Renovating the Bathroom: When Does a Bathroom Need to Be Renewed?

Renovating, Refurbishing or Modernising?

Whether when moving into a new home or after several years in your own four walls: at some point, work will need to be done in the bathroom. There are three main types of measures, each with different aims.

You can carry out the following types of renewal in the bathroom:

• Renovating: the bathroom is meant to look better. Renovation includes all visual and aesthetic alterations.
• Refurbishing: extensive repairs or the rectification of serious damage count as refurbishment – the aim is to restore the bathroom to a proper condition.
• Modernising: if the bathroom fittings are outdated, they can be brought up to date through modernisation. This also includes measures aimed at reducing energy consumption.

Renovating usually involves replacing walls or floors, for example laying new tiles or wallpapering the walls again. This may also include new sanitary fittings as well as new bathroom furniture.

Refurbishing is more complex because water pipes and electrical wiring in particular are renewed. This also makes it necessary to open up the walls. Depending on how old the bathroom is, the work involved may be more or less extensive.

Modernisation also includes alterations that make the bathroom suitable for older people. New heating systems also fall under modernisation measures. Those having a level-access shower or more efficient radiators installed can often apply for funding for this.

When Does a Bathroom Need to Be Renewed?

There is no obligation to refurbish a bathroom. In most cases, however, comprehensive renewal should take place after 20 to 30 years of use.

If, after a few years, you want to give your bathroom a fresh coat of paint in the truest sense of the phrase, then a period of around 10 years is a good guide. However, if you would like a change of colour earlier, there is nothing to stop you. When it comes to renewing a bathroom, the rule is: unless replacement is necessary, you alone decide when and which measures are taken.

How Much Does a New Bathroom Cost?

If you are now wondering how much budget you need to plan for a new bathroom, the not especially helpful answer is: it depends. Namely, on what kind of alterations you want, how much work has to be done, and how expensive the materials, installation and furniture are – in addition to the tradespeople’s labour costs. Even simple washbasin taps can cost under 20 euros or over 1,500 euros. A similarly wide range applies to almost everything that can be done in a bathroom.

Important indicators for the cost of renewing a bathroom are the size of the room and the year the building was built. Smaller bathrooms can accommodate less, so less material is needed, which usually makes the renovation cheaper. The older the house is (or the longer it has been since the last bathroom modernisation), the more expensive the renewal of the bathroom becomes.

Professionals speak of at least 900 euros per square metre when it comes to a complete refurbishment. Of this, around 40% is accounted for by materials and 60% by labour costs. For small bathrooms, you can therefore expect renewal costs of around 5,000 euros. In large bathrooms with high-quality fittings and a comprehensive lighting concept, 45,000 euros is more the rule than the exception.

How Does a Bathroom Renewal Proceed?

If the work involves more than just a new wall colour or putting up new furniture, tradespeople are usually involved in a bathroom renewal. In order to receive a realistic quotation in terms of price and duration, you should think carefully in advance about what is to be done. The first consultation with your contractor will then focus on feasibility. You should allow around six months of lead time so that everything can run smoothly.

1. Once you have agreed on a plan and the bathroom is being refurbished, the process continues as follows: you clear out the bathroom and the tradespeople restore it to its shell condition.
2. Pipes are renewed or installed and electrical wiring is laid.
3. Wet and dry construction work follows: new plaster or partition elements.
4. Underfloor heating (if desired) and screed are laid.
5. Tiles are laid, both on the floor and on the walls.
6. Bathroom ceramics are fitted and sealed.
7. Walls and ceilings are painted.
8. Final installation of the sanitary fittings and lighting.
9. After handover, wait until the following morning before cleaning and using the new bathroom for the first time.

Depending on the size of the bathroom and the extent of the renewal work, it takes about 1 to 2 weeks before you can use your new dream bathroom.

Redecorating the Bathroom Without Renovation

If you want to renew your bathroom with little effort and do not need completely new pipes or sanitary fittings, there are also many options here. Even a new shower head can create a completely different showering experience, including a massage function.

No longer like the tiles? There are special tile paints and tile films that can create a completely new look while keeping the same shape. However, new decoration has the greatest effect. This can mean the wall colour, but a new shower curtain and high-quality towels also bring a breath of fresh air into the bathroom. Replacing old bathroom furniture and accessories is part of this too: new mirrors, towel rails, baskets, vanity units and shelving can completely transform the appearance of a bathroom.