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FIELD NOTES — READ FROM THE SURFACE IN
Most homeowners only plan a bathroom renovation once or twice, so it’s hard to know which questions to ask. These guides are my attempt to answer them before you need to. I explain what sits behind the tiles, what shapes the cost of the work and how to tell when a bathroom has reached the point where patching no longer makes sense.
Each one is written in plain English, drawing on about 15 years of residential renovation work.
Written by Ivan Bodnar, Independent Home Renovation Specialist
1
ARTICLE — THE LAYERS
A bathroom can look tidy on the surface while the wall behind it is already failing. In this article I go through a bathroom wall layer by layer: the tile, the adhesive, the waterproofing (completed by appropriately licensed specialists where required), the sheeting and the frame. It explains why proper preparation and suitable materials matter more to how long a renovation lasts than the tile you choose.
Glazed wall tiles and grout lines: the only layer you normally see.
2
GUIDE — COSTS
“How much will my bathroom renovation cost?” is usually the first question, and it’s a fair one. This guide explains the six factors that shape the answer: the existing conditions of the room, hidden deterioration behind the surface, the preparation needed before finishing, the materials you choose, any layout changes and the overall scope of the work.
Once you understand those, it’s much easier to compare quotations and see why two bathrooms of the same size can need very different work.
A NOTE ON PRICES
The guide doesn’t list prices. Costs vary with existing conditions, materials, preparation and the work involved, and a detailed quotation generally requires an on-site assessment.
3
ARTICLE — WHEN TO START
Some bathrooms simply look dated. Others are telling you something about what’s happening underneath. This article helps you tell the difference, so you can decide whether a repair will do or whether it’s time to look at a complete renovation.
A
Fixtures and finishes from another era that no longer suit the way you use the room.
B
Surfaces and grout that never seem to come clean, however often you scrub them.
C
A shower, vanity or door position that makes the room awkward to use every day.
D
Cracked or loose tiles and tired finishes that may point to problems behind the surface.
Exposed brick, metal framing, insulated pipes and conduit: what an opened wall can look like.
AFTER THE READING
A guide can only go so far. The real condition of your bathroom becomes clear once I’ve seen it in person. If something here raises a question about your own room, you can request a quote and an on-site assessment, and we can talk it through directly.
RELATED READING
How a Bathroom Renovation Works
Each stage, from stripping back to finishing.
On-site Assessment and Quotation
Why I inspect before I quote.
Plumbing, Electrical and Regulated Work
Who completes the regulated parts of a renovation.
Bathroom Renovation Questions
Short answers to common questions.
Bathroom Renovations in Malvern
Complete renovations in Malvern and surrounding suburbs.
