If you are one of the lucky homeowners with more than one bathroom then scheduling your next bathroom project may not be much of an issue because if one of your baths is temporarily out of commission you can always use the other.

However, if your only bathroom is in dire need of an upgrade then creating a detailed timeline will speed up the process so that you can get your remodelled bathroom up and running in no time with minimal disruption of service. Preparing a schedule for your bathroom project will not only establish a date for completion, it will also allow you to better negotiate contracts so that you can more appropriately schedule your time. The first initial step in establishing a project timeline is to figure out the sequence of construction that is needed to meet your remodelling goals. While the size and scope of most bathroom remodelling projects differ considerably depending upon what you want done in your bathroom, there are four general phases that the typical bathroom renovation goes through. Preconstruction, demolition, preparation of the space and the installation of fixtures and surface finishes and materials, all take time and you must estimate the time needed to complete each step. If this schedule is done correctly, it will establish a logical sequence of events to guide you as well as help to give your bathroom a sense of professionalism and finish.

When planning out the details of your new bathroom you must be as vigilant as you would when choosing the major fixtures for the room. The first stage to scheduling your bathroom project is the “preconstruction” phase. This is a particularly important phrase because it is here that you establish the timeline and arrange the financing for the whole bathroom remodelling project. Initially you must finalize the bathroom design that works best for you. Contact potential contractors to get bids so you can work out some kind of estimate to fit within your budget and hire contractor(s) based upon availability and expertise. Also in this preconstruction phase when scheduling your bathroom project it’s a good idea to order any time sensitive materials and fixtures so that they will arrive on time when they are needed to be installed. Having a waste removal plan in place, if you are doing major reconstruction, just makes sense. Some home improvement stores will even will loan/rent you a bin which they will take away to be recycled when your renovations are finished. And lest we forget, get the necessary permits needed before you even begin construction from your local municipal authorities.

Transfer the estimated time needed for each job to a calendar so you can establish a sequential timeline by recording the start and finish time of each task. Remember that some tasks can be done simultaneously while other tasks must be done before you can complete the next. With this in mind, you should contact the necessary supplier of materials to find out the lead time for delivery of fixtures, cabinets, and tile or floor coverings. All things considered you must adjust your schedule to coincide your timeline with the delivery of the necessary materials.

Of all the stages in scheduling your bathroom project, demolition is the most fun because you get to break and rip things out but it can also be one of the most dangerous phases if precautions are not taken. Safety here is paramount. Wear protective clothes and eyewear. Turn off the electricity and water to your bathroom and remove all moveable items. Try to establish a protective barrier to seal off your bathroom so that dirt and debris will not be trafficked throughout the rest of your home and have bins for the removal of debris and storage materials readily available. Anything that will get in the way of your reconstruction efforts must go. If that includes shelves or built-in storage units such as vanities and countertops, then they must be removed. And don’t forget about trim, mouldings and electrical fixtures.

Whether this part of scheduling your remodelling project is done by you or a qualified contractor will all depend upon your expertise and your sense of adventure but be realistic about your limits before you attempt any reconstruction tasks especially when it comes to plumbing and electrical work. At this stage you may have to alter walls or repair a floor if necessary. Installing a new fan, heating and ventilation, roughing in plumbing or wiring or even installing a new door, vanity, shower or tub are all part of preparing your bathrooms space. This is also a good time for painting walls ceiling and installing trim. If you are doing any plumbing or electrical work, make sure you get these inspected by a certified professional.

The last stage of scheduling your bathroom remodelling project is to install finished materials, new fixtures and detail such as baseboards to give a finished air to your bathroom. Cabinets, countertops and backsplashes along with a new faucet or washbasin are finishing touches to a new bathroom and also ensure your plumbing system is working properly. The installation of lighting fixtures, switches and other electrical fixtures, allow you to test electrical systems for safety. At this time in the project you can also touch paint and remove stains and blemishes while cleaning up and removing left over trash and debris. Since this is the final stage in scheduling your bath project, get all necessary final inspections before you open up your bathroom to the rest of the family.

Plan to solve bathroom problems before they actually happen. When establishing a schedule for your bathroom project you have to establish a timeline based upon availability of materials and your contractors schedule to create milestones along the way to check your bathroom projects progress. If you have to put a deposit on an item that needs to be ordered in, make sure there is a clause in the receipt that stipulates that the deposit is refundable if the established delivery date is missed.


Platinum Taps & Bathrooms are UK specialists in luxury bathroom accessories such as steam showers, steam shower baths, whirlpool baths, roll top baths and much more for the home.

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About the Author:
37 year old male.

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