When it comes to making a change in your home, renovations can be intimidating. That is why it is always a good idea to start small, which makes the bathroom an excellent project for first-time renovators. Although it is always fun to make small aesthetic changes – such as a new paint colour or updated fixtures, some bathrooms require work that is more detailed. Plumbing is a major component of a bathroom renovation and can result in costly mistakes if not handled properly.

Call a Professional at the Start

Whether you intend to complete the work on your own or use a professional plumber for the labour, you will be well advised to call in a professional plumber for a pre-renovation consultation. By speaking with the plumber, you will be able to ascertain what features your plumbing system can support. Not only will this save you time and effort, it will also stop you from falling in love with a tub or shower that your home simply cannot have.

In addition to answering your direct questions, a plumber may also be able to foresee other ways for you to save time and money. For example, your plumber will be able to advise you on whether it is worth replacing an old boiler at the same time to accommodate a shower system, which would be more economical to run. They can also let you know which products and fixtures are the highest quality, and which ones create problems.

An electrical consultation with an electrician will also help you save time and money in much the same way. Since plumbing and electrical concerns are often woven together in bathroom renovations, you may want to ask your plumber to recommend an electrician with whom they regularly work. By ensuring that your plumber and electrician are able to work together as a team you can save on labour costs due to the heightened level of coordination. This is because, when it comes to bathroom renovations, many jobs must be completed in the correct order, with the plumber and electrician working through different stages. By ensuring that these two professionals coordinate their efforts, you can save time and money.

More ways to Save Money

With any renovation, the major costs are always associated with professional labour. That is why labour is one of the easiest places to save money. Be careful, however, because although this may seem like an endorsement for do-it-yourself work, completing a task that you are not qualified for can be very costly and dangerous if something goes wrong. Instead, you can save money on labour by taking the time to plan your renovation carefully, taking full advantage of your professionals’ knowledge and skill, and by keeping the electrical and plumbing tasks to a minimum.

For example, instead of rearranging the fixtures in your bathroom, work with the current layout, putting the new sink, toilet, and tub in the same place as they were before. You can also save money by incorporating as many original fixtures into the new design as possible. Unless you have a keen desire for everything to be completely new, a beautiful "new-looking" bathroom can be created on a tight budget by reusing some of the original features. Instead of replacing the entire vanity, consider simply installing a new facet and mirror. These simple and affordable changes can create a very dramatic change without breaking your budget.