Bathroom renovation checklist, Dwelvo

Phase 01

Decide before anyone starts

Bathrooms are small enough that every decision touches every other one.

Layout, and specifically whether the soil pipe or any waste has to move
Bath, shower, or both, and the tray or wet-room decision that follows
Whether the shower is mixer, electric or pumped, which depends on your water pressure
Suite: pan type and outlet direction, basin, and whether the cistern is concealed
Taps and shower valve, matched to your pressure
Tiles: where they go, how high, and the finish for the floor
Whether the floor gets underfloor heating
Heated towel rail, and whether it runs off the heating, electricity or both
Extraction: fan rating and where it vents to
Lighting, with the right IP rating for each zone
Storage: vanity unit, niche, or neither

Phase 02

Strip out

Small room, quick phase, easy to damage what you are keeping.

Isolate water and the affected circuit, and confirm they are off
Houses built before the 1990s may contain asbestos. Get textured coatings, old floor tiles and old insulation board checked before you disturb walls, ceilings or floors
Remove the suite, the shower and the screen
Remove tiles, and expect to lose some plaster with them
Lift the floor covering and check the boards or screed underneath
Check the joists and the subfloor for existing water damage while it is open

Phase 03

First fix

Everything buried. This is also the only sensible moment to improve the floor and the ventilation.

Move the soil pipe and waste runs, keeping the fall correct
Plumbing first fix for the bath, basin, shower and towel rail
Electrical first fix: lights, shaver socket, fan, and underfloor heating supply. Ask your electrician what applies to wiring near a bath or a shower. Electrical work often needs signing off by a registered electrician. Check what applies where you live
Run the extractor duct to the outside and fit the external vent
Fit noggins and reinforcement for wall-hung items and grab rails
Strengthen or overboard the floor if it flexes
Fit the shower tray or form the wet-room floor
Pressure test the pipework and leave it under pressure while you check

Phase 04

Waterproof

The phase people skip. It is cheap now and it is the whole ball game later.

Fit tile backer board in the shower and anywhere else that gets wet
Tank the shower area, including the corners and the tray junction
Tank the whole floor in a wet room
Let the tanking cure for the time the manufacturer states, not less

Phase 05

Plaster and tile

Order matters: get the flat, dry surfaces right before tiling.

Plaster the untiled walls and the ceiling
Let the plaster dry
Fit underfloor heating and screed or level over it
Tile the floor
Tile the walls, starting from a set-out line rather than the floor
Grout, and let it cure

Phase 06

Fit out and finish

Second fix, then the details that make it feel deliberate.

Phase 01

Decide before anyone starts

Bathrooms are small enough that every decision touches every other one.

Phase 02

Strip out

Small room, quick phase, easy to damage what you are keeping.

Isolate water and the affected circuit, and confirm they are off
Houses built before the 1990s may contain asbestos. Get textured coatings, old floor tiles and old insulation board checked before you disturb walls, ceilings or floors
Remove the suite, the shower and the screen
Remove tiles, and expect to lose some plaster with them
Lift the floor covering and check the boards or screed underneath
Check the joists and the subfloor for existing water damage while it is open

Phase 03

First fix

Everything buried. This is also the only sensible moment to improve the floor and the ventilation.

Move the soil pipe and waste runs, keeping the fall correct
Plumbing first fix for the bath, basin, shower and towel rail
Electrical first fix: lights, shaver socket, fan, and underfloor heating supply. Ask your electrician what applies to wiring near a bath or a shower. Electrical work often needs signing off by a registered electrician. Check what applies where you live
Run the extractor duct to the outside and fit the external vent
Fit noggins and reinforcement for wall-hung items and grab rails
Strengthen or overboard the floor if it flexes
Fit the shower tray or form the wet-room floor
Pressure test the pipework and leave it under pressure while you check

Phase 04

Waterproof

The phase people skip. It is cheap now and it is the whole ball game later.

Fit tile backer board in the shower and anywhere else that gets wet
Tank the shower area, including the corners and the tray junction
Tank the whole floor in a wet room
Let the tanking cure for the time the manufacturer states, not less

Phase 05

Plaster and tile

Order matters: get the flat, dry surfaces right before tiling.

Plaster the untiled walls and the ceiling
Let the plaster dry
Fit underfloor heating and screed or level over it
Tile the floor
Tile the walls, starting from a set-out line rather than the floor
Grout, and let it cure

Phase 06

Fit out and finish

Second fix, then the details that make it feel deliberate.

Bathroom renovation checklist

What goes wrong in a bathroom

Decide before anyone starts

Strip out

First fix

Waterproof

Plaster and tile

Fit out and finish

Bathroom renovation checklist

What goes wrong in a bathroom

Decide before anyone starts

Strip out

First fix

Waterproof

Plaster and tile

Fit out and finish