Reference photo: a typical starting point, with dated tiles and original fixtures.
WORK · FROM STARTING POINT TO FINISH
Bathroom renovation work, stage by stage.
An older bathroom may have dated finishes, worn grout, tired surfaces or a layout that no longer suits the household. This page sets out the kind of work involved in taking a room like that from its starting point to a practical, well-finished bathroom. It covers stripping back, preparation, tiling and the final result.
~15 years hands-on · Free on-site assessment · 9am–6pm, 7 days
FIELD · STAGES OF WORK
Four stages every bathroom passes through
Each bathroom is different, but the order of work stays the same. The finishes you see at the end depend on what was found and done in the earlier stages. That’s why I spend time on the room’s condition before talking about tiles. The full sequence, from your first message to completion, is set out in How a Bathroom Renovation Works.
01 · STARTING POINT
Condition first
Outdated finishes, damaged surfaces, worn materials and signs of moisture. At the on-site assessment I note what I can see now and what can only be confirmed once things are opened up.
Reference photo: walls and floor being prepared in a partly stripped bathroom.
02 · PREPARATION
Stripping back
Removing old tiles and fixtures, then preparing surfaces for what goes on top. Any plumbing or electrical work at this stage is done by licensed specialists, and I may coordinate them.
Reference photo: a floor tile being set into notched adhesive.
03 · TILING & SURFACES
Set out, then laid
Tiling, flooring and surface work are where much of my experience sits. Good tiling starts with the layout: where the cuts fall, how the lines meet fixtures, and how the floor and walls read together.
04 · OUTCOME
To the agreed scope
A renovated bathroom with updated finishes and improvements suited to your household, completed to the scope set out in your written quotation.
FIELD · FINISHED RESULT
Restrained, practical and easy to keep clean
A practical renovation doesn’t need to be a showpiece. It’s a room that works every day. That means a sensible shower layout, a vanity at the right height and finishes that are easy to maintain, with tiling done carefully so it still looks right years later.
For a room taken back to the frame and rebuilt, see Complete Bathroom Renovations.
Reference photo: a restrained finished bathroom with a glass shower, tiled walls and a simple vanity.
FIELD · YOUR STARTING POINT
What to note in your own bathroom
Before you get in touch, it helps to walk through the room with these points in mind. Take a few photos as you go. If the room is sound, a minor repair or cosmetic update may be enough. Do You Need a Full Renovation? covers that question in more detail.
Grout and sealant: Is it cracked, discoloured or missing, especially around the shower and bath?
Tiles and surfaces: Are any tiles loose, drummy, chipped or lifting?
Signs of moisture: Is there staining, bubbling paint or swelling at the base of the vanity or nearby walls?
Layout: Does the room still suit how your household uses it, or is something always in the way?
What you’d change: What are the two or three things that matter most to you about this room?
FIELD · ASSESSMENT
Ask about relevant past work when we meet
I’m Ivan Bodnar, an independent home renovation specialist with about 15 years of hands-on residential experience. During the free on-site assessment in Brighton or elsewhere in Melbourne, you’re welcome to ask about work I’ve done on bathrooms similar to yours. We can talk through what was involved and how it might apply to your room.
Because the person assessing your bathroom is the person responsible for the work, you’ll hear the details directly from me. Any pricing is general guidance until the agreed scope is in a written quotation. What Affects Renovation Cost and Timeframe explains why.