How to Project Manage a Bathroom Renovation

Learning how to project manage a bathroom renovation is key to the success of your bathroom remodeling project. Whether you are remodeling a commercial, public, or private organization bathroom, there are some key insights you will need to know to ensure that the bathroom renovation process goes smoothly and that you get the results you desire.

This complete guide will not only provide you with how to start planning a bathroom renovation but will also detail everything you need to know for how to project manage a bathroom renovation; including design considerations, budgeting, how to work with bathroom remodeling contractors, and the bathroom remodel sequence.

Overview: Commercial Bathroom Remodel Process

Before delving into more specific details, this section will provide a brief overview of how to do a bathroom renovation in its entirety.

The key to bathroom project management is having a firm grasp and understanding of the various steps that take place, and being prepared for different aspects of the bathroom project that you need to be aware of so that you can keep the timeline and budget for your bathroom remodel in order.

For example, if you begin construction before you have ordered or received all of the necessary materials, your project may be on hold while you wait for your shipments to arrive, costing you expenses associated with pushing out your timeline.

In general, a commercial bathroom remodel process includes:

• Preparing design and layout.
• Creating a budget.
• Hiring the appropriate contractors.
• Purchasing materials.
• Managing the construction timeline.

Alongside the many steps to the bathroom remodel process, and to coordinate efficiently, you may need to consider the best time to renovate a bathroom in your facility. This may include considering if you need to close down while construction is underway, or if you may need to offer additional restroom options while your bathroom is under construction.

Some smaller bathroom renovations, such as painting or installing new bathroom partitions to give your restroom a facelift may only take a few days to a week, while a full scale remodel may take up to six weeks, so preparation with your facility to get your bathroom project completed will largely depend on your design, goals, and needs.

Begin with Design and Bathroom Reconfiguration

There are many indicators that the bathroom remodel in your facility is not only desirable but necessary.  This may include remodeling and design for ADA compliance and accessibility or updating older bathrooms to ensure compliance with fire standards for toilet partitions.

If your business or congregation has grown, you may also need to consider your commercial restroom design to ensure that you have the proper amount of toilets and bathroom partitions to meet the needs of your customers, office workers, members, or congregation.

Use Our Free Bathroom Remodel Design Tool

When remodeling a bathroom, the first thing to do is to consider what your needs and goals are, and how to redesign to meet those goals.

Our free design and layout tool is an excellent resource for configuring the design of your bathroom remodel. Simply describe the type of bathroom you are remodeling, select the number of toilets or urinal partitions you need, choose a layout, and get a free quote.

Our layout options already include ADA choices to ensure that your bathroom partitions and toilets meet the necessary regulations for standard ADA and OSHA compliance requirements. Once you have selected the appropriate layout for your toilets and bathroom partitions, you can enter your exact measurements for your custom bathroom renovation and receive a quote for the exact bathroom partitions you need to ensure privacy, security, and a safe and accessible bathroom.

Additional design specifications you may need to consider include how you will set up accessible vanities, commercial bathroom sinks, mirrors, and all commercial bathroom accessories and fixtures.

Your project to remodel a commercial bathroom also provides the opportunity to create a more comfortable and family-friendly bathroom by considering the benefits of installing baby changing stations.

Considering Sustainability for your Commercial Restroom Renovation

Sustainable commercial bathroom design elements, materials, and plumbing not only make a great impact on your business as a whole by reducing costs associated with water and electrical use, but can also make a great impact on your members, workers, and clientele.

Studies on consumer preferences are continuing to show that people are more likely to be engaged with brands, businesses, and organizations that display sustainability ethics. While some sustainable options may come at a higher initial expense such as low flow toilets and faucets, other options such as choosing sustainable materials such as stainless steel partitions that are long-lasting and 100% recyclable provide a simple way to make your bathroom more sustainable without compromising your budget or your bathroom aesthetic and design.

Preparing a Budget for Commercial Bathroom Remodel Costs

The budget for your commercial bathroom renovation will largely depend on your renovation design and the materials you use for your bathroom project.

National commercial bathroom renovation costs typically range between:

• $1,500 to $15,000 for smaller bathrooms.
• $14,000 to $20,000 for mid-size bathrooms.
• Up to $60,000 and beyond for full-scale renovations or large bathroom remodels.

In creating a budget for your commercial restroom renovation, the first thing to consider is what is essential and what is desirable. For example, if you need to ensure that your bathroom is ADA compliant, your budget will need to focus on the materials that are essential to accessibility above your aesthetic desires for decor.

Preparing your budget to remodel commercial bathrooms will also depend on how complex your restroom or bathroom reconfiguration is, and what type of bathroom general contractors or other professional tradespeople you may need to ensure that your bathroom meets regulatory requirements.

If it is possible to maintain the original layout without the need to move plumbing or rewire electrical, you can make your bathroom renovation more budget efficient. Additionally, ordering bathroom partitions, toilets, sinks, vanities, and other hardware and fixtures yourself can reduce costs associated with a contractor or handyperson ordering them for you.

You may also need to apply for construction permits in your state. State laws may vary on what type of permits you need and will depend on how expansive your commercial restroom renovation is. Commonly, you will need to contact your city planning department or development services for permits. Examples of the types of departments you may need to contact include the Atlanta Department of City Planning, or the Portland Development Services Center.

Can a Handyman Remodel a Bathroom or Do You Need a Custom Bathroom Contractor?

Depending on the scale of your commercial bathroom remodel, and your choices for how to manage a bathroom renovation for your facility, you may or may not need a bathroom general contractor, or various other trades professionals to complete the work.

If your commercial bathroom remodel only requires installing new toilets and toilet partitions, you may only require a handyman to complete the bathroom remodel.

However, if your project includes bathroom reconfiguration for plumbing and electricity, you may need to hire a professional bathroom remodel contractor with the necessary license and permit to do the work.

When hiring a professional to assist you with your commercial bathroom remodel, you should follow the subsequent steps to vet and hire the professional:

1. Ask for references and a portfolio: Any contractor or tradesperson if something goes wrong during construction.
2. Meet in person and ask for a bid in writing: Invite the contractor to visit and review your commercial bathroom remodel location and plans. Make sure to discuss if you plan on purchasing materials or if you wish the bathroom contractor to source them. Discuss your design, budget, acceptable working hours, and timeline. Ask them to provide a bid and estimate in writing. The estimate should include the total project cost, with all costs associated with the scope of work.
3.  Sign a contract: After you have reviewed the references, portfolio, licensure, and insurance of the contractor, and agree to their bid on the scope of work, sign a contract that outlines the following:
   1. The job site address.
   2. The names and contact information for both parties.
   3. An itemized list of expenses.
   4. A change of order clause.
   5. Indicate who is responsible for seeking any necessary permits.
   6. The start and end date of construction.

Now that you know how to hire a professional, the following section will provide insight into what professional trades you may wish to hire for different aspects of or the scope of the project.

Bathroom Renovation Order of Trades and Potential Trades People Needed

Learning how to project manage a bathroom renovation includes understanding the bathroom renovation order of trades and the construction process. In general, a full renovation will occur in the following sequence:

1. Demolition and strip out.
2. Repairs for any structural or water damage.
3. Initial carpentry and drywall for the new floor plan.
4. Rough-in plumbing pipes and drainage.
5. Rough-in new wiring.
6. Initial flooring installation and waterproofing.
7. Tiling, grouting, and painting.
8. Installation of bathroom partitions
9. Additional carpentry and installation of vanities.
10. Finalized plumbing and electrical installation.
11. Inspection, addressing any issues.
12. Installation of additional hardware, accessories and fixtures, mirrors, and decor.
13. Final clean-up.

While you have chosen to take on the role of bathroom project management and may have access to some labor or choose to do some labor yourself, you may require some professional assistance for certain aspects of your bathroom project. For example, if your commercial restroom remodeling requires any new plumbing or plumbing reconfiguration, new waterproofing in the floor, or any new electrical work, it may be necessary to contract for bathroom remodeling in these specific areas.

Plumber

While managing a bathroom remodel, a plumbing contractor may be necessary from the beginning of the project to assist in any layout changes, reconfiguration, and to offer bathroom renovation advice. A plumber can provide insight into the layout for the toilets, sinks, water lines, and drains to ensure proper placement and installation. Seeking this advice early on in the design and layout process can provide configuration insight for other aspects of design, such as where new walls or framing should occur.

Electrician

If your commercial bathroom remodel requires any rewiring for the addition of new bathroom fans for ventilation, additional lighting, or other electrical-related projects, you will require a licensed electrician to assist you. A qualified and licensed electrician will ensure that all new electrical installations in your bathroom remodel are up to code with your municipality.

Bathroom Waterproofer

While some plumbers may be able to provide waterproofing, there are also waterproofing contractors that specialize in waterproofing as a full service. Waterproofing includes sealing different areas of the bathroom to ensure a safe and clean environment and as a mold prevention barrier.

Tile Profesional

A tiling professional can assist in preparing the subfloor and provide expert services for challenging tiling needs for your bathroom project. Some handyman services offer expert flooring services and can provide tile installation alongside other construction services.

Carpenters, Installation, and Cabinet Professionals

Depending on the scope of your project and the materials you purchased, you may require a handyman or installation professional that can assist in installing your bathroom partitions, vanities, fixtures, and hardware. Additionally, depending on the design and materials purchased, you may need carpentry assistance for any custom cabinetry.

Bathroom Renovation Timeline

“How long does it take to renovate a bathroom?” is an important question for anyone learning how to project manage a bathroom renovation.

The average time to remodel a bathroom may take between 1-7 weeks depending on the scope of your commercial bathroom remodel and what your new design includes. If possible, it is recommended that you order any new fixtures, bathroom partitions and accessories, toilets, and any other hardware a few weeks before beginning construction to ensure that you have all of the necessary materials before construction begins.

If your bathroom remodel mostly consists of an aesthetic facelift with new paint and installing high-grade bathroom partitions and fixtures, you may only need one to two weeks to complete the project, while a full-scale renovation will require demolition and construction to reconfigure the layout.

Consider the following sections as guidance for how long to refurb a bathroom with a complete remodel.

Weeks 1 and 2

The first two weeks of a bathroom remodel will include:

• Demotion and removal of debris.
• Assessing the subfloor and completing any recommended leveling or repairs.
• Completing all-new framing.
• Rough installation of waste and water lines
• Rough installation of new electrical wiring.
• Initial installation of fire-blocking, and any new windows.

Weeks 3 and 4

The third and fourth week of a bathroom remodel will include:

• Installation of and inspection of insulation.
• Fire blocking inspection.
• Drywall installation and all spackling.
• Tile installation.

Weeks 5 and 6

The fifth and sixth weeks of a bathroom remodel will include:

• Sanding, priming, and painting.
• Installation of doors, bathroom partitions, vanities, countertops, and hardware.
• Finishing all plumbing connections and installations.
• Finishing all electrical connections and installations.

Week 7

The seventh week of a bathroom remodel will include:

• Completing all final inspections.
• Installation of all bathroom fixtures and accessories such as door hooks, baby changing stations, soap dispensers, and paper towel dispensers or air dryers.
• Completing all final construction clean-up.
• Installing or adding any supplemental decor.

When you are preparing for your commercial bathroom remodel, give us a call and we can assist you with designing the layout of your bathroom stalls and ordering your bathroom partitions ahead of time to keep you on schedule!