Mike Holmes: My top five ways to create a successful bathroom renovation
Planning a bathroom renovation? Before you start such a big job, don’t make the mistake too many homeowners make — hiring the first contractor who walks into their house. That’s a really big “don’t.”
Here are some dos you should consider.
1. Do get the right permits
If you are changing or modifying any electrical in your bathroom, you will need an electrical permit, usually provided by an electrical contractor. Even changing a light switch requires an electrical permit. If you move plumbing, you will need a plumbing permit. And you will need a demolition permit to gut it. Building permits can include all necessary permits, including demolition, electrical, HVAC and plumbing permits.
So the average bathroom reno will require about three permits, usually provided by the general contractor or the homeowner themselves. If it’s just an upgrade — if all you’re doing is replacing the tub, the toilet and sink and adding a fresh coat of paint — you won’t need permits.
2. Do make it worth the investment
Now is the time to look at the bathroom and decide if you can make it bigger. Can you go into a bedroom? Do you want to pull out a closet? This is the time to make changes, because once the bathroom is done and it’s still the same size, you might ask yourself if it was worth the investment.
3. Do use the right materials
Everything must be mould resistant because a bathroom is the No. 1 spot in the house that has moisture. Use products to create a continuous line of moisture resistance. A high-quality, uncoupling and waterproof system below your tiles is also a must if you want your renovation to last.
I’m a porcelain-tile fan because most have continuous colour through the tile. It’s also a stronger tile. I also like the idea of tiling the whole bathroom. This makes the bathroom shine by giving it a clean simple look. Just make sure you use the right grout.
4. Do make it work for you
Choose fixtures and design elements that will help make your life easier. For example, I like multiple choices when it comes to the shower. I want a shower head and I want a shower wand — to help rinse off the soap. I also like shower benches, because how many times do you bend over to wash your feet and it becomes a balancing act? If you can put a bench in the shower it can be really nice.
5. Do future-proof your bathroom
Besides adding a bench in your shower, there are other things that you can do that will help make your bathroom more accessible — and your life easier — as we get older and “age in place.”
You can add a curbless shower with a line drain. This can help maximize space and increase accessibility, but not at the cost of style. You can also invest in touchless faucets; heated flooring exactly where you need it, so you’re not wasting energy; and strategic LED lighting to increase safety and energy efficiency.
A bathroom shouldn’t just be that place you go to when you get up and shower. It should be a place that you love to hang out in, light some candles and relax. And remember, the big investments in your house are bathrooms, kitchens and decks, so if you put your money into renovating these areas, odds are you’re going to get it back — if you do it right.
