Are you planning a bathroom renovation soon? Many homeowners decide their bathroom needs a new look. Others may want to add a second bathroom to their homes. Although many stages of the renovation process may require you to hire a contractor, having a renovation project checklist will help you monitor the project’s progress.

1. When You Choose a Theme for the Bathroom Remodel

Any extensive home project needs a theme, and your bathroom remodel will be no exception. A theme can unify all the rest of your choices. If you’re wondering which design trends are popular in 2023, one of the most used has been bold colors, such as raspberry, turquoise or teal.

If your bathroom remodel includes new tiles, why not select bold colors on the tiles? If you prefer, choose a sink, toilet and tub finished with bold colors. Using a neutral tone with the other features will help the bold color to stand out and give you the energy that color conveys.

If you don’t want to include too many bold features in your remodeled room, select some bold-colored accessories. An area rug or a shower curtain in a bright-colored design might give your bathroom some brightness. Having your children paint a mural on the hamper might be also a fun idea.

2. When You Need to Install a Well

Bathrooms need a water source for the sink, toilet, and bathtub. Establishing that water source is the next item on your renovation project checklist. To get a water source near your home, you’ll need to work with of professionals experienced in water well installation. To create a hole for the well, the team will use one of several drilling methods.

Inside the well, the team will install a barrier around its circumference, called a casing. Casings are often made from PVC, although some are made from steel. The casing is surrounded on the outside with cement or clay, to prevent soil contaminating the well water. On the inner surface of the casing, the team will install a screen to reinforce the structure of the casing.

You should review the team’s construction report once they finish the well. This report should list the depth of the well. It should also note the well’s yield (how much water can be obtained from the well) and the height of the well cap (the part of the well that is visible above the ground.) Check the team’s report to learn whether your well was disinfected.

3. When You Need Septic Pumping

Installing a septic system is the next step on your renovation project checklist. Without a working septic system, solid waste won’t be removed. You’ll have to meet local legal requirements before installing a septic system. You’ll need to obtain a permit from your municipality.

The structures of your septic system are underground in your yard or your basement. A septic system takes the contents of your toilet and pumps it into a water tank. The water tank removes water from the waste. The remaining waste is then taken to a waste processing facility.

Installing a septic system is a complicated process. Unless you have experience installing septic systems and septic pumping, it would be best to contact a professional with appropriate experience in this field. A professional septic contractor can assist you with digging and installing your septic system.

4, When You Need to Drill for Water

Your renovation project checklist should include the services of water drillers. The contractor will select the type of drill to use. One type is called an air hammer drill. Air rotary drilling uses an air hammer to inject pressurized air and water into the site until it removes enough dirt for a well.

Another type of drill is a bucket auger system. These drills are mounted on a truck. This system drills a series of holes into consolidated soil. Drills will cut down into the soil with a rotary motion.

As the rotary drill mobilizes the earth, a bucket is lowered. The bucket is lifted out and emptied when it’s full of soil. Once enough earth is removed, the well can be constructed.

5. When You Need Bathtub Refinishing

Sometimes, you only need to update the appearance of an old bathtub. Refinishing is a good option for old tubs with small cracks. Larger cracks may require replacing the entire tub. A kit of supplies to help you act as a bathtub refinisher can be purchased at home improvement stores.

The next step on your renovation project checklist is to turn off your water supply and remove existing hardware. Place a drop cloth around the tub. Next, remove the caulking and scrub the tub clean. The tub surface must then be thoroughly sanded.

The new surface of the tub will be made from epoxy and a hardener. Some refinishing kits provide a primer to use before applying the surface solution. After the surface has been applied, two final coats of epoxy will be applied with a paint roller. After all the coats of epoxy are dry, you will add caulking and hardware to the bathtub or shower.

6. When You Need Demolition Services

Depending on the age and condition of your bathroom fixtures, you may need to include demolition on your renovation project checklist. Your experience level will determine whether a contractor should do this part of the project. You’ll need to rent a dumpster to dispose of the waste from a demolition project.

During the demolition stage, turn off the water supply before removing any of the fixtures. Begin the demolition of the room by removing supplies from the medicine cabinet or any shelves. Take out the hamper and any rugs or wall art. Remove any remaining water by turning on the faucets and flushing the toilet.

First, remove the sink and toilet. After removing those two fixtures, remove the tiles from the wall and floor. The bathtub and shower are removed last. These jobs will likely require the use of a professional contractor.

7. When You Need Mold Removal

While you are involved in the process of your renovation, you may find evidence of mold infestation. If this occurs, adding mold removal to your renovation project checklist will be essential. If the mold remains after your renovation, it can cause an infection that can lead to severe respiratory problems.

Small areas of mold can be cleaned by using a mixture of half a cup of bleach in a gallon of water. Add a small amount of ammonia-free detergent. Wear rubber gloves when washing any areas with mold infestation. A professional mold removal contractor should remove more extensive areas of mold.

Once all mold has been removed, turn on window fans to dry the room. Then, place a humidifier in the room. The room must be dried by this method for three days. People with chronic respiratory illnesses are advised to use a mold removal service, as working with mold would worsen their respiratory problems if they worked with mold.

8. When You Water Heater Services

Your bathroom sink and the shower or bathtub will need to use hot water. Building a new bathroom will require water heater services. Many communities have regulations in their local plumbing codes regarding the installation of these appliances. Check on these regulations before installing a water heater.

Whether your hot water heater is working well or not, you may want to replace it during the renovation. Hot water heaters are estimated to last 10 to 15 years. Before you remove an old water heater, you need to drain the old tank. A hot water heater project can be complicated because a water heater combines electricity and water.

Be sure that the electricity and water must be shut off before your old hot water heater is removed, and the new one is installed. Without expert knowledge of electrical outlets, your installation could cause a severe problem – such as a fire. Consider hiring a contractor for this step of your renovation project checklist.

9. When You Need a Plumber

All the significant fixtures of your bathroom will need a water supply. In this project, you have already drilled for water and dug a well, so you should have a water source. You’ll need to find a plumbing contractor for the water to go where you need it. If you’re renovating an existing bathroom, the plumber will look at your current system to see if changes need to be made.

Plumbers will remove any fixtures that aren’t functional and will install new pipes. If a new sink, toilet, or bathtub is on your renovation project checklist, the plumber can install these. They’ll also make sure to test the system. They will turn on the sink and shower. They’ll also flush the toilet.

The plumber is also responsible for cleaning the room. If any old pipes or plumbing materials are left over from the job, the plumber will be responsible for disposing of those materials. After completing the project, the plumber should review their work with you. Plumbers should also give you information about how to care for your new bathroom fixtures.

10. When You Need Local Electricians

Whether remodeling your bathroom or building a new one, you’ll need electricity to light the lights and heat the water. As with most other functions on your renovation project checklist, unless you are an experienced electrician, you should hire one of the local electricians in your area. Electrical wiring can result in a fire risk if not correctly installed.

Electricians can perform many tasks during a bathroom remodel. Although you need enough light while you’re in the bathroom, you may prefer recessed lighting over the tub or shower. The higher location of recessed lights can evoke a relaxing mood in your bath or shower.

If you need more outlets in the bathroom, an electrician can safely install them. If you install a bidet, the electrical will provide wiring to help it operate. Your exhaust fan could feature a timer, so you don’t have to wonder when to turn it off. Your dream bathroom will come into perfect focus with the proper lighting.

11. When You Need Concrete Cutting

Your new or renovated bathroom will need a quality floor. One of the most popular materials for bathroom floors is concrete. Concrete is durable and can resist any water spills on the floor. To get a concrete floor for your bathroom, you’ll need a cement mason to cut concrete into the shapes you’ll need.

In addition to a solid piece of concrete for the floor, the worker will need to cut openings for pipes and fixtures. If using concrete is on your renovation project checklist, you’ll need a cement mason experienced in cutting concrete. Concrete floors are often covered by tiles or brick, but they’ll provide a safe and solid foundation for your floor.

12. When You Need to Choose Your Remodeling Team

As you can see by the above list, several tasks must be included on your renovation project checklist. You can find a general contractor who can handle several of those tasks. It’s more likely to work with a team of contractors who are each talented in their field. You’ll need to be the project manager with the checklist.

You may wonder how to choose the right contractors. Personal referrals are often the best endorsement. If a friend or family member has had a good experience, it might be easier to trust them. Ask any contractor you’re considering to provide references and pictures of their past projects.

Before you let them begin their work, ask them to see their licenses or certifications. While you’re interviewing a prospective bathroom remodeler, you’ll know how you feel about working with them. Being skilled doesn’t necessarily make a contractor the best choice for the job. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to them, you may not want to trust them to work in your home.

Your bathroom renovation project checklist may make you feel like your new bathroom may never come together. But, with patience, the right materials, and the help of some contractors, you can have an upgraded bathroom. Even if you’re only in it a few minutes at a time, you owe it to yourself to the bathroom of your dreams.