Bathroom Renovation
 

Planning to renovate my downstairs (ground floor) bathroom, had some contractors quote my dad about 9k for the job.. I have decided to take things in my own hand..

Below are some pictures of the bathroom.
Some notes of what I plan to change/redo.
- Sink cabinet/area, redone (new cabinet, maybe keep the sink since its fairly new)
- Add in tiles to the floor
- Take down dry wall, check for bug/leak problem, replace drywall
- Replace bathtub + tiles if neccasry
- Plumbing work may be fixed/redone (will hire plumber)
- Repaint entire bathroom


Special notes: Reason for taking down the drywall is because we had/have a massive ant problem around that area (pockets of sand + ants starting appearing around the corners of the walls) Though they have stopped coming out since I massacred them with raid.. :)


Do you guys think im going way over my head? How diffucult will this be?

Any comments and tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


My experience isnt much, I have dont clean up, paint jobs, replacing dry walls and a bunch of small hands on things around the house but nothing to this extent...
Also im pretty down for doing this because 1st this is gonna turn into my personal washroom after :D, 2nd im actually interested in learning how to do it and get hands on experience!

easy, you'll have fun.

and 9 is on the pricey side for what you have mentioned.
i can do it for 7

youtube is your best friend, i'd dump everything except the toilet and take it down to the studs, and i would get a professional to do the shower tiles if you aren't familiar with it.

If your not changing the structure or layout it shouldn't be to difficult, just take your time and use the proper materials. Depending on the type of tiles you choose you might consider hiring a tile setter, but if your just using basic porcelain/ceramic tiles it's pretty simple. Definitely use a proper tile backer like dens shield, as opposed to just tiling over drywall. Have all the plumbing checked out when the bathroom is gutted, it's worth the expense even if you don't plan on making major changes to the existing plumbing. Don't forget that renovating an entire bathroom isn't a small job for home owner, you'll need to put in some serious weekend and evening time to get it done at a decent pace.

Post some progress pics, it'd be great to see how it turns out.

Thanks for the info!
I will take some pics of stages of my reno and post it up for sure.

Quick question
Would it be better for me to cut out areas of drywall to fix possible damage spots or should I just tear down the whole wall and replace after? (pros/cons)

Thanks

That depends on the amount of drywall that needs to be removed to fix possible damage, if you need to make-4 small holes in one section of the wall I would say it's not a big deal to cut and patch. If you need to do more than that then the amount of work it takes to patch the drywall will exceed replacing an entire sheet, and you'll have increased difficulty getting a smooth even surface.

Personally, I would take down the drywall just to get a look at everything behind the walls and make sure I'm not missing anything that needs to be repaired. Drywall isn't the most fun job in the world, but it's not that bad and the materials wouldn't be to expensive to just re-sheet the bathroom.

9 is highway robbery dude. My bathroom is easily 2x the size of yours and I completely gutted it to the studs and bought all new everything (double vanity, toilet, tub). tiled the floor and tub walls. new drywall all around. New lighting and new exhast for approx $8000

^
A bathroom that size and in an older home where there will likely be unexpected issues uncovered, I would expect the bid to be between $7200-8200 price range depending on the clients material choice and location.

Factor in potential unexpected work as a result of this problem and I would say $9000 is reasonable estimate from a reputable contractor.

you could redrywall the whole bathroom. forgot the name of the place but its just off marine drive by knight bridge. the drywall are half the price of homedepot

^
I will hunt that place down for sure! thanks

I recall seeing a sign on Marine Drive @ Crompton St (the street before the Knight St bridge on ramp) advertising a building supply store; is this the one you are referring too?

If necessary? If you are going to do all that other work why would you not replace that tile?!?!?! :confused:

I agree with MindBomber though, unless you don't need to work or go to school this project will take up quite a few of your eves and weekends! I'm no expert though, I just like to DIY as well and I like to watch Disaster DIY on HGTV. :D

If the ceiling is in good shape, I would lose all the drywall 12" below it and 6" below the window - it's easy enough to blend in after. If the ceiling has any moisture damage, I'd take it all down. It's a good opportunity to add potlights and upgrade the fan.

Did you diy, though?

don't forget to use something like Rhino board around the tub or shower walls before tiling.

So after cutting up my floor and pullig a bit this musty/wet/moldy smell is filling the bathroom.
Is this a problem or should I just continue with breaking down the walls?
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rip all the drywall out

I managed to drive by here today and I saw a sign advertising for Home Max Building Supplies, it's on Marine Drive. Is this the place Fafine?

I did a quick Google search on Home Max. Here's there website: Blog It doesn't mention anything about drywall, although they do sell some nice vanity cabinets: Contemporary Style

i have a receipt laying around somewhere ill find it for the name and address

You can buy commercial mold killers meant exactly for the type of situation you described, I would just use a quick bleach/water solution to clean the floor and then continue. A bit of mold won't kill you, but it's not exactly good for your lungs either so it's best to take the time and clean it up.

Is the floor glued directly to concrete or do you have a plywood subfloor?

You can go to any drywall supply they all sell to the general public. Find the one closest to you and go there. They'll sell Drywall, Aquaboard, screws, mud, tape whatever you need for the walls. They can deliver for a price but for a room that size either use your own or borrow a truck cause it isn't worth it.

Dryco 3555 - Bainbridge Ave. Burnaby
Slegg 560 Raymur Ave, Vancouver
Pac West 100-2550 Boundary Rd Burnaby
Kenroc 2350 beta ave. Burnaby

^^^
Yup, grabbed a mold killer and sprayed a bunch

^^
Its glued straight onto the concrete


^
Awesome thanks for the info

Be careful on the lino. If the house was built before the late 70's, it potentially contains asbestos. Same deal on drywall actually.

In a place like that, I think you'd want to get rid of every lick of drywall and start fresh. If you are going diy, drywall is a bitch. The actual boarding isn't too bad, and the tools are cheap to do it, but mudding is an artform.

I usually do my own drywall, but am far from a "drywaller" and in the end, I'm so-so. When I bring my drywallers in on larger projects, and watch them, I feel even worse about my skills.

Installing a bathtub is actually really easy.

Hire out the plumbing.

Installing a toilet is also really easy.

That leaves you with 1)tiling 2) drywall and whatever you do for flooring

The best thing you can do is do all your own demo, and hire out parts of the project. A drywaller that works in your area can fit you in around other large projects and if you aren't in a hurry, its kind of free money for them. Drywall works on volume, as there is downtime on each project. You end up having a day on site where all you do is come and slam some mud on the wall and leave.

Tilers expect to get paid large for their efforts.

You should totally be able to paint it yourself. Use tape if you can't cut a straight line.

Then its finishing baseboards, the vanity and so on. Surf craigslist for a guy that has nothing to do for a day.

Boom! I just saved you $3000. I'll take 10% for my efforts :)