Bathrooms can make or break a home’s design, so it’s vital to get any bathroom renovation project just right. If you’re selling or renting out your property, a new bathroom can add to house value, especially over time. If you’re living in your home, a renovated bathroom can make you feel more at home, as your bathroom is where you get ready in the mornings and wind down after a long day. We spend a lot of time in our bathrooms, so taking the time to plan and execute it perfectly is key—whether that’s with the help of experts or DIY. Here’s how you can get the best return on your investment as you renovate this space.
Types of Bathroom Renovation
There are different styles when it comes to bathroom fixtures and designs. To help decide what your bathroom design will look like, you can speak to bathroom renovation specialists or a tile contractor. They can help you list exactly what you will need, including project management and labour costs.
To renovate and create your perfect bathroom, consider it from a functional perspective. What does your dream bathroom look like, and what functions does it need to serve? Consider:
- Are you just retiling, or are you changing the layout completely? Redoing plumbing can be costly, so it’s a good idea to account for this in your budget.
- Are you adding a bath or shower?
- Families may want a bathroom with more countertops, whereas a studio apartment bathroom could demand a clever layout to maximise the space.
- Which fixtures do you plan to include in your renovations? E.g. mirrors, tapware, vanity, wall tiles, towel rails and toilet roll holders.
Small Bathroom Renovations
When it comes to small bathroom renovations, the key is to make the most of the available space. Clever layouts can revamp a studio bathroom, while other clients of ours will ask for us to make the most of what they’ve got. This can save you costs in the renovation process. Small bathrooms sometimes just require a retiling or a cleanup, with grout removed.
Modern Renovations
Modern bathroom renovations may require a whole project including new fixtures and layouts, or it could be about bringing modern elements to a classic existing design. For modern bathrooms, it’s important that the style has a degree of timelessness; trends come and go, and sticking to the latest trends may make your bathroom look dated once trends change.
Budget Renovations
If you’re on a budget, there are a few ways you can easily spruce up this room of the house:
- Do cosmetic renovations DIY — this can include building storage shelves and painting. Just be sure to do the right planning, and speak to experts beforehand for professional results. For tiles, plumbing, electrical and waterproofing, it’s a good idea to contact a skilled and experienced professional.
- Work with what you’ve got — if you can, keep your existing bathroom layout to save on the time and cost of plumbing and waterproofing.
- Shop around for the best prices — get a minimum of three quotes for any job you’re getting done by a tradesperson.
Bathroom Renovation Ideas
Grout can ruin the look of an entire bathroom. That’s why it’s a good idea to start small with your bathroom renovating ideas. What can you tweak e.g. removing grout, and where will you need to enlist the help of a tile restoration specialist or bathroom renovation company? At this stage, you could also create a moodboard or view bathroom renovation inspiration to help you set rules to govern the design process.
Bathroom Renovation Cost
Bathroom renovations can be costly. You could easily budget tens of thousands of dollars to completely rebuild an average sized bathroom. Demolition, relining, waterproofing, tiling, plumbing, electrical, painting are all services that may be required during this process.
There are options however to restore what you have to bring your existing bathroom back to near new condition. This could work out to cost a fraction of a complete rebuild.
Bathroom Renovation Project Steps
The renovation process has many steps, and it’s a good idea to sit down and account for these from day one. Without planning out the renovation process, you may come up against unforeseen costs and delays. Here are the main steps toward creating your perfect bathroom.
Professional Tile & Grout Cleaning
Professional grout and tile cleaning can make a world of difference, making stained tiles look good-as-new. With professional care and cleaning, your existing floor and wall tiles could come out looking better than ever. For one GroutPro client in Auckland, GroutPro’s unique restoration process brought this bathroom back to life for under $3000, with the shower only out of action for under a week. No new bathroom fittings or fixtures were needed.
Grout Recolouring, Sealing, and Replacement
If you are considering major bathroom renovations, talk to GroutPro before you commit to more than you actually need. Grout replacement, recolouring and reseal could save you thousands of dollars and weeks of inconvenience when the grout is a major contributor to the stained look of tiles.
Damaged Tile Repairs
Damaged tile repairs may be needed as a result of broken down grout. For example, GroutPro conducted a full shower repair for these Tauranga tile repair clients without needing to retile the entire bathroom.
Most tiled showers have a traditional cement-based grout, which easily absorbs moisture. When the grout breaks down, water can seep under the tiles and degrade the tiled adhesive. Once the tile has loosened and lifted, it’s more likely to crack.
Silicone Removal and Replacement
Cracked, mouldy or peeling silicone is often to blame for water damage in bathrooms. Not only is damaged silicone’s appearance unattractive; the damage it can cause down the line is far greater than the upfront cost of investing in silicone removal and replacement. Silicone seal replacement can improve the look of showers, baths and basins.
Showerdome Installation
If you want to cut down on steam, mould and mildew in your bathroom, GroutPro is a nationwide preferred installer of Showerdome. Showerdomes reduce the need for an extractor fan, and you don’t need the water temperature to be so hot. And, you’ll have a steam-free mirror when you step out of the shower! Showerdomes come in a number of styles which suit most existing and new shower cubicles. They are best suited to acrylic showers, as there is a greater chance of mould if installed in a tiled shower—where you often still need an efficient extractor fan.
Shower Glass Restoration
If you’re like many GroutPro clients we’ve spoken to, you’ve tried most off-the-shelf shower glass cleaning products. Hard water can cause tough stains and spots which are difficult to remove without professional help. The GroutPro team is experienced in the gentle removal of staining on shower glass, resulting in a brand-new look. We use family safe, eco-friendly products to clean, providing a cost-effective alternative to replacing the shower glass as a whole.
Total Shower Refurbishment
If you’re looking for a complex bathroom renovation including a shower refurbishment, GroutPro can help you with periodic shower refurbishment. Using a range of refurbishment techniques, our experienced specialists can restore your shower and bathroom to its former glory.
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Why Work With GroutPro?
If you’d like to spruce up your bathroom but would like to do so on a budget, speak to the GroutPro team. The above steps could save you from needing to fund a full bathroom renovation, as you make small and impactful changes instead. GroutPro is an experienced and reliable team of tile restoration specialists located in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Tauranga, Hamilton and across New Zealand. Contact GroutPro today for more information.
Get inspired
Tile Grout Guide: Everything you Need to Know – ProGroup
Are you wanting to spruce up your bathrooms and kitchen with some shiny new tiles and tile grout?
Guide to Keeping Your Shower Tiles Clean – ProGroup
Are you tired of dealing with pesky soap scum and stubborn mould in your shower tiles?
All You Need to Know About Grout Sealing – ProGroup
Grout sealing is a simple but very important task that you can either do by yourself or with the help of an experienced professional.
FAQ
Can you repair a leaking shower?
This depends on the leak and the construction of the shower.
If a shower is leaking through a wall into an adjacent room, there is a failure with the waterproofing membrane behind the tiles. This cannot be repaired without a major deconstruction of the shower and can be very costly. Simply replacing failed grout and silicone, which may look like it is waterproofed the area, is not a solution that can be guaranteed.
What should I clean my grout with?
Unless your grout has been sealed properly there is nothing that will keep it clean. Many people resort to bleach or even acids to try and remove stains which will, in fact, damage the grout. GroutPro specialises in sealing the grout so that mild eco-friendly cleaners are all that is needed to keep it looking in tip top condition. If your grout is already stained we can recolour it and seal it with our Colourseal sealer.
How long does silicone stay mould free in a shower?
There is no easy answer to this question as it comes down to your daily maintenance process. Moisture, heat, and soap residue are what mould thrives on, so in order to minimise growth we recommend ensuring a good extractor fan is used during showering, and that you wipe your shower dry after each use. This removes the conditions that mould needs to grow.
We have found that silicone in a shower typically requires replacement every couple of years.What kind of grout is best for a wet area such as a shower?
Epoxy grout is recommended in wet areas as it is waterproof and much more resistant to staining. We regrout shower bases with Epoxy to provide the longest lasting solution. Grout on shower walls can be protected using our Colourseal grout sealer, which provides similar protection to Epoxy grout.
Can you fix a broken tile?
This really depends on the extent of the damage. Small chips and cracks can be disguised so they are much less noticeable, but larger damage requires us to replace the tile.
Why can’t I get the water marks off my shower glass?
Water spotting is caused my minerals such as calcium, lime, and iron in the water supply fusing to the microscopic pores of the glass. This happens when the water droplets are left on the glass after showering – the water evaporates leaving the minerals. Over time these minerals block the clarity of the glass. Specialist abrasive products (and a lot of elbow grease) are required to remove these minerals without damaging the glass. In most cases we can restore 80%-90% of the clarity, but occasionally the glass is unable to be restored.
The best way to minimise water marks is to dry the glass after each use.
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