath and shower tray; Install shower mixer; Tile floors and walls; Install the toilet and basin; Fit the shower enclosure; Lay soft floor coverings; Fit electrical appliances and light fittings.

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