Bathroom renovation checklist for Fremantle homes: what to decide before a quote

Keep the layout or change it

The first question is whether the shower, toilet and vanity stay where they are. If they do, the water pipes and drains stay put, which keeps the job simpler.

Moving them means new plumbing under the floor or in the walls. In an older house on a raised timber floor that can be easier than on a concrete slab, which has to be cut and patched.

A bath, a shower or both

In a small bathroom, taking out the bath gives you room for a bigger walk-in shower. If it's the only bath in the house, think about whether you'll miss it for bathing kids or for resale.

If you keep a bath, choose between a built-in one along a wall and a freestanding bath. A freestanding bath needs more floor space and a floor-mounted or wall-mounted tap.

Tiles: size, finish and how high they go

Tiles vary a lot in price, and so does the labour to lay them. Large tiles have fewer grout lines, small mosaics take longer to lay, and a patterned layout like herringbone takes longer again.

Decide whether the walls are tiled to the ceiling or only to a set height, with paint above. Floor tiles in a bathroom or laundry need a slip rating, which is a measure of how much grip they have when wet.

Tapware, vanity and toilet

Tapware means the taps and shower fittings. Pick the finish early, since brushed brass, black and chrome all come at different prices. Wall-mounted taps need their pipes set in the wall before it's tiled, so they can't be swapped for a bench-mounted tap later.

A wall-hung vanity leaves the floor clear and makes the room look bigger. A wall-hung toilet does the same, but its cistern sits inside the wall, so it's decided at the start.

Storage and power points

Think about where things will go: a shaving cabinet, drawers in the vanity, a niche in the shower wall for bottles. A niche is a shelf built into the wall, and it has to be planned before the wall is waterproofed.

While the walls are open, add power where you'll need it, such as inside a mirror cabinet for a toothbrush or beside the vanity for a hairdryer. Power points in a bathroom are put in by a licensed electrician.

Lighting and fresh air

A single ceiling light leaves shadows at the mirror. Lights above or around the mirror make the room easier to use.

An exhaust fan pulls damp air out so mould doesn't build up on the ceiling. Bathrooms without a window that opens need one, and they're worth having even with a window.

What to bring to the measure-up

When Crest Renovations comes out to measure, the most useful thing you can have is a few photos of bathrooms you like. Add your rough choices from this list and a budget if you have one.

If you're in a unit, check the strata rules about renovations first, and if the house is heritage listed, tell us at the visit.

• Photos of bathrooms you like
• Bath, shower or both
• Your tile and tapware finish, even roughly
• Where you want storage and power points
• Your budget, if you have one
• Any strata rules or heritage listing

Questions