Step-by-Step Bathroom Renovation Checklist for a Stress-Free Project

Renovating the bathroom? Congrats, it’s a big decision that will add value to your home. After all, bathrooms and kitchens are some of the most important rooms in a home. But even if you’re not thinking of selling, having a fresh bathroom can still offer many years of comfort and convenience. 

Like for any other remodeling project, planning is by far the most important phase in the process. This covers everything, from costs and materials to designs and styles. These being said, let’s go through this quick checklist to ensure a smooth and stress-free project.

And before we dive in, keep in mind that this isn’t a DIY project, unless you actually work in the industry. If you don’t, it’s better to just leave it with a bathroom remodeling service instead. 

Your Layout, the First Step

It all starts with the layout because, well, you can’t fit a massive bathtub if your bathroom only covers 40 square feet, can you? Exactly. Think about the size of your bathroom, whether it can accommodate everything you need, the main points, fixtures and so on. 

Don’t forget the storage and the door. Does it swing behind the toilet or is it going to hit someone on their knees?

Although there are always some surprises down the road, the ideal case should cover everything you might need.

Consider sizes, bathtubs or walk-in showers and even potential rooms nearby that could be eliminated. Explore space-saving fixtures like wall-mounted toilets or corner sinks that free up precious square footage. For example, if you have a bit of storage adjacent to the bathroom, you could put the wall down and enlarge it.

Style and Finishing

Your checklist for remodeling bathroom should also include the style you need, which obviously covers the finishing too. This is when you can start dreaming! You can find inspiration everywhere, from local magazines to social media. 

Sure, unless you have plenty of space, you’ll find it impossible to incorporate everything you see in magazines, but at least you can adopt the same style and sacrifice a few things. Focus on functionality first, such as slip-resistant flooring and moisture-resistant paint in high-traffic zones, then go for things you like. 

From nickel fixtures to a massive statement mirror, such things are part of the second category.

Having a list of all your favorites helps later if you need to cut the budget. Just make sure to order them by preferences.

Renovation and Budget Checklist

Having a checklist will help you set a budget when considering a bathroom remodeling service. Here are a few things that shouldn’t be missed from your checklist. Feel free to remove or add some based on your preferences:

• Materials and technical things: permits, demolition, electrics, framing, plumbing, drywall, paint, caulk, waterproofing, tiles and underlayment.
• Electrical elements: lights, fan, underfloor heating and switches.
• Bathtub and shower: tub, drain, spout, shower, tiles, door and curtains.
• Vanity: sink, vanity, faucet, drain, countertop, mirror and hardware.
• Others: tiles, toilet, door, moulding, art, towel holders, door hardware and toilet paper holder.

Pro tips: 

• Labor typically consumes 20-50% of budgets. Get multiple quotes and clarify if demolition/hauling is included.
• Allocate 10-15% of your budget for contingencies like outdated wiring repairs or pipe replacements
• Save by refinishing existing fixtures instead of replacing them 

Getting All the Stuff

While getting all the stuff isn’t necessarily part of the checklist, it’s definitely part of the planning. Based on the above list, you can make sure you add or remove things based on your available space and budget. Once you’re happy with it, let the bathroom remodeling service know and you can start ordering.

There are quite a few things most people forget about when placing orders. If you rely on a professional service, chances are someone will mention them. Either way, here are a few overlooked elements:

-       Fixture rough ins. Ordering everything for plumbing can be tricky if you don’t know what you already have. If you’re not 100% sure about something, it might be a good idea to have a plumber help out.

-       Waterproofing. Most things in your bathroom should be waterproof, especially the area with the shower and bathtub. There are quite a few systems you can use for waterproofing, each of them with its own pros, cons and price.

-    Vanities and counters. Getting something customized to match a certain size? Know that bespoke things will take more to order. Based on where you live, it may take anywhere between a week and a couple of months, so double check upfront to ensure it doesn’t affect your plan.

Once you have everything, you can get to work. Schedule deliveries in phases to avoid clutter, demolition debris bins first, followed by bulk materials like drywall and tiles. 

If you hire a professional, they’ll know the right steps to get things done. If you choose to do things yourself, it all begins with the demolition and framing updates, if any. It ends with lights, mirrors, hardware and styling considerations.

As a short final conclusion, this plan should give you a complete idea about what you need in your bathroom. Renovating is a huge project that takes time and patience, so it's essential to take your time and develop a proper plan upfront, only to avoid unpleasant surprises later. Document each stage with photos to track progress and celebrate small wins to stay motivated through the chaos.