How to Plan a Bathroom Renovation: A UK Order-of-Works Guide

A bathroom renovation goes wrong far more often from poor sequencing than from poor taste. Ordering the wrong item too early, or starting demolition before you've settled the layout, is how projects overrun and budgets slip. Here's a sensible order of works for a UK bathroom renovation, whether you're doing it yourself or briefing a fitter.

1. Set the Layout Before You Choose Anything

Decide where the toilet, basin and bath or shower will sit before you fall in love with any particular product. Moving plumbing runs is the single biggest cost driver in a renovation, so a layout that works with your existing soil pipe and water supply positions will save you money even if it means compromising slightly on the "dream" arrangement.

2. Measure and Plan Properly

Take accurate room dimensions, including door swing, window position, and any sloped ceilings. If you're ordering online, send your measurements to your supplier before you commit to specific products — a vanity unit or bath that's a few centimetres too long is a common and avoidable mistake.

3. First Fix: Strip Out and Rough Plumbing

  • Remove old sanitaryware and tiling
  • Reroute or extend pipework and electrics to the new layout
  • Install waterproofing (tanking) in shower areas before any tiling begins

4. Order Your Products Early, But Not Too Early

Order sanitaryware, showers, baths and vanity units once the layout is fixed and measurements confirmed, ideally with enough lead time that everything arrives before first fix is finished — but don't book your installer until goods have actually arrived and been checked over, since even reliable UK delivery (typically 2-3 working days) occasionally runs into delays.

5. Tiling

Tiling happens after first fix and waterproofing, and before second fix sanitaryware goes in. Wall tiles generally go on before floor tiles in a shower enclosure, so water is directed down and out rather than behind the floor tile edge.

6. Second Fix: Fit the Sanitaryware

7. Snagging and Final Checks

Run every tap and the shower, flush the toilet, and check for movement or leaks around seals before you consider the room finished. Small issues are far easier to fix before furniture and accessories go back in.

A Rough Planning Order, At a Glance

  1. Layout and measurements
  2. Strip out and first fix plumbing/electrics
  3. Waterproofing
  4. Order products
  5. Tiling
  6. Second fix sanitaryware
  7. Snagging

If you'd like a second opinion on your layout or product choices before you order, send us your room dimensions and we'll help you plan it properly — visit our Woodford Green showroom or get in touch through our website.

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