How difficult is it to put in a new bathroom?

Introduction

There are plenty of reasons you may want to add an additional bathroom to your house. Perhaps you'd like to increase the value of your home, create more bathroom space, or simply have the desire to spruce up and update your house? Whatever the reason, many people are often concerned about how difficult it is to add a new bathroom to the house.

Though there is quite a bit of cost to the bathroom project, it can be done in an affordable way and may not be as pricey as you think. You also need consider things like plumbing in the house being unusable for the duration of the bathroom renovation work. Let’s delve deeper into what you need to think about when it comes to creating a second dream bathroom in your home.

Cost

Many people are frightened by the potential costs of installing an extra bathroom. Added expenses can be very off putting, especially when the cost of living is rising, but there are quite a few ways to cut down on expenditure.

If you already have a room in mind that you want to convert to a bathroom, then the larger it is, the more it may cost. A larger space can accommodate both a shower enclosure and a bath, plus other bathroom fittings, wall tiles and floor joists. A small space could be better suited to a bathroom suite with a bath shower incorporated. The cost start to rise when you want to add a room for a bathroom that isn't already an existing space. A simple bathroom will definitely cost less, but be sure to plan carefully and think about construction costs and resale value. Create a mood board with a colour scheme to help your bathroom planning. Look at current bathroom trends as well as timeless ideas. A bathroom designer can assist.

Another thing to keep in mind is that adding a bathroom, particularly an extension bathroom, may need to go through building regulations depending on the property. Electrical work, plumbing services and whether you are changing an existing bathroom should be taken into account. This is where having a bathroom designer involved can help. Design inspiration should never be overlooked.

Where do you add a bathroom?

It is important that you consider the possible locations of your brand new bathroom. Most half-bathrooms are about 15-20 square feet, while a full, complete bathroom tends to be about 25 square feet and above. Consider what kind of bathroom you want, and size the room or location accordingly. Compare your new bathroom design to existing bathrooms in your home. A family bathroom needs to be accessible for everyone, where as an en suite needs to be next to the bedroom.

Ensure that your prospective area has ample access to both ventilation and electricity, plus possible insulation. Look at whether you want an open window and natural light, a shower as well as a bath, a wet room and bathroom tiles.

Don’t be afraid to get creative in finding locations for a new bathroom. Look for places that will require little additional structural additions, like the end of hallways. You could even choose to split one bathroom into two smaller ones. Whatever you decide, project manage the bathroom renovation accordingly.

Plumbing

Related to location, proper planning of your plumbing system and waste lines can help you save a lot of money and hassle. By visualising how and where you want your bathroom installation to be, you can figure out how much it will cost you to add new plumbing. Future plumbing bills should also be considered.

We recommend placing the new bathroom close to other plumbing systems in the house, which would cut down on the amount of plumbing you would need to install. Doing this in conjunction with planning your fixtures in advance will reduce the amount of installation you will need to carry out. New bathrooms need water supply and water pipes.

Entrance to your new bathroom

Consider how you’re going to design the entrance to the bathroom. Most people often forget how much space is needed for a door, which often results in additional bathroom installation costs and work in order to make it work.

Try to plan bathroom installations by thinking about how much space you will have for your entrance. If there is not enough space for a swinging door which you feel may eat into the floor space of the bathroom, consider using sliding doors instead. There are many designs that you can choose from, with both minimalist and orname styles. Pick the one that fits the decor and bathroom suite best.

How long does it take to add a new bathroom?

The construction time of your new bathroom depends largely on how much work needs to be done. There are parts of the bathroom renovation that add time to the process. This includes ensuring it is built it far from existing plumbing with enough space, building an additional extension to the house, and even doing the work it yourself.

For, small projects that do not require a large amount of remodelling, expect construction and finishing to take a few weeks to complete properly. For extensive remodelling and large bathrooms with a new suite, expect it to take more than a month for everything to be done properly. A luxurious bathroom needs a lot of finishing touches. This is why we often recommend that you choose an existing room in order to cut down on the lead time of the project. A bathroom specialist can help the process run smoothly and ensure the bathroom refurbishment is completed on time.

However long it needs to do the new bathroom makeover and remodelling, ensure that you have access to a toilet elsewhere during construction. Oftentimes, adding a new bathroom requires that the entire plumbing be shut down for the duration of the installation, so plan ahead accordingly. Another existing bathroom in the house might not be an option if the plumbing needs to be turned off. If you require access to a family bathroom, speak to friends or family.

Is all the work worth it?

With all the costs and time that it will take to finish installing a new bathroom into the house, some may wonder if it is worth going through all the trouble. However, adding a new bathroom with good fixtures that also look nice can raise the value of your property quite a bit. This is important for those who are intending to sell the property or are looking at it as an investment. Even if you are intending to live in it for the foreseeable future, see it as an investment that you can enjoy in the meantime. Potential buyers will see another bathroom with a toilet as a huge benefit and will make life easier.

Conclusion

It isn’t too difficult to add a bathroom to a house, providing that you adequately plan and budget the entire process properly. We urge you to consider the different steps of installing a bathroom, particularly with plumbing and location. Don’t feel afraid to take inspiration from bathrooms and similar projects that can be seen online for inspiration either. Making sure that your bathroom is aesthetically pleasing and appealing is a good way to increase the value of your property. You wouldn’t want to spend time and money on an outcome that isn’t appealing.