Why a staged checklist matters
A bathroom renovation has five distinct stages, and each one has checks that are harder to fix once the next stage begins. A tile choice is easy to change during planning but expensive to undo after the room is tiled.
This checklist covers what to prepare before you request quotes, what to verify before you accept one, what to settle before work starts, what to watch during the build, and what to collect at handover. Every item here traces to an existing guide on this site, so you can read the detail when you need it.
Before requesting quotes
Write down what is not working in the room and what you want to change. Note storage needs, shower and bath preferences, lighting, ventilation, access needs and any layout limits.
Take room measurements and photos for the first conversation, but get an on-site measure before you rely on a price. The condition behind the tiles matters more than the room dimensions alone.
If you live in a strata building, check your by-laws for renovation rules before you contact a builder. Some buildings require strata approval before a quote can be finalised.
Decide roughly how you want the room to work day-to-day. A clear brief helps the builder quote for the right scope instead of guessing at finishes.
Before accepting a quote
Check the written scope: room size, what is included, what is excluded, which selections are still open, and how changes during the build will be priced and approved. A clear written agreement protects both sides.
Verify the builder licence. In NSW, residential building work over $5,000 requires a licensed contractor. ETR operates under NSW Builder Licence 475204C.
Ask who will manage the work plan and trade sequence. A single project manager is simpler than coordinating several trades yourself.
Confirm the quote covers demolition, waste removal, floor protection, plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, tiling, fit-off, painting and the final clean. Items left out of the quote will become extras later.
Ask about the expected timeline. Site work on the same footprint is usually three to four weeks; a premium build or layout change takes longer. Planning time is separate and depends on selections and ordering.
Before work starts
Confirm every selection: tiles, tapware, vanity, toilet, shower screen, mirror, accessories and lighting. Late selections are the single biggest cause of delays on site.
Check lead times on anything that is ordered rather than taken from stock. A custom shower screen or imported tile can add weeks if it is not ordered early enough.
Agree on site access: where materials will be stored, how the team enters and exits, where a skip bin can sit, and whether parking, lift or hallway rules apply.
Plan how you will live while the room is out of service. If this is your only bathroom, arrange access to another one for the duration of the build.
Keep the final written scope, your selection records, the agreed program and the builder's contact details together in one place. You will refer to them during the build.
During the build
Ask for a brief update at the end of each day or stage: what was done, what happens next, and whether anything needs your decision before the next trade can start.
Expect a check between each major trade. The waterproofing membrane is inspected before tiling starts. Plumbing and electrical rough-in are checked before linings close them up. These sign-offs protect the finished result.
If something unexpected is found during demolition — old plumbing, water damage, asbestos — ask for the scope of the extra work, the cost and the timing effect before the work proceeds. A clear variation process keeps a surprise from becoming a dispute.
Do not add or change selections mid-build unless the variation is agreed in writing first. A verbal change on site is the fastest way to lose track of cost and timing.
At handover
Walk the room with the project manager. Run every tap, flush the toilet, test the shower drain, check the exhaust fan and open every cabinet and drawer.
Collect the waterproofing certificate confirming work to AS 3740, plus plumbing and electrical compliance certificates. These are part of the renovation, not optional extras.
Collect the workmanship warranty terms, product warranty documents and care instructions for tiles, tapware and fittings. Keep them with the scope, invoices and certificates.
If a touch-up is needed, agree on what it is and when it will be done. A clear written note is better than a verbal promise at the doorstep.
How ETR runs this process
ETR begins with a free on-site measure anywhere in Sydney. The written quote names every inclusion, and selections are confirmed before demolition day. Adam Dawood manages the trade sequence with over 25 years of experience, and the homeowner gets daily updates during the build.
Every bathroom is waterproofed to AS 3740 with a compliance certificate, carried out under NSW Builder Licence 475204C, with a 10-year workmanship warranty.
Frequently asked questions
What should I have ready before asking for a bathroom renovation quote?
A list of what is not working, what you want to change, your storage and layout preferences, room photos and rough measurements. The builder will do a proper on-site measure, but a clear brief helps scope the quote correctly from the start.
How do I check whether a bathroom renovation quote is complete?
The written scope should name every inclusion and exclusion, the room size it is based on, which selections are still open, the variation process, the trade sequence, waste removal, floor protection and the final clean. If an item is not listed, assume it is not included.
What is the most common cause of bathroom renovation delays?
Late selections. Tiles, tapware, vanity, toilet, shower screen and accessories that are not confirmed before the start date hold up the trades that depend on them. Ordering everything before demolition is the single most effective way to stay on schedule.
What certificates should I receive at handover?
A waterproofing compliance certificate confirming work to AS 3740, plus plumbing and electrical certificates. You should also receive workmanship warranty terms and product warranty documents for installed fittings and fixtures.
Can I change my selections after work has started?
Yes, but only through the variation process agreed in the written scope. A change during the build affects cost, timing and sometimes the trade sequence. Get the variation in writing before the extra work proceeds.