Bathroom renovation checklist: from first quote to handover

Before requesting quotations

Write a brief covering what you want to replace, what you want to keep and what does not work in the current room. Include dimensions, photographs, your area and preferred timing. State whether the home will be occupied and whether it has another usable bathroom.

SONAS recommends starting bathroom planning with your requirements and available space. Use that first discussion to separate essential changes from optional finishes.

Before accepting a quotation

Check the written scope, supply responsibilities, exclusions, payment stages and expected sequence. Ask who coordinates the different trades and who your day-to-day contact will be. Clarify how access, protection, waste and final cleaning are handled.

For electrical work, discuss the appropriate contractor and documentation. The CRU’s homeowner guidance is linked below. Do not assume a general renovation quote answers every certification question.

Before the first day

Confirm that the specified fittings and materials are available and suitable for the agreed layout. Discuss delivery storage and avoid leaving valuable items in the work area. Agree how the team enters the home and when facilities will be unavailable.

Ask for an indicative programme tied to the actual products and preparation requirements. A fixed online claim that every bathroom takes the same number of days is not a reliable schedule for your property.

During the work

Keep decisions in writing, especially when a product is substituted or additional work becomes necessary. Ask for the cost and programme impact before agreeing a change. Choose a regular communication time so questions are resolved without repeated interruptions.

At handover

Walk through the room with the contractor and record any outstanding items. Ask for demonstrations, care instructions, product warranties and relevant documents. Confirm when surfaces and fixtures can first be used or cleaned according to the products installed.

Keep the final specification and receipts together. To start your own project, send your brief through the quote button and tell us which decisions you have already made.