How to renovate and level my bathroom?

Question

I'm thinking of managing a bathroom Reno for my elderly mum's new property but am a complete newbie to renos. How difficult is it to do?

The main issue is the bathroom floor and shower floor are not level. There is also a hob to step over so I'm hoping to make it less of a falls risk.

I'd need to arrange for the flooring to be leveled to create a walk in shower. The unit is on the second floor of a complex with another resident underneath.

I know this is likely to be costly but what sort of tradie does this?

Would this even be possible?

It looks as though the previously was a bathtub in place as there are existing tapware at that level.

EricL · Answer

Hello @debsdiy

Thanks for sharing your question about renovating your mum's bathroom. Levelling an existing bathroom floor is an involved process and if not done correctly could lead to water pooling on your shower floor. It has to have the proper fall and the floor waste must be the correct size so that it will drain properly. It's not something I would recommend as a first time D.I.Y. project.

If you are curious about how much the bathroom renovation will cost, I suggest visiting your local store and speaking to the In-Store Kitchen Specialist. They are quite familiar with the bathroom renovation process. I propose asking them about a bathroom renovation quote and you can tell them about what you want changed in the shower room.

I also suggest bringing the photos and measurements of the bathroom. Making the bathroom safe for elderly use means that all tripping hazards must be removed. Hand holds along the length of the wall will definitely be a must and matt finished tiles to prevent slipping is something you'll need to take into consideration.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Akanksha · Answer

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, @debsdiy. We're thrilled to have you join us and we look forward to assisting you with your home improvement and garden plans.

Thanks for your question on renovating your bathroom. Our resident D.I.Y. expert @EricL will be happy to assist and provide more advice when he's back online on the site later today.

While waiting, I'd recommend reading this Best Advice article: Can you D.I.Y. a bathroom renovation yourself? It contains useful advice on what to consider when self-levelling a bathroom floor. Experienced renovator @Adam_W's guide How to plan a bathroom renovation also includes handy tips that can get you started.

You can also check our Top 10 most popular bathroom projects and 10 ways to transform your bathroom if you're after some project inspiration.

Please keep us updated as your project progresses. We'd love to see the final look you create.

Akanksha