A Like-for-Like Bathroom Renovation in Lynbrook, Melbourne

Getting back on track

Lynbrook homeowner Sharon was one of the more proactive Aussies who took advantage of COVID lockdowns by renovating her home. The main bathroom at the back of the property and the kitchen had been updated, but the ensuite, which still had the original shower from when the home was first built, still needed some work. Having managed the previous renovations herself, Sharon wanted to enlist a professional to take over this time around. 

Local Melbourne Renovation Consultant, Leigh McDonald came on board to help Sharon with her ensuite bathroom renovation. During their initial consultation, Sharon explained to Leigh that the base of the shower was cracked which had allowed mould to build up within the walls. This was a good place to start, but they’d need to dive deeper into Sharon’s motivation to create a well-rounded plan. 

Coming up with a plan

Typically, renovations are led by one of two things: design or budget. Since Sharon had experience with home renovations from an earlier project, she had a general idea of what things cost and what kind of materials and supplies were within her budget. Working with Leigh was the extra insurance Sharon needed to ensure the design and budget were in alignment. 

In the pre-renovation excitement, Sharon had already begun to shop for materials including fixtures, fittings, and tiles. Sourcing premium materials is part of the Refresh process which allows homeowners to take advantage of our established relationships with preferred suppliers. But at the end of the day, our clients always remain in control of their renovations, so Leigh worked with Sharon to organise the project around the materials she’d picked out. 

Solving problems on the fly

The tiles Sharon selected were the driving force behind the design; a combination of grey and white marble patterned tiles, and all-white ceramic tiles with an embossed effect. Part of the Refresh process includes a concept design stage and 3D renderings to help homeowners visualise the final product. After Leigh presented and reviewed multiple design iterations with Sharon, they finalised the plan and were ready to execute the build. 

Though the ensuite scope was fairly limited, Leigh still had to manage an extensive team of general contractors and specialists including carpenters, electricians, plumbers, tilers, glaziers, and painters. The tiles Sharon ordered were custom-made but unfortunately, there was an issue when they arrived; there weren’t enough. Due to the custom nature of the order, it wasn’t an immediate solution. To remedy the situation and mitigate further delays, Leigh rescheduled some of the trade work to keep on schedule.

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A great finished product

At Refresh, our ultimate goal is to ensure homeowners enjoy their experience and aren’t stressed out. This is why we encourage our clients to let us handle everything from materials and ordering to scheduling and paperwork. Despite the slight hiccup with the tiles, Leigh kept the renovation on track and delivered the final project in under four weeks. Sharon’s loosely set budget was around $20,000 and the final cost of her bathroom renovation came to $23,671.

The approach for the design was a like-for-like upgrade, so waiting for the tiles was worth it to elevate the overall feel of the bathroom. The neutral colour palette made it easy to combine textures that create visual interest without becoming overwhelming. By installing stabilising handrails, Leigh delivered a future-proof bathroom that Sharon can enjoy for years to come.

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