13 Ways to Save a Lot of Money on Your Bathroom Reno… and 9 Places You Should Never, Ever Skimp on Quality
Looking to save money on your bathroom renovation without sacrificing quality? You’re in the right place. In this post, we’ll show you 13 smart ways to keep costs down while still getting the bathroom you want. But be warned—there are 9 critical areas where cutting corners will cost you more in the long run. Let’s dive into where to save and where to invest to get the most out of your bathroom reno.
1) Tile and Material Finishes - Stick to cost-effective finishes instead of high-end luxury options. These can still look great, but only if set out properly and laid by a great tradesman. What suppliers may not tell you is that natural stone also needs to be sealed—normally by dipping each tile in a sealer—which obviously adds a process and increases cost and time.
2) Tile Sizes and Tile Layouts: Yep, tiles feature twice in this list for a reason. The last point talked about the finish and the material the tile is made from, whereas here we’re exploring shape and size. Standard-sized tiles are significantly easier—and cheaper—to install compared to large-format or intricate patterns. Simple layouts can reduce labor costs. Oversized slabs and large-format tiles are amazing but can explode the budget because they cost so much more per m2 to install—sometimes multiple times more.
3) Fittings and Fixtures: Opt for mid-range over designer or high-end luxury options. Honestly, the difference in quality and function is so small these days. My personal experience is that ultra-high-end designer fittings don’t break any less often than good mid-range alternatives, so it’s like buying an Italian sports car. Do it because you love it, but not for everyone.
4) Light Fittings - Here again, mid-range options are 90% of the function for as little as 10% of the price of the high-spec options. Having said that, it is important to get the layout and the temperature of the light right—that’s why you will see lighting in both the "where to save" and "where not to save" columns—which may seem confusing, sorry…
5) Delete In-Wall Cisterns: If budget is a concern, avoid in-wall toilet systems and wall-hung toilet pans. These require additional framing and add complexity to the installation, which adds to the overall cost of supply, management, preparation, and installation.
6) Custom Vanities and Storage: Instead of custom-built vanities or cabinetry, consider ready-made options that fit your space and style, often way more cost-effective. But… only if they work. If you can’t get one that’s just right, don’t compromise the quality of the space—not worth it! But you can look at off-the-shelf or flat-pack cabinets with a custom benchtop as a great option.
7) Use Laminate Boards Over Natural Stone - If you had told me to use laminate benchtops in your bathroom 10 years ago, I would have flat-out refused. It would always be a problem. The advances in laminate technology have been massive—not only do they look amazing with a huge selection of finishes, but they are also extremely durable and maintenance-free.
8) Do Less - Consider simple cosmetic upgrades instead of a major renovation, like replacing fittings such as tapware, faucets, or a new benchtop. Ask yourself, do the tiles and the bathtub really need to be changed? Usually, the answer is yes, but not always, and we can be distracted by the ugly things that are happening. I once renovated my sister's bathroom for $900 when she was selling her apartment—she couldn’t believe how amazing it looked. How was this possible? I replaced all the tapware, towel rails, and light fittings, and removed the mouldy glass panel with grey seagulls on it—yep, you know the one. Maybe we also cleaned up some grout, but that's it, and it looked great. She was kicking herself for not having done that when she first bought the place.
9) Do More - You might be wondering, what is this all about? The last point said to do less, and now you’re saying do more? So the point needs to be made that if you are doing one bathroom, you may as well do two or more. There are economies of scale, particularly if you use the same fittings and finishes. As we discussed in (link to other blog), there are numerous trades that have to come multiple times. Whether they do one bathroom or two is marginally different, particularly for trades like waterproofing, where really you’re paying for a guy to drive to your place.
10) Delete Shower Screens: That’s right! I said delete! Even if they are on the drawings—just don’t install them and see what happens—you might be surprised. Your bathroom may feel more spacious, and a little bit of water always gets on the floor outside the shower one way or the other, but if your tiler did a great job it shouldn’t matter too much (never skimp on tilers). In some places, you obviously can’t do without glass, but again consider a simple panel that you walk around rather than wall-to-wall glass with an awkward swinging door. Glass is one thing you can always do later—it’s the very last piece of the puzzle when it comes to bathroom completion, or even two years later.
11) Floor Heating: While heated floors are luxurious, all up, it will cost a couple of grand. If you're on a budget, you might opt to skip this feature or limit it to high-use areas like the master bathroom. Having said that, it’s so nice to have a warm floor when you get out of the shower in the middle of winter, and it helps keep your bathroom dry. I’ll be honest—it’s a hard one to let go of ;)
12) Wall Finishes: Instead of fully tiling all walls as a default, consider using tiles only in wet areas or selected walls (like the shower) and painting the remaining walls with moisture-resistant paint.
13) Delete Strip Drains - Again, if you have a great tiler, you can achieve adequate falls and seamlessly integrate smart wastes (wastes with an infill tile) without the need for strip drains or awful mitre cuts in the tile. It all comes down to planning and setting out. If you don’t have a good tiler, then… just get a good tiler.
Where You Shouldn’t Compromise:
1) Designing a Great Space That Feels Just Right: This might be a recurring theme in our blog posts, but if you only get one thing right, it’s the space and how it feels. At Ballast Point, we deep dive into the life and habits of our clients to really understand what they need from a bathroom.
2) Workmanship Quality: Skilled labour, particularly for framing, tiling, and waterproofing, is crucial. Poor workmanship can ruin even the most expensive materials, leading to long-term issues—you and your family will know every morning that you’ve saved money. The thing to note is that everyone has to do a good job. If your plumber, renderer, or carpenter has done a poor job and the walls are out and the setout is wrong, there’s not much the tiler can do.
3) Waterproofing: High-quality waterproofing is essential to prevent leaks, mould, and water damage. This is not an area to cut costs, as poor waterproofing can lead to expensive repairs down the line.
4) Plumbing: If your layout could be improved by moving plumbing, it’s worth the investment. A space that feels great trumps anything else, and a well-thought-out bathroom layout enhances functionality and adds a lot of value to your home.
5) Ventilation: Proper ventilation is key to preventing mould and moisture buildup. Invest in a good exhaust fan ducted outside.
6) Lighting Design and Layout: Good lighting, including task lighting around mirrors, is essential for functionality and comfort. Skimping here can lead to a dim and uninviting space—and an unhappy spouse.
7) Extra Mood and Night Lighting: Sorry, but it just makes the space feel well lit. Don’t skimp on some LEDs under the cabinet or strategically placed to create a mood. Not worth saving on, as the cost is negligible for the benefit.
8) Door and Window Quality: You’ve seen this, I’m sure—amazing bathroom, beautiful tiles, Italian designer tapware—everything looks amazing except… BAM! A cheap, awkward window in the middle of the main wall. It distresses me every time. The window or skylight is hugely important to get feeling just right. Sometimes it is better to delete a nasty window and install a spectacular skylight in just the right spot.
9) Never Delete Mitred Tile Corners and Use Corner Strips: There are some things that devalue a project by a multiple of what the saving was—this is one of them! Again, if your tiler cannot do mitred joints, they can be done offsite in a factory, and they can start with the mitre and cut the other tiles to it. Again, the wall needs to be straight, so your carpenter, bricklayer, and renderer need to be really great tradespeople.
Ready to start your bathroom renovation? Get in touch with us at Ballast Point, and let’s design a space that fits your needs and budget without compromising on quality.
