What to Expect During Your Bathroom Renovation

Planning a bathroom renovation can feel overwhelming, especially when you're unsure what the process involves or how long each stage will take. At Now Plumbing, we've completed countless bathroom fittings across Liverpool and Merseyside over our 17+ years in the industry, and we understand that knowing what to expect makes the entire experience much smoother.

Whether you're updating a tired bathroom in a Victorian terrace or creating a modern suite in a new build, here's our comprehensive guide to what happens during a complete bathroom fitting.

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Pre-Work Phase

Initial Consultation and Survey

Your bathroom fitting journey begins with a thorough consultation at your Liverpool home. Our experienced team will assess your existing bathroom, discuss your requirements, and identify any potential challenges such as structural issues or outdated plumbing.

We'll measure the space, check water pressure, examine the current pipework, and evaluate electrical installations. This survey is crucial for accurate planning and helps us avoid surprises during the work.

Design and Planning

Working with your ideas and our expertise, we'll finalise the bathroom design. This includes selecting fixtures, fittings, tiles, and discussing any special requirements. We'll also arrange for any necessary building regulations applications if structural changes are involved.

Ordering Materials

Once the design is confirmed, we order all materials and fixtures. Delivery times vary depending on availability and whether you've chosen standard or bespoke items. We coordinate deliveries to ensure everything arrives when needed, preventing delays to your project.

Preparing Your Home

Before we start, clear the bathroom of all personal items and ensure we have access to water and electricity supplies. We'll discuss temporary arrangements for washing and toilet facilities during the renovation.

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Stage 1: Strip Out and First Fix

Demolition and Strip Out

The first stage involves carefully removing your existing bathroom suite, tiles, and any fixtures being replaced. We protect surrounding areas with dust sheets and ensure minimal disruption to the rest of your Liverpool home.

If we're removing a bath, this often requires careful manoeuvring, especially in terraced houses with narrow staircases. Our experienced team knows how to handle these challenges efficiently.

First Fix Plumbing and Electrical

This crucial stage involves:

• Installing new pipework for water supply and waste
• Moving pipe positions if the layout is changing
• Installing electrical cables for lighting, extractor fans, and heated towel rails
• Checking and upgrading electrical installations to meet current regulations

Any structural work, such as removing or building stud walls, also happens during this phase. We ensure all work complies with building regulations and is carried out by qualified tradespeople.

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Stage 2: Building Work and Preparation

Plastering and Preparation

Once the first fix is complete, any necessary plastering takes place. This includes:

• Skimming walls where tiles have been removed
• Creating smooth surfaces for tiling
• Installing any new plasterboard or boarding

We allow adequate drying time for plaster before proceeding to the next stages.

Floor Preparation

Bathroom floors require special preparation to prevent water damage. This involves:

• Installing proper waterproof membranes
• Ensuring the floor is level and stable
• Preparing surfaces for tile adhesive or other flooring materials

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Stage 3: Tiling and Second Fix

Wall and Floor Tiling

Tiling often requires the most time and attention to detail, especially if you've chosen intricate patterns or natural stone tiles. Our skilled tilers ensure:

• Perfect alignment and spacing
• Proper waterproofing around wet areas
• Clean, professional finishing around fixtures

We typically tile walls before floors to achieve the best finish, and allow proper curing time for adhesives.

Second Fix Plumbing and Electrical

With tiling complete, we install:

• Bathroom suite (toilet, basin, bath, or shower)
• Taps and shower fixtures
• Light fittings and switches
• Heated towel rails
• Extractor fans

All connections are tested thoroughly to ensure everything works correctly and safely.

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Stage 4: Finishing Touches

Final Installation and Sealing

The final phase includes:

• Installing bathroom accessories (toilet roll holders, towel rails, mirrors)
• Applying final sealant around baths, showers, and basins
• Fitting any remaining fixtures like shower screens or bath panels
• Final electrical testing and certification

Quality Checks and Handover

Our team conducts comprehensive quality checks, ensuring:

• All fixtures work correctly
• Water pressure is adequate throughout
• Electrical installations are safe and certified
• Tiling is properly sealed and finished
• The bathroom is thoroughly cleaned and ready for use

We'll walk you through your new bathroom, explaining how everything works and providing any care instructions for specialist fixtures or finishes.

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Factors That Can Affect the Timeline

Property Age and Condition

Older Liverpool properties, particularly Victorian terraces, sometimes present unexpected challenges such as:

• Outdated plumbing requiring extensive replacement
• Structural issues needing additional work
• Asbestos materials requiring specialist removal
• Limited access affecting material delivery and waste removal

Scope of Work

A complete bathroom replacement involves multiple trades and stages, whilst smaller projects like shower installations or partial updates require fewer steps and less time.

Material Availability

Whilst we plan carefully, occasionally specific tiles or fixtures may have longer delivery times, particularly for bespoke or imported items. We'll discuss any potential delays during the planning phase.

Building Regulations

If your renovation requires building regulation approval (for structural changes, new electrical installations, or ventilation), this adds time to the planning phase but is essential for compliance and safety.

Complexity of Design

Simple, straightforward layouts progress more quickly than complex designs involving multiple levels, awkward spaces, or intricate tiling patterns.

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Living During the Renovation

We understand that losing your main bathroom is disruptive, especially for families. We work efficiently to minimise inconvenience and can often arrange practical solutions such as:

• Connecting a temporary toilet if possible
• Coordinating work to leave washing facilities available overnight
• Working flexible hours to suit your family's needs
• Providing realistic expectations about when facilities will be unavailable

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Why Choose Now Plumbing for Your Bathroom Fitting

With over 17 years of experience serving Liverpool and Merseyside, we've refined our process to be as efficient and stress-free as possible. Our customers consistently praise our attention to detail, cleanliness, and communication throughout the project.

We're not just in it for the money – we genuinely care about delivering bathrooms that exceed expectations. Our 100+ Google reviews reflect our commitment to quality workmanship and customer satisfaction.

Finance options are available to help spread the cost of your bathroom renovation, making your dream bathroom more affordable.

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Planning Your Project

Every bathroom renovation is unique, and timescales depend on various factors including the size of your bathroom, complexity of the design, and any unexpected issues we encounter. During our initial consultation, we'll provide a realistic timeline based on your specific requirements.

The key to a successful bathroom renovation is choosing experienced professionals who understand the complexities involved and communicate clearly throughout the process. At Now Plumbing, we handle every aspect of your bathroom fitting, from initial design through to final installation, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.

We'll keep you informed at every stage, explaining what we're doing and what comes next. If any issues arise that might affect the timeline, we'll discuss these with you immediately and explain your options.

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What to Expect From Us

Throughout your bathroom renovation, you can expect:

• Clear communication about progress and any changes
• Respect for your home with proper protection and daily cleanup
• Quality workmanship from experienced, qualified tradespeople
• Honest advice about the best solutions for your space and budget
• Flexibility to work around your family's needs where possible

Ready to start planning your bathroom renovation? Contact Now Plumbing today for a free consultation and detailed timeline for your specific project. We serve all areas of Liverpool and Merseyside, bringing our expertise and commitment to quality to your home.

Remember: A well-planned bathroom renovation is an investment that adds value to your Liverpool property whilst improving your daily comfort and convenience.