Help & advice
Tips for surviving a bathroom renovation
It's not often a fun experience living at home while your bathroom is being renovated – here are our tips to staying fresh and stress-free!
Be prepared with toiletries
Have dry shampoo and shower gel on hand. Consider using a bowl of hot soapy water for bed baths, especially for young children who might not mind going without a bath for a short period.
Join a gym for convenient showers
Some gyms offer 24–hour access, allowing you to shower whenever suits.
Have a backup plan
Prepare for potential delays by setting up a temporary wash station in your utility room or kitchen. A jug and wash basin can be useful, especially for families. Temporarily relocating your bathroom products to a makeshift station helps maintain a sense of normality.
Follow advice from the trades
Always follow the advice of professionals, even if it means temporarily avoiding the use of your bath or shower during specific drying periods. Ignoring their recommendations could damage your newly renovated bathroom. Patience is key – wait for the go–ahead before resuming regular use!
Keep the work area clear
- Use tarps and zipper doors to protect surfaces from dust during the renovation
- Keep pets away from the construction zone to ensure their safety and minimise disruptions
Or move out…
Not always a cheap option, but if you have friends or family you can stay with, getting away from the house for a period of time can help. Alternatively, consider Airbnb, hotels, or short-term rentals, or take a holiday (with an agreed way of keeping on top of any questions while you are away)!
- Avoids the stress of living in a construction zone and the challenges of finding ways to keep clean
- Potentially saves money by preventing project delays and reducing on-site safety expenses (depending on the cost of wherever you might be staying)
- Ensures the safety of your family, especially thinking about young children and pets
- Moving out also helps ensure a healthier living space, allowing time for thorough cleaning
Frequently asked questions
Can you live at home during a bathroom renovation?
Yes, many people do, especially if you have a second bathroom. If not, it usually means setting up temporary washing arrangements and planning around the work.
How do people shower during a bathroom renovation?
People normally use gym memberships, friends or family bathrooms, work facilities or temporary shower setups (around the kitchen sink?!) during a renovation. You can also plan renovations around holidays or short stays away.
How long are you usually without a bathroom during a renovation?
It depends on the project, but most bathroom renovations leave you without a fully working bathroom for at least 1 to 2 weeks, sometimes longer if structural or more plumbing work is involved, like moving the toilet.
Should I move out during a bathroom renovation?
Not necessarily, but it can make things easier, especially if you only have one bathroom or have young children or pets. Some people choose to stay elsewhere during the messiest stages.
How messy is a bathroom renovation?
Bathroom renovations are usually dusty and disruptive, particularly during demolition and tiling. Protecting nearby floors and sealing rooms helps reduce the impact on the rest of the house.
What should I do before bathroom renovation work starts?
Clear the room completely, move toiletries somewhere accessible and think through temporary washing arrangements before the bathroom is taken out of use.
Can I use the toilet during a bathroom renovation?
Usually not once demolition and plumbing work begins. The toilet is often disconnected for part of the project until installation is complete.
What is the most stressful part of a bathroom renovation?
For most people, it is losing the normal day-to-day routine of washing and getting ready, especially in homes with only one bathroom!
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You'll want at least 700mm of clear floor space in front of your basin, toilet, shower, or bath - basically enough room to use them comfortably.
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Where to start planning a new bathroom
What is the to do list? What should I work out first, what comes later?
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Why moving a toilet is a big decision
It will add to the overall time required to complete the project, which, in turn, increases the cost.
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What needs to be decided before first fix?
Pipes and cables are installed inside walls and floors, so changes become expensive and disruptive.
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What needs to be waterproofed in a bathroom?
Tiling a bathroom does not make it waterproof. The waterproofing sits behind the visible finish and protects the structure of your home.
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