What order should I follow for a bathroom renovation?

Great question — bathroom remodels are tricky enough, but when it’s your only bathroom, minimizing downtime is everything. Let’s break this down into logical order of operations and who you’ll need for each step so you can plan efficiently. --- Recommended Order of Work 1. Preparation & Demolition - Remove tiles (floor and wall). - Take out bathroom fixtures (toilet, sink, tub/shower). - Trades: General contractor or demolition crew (sometimes plumbers help disconnect fixtures). 2. Structural Changes - Move the internal stud wall back 30 cm to square off the room. - Trades: Carpenter or general contractor. 3. Openings in External Wall - Replace the window. - Install the ventilation fan (cutting through the external wall). - Trades: Window installer for the window; HVAC contractor or electrician for the fan. 4. Electrical & Plumbing Rough-ins - Install new lights (rough-in wiring). - Adjust plumbing for new fixtures (if locations change). - Trades: Licensed electrician and licensed plumber. 5. Plastering / Drywall - Patch walls and ceiling after structural/electrical/plumbing work. - Trades: Drywaller or plasterer. 6. Tiling - Tile walls and floor. - Trades: Tiler (sometimes general contractors handle this too). 7. Fixture Installation - Toilet, sink, vanity, tub/shower, etc. - Trades: Plumber (for water connections), carpenter (for cabinetry/vanity). 8. Final Electrical - Install light fixtures, switches, fan cover. - Trades: Electrician. --- Who You'll Need (and How to Coordinate) - General Contractor (GC): If you want one point of contact, hire a GC. They’ll coordinate demolition, carpentry, tiling, plastering, and sometimes even window replacement. - Specialists you’ll still need: - Plumber: Disconnect/reconnect fixtures, rough-in new plumbing. - Electrician: Rough-in and final install of lights, fan, outlets. - Window Installer: Replace the window. - HVAC/Electrician: Ventilation fan install (sometimes electricians handle this fully). - Optional: If you don’t hire a GC, you’ll need to schedule each trade yourself in the order above. --- Minimizing Downtime (Since It’s Your Only Bathroom) - Pre-order all materials (tiles, fixtures, window, fan, lights) so trades aren’t waiting. - Schedule trades back-to-back: - Demo → wall move → window/fan → rough-ins → plaster → tile → fixtures → electrical finish. - Temporary solution: If possible, arrange a portable toilet or shower access elsewhere during the 1–2 weeks of heavy work. A GC will be able to handle all the pieces to ensure a hassle free renovation.

This is a job for a bathroom specialist. Usually the large box stores have a well vetted list of specialty contractors. Our rules were 1: working toilets at end of each day 2: no more than 3 days without usable showers 3: new flooring always protected from other construction debris

1. Planning & Measurements • Finalize layout • Choose fixtures (toilet, vanity, tub/shower) • Measure everything • Order materials Tip: Have all fixtures on-site before starting demo. 2. Demolition • Remove old vanity, toilet, tiles, tub/shower • Remove drywall where plumbing/electrical will change • Protect the floor outside the bathroom 3. Rough Plumbing • Move or replace water lines • Install/adjust drain lines • Set up shower valve and tub drain • Prepare toilet flange height • Install niche framing This MUST be done before closing walls. 4. Rough Electrical • Add/move lights • Fan wiring • Vanity light wiring • Backlit mirror wiring • GFCI outlets 5. Framing Adjustments (if any) • Fix rotten studs • Add new studs or blocking for: • Vanity • Grab bars • Shower door • Niche • Towel bar 6. Insulation • Soundproofing (optional but nice) • Exterior wall insulation (required) 7. Drywall / Cement Board • Green board for dry areas • Cement board (Hardie/Durock) for shower/tub • Tape + thinset seams in shower areas • Regular mud for drywall seams outside wet areas 8. Waterproofing • Use RedGard, Kerdi, or similar membrane • Waterproof niche, corners, screw holes • Apply 2 coats minimum This is one of the most important steps. 9. Tile Installation • Floor tile • Wall tile • Shower walls • Tile niche • Caulk corners (don’t grout corners) 10. Grouting • Grout all tiled surfaces • Seal grout (if not epoxy) • Clean haze 11. Paint (before installing fixtures) • Prime drywall • Paint walls & ceiling Avoid painting after fixtures—it causes drips and scratches. 12. Install Fixtures • Toilet • Vanity + sink • Faucet • Shower fixtures • Mirrors • Towel bars + accessories 13. Shower Glass Installation • After tile is fully cured • Takes 1–2 weeks for custom glass 14. Final Plumbing & Electrical Connections • Install light fixtures • Connect fan • Test everything for leaks 15. Silicone & Finishing Touches • Silicone around tub, shower base, vanity sides • Add trim • Touch-up paint • Clean

For a bathroom like this, the proper order is: 1. Remove tiles & fixtures 2. Replace the window 3. Install the ventilation fan 4. Move the stud wall 5. Plumbing & electrical rough-ins 6. Drywall/plaster 7. Tile the bathroom 8. Install new fixtures 9. Install new lights A general contractor can coordinate everything, including the plumber, electrician, carpenter, tiler, and window installer. This keeps the bathroom out of use for the shortest time.

Hi there, Great question — bathroom renovations can be confusing, especially when the space is small and several steps need to be done in the correct order. Here is the proper sequence to make sure everything is done efficiently and without mistakes: 1. Demolition Remove old tiles Remove old fixtures (toilet, vanity, tub/shower) \Remove drywall if needed Open walls for plumbing & electrical 2. Plumbing rough-in Move or replace water lines Move the drain if needed Install new shower valve Prepare connections for new fixtures 3. Electrical rough-in Install or move light switches Add new lights (pot lights, vanity lights) Install a new exhaust fan Move/add outlets (GFCI) 4. Framing adjustments Move the wall 30 cm as you planned Prepare any framing needed for new layout Close exterior wall openings if the fan or window was moved 5. Insulation & vapor barrier Exterior walls must be insulated Install vapor barrier for moisture protection 6. Drywall installation + taping Install moisture-resistant drywall Tape/mud the seams Sand smooth 7. Waterproofing Waterproof shower/tub area (RedGard, Schluter, etc.) Ensure all corners and seams are sealed 8. Tiling Install wall & floor tile Grout Seal if required 9. Painting Paint ceiling and walls 10. Install fixtures Toilet Vanity Shower/tub hardware Lights Mirror Accessories (towel bars, shelves, etc.) 11. Final plumbing & electrical connection Hook up water Test everything Clean up 🛠 Who you need for each step: Demolition / Framing / Drywall / Tiling: General contractor Plumbing: Licensed plumber Electrical: Licensed electrician Ventilation: HVAC technician Finishing: General contractor If you’d like, I can help you with the full renovation — demolition, framing, drywall, tiling, and installation — and coordinate the licensed plumber and electrician for you. Let me know if you’d like a free in-home estimate.

A good bathroom reno is all about the right order, otherwise you end up tiling twice and crying once. 😄 Here’s the clean, efficient sequence: Demo – Remove tiles, fixtures, and anything that’s coming out. Framing – Move the internal stud wall and prep the opening for the new window. Window installation – Get that exterior window replaced while the walls are open. HVAC / Ventilation – Install the new exhaust fan and exterior vent. Electrical & Plumbing rough-ins – Lights, switches, outlets, and any plumbing adjustments. Drywall / Plastering – Close it all up and get walls smooth. Tile work – Floors and walls. Fixture installation – Toilet, vanity, tub/shower hardware, accessories. Final electrical – Install lights and connect everything safely. Who to hire? • A general contractor can manage all of this (much easier for you). • If hiring separately: – Window installer for the new window – HVAC tech for the fan – Electrician for wiring – Tiler for tile work – Plumber for fixtures – Drywaller for plastering – And someone patient for when you change your mind about tiles. 😄