Renovation is always daunting – it is a costly and lengthy process that can drain a lot of time, money, and energy, but when the results are as intended, the pros more than outweigh the cons. This is why it's best to have an exact plan, one that is specific as possible before, beginning the renovation process.

This guide will help you produce such a plan, looking at factors including costs, weighing up whether or not you should hire a builder or tradesperson, and any potential issues you may want to consider before initiating the renovation itself.

• Does My Bathroom Need Renovating?
• What Do I Need from My Bathroom Renovation?
• What Work Will be Involved in Bathroom Renovation?
• How Much Will a Bathroom Renovation Cost?
• Do I Need to Hire a builder?
• Do I Need to Consider Building Regulations?
• How Do I Avoid Issues with my Bathroom Renovation?
• Final Thoughts
• What's Next?

Broken or cracked tiles, mouldy or filthy appliances, older designs, damaged or worn windows and damp or cracked sealings are all signs a bathroom may need a renovation. All of these issues can be individually fixed, however, so do not feel pressured to start renovating if you lack the time or budget.

You can always ask for the opinions of others, specifically contractors, designers, and tradespeople If you are unsure whether you need to take the plunge or not. Getting numerous opinions from multiple sources may be the key to answering the question for you and making it clearer what needs tending to.

Lots of varied factors should be considered when imagining your ideal bathroom. Some of these are incredibly practical and should be prioritised over appearances. Whilst others are purely about aesthetics and will play a significant role in the finished look of your bathroom. Naturally, you should always focus on the essential work first but keep in clear in your mind how you want your bathroom to look when it's done. This will inform how you do the work, where you position your appliances, the type of lighting you need to order etc.

The individual requirements, sequence of tasks and methods of completing the project will be unique to your bathroom, so there is no way to be sure of what exactly you will need to do. However, below we have complied a list of the typical tasks that will need to be conducted on a medium-sized bathroom renovation.

It is impossible to be exact when estimating the cost of a bathroom renovation, as each final sum will differ for a wide range of reasons - the complexity of the project and the materials used are just two examples. This is why you should source around three quotes at a minimum.

Prices for a completely new bathroom will be based on the costs of materials, the scope of your project and labour. Sourcing a minimum of three quotes will help you to gain a more accurate assessment of the cost of your dream bathroom design. Other variations in price are affected by everything from the general size of the room to the fittings you have used. 

The quality of your bathroom features will also push the final sum up or down. Simple acrylic baths or electric showers will be cheaper than natural stone or thermostatic alternatives. A basic close coupled toilet can cost as little as £100, but a high-end smart model one can set you back a good £900 or more. 

So how much does the average bathroom renovation cost? Well, most homeowners will end up spending between £4,000 and £6,000, though even for small-to-medium-sized bathrooms this can rise higher depending on what products are used, as well as labour costs and other factors.

You will likely find that you will need to hire at least one trader or more. Just some of the trades that may be required to help you renovate your bathroom include electricians, builders, tilers, plasterers, plumbers, and decorators. It may be useful to hire a builder who can oversee the project and coordinate the trades for you.

There are various situations where you will certainly need a builder, including:

• When walls between you and a neighbour are likely to be affected
• When new fittings and installations require floors to be reinforced
• When internal walls need building or knocking down
• The creation of wet rooms, in order to reinforce the walls and waterproof the room
• When approval from building regulators is required
• Heavy-duty fixtures that will require knowledge and experience when it comes to handling and installation

As we are talking about renovations and not the installation of new bathrooms, we will focus on the scenario that you do not intend to add to your property but change what is already present within it. You will therefore presumably possess electrics, plumbing, and waste disposal already operational and connected up to the necessary systems and pipework.

However, if you are upgrading your bathroom fittings, or changing the layout of your sanitaryware systems you may need some network rerouting done on your pipework. Replacing these will not need regulations approval but relocating or adding a new bathroom will. You may also find that electrical work will need to conform to more stringent building regulations, especially if they work near or around wet areas. This is the same for any work that expands on your pre-existing drainage system.

There are plenty of different issues that can occur without appropriate planning. One of the most common is running over budget during the process of renovating, leaving unfortunate renovators stuck with a half-finished bathroom and low on the necessary funds to complete it properly.

The best way to avoid this is to plan your bathroom so the final costs work out under your final budget. You will also need to be wary of any tradespeople who try to charge you more than the initial quote. If this happens, ensure that they are able to break down exactly why the costs have risen since the initial quote, especially if labour costs have increased.

Breakages and accidents midway through renovations can also prove very problematic, which is why absolute care should be taken throughout, with every safety measure thought of and incorporated during the planning stages of the renovation. This includes wearing all necessary PPE (gloves, masks, knee pads etc.) and overbuying tiles to account for breakages.

Any unnecessary objects or furniture fully should also be cleared out of your bathroom and surrounding corridors, all the way out to the front or back door if possible. This will create a safe, wide path for you or any professionals you have hired to help.

For the most important rooms in the household, a renovation is likely to raise the total value of your home (by as much as 4 – 5% in some cases). Doubly so, if you make use of modern tech and attractive designs.