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How to revamp powder room?

I need to replace my powder vanity as the plastic has a crack in it. I figured I may as well update it all whilst I'm at it. I want to do most it on my own besides the plumbing. My plan is to also install easycraft panels on two side walls, paint and replace the toilet. I've started with some research but want to gain further knowledge from those in the know and who have DIY experience. I'm hoping to do the project over 6 days.

This is my plan along with any questions I still have or seeking advise on which direction to go.

Room measurements

Width: 1015 mm

Depth: 1770 mm

Ceiling: 2330 mm

Door: 725 mm wide, opens inward to right wall

Before starting

Materials, vanity and toilet chosen, delivered and assembled if needed. These are the items I am looking at https://tradelink.com.au/austin-wall-hung-vanity-white-157305/

https://tradelink.com.au/stella-rimless-close-coupled-suite-165746/

Advise needed on best way to go about purchasing materials and ensuring they are the best fit for my powder room without further plumbing work needed. Do I visit showroom and go through plans with sales person and purchase myself or show the above to the plumber, discuss plans and get them to purchase? What is more cost effective and leaves less margin for errors?

Confirm plumber for installation

Day 1 -

Turn water off

Remove current vanity and toilet - seeking advice on whether I should have the plumber do this or save money and do it myself. Tips and tricks for DIY? I have watched some videos on it but open to anyone adding more information.

Remove tile border

Repair gyprock/prime torn paper if needed. Allow for drying time

Turn water back on

Day 2

Install VJ panelling - have watched a few videos on this also from the easycraft YouTube channel. Any others tips on cutting around plumbing would be appreciated.

Fill nail holes

Day 3

Paint prep - sand VJ filler

Paint ceiling

Paint first coat of VJ panelling and back wall (panels will be black with the rest of walls and ceiling white)

Day 4

2nd and 3rd coats of paint for black

2nd coat for white

Cut and paint skirting

Day 5

Install skirting

Fill nail holes and caulk joins

Touch ups

Install new hand towel rail

Day 6

Plumber install toilet and vanity

Chatgpt has given me this list of tools, let me know if there is anything missing or anything not needed. Most things I already own.

CORE TOOLS (YOU WILL DEFINITELY USE)

Cutting & carpentry

Circular saw (Ozito PXC 18V 165mm)

Fine-tooth blade (40–60T, MDF/laminate)

2 × saw horses

Straight edge / long spirit level (as cutting guide)

Quick-grip clamps

2–4 × 300mm

2 × 150–200mm (optional but useful)

Oscillating multitool (Ozito is fine)

Jigsaw (optional, but helpful for cut-outs)

Hand saw (small trims / emergency cuts)

🟠 Fixing & installation

Caulking gun

Nail gun (brad nailer) or hammer + finishing nails

Drill/driver

Drill bits (wood + masonry)

Countersink bit

Stud finder (very helpful for wall-hung items)

Level (600mm minimum)

Tape measure

Pencil / marker

🟡 Plumbing (DIY prep only)

(Plumber does final connections)

Adjustable wrench

Shifter

Bucket

Old towels

Plumber’s tape (thread tape)

Caps

🟢 Painting & finishing

Paint rollers (mini + standard)

Roller trays

Angled cutting-in brush

Paint stirrers

Drop sheets

Painter’s tape

Sandpaper (120, 180, 240 grit)

Sanding block or orbital sander

Filler knife / spatula

Gap filler / caulk

🔵 Safety gear (do not skip)

Safety glasses

Dust mask or respirator (MDF dust!)

Hearing protection

Gloves

Thank you in advance and for making it through my lengthy post. 😀

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Accepted answers

All comments

JacobZ

Hi @Raelisa6,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

The first thing I'll say is well done with the planning so far. You have certainly put a lot of thought into it, and the sequence of events is logical, and the timeframe is not unreasonable. The next thing I'll say, speaking from experience, is to never expect everything to go to plan. There's a reason you always hear about construction projects going over time and over budget, and it is because things never truly go exactly to plan. Don't become disheartened if things don't go as smoothly as you'd hope; there are always unexpected things that come up, and it is just part of the process.

When it comes to plumbing, my suggestion would be to contact a plumber and have them come out to quote on the entire job, including the removal of the existing fittings as well as the supply and installation of the new ones. There are a few reasons for this.

The first is that your basin is hard plumbed with no isolation valves, which means once those taps come off, there is nothing to stop the water from flowing out of them. If you are hoping to use water anywhere else in your house over the course of the project, these pipes will need to be capped, which is something you will need the assistance of a plumber with.

The second reason you should have a plumber come in at the start of the job is that it is extremely unlikely that your new plumbing fixtures will line up perfectly with the existing pipework. It is going to be much easier if they are involved in the removal of the old, as they will have an idea of what alterations will need to be made when they go to install the new fixtures and can be prepared based on this prior knowledge. They can also give you guidance on what you can do while sheeting the walls to make their job as easy as possible.

The easiest way to go about getting your new plumbing fixtures is to have the plumber do it for you. If they know what they are installing before installing it, they will be able to prepare accordingly. There's also a good chance they can get them for cheaper than you can.

I completely understand that plumbers are expensive and you are trying to reduce the amount of work they will need to do, but from experience, having done a lot of sheeting work around plumbers, if you aren't on the same page, there's a good chance you will be working against each other. This usually means you will both have to do extra work, which in their case will result in a higher bill. The easiest way to ensure you are on the same page is to speak with them, ask questions and listen to their advice. If you frame your questions around how you can make their job as easy as possible, they will definitely appreciate it, and it will make both of your lives easier.

Looking at the overall plan, everything else looks good and is in a logical order.

In terms of tools, I've had a good look and only have two things to note: the first is that the plumber will be doing all the plumbing work, so don't worry about getting any of these things if you don't already have them; the plumber will have them. The other thing is that a hole saw set is going to be worth grabbing, as it will give you the cleanest circular cutouts in your VJ sheeting for pipework possible.

Allow me to tag our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @Noyade to see if they have anything to note or thoughts that they can share.

Please let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

Dave-1

Good Evening @Raelisa6

Thats a nicely layed out list. It shows that you have stepped through processes in your mind. I have done the same for various projects I have built over the years 🙂

Have you done any reno work before? I am trying to guage what level of knowledge you have with installs?

I would definently get a plumber out for removal, capping the pipes temporarily and intsalling new ficture in. As @JacobZ has mentioned they will also be a good sounding board for how/what you are wanting. I would suggest to get isolation taps installed for the vanity if they fit as it makes life easier down thetrack for changing washers or changing units.

Your list may appear daunting at first (My eyes did go Ohh) but when you break it down it works well, I would pick maybe one or two points in your install list as "pauses" just to catch you breath and reassess if needed. I call mine "dragging my feet" points 🙂 My latest "drag my feet" point was installing some rails on new posts I have installed.

I would suggest to get the plumber to purchase the parts, they will have better pricing then what will be given to you. Plus they know how to install things correctly.

One last question 🙂

Have you marked out on the floor with tape or even made a cardboard shell that is the same size as the new vanity you want? I know my mums new vanity feels a lot different moving around so its just a check to see if you like the spacing. 🙂

Dave

Nailbag

Hi @Raelisa6

As @JacobZ has already acknowledged, nice work on the thought process you have put in.

There are though a few things still to consider in the plan of attack that could also save considerable expense. But rather than go through them all up front in detail, some of which @JacobZ has Already highlighted, here are just a few additional initial thoughts.

1. Have you considered a space saving integrated toilet and vanity?

2. Though you can disconnect and remove your existing plumbing fixtures, you legally can’t reconnect anything or do the behind the wall pre-plumbing rough in.

3. Don’t pre-purchase the ai generated tools and materials list up front as there are quite a few items not required and a few missing.

4. Do you intend to fasten the VJ panel over the side plasterboard or in replacement?

From experience, especially in small spaces panel walls work better as a feature. In other words use it only on the back wall and keep the sides plasterboard.

5. Involve the plumber at the planning stage. But buy the fixtures yourself as he will very likely load a margin on top of

6. Avoid skirting in a wet space. Replace the row of tiles with new if you’re taking them off. At the very least ensure the skirting is primed hardwood.

Nailbag

Jason

Let me also extend a very warm welcome to the community @Raelisa6. We're looking forward to seeing how you transform your powder room.

Just thought I'd add a helpful resource for you and the benefit of other readers: How to plan a bathroom renovation.

Great job so far.

Jason

Raelisa6

Thanks @JacobZ for the reply. Seems the way to go to the plumber involved from the start.

Raelisa6

Besides levelling a concrete slab and installing some flooring and skirting this will be the first big job I've done.

Definitely taking on the advice to get the plumber involved from the start.

I have marked out the vanity but do like the idea of doing it in cardboard to move around it for a while. Thanks so much for the reply.

Raelisa6

Thank you for the reply some new things to think about.

1. I have thought about the integrated vanity and toilet but decided not to go for it as I run a family daycare from my home and this is the bathroom the children use along with my family. I didn't like the idea of a young child being able to reach the sink at the toilet and often especially with toilet training children there is usually one washing hands and one going to the bathroom 😆

2. Yes was definitely not going to do that. Was leaving that up to the experts.

3. Thanks for the tip. What tools do you think might be missing?

4. I'm hoping to go over the plasterboard. The back wall will have an artwork painted on it, so it will be the feature wall. I didn't mention this in the project as this is not time sensitive and can be done at a later date. But may do a mock up just to make sure it does look ok. Thanks

5. Thank you.

6. Good point. I do hate the cleaning of the tile border as the edge is so thin in contrast to skirting which I can just run a mop over. That was why I was wanting to get rid of it. Probably feel more confident installing skirting since I've done it before and not tiling but will give it some more research.

EricL

Hello @Raelisa6

Let me tag @Nailbag to make them aware of your response. Looking at your tool list, it appears complete and will be sufficient enough to do the project.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Nailbag

Hi @Raelisa6

I think just wait until you have decided on a plumber and work out how much you want them to do. Sometimes it's simply faster and cost effective on a small project like this to let the trades just do their thing. But ask them what can you do to speed the process up and make it more cost effective form your side.

Nailbag

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