How to build a bathroom from scratch

Building A Bathroom From Scratch

The bathroom is typically one of the most frequently used spaces in every home. Most homeowners begin and end each day in the bathroom. Despite this, the bathroom is often not considered during home improvements. Do you feel embarrassed about your bathroom, especially when you have guests? This article has provided practical steps to help you build your bathroom and DIY tips to keep it within your budget.

Cost Of A Bathroom Remodel

The general cost of a bathroom remodel is between $10,000 and $25,000, but this depends on if you’ll change the plumbing locations or layouts. The labour cost of remodeling is also estimated to take up to 20% of the price.

However, you can save a few thousand dollars if you do the remodeling yourself. Another way to reduce the cost of bathroom renovations is by minimising your use of expensive materials like refinishing fixtures and tiles.

Planning For A Bathroom Renovation

Here’s how to plan your bathroom remodelling:

Step One: Decide on Design Elements

Prior to you remodelling your bathroom, you need to choose a suitable design that suits your vision and DIY skills. You can select a design in different ways, and you can either start from scratch or simply swap and repaint the vanity.

Here are some specifics you should consider prior to beginning the bathroom renovation:

• Storage spaces: You need to consider where you’ll keep toiletries and towels after remodelling. Ensure you have cabinets and shelving to make up for lost space in the bathroom.
• Colour scheme: Draw inspiration from different pictures ahead of time to ensure that your bathroom tiles don’t clash with the paint colour you choose.
• Location of utilities: Areas for plumbing pipes and electrical wiring should be marked so that you don’t damage them during the renovation process.
• New fixtures: Do you plan to change the sink, tub, or shower? Replacing any of these fixtures can increase your budget and the project timeline.

Step Two: Get Your Tools Ready

You need to ensure that you have all the tools you’ll need for your bathroom renovation. These tools may not already be in your home improvement toolbox, and you might need to get some.

The essential tools you’ll need for a bathroom remodel include:

• Extension cord
• Chalk line
• Utility knife
• Hacksaw
• Flathead screwdriver
• Adjustable wrench
• Chisel
• Bucket
• Pry bar
• Power drill
• Stud finder
• Spackle
• Spackle knife
• Tape measure
• Hammer
• Silicone sealant
• Caulking gun
• Goggles and gloves
• Safety mask

In addition to these general tools, you'll also need a cordless drill to help you move around with ease, and a wet-dry shop-vac, which is a handy tool, especially when water spills when you remove a fixture.

One fantastic thing is that you can reduce costs by renting these tools rather than buying them. You might just be lucky to have a family member or friend who already has these tools.

How To Remodel A Bathroom

Step One: Remove Bathroom Fixtures

Whether you're entirely or partially renovating your bathroom, the first thing to do is to remove the fixtures you're replacing. You can quickly achieve this if you follow these steps:

• Turn off the water before removing the draining and toilet to avoid unwanted spills.
• For bathtub removal, cover the tub before you remove the tiles and the studs. This is important, especially if you’ll rework the plumbing.
• Remove the insulation from walls, but don’t do this with a hammer. Cut the panels with a reciprocating saw, and ensure that you wear goggles, gloves, and a safety mask to avoid getting injured.
• Remove cabinets, flooring, mirror, vanity, and other features that you intend to replace.

Step Two: Install the New Tub or Shower

You can install the new fixtures after removing the old fixtures in your bathroom. However, before you start installing the latest fixtures, you need to check for signs of damage to the subfloor or wood.

Another crucial thing is to ensure that you pick a basin that matches your décor, especially for tub or shower replacement. Basins usually come in different shapes, including pentangle, square, and rectangle. The last thing to ensure is that you have enough space.

Step Three: Lay the Flooring

Tile is the most used flooring material, but there are other options you might want to consider, like vinyl or laminate, which are DIY-friendly and more affordable. Once the subfloor is ready, you can start laying the new flooring.

Step Four: Start Painting After Hanging the Drywall

This is time-consuming because it requires paying attention to details, like ensuring that the drywall sits nicely around the shower and other features. After placing the drywall, the next thing is to add colour to the bathroom.

Painting your bathroom walls is the most cost-effective and easiest way to change the appearance of your bathroom. We recommend using semi-gloss finish paint because it's resistant to mildew and mould and easy to clean.

Step Five: Install Vanity and Cabinets

With the walls ready, you can now bring in the cabinets, vanity, and other major items on your renovation list. Start by installing the vanity, faucet, and sink before you move to cabinets, mirrors, and other essentials.

Step Six: Update the Lighting

Install new lighting to brighten your bathroom. You may need to move the power outlets, but this depends on how the cabinets and vanity fit the bathroom. It’s best to leave this step for an electrician to handle, especially if you don’t understand your home wiring.

Step Seven: Connect the Plumbing

You’re almost done with the remodelling process, and the last thing to do is to install the toilet. Keeping this as the last step will ensure that you don't chip the toilet while working on other bathroom parts.

Your Bathroom Is Good To Go

The steps discussed in this article are only the main steps to follow, but you can also add a few finishing touches after these steps. You might want to consider installing trim around the bathroom. You can also add decorative storage containers, pictures, and window treatments to improve the décor of your bathroom.

All this can be overwhelming, especially if your DIY skills aren’t all that good. If you need help building your bathroom or remodelling your existing bathroom, you can contact a professional bathroom designer or bathroom renovator near you.