Browse Forums Bathrooms and Laundry Re: Brand New Bathroom on a Budget 2Oct 24, 2013 9:37 pm I've only done 1 bathroom reno, on a place I sold recently. I initially wanted to do it on the cheap (I had in mind $5000 to $6000) and understood almost zero about about the process. A friend of mine suggested I should do it myself with some (paid) help from him. I decided against that because it seemed like he wasn't that great at doing his own bathroom – it took him at least 6 months! So I first looked online and in the local paper had about 5 different tilers come out and give quotes. After that experience I realised that in my view none of them were actually worth employing - they came across as disinterested, unenthusiastic and weren't very forthcoming with ideas for someone like me who at the time had little idea about bathrooms. I felt I couldn't trust any of them with a $500 job let alone a $10,000 job. So I had an idea... I went to my local distributor of tiles and bathroom accessories and asked them for a list of tilers that they could recommend. They gave me a list of names, so I said, "Out of all these names, who do you think is the best?" I called 2 of them and they came around to size things up and they were both great. They were interested, enthusiastic and willing to talk about ideas for the bathroom, styles and colours etc. So I engaged one of them (a builder) to do the lot, from start to finish – and he did it in 8 working days. I paid a little bit more with him but he gave me so much confidence in his ability to do the job, and he gave me a DVD with about a dozen 'before and afters' of previous bathrooms he did. He also gave me a list of numbers of his clients to call for feedback. He also assured me that once he started my job he wouldn't be running off to do other jobs - he would start and finish the job and take care of engaging all the other trades. On top of that he did quite a few extras around the place at no charge (fixed a fence post and replaced a leaking kitchen tap at no charge). I was so happy with his work and attitude I employed him to renovate the laundry and 2nd WC at the same time. I think the saying 'you tend to get what you pay for' holds true, but do your homework anyway. I was really happy with the job and would now be confident in engaging someone to do a bathroom again if I had to. I don't know if you can really save much money engaging each trade separately. Anyway, that was just my experience, I hope that helps. Best of luck. Re: Brand New Bathroom on a Budget 3Oct 25, 2013 10:02 am katie622 . eg: Does it usually save money to engage each trade individually, or use a company who specialises in bathrooms and covers everything? Are there any tricks to getting quality tiles, tapware, bathtub, etc. for discounted prices? Is there anything that two novice rennovators can do themselves... without risking disaster? The plan is to leave all the plumbing as is, to avoid the extra expense of moving it. And we're considering doing the demolition ourselves. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Yes its much cheaper to employ the trades yourself rather than a company that does the whole lot. Put a lot of work into where you will buy you tiles and fittings from as you can save up to 70% on the same product if you know where to look! Use standard size frameless shower screens and this can save 50% on materials straight up! As you said keep the plumbing in the same place and do the strip out yourself and this will save you a lot of money. Cutting Edge Kitchens and Cabinet Making http://cuttingedgekitchens.net.au http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cutting-Edge-Kitchens/290484196676 Mobile : 0419 430 575 PH: 9452 4772 Fax :9452 4772 cuttingedgekitchens@outlook.com Re: Brand New Bathroom on a Budget 4Oct 25, 2013 11:45 pm Yes you will probably save money engaging tradesmen yourself but it will take longer and have to be project managed to get a successful outcome. We got quotes from the companies that do everything and probably saved about 2k organizing it ourselves but we were not too happy with the tradesmen we used in the end. The tiler fell out with the plumber - both stuffed things up and blamed the other. The whole job took almost 3 months for a bathroom 2 m by 3 m! My advice would be unless you know good tradesmen get someone to do it all for you. Re: Brand New Bathroom on a Budget 5Oct 30, 2013 9:45 am We have done 4 bathrooms ourselves. We did use a tiler that the tile shop recommended(we have been using the same one for years but aslo a smaller independent rather than a branded one as they seem to be biased on product and tradies). We got him to give a time line of when all his steps needed to take place as some jobs are not a full days work and then needs drying time like screed and waterproofing. Then we worked our plaumber in with that and made sure he had a few days to do what he needed. We are owner builders and have found that ways to save money is keep things simple. Don't move plumbing. Buy the best quality tiles you can afford as you don't want them chipping soon after your room is done but also keep the colour scheme simple and be smart of what feature tiles you use as these days are lots of good cheaper options rather than mosaics at $30+ a sheet. I usually do a two tone of grey or charcoal with white high gloss walls and white feature tiles. Always modern and can accessorize with towels and stuff. Also shop at your local suppliers for bathroom fittings as they are often cheaper are more willing to discount to get your business. Depending on where you are located I can pm you a list of some of the places and websites that we use that we have found to be good. Re: Brand New Bathroom on a Budget 6Oct 31, 2013 12:32 pm judydg Yes you will probably save money engaging tradesmen yourself but it will take longer and have to be project managed to get a successful outcome. We got quotes from the companies that do everything and probably saved about 2k organizing it ourselves but we were not too happy with the tradesmen we used in the end. The tiler fell out with the plumber - both stuffed things up and blamed the other. The whole job took almost 3 months for a bathroom 2 m by 3 m! My advice would be unless you know good tradesmen get someone to do it all for you. You have to know how to project manage and stay on top of problems before they happen. A bathroom should take far less than 3 months and this is directly down to how it was managed. Cutting Edge Kitchens and Cabinet Making http://cuttingedgekitchens.net.au http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cutting-Edge-Kitchens/290484196676 Mobile : 0419 430 575 PH: 9452 4772 Fax :9452 4772 cuttingedgekitchens@outlook.com Re: Brand New Bathroom on a Budget 7Nov 01, 2013 9:08 pm Hi Katie, if you're confident of selecting your own tradespeople, that would definately save your $$$$. I'm a builder that has specialized in bathroom renovations for over 10 years, and we do over 40 bathroom renovations a year. It's the most common question I'm asked on a weekly basis. I would obtain 3 quotes for each trade, get references and provide each of them with an accurate plan prior to commencement. Being organised is the key. One thing I suggest is to engage a plumber to check your plumbing while the walls are stripped, and that all grades (falls of the pipes) are correct before you line all your walls and floors. Also, only use a registered water proofer!!!! If you manage it yourself, you could have it completed within 4 weeks if you are organised!!! Thank you. That is really helpful. Once we get the place done and passed for OC we can upgrade in the future once we get back on our feet and not paying mortgage and rent. 4 5713 Coming back to your old stomping grounds, huh? Renovations on a budget can be quite the journey. It's like giving your house a new lease on life. The twist of not knowing… 1 3473 Hi everyone, Have just put a shower in the laundry and after only using it 2-3 times have noticed staining on the grout. The tiles were glued onto a concrete wall after… 0 5447 |