Bathroom renovation planning checklist: what to decide and when

Bathroom renovations rarely stall because of the building work. They stall because a decision arrives after the trade who needed it. The plumber is ready for rough in but the shower mixer has not been chosen. The tiler is booked but the floor waste is the wrong type. This checklist puts the decisions in the order your trades need them.

Step 1: Measure and record what you have

• Measure the room: length, width and ceiling height, plus window and door positions and the door swing.
• Photograph every wall, the floor and the ceiling, including where pipes and power points sit.
• Note what you want to keep, such as a window or the toilet position, and what can move.

If you would rather have it done properly from the start, book a free measure with our team. Our guide to measuring your bathroom for tiles also helps.

Step 2: Decide the layout

Layout drives cost more than anything else, because moving plumbing means more work. Decide:

• shower position and size, and whether it has a screen, a niche or a hob free entry
• bath or no bath, and if yes, freestanding, back to wall or built in
• vanity width, single or double basin
• toilet position

Our guides on vanity sizes and freestanding baths help with the big pieces.

Step 3: Lock in the products the plumber needs first

These must be chosen before rough in, because they set what goes inside the walls and floor:

1. Shower mixer and outlets, including any diverter and the rough in body. See shower mixers and rail vs fixed showers.
2. Bath and bath filler, especially floor mounted fillers.
3. Vanity, basin and basin tapware, because they set waste and water heights. Wall mixers need their bodies in the wall.
4. Toilet, including the set out distance from the wall to the waste.
5. Floor wastes, including tile insert or grate style, and the shower drainage type. See floor drains.

Step 4: Choose tiles before waterproofing finishes

The tiler needs the tile size to plan falls, layout and how the tiles meet the waste. Large format tiles need a flatter floor, and mosaics suit shower floors with a centre waste. Choose:

• floor tile, wall tile and any feature tile
• grout colour
• trims or mitred edges for external corners and niches

See all tiles and our guide to porcelain, ceramic and mosaic. Tiles are call to order, so allow time for supply.

Step 5: Settle the finish across everything

Choose one tapware finish and apply it to the basin mixer, shower, bath spout, towel rails, robe hooks, toilet roll holder, floor wastes and shower screen hardware. Read the tapware finishes guide for help.

Step 6: Check compliance

Plumbing products used in Australia need WaterMark certification, and taps, showers and toilets carry WELS water efficiency ratings. Waterproofing must be done by a qualified trade to the relevant standard. Ask for specification sheets for every product and pass them to your plumber. Our WELS and WaterMark guide explains what to look for.

Step 7: Mirrors, lighting and accessories

Decide on the mirror or shaving cabinet and lighting before the electrician's rough in, because LED mirrors and shaving cabinets often need a power point behind them. See LED mirrors. Accessories can be chosen later, but buy them in the same finish as the tapware.

Step 8: Plan delivery and storage

• Large items such as vanities, baths and tiles travel by freight and are usually delivered kerbside.
• Have products arrive before the trade who needs them, and check every box on delivery.
• If storage is tight, pickup from our Geelong or Reservoir showroom is usually ready in 2 to 4 days, so you can collect closer to the date.

A typical order of works

1. Strip out and demolition
2. Plumbing and electrical rough in
3. Wall sheeting and floor preparation
4. Waterproofing
5. Tiling and grouting
6. Fit off: vanity, toilet, tapware, shower screen, mirror and accessories
7. Final clean and handover

If you would like one team to look after it, our qualified trades can quote the installation as well as the products, after a free measure. See our renovations page or start a quote request.

Common questions

What should I choose first in a bathroom renovation?

The layout, then anything that goes inside the walls or floor: shower mixer and outlets, bath and filler, vanity and basin heights, toilet set out and floor wastes. These are needed before plumbing rough in.

When do I need to choose tiles?

Before waterproofing and tiling start, so the tiler can plan falls, layout and how the tiles meet the waste. Tiles at Porcelana are call to order, so allow supply time.

Does Porcelana offer installation?

Yes. Installation by our qualified trades is available as a paid service and is quoted for each project. We also offer a free measure.

Shopping from the inner north?

Customers from Preston, Thornbury and Northcote can reach our Reservoir showroom in minutes. Each local page covers drive times, product advice and a free measure. See all areas we serve.

Visit us or shop online

See the range in person at our showrooms: Geelong at 35A Ryrie St, Geelong VIC 3220, phone (03) 5223 2765, and Reservoir at 214 Broadway, Reservoir VIC 3073, phone (03) 9867 5051. Both are open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5:00pm, Saturday 9:30am to 3:00pm, and Sunday by appointment only.

Planning a renovation? Request a quote and a free measure, and ask us to include installation by our qualified trades if you would like it quoted. Prefer to shop from home? Order online with Australia-wide delivery, or pick up from either showroom, usually ready in 2 to 4 days.