Who do you need to hire for a bathroom renovation?
Once you have the budget determined for your bathroom renovation, its time to outline all the tasks that need to be done and in what order to help you manage the timeline of your project.
In this article we will walk you through who you need to hire and what responsibilities each tradesman has to complete your job.
A quick rundown on insurance before we start - Make sure whomever you hire carries the correct insurance. Each trade or the GC you hire should carry General Liability insurance usually in the amount of at least 1 million dollars. This protects your home if something is damaged during the project or work is not compliant with standard building code. But what happens if that something that is damaged is the guy himself? This is covered under Workers Comp insurance. Some states, like Illinois, don’t require a business owner to carry workers comp on himself. It is still a good idea to require your trades to have it as it gives you another layer of protection. You are also able to request to be listed as “additional insured” on the liability policy. This lets the insurance company know the contractor is working for you if something should go wrong. These certificates are easy to get copies of, my insurance company can turn it around in an hour or two. Quality contractors have no problem adding your name to it. Ask for it. It is for your own protection!
1. Interior Designer
Ok, a little bias here, but an Interior Designer plays a critical role in the planning of your project and should be the first resource you contact. An Interior Designer will help you build the composition and make the selections so that all your elements come together in the space and connect to the rest of your home. We also help you keep those pesky color undertones in check in your materials– I found this photo online. Can you see that the counter looks yellow and the floor looks pink?
Example photo where undertones are off
This is an expensive mistake to fix. -- well beyond the cost of hiring a designer in the first place.
We help our clients sync their styles, build the functionality they need, and manage the budget for a bathroom reno project. Having all the selections made and on site before the first hammer swings makes the process more efficient. Keep in mind, this step adds to your timeline as it is completed prior to the construction.
2. General Contractor
A GC oversees the implementation of your job. He or she will work directly with you and manage his own group of employees or subcontractors timeline and scheduling. He will be the one to coordinate demolition removal, permit inspections and will be your direct contact with questions or change requests.
What if you’d like to assemble your own team? Sometimes as homeowners we like to use contractors we’ve used in other capacities throughout the years. Managing the job yourself can save you some money (not always) but be prepared to spend a lot of time coordinating the timeline and scheduling. You’ll need to be onsite for permit inspections and deliveries. In addition to managing the scheduling you’ll need to prepare the documents and apply for a village permit. A permit is required for any project working with plumbing or electrical. You want to make sure a second set of eyes confirms the work is done correctly. I’ve heard nightmare stories of homeowners who have had to redo projects to sell their home because of home inspections by the seller – do it right the first time.
Below is the scope of work for each trade.
A. Carpenter
- Demolition – removes existing tile, tub/shower, vanity, mirror, and light fixtures
- Repairs any drywall damage
- Frame in future shower niche
- Installs new bathtub or shower base
- Installs new base trim molding if not tiled
- Installs new shower doors
- Installs new vanity, cabinet hardware and mirror
- Installs accessories – tp holder and towel bars
B. Plumber
- Removes current toilet, tub, tub/shower plumbing fixtures and sink faucet
- Reworks plumbing rough in to accommodate any changes, e.g. adding a hand shower or rain head.
- Relocates drain in shower if changing
- Installs sink, faucet, toilet and tub/shower plumbing fixtures
- Is on site for village plumbing inspection
The carpenter and plumber need to work together to coordinate unhooking the plumbing
fixtures prior to the demolition of the bathroom
C. Tile Installer
- Prepares shower walls for tile. Includes adding vapor barrier to prevent moisture issues
- Pours pan of shower if necessary. (this is where a great tile installer is important to get the pitch of the pan correct)
- Installs shower tile – a designer can help with the design/layout. Otherwise your tile installer will prepare the layout. Ask to see it before he starts to lay the tile.
- Installs floor tile
D. Electrician
- Roughs in wiring for any new lighting or accessories. We’re seeing some lighted make up mirrors and shaving mirrors as well as medicine cabinets.
- Installs new light fixture
- Installs new Exhaust fan –just a tip here – have him make sure that the existing fan is vented to the outside of the home. This will require a visit to the attic. You’d be surprised how many we’ve found where the vent was buried in the insulation. The last thing you need is moisture building up in the attic!
- Updates recessed lighting to LED adding dimmers if requested
E. Painter
I always recommend using a professional painter for any job. If you decide to paint yourself, make sure you use a product formulated for wet locations.
General Timeline
I’m going to help you out with this one – download our “timelines for renovation projects” here:
Click here to download our “TIMELINES FOR RENOVATION PROJECTS” pdf.
This is a great reference guide to help you with the order and how long each task takes. Keep in mind not all these items need to be done sequentially – your contractors can help you prioritize.
If you’d like to read our blog on costs of a bathroom renovation, Click Here.
Good luck
Angie