The Low Budget DIY Bathroom Refurb

[DoubleSix]

4 years ago we bought our family home which had benefited from tasteful refurb work throughout - with the acceptation of the bathroom!

I'm guessing it was last done in the 70's or something as the tiling is horrendous and runs floor to ceiling making this small bathroom feel very claustrophobic.

So, I have limited DIY skills and even more limited resources at present but I do have a fair amount of time on my hands having been made redundant. Rather than go mad through boredom I'm going to have a go at completely refurbing the room with as little financial outlay as possible. This thread should serve a number of purposes:

a) The pros amongst you can point and laugh or chip in with help as you so chose.

b) Fellow DIY amateurs who have considered such a venture can be inspired or warned off depending on my level of success/failure.

c) I can stop boring my wife with updates.


The house is an Edwardian Semi which retains some lovely original features; brickwork, lead windows, original fireplaces so I'm not looking to go super modern just freshen up and bring some light airiness into the room. This could so easily go wrong and result in my public humiliation and loss of man points but fk it here goes...

Jobs I am taking on myself:

- Removal of tiles and retiling
- Removal of sanitary ware and reinstallation
- Rip up floors, level and tile
- Chasing out for towel rail piping

Jobs I'll be farming out:

- Plumbing in of towel rail
- Plastering

Edited by DoubleSix on Tuesday 16th February 18:47

[DoubleSix]

[DoubleSix]

Pulling up lino revealed these beauties and some poorly affixed hardboard. Quality job.

[DoubleSix]

Safe to say this'll need some leveling

[croakey]

Replacing the floorboards or over boarding with ply?

[DoubleSix]

Plan is to use a 6mm backer board followed by some self leveling compound.

[bomma220]

Hi Double Six sorry to hear of your redundancy, I'm sure you're doing the right thing having a bash at a project like this between jobs!

I've fitted Lord knows how many bathrooms over the years, I've had to take early retirement through ill health but if there's anything specific you'd like advice on feel free to ask, (you're welcome to PM me if you prefer to avoid the piss-rippers)

[CoolHands]

Hi. FYI I'd replace the waste pipes with new, too, while it's all exposed.

by the way can you take a better full length pic of the bathroom window - on the assumption it has secondary glazing fitted? If it has, can you tell me - is it aluminium framed; real glass(?), does it open so you can also open the original window?

cheers

[DoubleSix]

bomma220 said:

Hi Double Six sorry to hear of your redundancy, I'm sure you're doing the right thing having a bash at a project like this between jobs!

I've fitted Lord knows how many bathrooms over the years, I've had to take early retirement through ill health but if there's anything specific you'd like advice on feel free to ask, (you're welcome to PM me if you prefer to avoid the piss-rippers)

Thank you, that's very kind indeed sir.

[Sargeant Orange]

What's the plan for storage, looks as if it could be tricky to get a decent amount in?

[48Valves]

Why not have a go at plastering yourself? Whilst it is tricky if you have the time, watch some youtube tutorials an have a go. Might just save you few hundred quid.

[DoubleSix]

CoolHands said:

Hi. FYI I'd replace the waste pipes with new, too, while it's all exposed.

by the way can you take a better full length pic of the bathroom window - on the assumption it has secondary glazing fitted? If it has, can you tell me - is it aluminium framed; real glass(?), does it open so you can also open the original window?

cheers

Will do.

Yes, they are alu, real glass and framed in the same layout as the original outers and slide up and down to allow opening. Shame the fitment is a bit shoddy as they do a good job.

[bomma220]

DoubleSix said:

Thank you, that's very kind indeed sir.

No probs

[vanordinaire]

Have you condidered wallboarding throughout? Something like Wetwall? It's expensive but it looks like a small bathroom and it would do away with the need to tile and replaster and you can DIY.

[DoubleSix]

Sargeant Orange said:

What's the plan for storage, looks as if it could be tricky to get a decent amount in?

Storage is an issue.

I'd love to have that back wall boxed in under the window with storage incorporated into a vanity unit but then things get expensive.

I'm also not sure how you resolve freestanding pedestal style basins and toilet with boxing in tbh...

I guess I'm resigned to some nice solid oak shelves with radius corners from TheFloatingShelfCompany. But it does leave things on display. :/

[48Valves]

Your bathroom looks a similar size to ours.

We have opted for a vanity unit under the sink. It's a bit more expensive but I'm sick of everything being left on the windowsill.

It's worth the extra outlay for a bit of storage.

[CoolHands]

you could go for something like this. This one is quite cheap (£89 for vanity unit & sink, https://victoriaplum.com/product/sienna-white-55-v... + you need the toilet unit too for £69 https://victoriaplum.com/product/sienna-white-back... + BTW toilet and cistern sold separately - admitted;y the one they show is £240 + £40 for the cistern I think; but you could buy a cheaper toilet)

What's your width from bath edge to wall on the right?

[DoubleSix]

Phew, busy day.

A couple of people asked why I was intent on re-plastering and truth is it's one of the only trades I can count amongst my friends and call upon so seems silly pass up.

Really chuffed with what my guy has done here today. He grafted all day to give me this surface and I've just got back from the pub with the fella...

Funny when the chips are down the small stuff seems to mean a lot more, first time I've cracked a smile since Christmas.

Over to me now for the chasing out before tiling floor, gulp!

Edited by DoubleSix on Wednesday 17th February 22:17

[natben]

Following with interest as I just about to do something similar in a flat I get in a few weeks. Good luck with it.

[grimmac]

Good for you getting stuck into this. I'll tackle most things but I don't resent the money I paid a plasterer when we did our extension.

What's the blue tiled boxing in above the toilet?? Can you make a cupboard fit round it rather than tile? Might give you the little bit of space to the right for bog cleaner or loo rolls?