A bathroom renovation typically takes 1-3 weeks depending on scope. Proper preparation reduces disruption, protects your home, and helps the work proceed efficiently. Here's our preparation checklist based on hundreds of London renovations.

Before Work Starts

Alternative Washing Arrangements

You'll be without your bathroom for the duration. Plan ahead:

If you have a second bathroom or en-suite, that becomes your primary facility
If not, consider arrangements with neighbours, a local gym membership, or temporary use of a relative's facilities
For toilet access, we can often install a temporary toilet connection or maintain toilet access during part of the renovation

Clear the Bathroom

Remove everything from the bathroom before work begins:

All toiletries, towels, bath mats, and personal items
Medicine cabinet contents
Mirrors, artwork, and decorations
Any freestanding furniture or storage

Clear Access Routes

Workers will need to carry materials in and waste out. Clear pathways from the front door to the bathroom:

Move hallway furniture, rugs, and fragile items
Ensure stairways are clear if the bathroom is upstairs
Identify where skips or waste bags will be positioned (discuss with your installer)

Protect Your Home

Your installer should lay dust sheets on floors and stairways — confirm this in advance
Remove or cover valuable items near the work area
Close internal doors to contain dust
If you have pets, plan where they'll stay during noisy demolition days

During the Renovation

Week 1: Demolition and Preparation

The noisiest and dustiest phase. Old fixtures, tiles, and fittings are removed. Plumbing and electrical first-fix are completed. Walls are prepared for tiling. This is the most disruptive period — expect noise, dust, and debris.

Week 2: Installation

Waterproofing, tiling, and fixture installation. Less noisy but still requires full access. Tile cutting creates dust — your installer should use wet-cutting methods to minimise this.

Week 3: Finishing

Grouting, silicone application, final electrical connections, and snagging. The bathroom gradually becomes usable. Final clean and handover.

Communication

Establish clear communication with your installer from day one:

How will they access the property each day? (Key, code, or someone home?)
What time will they arrive and leave?
How will decisions be communicated during the project?
Who is the main point of contact for questions?

Practical Tips

Have all fixtures and materials delivered before work starts — delays waiting for deliveries are expensive
Make tile and fixture decisions before the project begins, not during
Accept that the first few days (demolition) are the worst — it gets better
Keep a sense of humour — renovation disruption is temporary, the result is permanent

We provide a detailed preparation guide to every client before work begins. Get in touch to start planning your renovation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stay in the house during a bathroom renovation?

Yes, most people do. If it's your only bathroom, the main challenge is washing facilities — plan alternative arrangements for the first 1-2 weeks.

How much notice should I give before starting?

Book your renovation 4-8 weeks in advance. This gives time for design decisions, ordering materials, and ensuring your preferred start date is available.

What if I need to change something during the renovation?

Changes are possible but may affect timeline and cost. Discuss any changes with your installer as early as possible — changes after tiling are much more costly than changes during preparation.

2026 Update

Refreshed for 2026. Costs, timelines and lead times change year to year, so treat figures as a guide and ask for a current fixed-price quote. Get yours here.

How to Prepare Your Home for a Bathroom Renovation