Pro Panel: How to Control the Cost of Your Bathroom Renovation
Three UK-based bathroom designers offer 10 budget-saving tips for fixtures, layouts and materials
Cheryl F
1 August 2019
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing for the UK's top interiors titles. I love shopping for quirky accessories, have a passion for rummaging through vintage stores and I'm ever-hopeful of finding that elusive perfect paint shade.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing... More
You don’t have to fritter away a fortune on a new bathroom. Three of Houzz’s UK-based experts – Raj Ghaly of BathroomsByDesign, Justin Wedgbury of Flush Fitting and Steve Baker of The London Bath Co – reveal their 10 insider tips for achieving a beautiful bathing space while keeping expenses in check. After all, solid gold faucets, a walk-in rain shower and a whirlpool tub are optional.
1. Plan a sensible layout
If you want to avoid expensive mistakes, getting the floor plan right is rule number one.
“Ask your [bathroom pro] for suggestions and opinions as to what might work before you get your heart set on a layout, product or idea that can’t be realised – either at all or within a sensible budget,” says Wedgbury. “I’ve been to houses where people have bought shower enclosures that totally dominate a room and leave tiny spaces to sidestep around, or devised a layout that means the door hits the basin when opened.
“When visiting a showroom, take pictures of your space as well as the measurements,” he says. “The bathroom isn’t always an easy or straightforward room to buy for.”
Find a bathroom designer and renovator near you on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
If you want to avoid expensive mistakes, getting the floor plan right is rule number one.
“Ask your [bathroom pro] for suggestions and opinions as to what might work before you get your heart set on a layout, product or idea that can’t be realised – either at all or within a sensible budget,” says Wedgbury. “I’ve been to houses where people have bought shower enclosures that totally dominate a room and leave tiny spaces to sidestep around, or devised a layout that means the door hits the basin when opened.
“When visiting a showroom, take pictures of your space as well as the measurements,” he says. “The bathroom isn’t always an easy or straightforward room to buy for.”
Find a bathroom designer and renovator near you on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
2. Try not to move the plumbing
Related to rule number one, rearranging the pipes can be pricey and is often unnecessary, so it helps to avoid it if possible.
“Changing the layout of the room entirely, or even marginally, to accommodate plumbing in different areas of the room could significantly raise the cost of a renovation, especially when considering installation costs,” says Ghaly. “So it’s recommended you try to use existing plumbing and not drastically change the layout of your room.”
Related to rule number one, rearranging the pipes can be pricey and is often unnecessary, so it helps to avoid it if possible.
“Changing the layout of the room entirely, or even marginally, to accommodate plumbing in different areas of the room could significantly raise the cost of a renovation, especially when considering installation costs,” says Ghaly. “So it’s recommended you try to use existing plumbing and not drastically change the layout of your room.”
3. Seek professional advice
If you’re on a budget, it can be tempting to go it alone. But planning everything yourself can be a false economy. Bring in a bathroom professional early on, Wedgbury advises.
“If you find a good fitting company, they can assist in the buying of materials and furniture. This should mean a substantial financial saving and be less problematic all round,” he says. “This doesn’t mean you just get what you’re given – the decisions are always yours; it’s your bathroom.”
Bear in mind that bathroom professionals often get the best deals. It’s in the interest of suppliers, including brick-and-mortar showrooms and online distributors, to nurture relationships with bulk buyers, Wedgbury says. “Discounts, favours and offers all help to provide the end customer with plenty of options.”
If you’re on a budget, it can be tempting to go it alone. But planning everything yourself can be a false economy. Bring in a bathroom professional early on, Wedgbury advises.
“If you find a good fitting company, they can assist in the buying of materials and furniture. This should mean a substantial financial saving and be less problematic all round,” he says. “This doesn’t mean you just get what you’re given – the decisions are always yours; it’s your bathroom.”
Bear in mind that bathroom professionals often get the best deals. It’s in the interest of suppliers, including brick-and-mortar showrooms and online distributors, to nurture relationships with bulk buyers, Wedgbury says. “Discounts, favours and offers all help to provide the end customer with plenty of options.”
4. Specify clear goals in a contract
Avoid a long list of annoying jobs at the end of your project – which will cost extra – by drawing up a clear contract at the start. Know where you stand at the start of your renovation so you can budget accordingly.
“Make sure it’s written down by the company or by you and agreed which tasks will be done,” says Wedgbury.
Avoid a long list of annoying jobs at the end of your project – which will cost extra – by drawing up a clear contract at the start. Know where you stand at the start of your renovation so you can budget accordingly.
“Make sure it’s written down by the company or by you and agreed which tasks will be done,” says Wedgbury.
5. Tile with restraint
Unless you’re planning a wet zone in your bathroom, you don’t need to cover every centimetre with tiles, Ghaly says. Not only is tiling a portion of your bathroom cheaper, both in terms of labour and materials, it can also be more practical.
“The advantage of part-tiling is that the bathroom becomes much more flexible,” says Ghaly.
“For example, you can paint the rest of the walls, which means the bathroom can be redesigned more easily in the future, using different colours. Hanging pictures on bathroom walls is also becoming popular, and part-tiling gives you this option.”
When it comes to tile prices, Ghaly says, ceramic tiles are generally cheaper. “Imitation tiles – marble-look, for example – can be inexpensive yet will give your bathroom a similar luxurious look and feel like the real thing.”
Unless you’re planning a wet zone in your bathroom, you don’t need to cover every centimetre with tiles, Ghaly says. Not only is tiling a portion of your bathroom cheaper, both in terms of labour and materials, it can also be more practical.
“The advantage of part-tiling is that the bathroom becomes much more flexible,” says Ghaly.
“For example, you can paint the rest of the walls, which means the bathroom can be redesigned more easily in the future, using different colours. Hanging pictures on bathroom walls is also becoming popular, and part-tiling gives you this option.”
When it comes to tile prices, Ghaly says, ceramic tiles are generally cheaper. “Imitation tiles – marble-look, for example – can be inexpensive yet will give your bathroom a similar luxurious look and feel like the real thing.”
- 6. Choose cost-effective materials
You don’t have to choose the most expensive materials on the market for a beautiful bathroom, especially these days.
- “Use good-quality porcelain tiles instead of natural stone,” says Baker. “Technology is so good now, it’s often hard to distinguish between them, and porcelain tiles can be considerably cheaper.
“Porcelain is also much more durable than natural stone, and less prone to cracking and chipping, and it doesn’t require regular sealing to stop it staining,” he says. “Go for a [through-body] porcelain tile, which means your tiler will be able to polish the edges instead of using unsightly trims.”
7. Ditch the tub
Forgoing the bathtub isn’t for everyone, but if you tend not to take long soaks, it could be a money-saving option.
“We’ve noticed more customers opting for showers rather than baths, and this can not only bring down the initial … outlay, but [also] lower running costs long-term due to greater energy efficiency,” says Ghaly.
Browse more beautiful bathrooms in white
Forgoing the bathtub isn’t for everyone, but if you tend not to take long soaks, it could be a money-saving option.
“We’ve noticed more customers opting for showers rather than baths, and this can not only bring down the initial … outlay, but [also] lower running costs long-term due to greater energy efficiency,” says Ghaly.
Browse more beautiful bathrooms in white
8. Look for sales, floor stock and entry-level models
Shopping online sales and buying showroom floor stock are great ways to bag a bargain. You may find a stylish sink at one source and a great tub at another.
“You’ll reduce your expenditure by purchasing a product that’s been on display in a showroom but is unlikely to be damaged,” says Ghaly. “Clearance items will also save you a lot. These may include discontinued items, so it’s stock that bathroom retailers need to get rid of and will offer at a reduced price.
“Comparing prices is also advised, but avoid the temptation to compromise,” he says. “By going for the cheapest deals, you may be sacrificing on the quality of design and service.”
“Also, look at the entry-level ranges by quality bathroom manufacturers, as you’ll often get better materials for less money,” says Baker.
Shopping online sales and buying showroom floor stock are great ways to bag a bargain. You may find a stylish sink at one source and a great tub at another.
“You’ll reduce your expenditure by purchasing a product that’s been on display in a showroom but is unlikely to be damaged,” says Ghaly. “Clearance items will also save you a lot. These may include discontinued items, so it’s stock that bathroom retailers need to get rid of and will offer at a reduced price.
“Comparing prices is also advised, but avoid the temptation to compromise,” he says. “By going for the cheapest deals, you may be sacrificing on the quality of design and service.”
“Also, look at the entry-level ranges by quality bathroom manufacturers, as you’ll often get better materials for less money,” says Baker.
9. Reuse items within reason
You can save bathroom fixtures and fittings in decent condition, but if you hang on to every last screw or tub stopper, you’re defeating the purpose of planning a lovely new bathroom.
“Keeping the old ceiling because it’s ‘okay’, or not having an extractor fan fitted as it costs a bit more could affect the finished look,” says Wedgbury. “Saving old [taps] or heaters to put in the new suite won’t help your budget much when the [installer] is having to clean them up or strip them down carefully to remove.”
“Opting for a cheap toilet can lead to problems in the future, due to poor build quality and because flushing performance could be less than optimal,” says Ghaly. Sinks are also worth investing in, he adds, as they need to last without cracking or staining.
You can save bathroom fixtures and fittings in decent condition, but if you hang on to every last screw or tub stopper, you’re defeating the purpose of planning a lovely new bathroom.
“Keeping the old ceiling because it’s ‘okay’, or not having an extractor fan fitted as it costs a bit more could affect the finished look,” says Wedgbury. “Saving old [taps] or heaters to put in the new suite won’t help your budget much when the [installer] is having to clean them up or strip them down carefully to remove.”
“Opting for a cheap toilet can lead to problems in the future, due to poor build quality and because flushing performance could be less than optimal,” says Ghaly. Sinks are also worth investing in, he adds, as they need to last without cracking or staining.
10. Consider LED lights
Lighting is too often an afterthought in bathrooms, but it makes a big difference to the final effect. “Use good-quality LED spotlights for your bathroom,” says Baker. “They may cost a little more initially, but you’ll make savings sooner than you think, and you won’t have the inconvenience of constantly changing light bulbs.”
Lighting is too often an afterthought in bathrooms, but it makes a big difference to the final effect. “Use good-quality LED spotlights for your bathroom,” says Baker. “They may cost a little more initially, but you’ll make savings sooner than you think, and you won’t have the inconvenience of constantly changing light bulbs.”
Your turn
How have you saved money on your bathroom renovation? Share your tips in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Need more practical advice about sticking to a renovating budget? For great tips and insights, read 3 Designers Reveal Where to Spend and Save in a Bedroom Redesign
How have you saved money on your bathroom renovation? Share your tips in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Need more practical advice about sticking to a renovating budget? For great tips and insights, read 3 Designers Reveal Where to Spend and Save in a Bedroom Redesign
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I totally agree with everyone who says quality of fittings is so important. We’ve recently moved to a house built 25 years ago. All the bathrooms are still as they were when the house was built, but because top quality fittings & tiles were used they all look incredibly good for the age!! The only thing changed over the years has been the flooring. We are planning on upgrading each as & when we have the cash, when we do it will be with quality products from the UK where possible.
We’ve remodeled the master bath in several previous homes. Glass shower enclosures always look great and feel luxurious, and it’s well worth the money to invest in the “stay-clear” glass. It’s amazing, albeit somewhat expensive.
I remodeled a bathroom last month and saved around $3,000 by constructing the shower to fit a ready made glass enclosure. We added about 6 inches to the shower space and bought a high quality 48x48 inch frameless glass enclosure that was identical to custom made. It even came with a finish on it that cleans easier and the custom guys charge a small fortune for that, too. Overall, by hiring someone who was good and affordable, buying quality porcelain tile on clearance and shopping very carefully, I think I saved around $20K than my first quote and I am very pleased, it's gorgeous!