What to Know Before Starting Your Bathroom Renovation
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If your bathroom could sit you down for a heart-to-heart, it would probably sigh, roll its eyes dramatically, and say something like:
“Listen… I’m trying. I really am. But I am literally one loose tile away from giving up on all of us.”
And honestly? You’d nod because you’ve been thinking the same thing.
Maybe the grout is hanging on purely through emotional attachment.
Maybe the shower temperature changes every time someone sneezes in a different postal code.
Maybe the vanity storage situation is so chaotic you’re one missing hairbrush away from staging a full domestic investigation.
Or maybe — and this is the most common one — you walk into your bathroom in the morning and feel your energy drain right into the floor drain. The lighting is sad, the design is outdated, nothing has a home, and instead of starting your day with a peaceful breath, you start it with a muttered, “I can’t live like this.”
So yes. You’re thinking about a bathroom renovation. And no, you’re not being dramatic.
Bathrooms are tiny emotional ecosystems, and when they don’t work, it affects EVERYTHING — your mood, your morning, your sense of calm, and your quality of life.
This blog will walk you through exactly what to know before you start your renovation… with honesty, humour, and a little tough love when you need it.
No jargon. No lecture. Just truth — the way Multi-Trade does it.
Start With The Problems (Because They’ve Been Trying to Tell You for Years)
No one wakes up on a Saturday and thinks, “You know what sounds fun? Demolition!”
Bathroom renovations almost always start with a problem — or several that have banded together to stage a mutiny.
Some classic “my bathroom is crying for help” signs:
Not enough storage: You’re playing Jenga with towels, toiletries, and hair tools.
A layout designed by someone who clearly didn’t use bathrooms.
Leaks, moisture issues, or plumbing older than your first email address.
Design choices from the 90s… and not the cute retro kind.
You physically cringe when guests ask, “Can I use your bathroom?”
But here’s the part most people miss:
It’s not just the problems that matter — it’s how they make you feel.
Does your bathroom frustrate you?
Make your mornings harder?
Stress you out?
Make you question everything about your organizational skills and your life choices?
Good. Write that down. That means it’s time to get brutally honest about what’s working… and what really, really isn’t.
Before you choose a tile or even think about faucets, grab a pen and make two lists — one for everything that drives you absolutely bananas, and one for the things you genuinely like (yes, even if it’s just “the towel bar is fine, I guess”).
This clarity becomes the backbone of your renovation.
Start with what’s not working. Write it ALL down.
Don’t be poetic — be real. Think about:
Storage you don’t have
Drawers that don’t open properly
The weird layout that forces you to do a three-point turn to get into the shower
Lighting that makes you look like you haven’t slept since 2012
Your shower niche that’s only big enough for a travel-sized shampoo
Anything outdated, awkward, broken, cramped, or inconvenient
This list is gold. It tells you (and your contractor) exactly what your new bathroom MUST fix.
Then write down what you like — because this protects your non-negotiables.
Most people forget this part, but it matters. Maybe you:
Love your current toilet location
Prefer a vanity light over sconces
Like the height of your counter
Want drawers instead of cabinet doors
Actually find your tub comfortable
Don’t want a niche — you want a corner shelf
These are your boundaries.
They matter just as much as the problems you want solved.
Because if a contractor says, “We should move the toilet over here…” and you already know you LIKE where the toilet is?
You can confidently say no.
And if someone insists you should have sconces but you know you hate them with the passion of a thousand suns?
You won’t end up with lighting that irritates you every single day.
Clarity gives you control.
And when you understand:
✔ what frustrates you
✔ what slows you down
✔ what needs to change
✔ what absolutely must stay
✔ what makes you happy
✔ what supports your daily life
…then every design decision becomes easier — and your renovation ends up being exactly what you need.
Create a small inspiration folder — not a thousand-photo Pinterest board that sends you into analysis paralysis. Pick 5–10 bathrooms you genuinely love, then look for common threads. Are they light and bright? Do they have clean lines? Warm wood? Bold colour? This helps you understand your style before you start shopping, and makes design conversations so much easier.
A beautiful bathroom that doesn’t fix your real problems?
That’s not a renovation.
That’s a very expensive band-aid.
Understand the Scope Before You Touch a Tile
A lot of homeowners start with, “We’ll just update the shower and maybe the vanity. How complicated can it be?”
Oh, sweet summer child.
Bathrooms are full of surprises — and they’re usually not the fun kind.
There are three renovation levels, and every bathroom fits into one of them:
1. Cosmetic Refresh
Paint.
Lighting.
New mirror.
Hardware.
Cute, but no plumbing is touched.
(Perfect for “I just need to stop hating this space.”)
2. Mid-Range Reno
New vanity, toilet, flooring, maybe some tile.
(Perfect for “This bathroom and I are fighting.”)
3. Full Gut Renovation
Everything out.
Plumbing updated.
Electrical updated.
Waterproofing redone.
Layout improved.
(Perfect for “Burn it down and start again.”)
Here’s the truth: you do NOT need to know which type you need before calling us.
We assess it, walk you through options, and help you understand where your investment matters most.
If you're still unsure whether your space needs a full renovation or just a cosmetic refresh, don’t worry — most homeowners feel the same way at first. I break down the differences clearly in my blog, Full Bathroom Renovation vs. Cosmetic Upgrade: Which One Is Right for You?
If all of this feels a little overwhelming, that’s completely normal. Planning a bathroom renovation comes with a lot of decisions, and you shouldn’t have to figure them out alone. When you’re ready, we’re always happy to walk you through your options and help you create a space that truly supports your life.
The Budgeting Conversation (Deep Breath… You’ll Be Okay)
Bathrooms are one of the most expensive rooms per square foot to renovate.
Not because contractors are plotting tropical vacations —but because bathrooms require:
Licensed trades
Waterproofing
Tile labour
Electrical expertise
Moisture-resistant materials
Extra inspections
Tiny spaces that take huge effort
What affects your budget?
Plumbing changes: Moving a toilet is like asking the universe for financial chaos.
Tile choices: Large porcelain tile? Lovely. Tiny hand-cut mosaic? Beautiful… and billable.
Fixture quality: Cheap fixtures fail early. You’ll pay twice.
Custom cabinetry: More storage = more happiness = more cost.
Electrical upgrades: GFCI, dimmers, fans… all the good stuff.
Where can you save?
Using beautiful, budget-friendly tile
Keeping plumbing locations the same
Prefab vanity instead of custom
Quartz remnants
Where you should never save?
Waterproofing
Plumbing
Electrical
Ventilation
Installation quality
If you’ve ever seen a bathroom leak, you already know why.
Before you fall down a Google rabbit hole of “how much does a bathroom renovation cost,” save yourself the headache and check out my blog, What Does a Bathroom Renovation Really Cost? It breaks everything down without the fluff.
Design Decisions You Want to Make Before You’re Standing in a Tile Aisle Crying
We've all seen it — the “I’m pretty sure I’ve just blacked out” look people get when holding 12 tile samples under fluorescent lighting.
Design choices come fast and furious during a bathroom reno. Make them early, and you’ll avoid panic-induced decisions like, “Sure, let’s buy the sparkly tile, that seems fine.”
Start thinking about:
Layout: Stay the same? Move things? Add space?
Storage: Tower? Drawers? Custom? Hidden?
Shower vs. tub: Keep? Remove? Both?
Lighting: Layered lighting is life-changing.
Tile: Texture, grout colour, maintenance.
Ventilation: Please… every bathroom deserves a decent fan.
Electrical: Heated floors? Outlets where you actually need them?
Your bathroom should support your life, not work against it.
Pretty is wonderful — but functional is peace.
Permits, Codes & Why DIY in a Bathroom Is… Risky at Best
Bathrooms are the Bermuda Triangle of renovation safety.
Electricity + water + moisture + structure =
“What could go wrong?”
…Everything, actually.
Bathrooms also tend to hide surprises behind the walls — old plumbing, questionable waterproofing, mould, or framing that makes no sense at all. These aren’t ‘bad contractor news moments’; they’re simply part of working in older homes. What matters is having a team that communicates clearly, walks you through your options, and fixes the issue properly, not temporarily.
Licensed trades matter because:
Incorrect waterproofing = mould behind walls
Incorrect electrical = very dangerous
Incorrect plumbing = leaks and expensive repairs
DIY work may void insurance
You don’t need to know the code — that’s our job.
We’ll explain anything you want to understand. No gatekeeping.
If you’re trying to decide whether a project is safe to tackle on your own or if it’s time to bring in a professional, you’re not alone — most homeowners struggle with that line. I break it down clearly in my blog, DIY vs. Hiring a Professional: Knowing When to Call in the Experts.
The Timeline Truth (HGTV Lied to All of Us)
If you watched a show where a bathroom reno was completed in 48 hours…they left out 98% of the process.
Here’s the real timeline:
Demolition
Framing
Plumbing rough-in
Electrical rough-in
Inspections
Insulation & waterproofing
Tile (takes time!)
Painting
Fixture install
Final plumbing & electrical
Finishing touches
Clean-up
This takes weeks, not hours.
And at Multi-Trade, you get regular updates, weekend summaries, and constant communication so you’re never left wondering what’s happening or who’s showing up.
Choosing Materials You’ll Love in 5 Years (Not Just on Instagram)
Your bathroom should age well — like a good wine or a happy marriage.
Questions to ask yourself:
Will this tile make me happy long-term?
Is this flooring safe when wet?
Will this grout colour haunt me?
Will this shower feel good every day?
Material notes:
Porcelain tile = durable, timeless.
Quartz counters = low maintenance.
Good lighting = life changing.
Storage = never optional.
Another thing to keep in mind is product availability. Some tiles, vanities, and plumbing fixtures have long lead times — especially specialty items. Choosing your materials early ensures everything arrives on time and prevents your renovation from stalling mid-project.
The Emotional Rollercoaster (Totally Normal, By the Way)
During a reno, you will have moments when you think:
“Did we choose the wrong tile?”
“Should we have just moved?”
“Why are there so many decisions?”
“Will I ever shower again?”
All normal.
Renovations stir emotions because you want everything to be perfect — and you’re temporarily living in a construction zone.
This is where Multi-Trade shines:
We communicate.
We reassure.
We explain.
We guide.
We show up.
We listen.
Clients choose us because they feel supported — not overwhelmed.
When to Bring in a Contractor (Hint: It’s Earlier Than You Think)
There’s a myth floating around out there that you’re supposed to pick out everything first — tile, fixtures, vanity, paint, lighting — and then call a contractor once you’ve assembled your dream cart.
Buying everything before you’ve even chosen your contractor is like buying ingredients for a five-course gourmet meal before you know what recipe you’re making. It creates stress, adds cost, and almost always leads to surprises you weren’t planning on.
Here’s why choosing your contractor first saves you time, money, and a whole lot of frustration:
Most homeowners don’t realize that certain fixtures only work in certain layouts.
For example, that gorgeous vanity you fell in love with might have deep drawers right where your plumbing needs to go. Suddenly you’re paying to reconfigure drawers or reconfigure plumbing — both avoidable costs if your contractor had measured and advised you first.
We’ve also seen homeowners buy stunning fixtures that were… well… stunningly poor quality. (No names, but if you’ve ever bought a certain big-box store brand and wondered why it didn’t last, you’re not alone.) With the right guidance, we could have saved them the hassle — and in some cases, a few hundred dollars — by recommending a better product that functions beautifully and lasts longer.
And here’s the big one no one ever talks about:
once you’ve bought everything, you want your bathroom started tomorrow.
It’s human nature. The boxes are sitting in the hall, taunting you. The excitement kicks in. The impatience builds. And suddenly, the project feels urgent.
Something most homeowners don’t realize is that good contractors book weeks or even months in advance. Bathroom renovations don’t get squeezed in last-minute, especially if you want quality work. If you know you’ll want your bathroom done by spring, start planning in winter. If you want it done before the holidays, reach out in summer. Planning ahead gives you more control over timing, budget, and product availability — and it keeps the whole process calmer and more enjoyable.
So instead of buying first and waiting, the better order is:
Choose your contractor.
Let them guide your selections.
Then start buying.
This way, you avoid unnecessary returns, unexpected costs, wrong-sized fixtures, clashing layouts, and the heartbreak of realizing your renovation can’t start until there’s actually space in the schedule.
When you meet with us early, we help you make smart decisions, avoid costly mistakes, refine your budget, and choose fixtures that will serve you beautifully for years.
You don't need to have it all figured out.
That’s literally what we’re here for.
The Bathroom You Deserve
Imagine this:
You walk into your bathroom and instantly feel calm.
Everything has a home.
The lighting flatters you.
The shower feels like a warm hug.
Your storage is effortless.
Your mornings run smoother.
Your evenings unwind you.
That’s what a bathroom renovation is really about.
Not tile.
Not fixtures.
Not trends.
It’s about creating a space that supports your life — emotionally, functionally, beautifully.
And when you’re ready to take that next step, we’ll be right there with you… making the entire journey clear, supported, and (dare we say it) even enjoyable.
Your bathroom is one of the most-used spaces in your home, and it deserves to feel beautiful, functional, and calming every single day. If you’re ready to take the next step — whether you’re dreaming big or simply need guidance on where to start — we’d love to help you bring that vision to life.
Click below and let’s begin planning the bathroom you’ve always deserved.
If you’re gathering ideas or looking for more guidance as you plan your renovation, the posts below will help you dive even deeper into design choices, budgeting tips, and smart planning.
