Bathrooms are some of the busiest – and most important – rooms in the home. While they were once overlooked, renovation builders Sydney have had a huge influx of people wanting to turn their bathrooms into interior design features. In this article we’ll go over some of the things you can do to reduce the cost of your renovation and make your project a success!

1. Compares Quotes

Most of the work involved in a bathroom renovation needs to be handled by a licensed professional. Plumbing, electrical, tiling and waterproofing are not DIY-friendly jobs in Australia. In that case, you’ll need the help of trades or a builder. The builder you choose to work with can have a big impact on the quality and cost of your project.

The simplest way to manage your budget is to get multiple quotes from different builders. You shouldn’t necessarily choose the cheapest bid. Low quality materials or workmanship can cause major issues down the road. Instead, it’s better to choose the highest quality builder you can afford. Their support will be critical throughout the project, and the results they deliver could add significant value to your home.

2. Do the Demolition Yourself

Most parts of a bathroom renovation are better left to the professionals. One of the things you can handle yourself is the demolition work! Demolition is labour-intensive and can account for a big chunk of your final bill. Doing it yourself saves you the expense.

Check with your builder before you grab a sledgehammer. Make sure the plumbing and electrical services in the room have been disconnected, and ask them to mark anything that needs to stay where it is. Everything else can go. That means you can dismantle any cabinets, remove shower pans and bathtubs, chip tiling off the walls and handle the cleanup yourself.

3. Opt for Paint or Cement Board

Floor-to-ceiling tiling is very trendy. It’s also an expensive way to cover the walls of a bathroom. One of the best ways to save money on your renovation is to use painted walls or cement sheet products wherever possible. Painted plasterboard is a classic solution that allows you to control the colour and texture of your room. If paint doesn’t offer the look you’re after, cement sheeting is a stunning surface that offers the look and feel of stone or concrete.

4. Shop Around for Tiles

Tiling is one of the most expensive parts of a bathroom renovation project. High end tile finishes can reach thousands of dollars per square metre. The good news is you don’t have to spend a fortune to pick up quality tiles!

There are now plenty of options for finding affordable tiling alternatives. Even if you have your heart set on expensive marble floors, man made tiles offer the same style for a fraction of the cost. Once you’ve decided on a general tile palette, visit local tile showrooms and online stores to begin your hunt. Look for tiles that have the right style, texture and colouration, and then ask to see cheaper alternatives. Most tile stores have simple systems for matching similar tile finishes, making it easy to find affordable surfaces that won’t break the bank.

5. Keep Your Plumbing Where it Is

In Australia, plumbing work can only be handled by licensed professionals. This means installing, moving or removing plumbing work can be a serious expense. Unfortunately, the walls and floors of your bathroom are full of plumbing, and it can quickly drive up the cost of your renovation if you have to move fittings.

Wherever possible you should try to work within your existing plumbing layout. It’s not a huge deal if you want to move a tap from the wall to the vanity, but bigger changes add up quickly. Do your best to leave the drains and wastes where they are. This is especially important if you have concrete slab flooring. Moving toilet or shower wastes located in a concrete floor can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

6. Use Feature Elements to Your Advantage

It’s no secret that high quality materials and fittings can make your bathroom stand out. These things are also expensive, and you can achieve a similar result for a fraction of the cost with feature elements. Renovation builders Sydney often work one or two feature elements into their projects. Standout moments like floating vanities, stunning light fixtures or quality tapware will catch the attention of anyone who uses the bathroom. This draws the eye away from other things, like affordable tiling or painted walls, ensuring your bathroom renovation looks high-quality and high-end!