- A complete bathroom renovation usually takes a few weeks. Drying times and lead times help decide how long.
- In a small bathroom only one tradesperson can work at a time. That shapes the schedule more than the floor area.
- A new layout, a timber floor and a walk-in shower mean more work than replacing everything in the same place.
- Tiles and sanitary ware vary widely in price. That choice is yours.
- At Parus you get a free quote with no obligation after the survey, and a reply to your request within 24 hours.
Why there is no standard answer
A bathroom is a sequence of trades: strip-out, plumber, electrician, plasterer, tiler and the plumber again for the fittings. Each trade has to finish before the next begins. What appears during strip-out decides whether extra work is needed. A rotten joist, an old waste pipe or asbestos in a sealant joint can change the plan.
That is why we only give a schedule and a price after the survey. Stas looks at the floor, waste, pipes and electrics and asks what you want. You get a quote that shows what happens for each part of the job.
The stages and where the time goes
The order is always the same. How long each stage takes varies per bathroom. The table shows where the time goes in each stage. The full sequence is in bathroom renovation step by step.
| Stage | Where the time goes |
|---|---|
| Strip-out and removal | How many layers of tiles and screed come out, what turns up |
| Pipes and wiring | Whether the layout changes, condition of existing pipes |
| Floor and walls | Strengthening a timber floor, false walls, levelling, screed drying |
| Waterproofing | Number of coats and drying time between them |
| Tiling | Area, format, pattern, number of niches and corners |
| Fittings and finishing | Number of items, made-to-measure glass, sealing |
Drying times and lead times
Much of the total time is waiting for things to dry. A new screed has to dry out before waterproofing can go on. Each coat of membrane has to dry, and the last one must cure before tile adhesive is applied. Then adhesive and grout need their time. Rush it and you get loose tiles or cracks. More in waterproofing and sealing tape.
Lead times count too. A linear drain, concealed mixer or made-to-measure glass panel has to be on site when it is needed. So order those straight after the design. A part that arrives late halts the job.
Tip from the trade: Choose your tiles and fittings before strip-out begins. Then the schedule can be fixed and nobody waits for a decision.
What else affects the timing
In a small bathroom two tradespeople cannot work side by side. The tiler can only start once the plasterer is done. So a small bathroom is not necessarily quicker than a large one. In an apartment, working hours from the owners' association house rules come on top, and sometimes waiting for consent. See renovating a bathroom in an owners' association apartment.
Access plays a part as well. An upper-floor apartment with a narrow staircase, or a street where parking is difficult, takes more time for deliveries and waste. Renovating a separate toilet is usually a matter of days.
A delay people often do not see coming is asbestos. According to IPLO (in Dutch), buildings from before 1994 are presumed to contain asbestos. If suspect material turns up during strip-out, for example in old sealant, vinyl flooring or a board behind the bath, work at that spot should stop until it has been tested. Testing and any removal by a certified company take time. So mention the year of construction at the survey and have suspect spots looked at in advance.
Met dit bedrijf werk ik niet voor het eerst samen. Ze hebben voor mij verschillende werkzaamheden uitgevoerd, zoals het vervangen en maken van deuren, het realiseren van een aanbouw en het uitvoeren van binnenrenovaties. De jongens zijn zeer verantwoordelijk, en vooral Stanislav geeft altijd goede adviezen.
What drives the price: the room
The price starts with the room itself. It is not just the square metres of floor, but also the wall area that gets tiled. A bathroom tiled to the ceiling has much more tiling than one tiled halfway up.
What sits behind the tiles counts too. Do the pipes need replacing, is the wiring dated, does a timber floor need strengthening? A bathroom in the same place with the same layout needs less work than one where everything moves.
- Floor area and tiled wall area.
- Condition of pipes, waste and electrics.
- Type of floor: concrete or timber, and whether it needs strengthening.
- Layout: everything in the same place, or a new layout.
- Access: which floor, stairs, parking and waste removal.
- Surprises such as asbestos or rot.
What drives the price: your choices
The widest range comes from the choices you make yourself. Tiles and sanitary ware vary a lot in price per item. A large tile needs a flatter base and more care to lay. A herringbone pattern or several niches take more time and create more cutting waste. Tips are in choosing wall and floor tiles.
A walk-in shower with a linear drain and a fall in the floor is more work than a shower tray. A concealed mixer and a wall-hung toilet need a false wall. Underfloor heating, an electric towel rail or microcement instead of tiles are choices that change the picture.
If you want to buy tiles or fittings yourself, that is fine. Do agree the sizes and type with us first, so that installation depth, waste and tile format match what we prepare. We build it into the schedule.
VAT and what the quote should show
For part of the work on homes more than 2 years old, a reduced VAT (btw) rate of 9% applies. According to the Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Administration, in Dutch), this includes painting, plastering, wallpapering and fitting insulation. Tiling and installing sanitary ware are not included. With combined work, the quote is split.
A good quote shows what happens for each part: strip-out and removal, plumbing, electrics, walls and floor, waterproofing, tiling, fittings and finishing. If it only shows one total, ask for a breakdown. That way you can compare quotes fairly.
How Parus arrives at a schedule and price
You request a quote through the form, by phone or on WhatsApp, and we reply within 24 hours. Stas visits for the survey, looks at the room and talks through what you want. You then get a free quote with no obligation and a schedule for each step.
During the work Stas stays your single point of contact. Plumber, electrician, plasterer and tiler work as one team, so you do not have to coordinate anyone yourself. More on our approach is on bathroom renovation.
Frequently asked questions
How long will I be without a bathroom?
From strip-out to handover the bathroom is out of use. For a complete bathroom that is usually a few weeks. After the survey you will know exactly how long.
Why does Parus not show prices on its website?
Because the price depends on your room, the condition of pipes and floor, and your choices. A figure without a survey says little. After the survey you get a quote tailored to your bathroom.
Can I save money by doing the strip-out myself?
Sometimes, but then we only see at the start what was behind the tiles. Homes built before 1994 may also contain asbestos. Discuss it with us first.
Does the low VAT rate apply to a bathroom?
To part of the work, such as plastering and painting in a home more than 2 years old. Tiling and fitting sanitary ware fall under the standard rate.
Is the quote binding?
The quote is free and without obligation. We only schedule the work once you agree.
Renovation and finishing work from Roelofarendsveen: plastering, bathrooms, microcement, extensions, insulation, floors, electrics and plumbing. One point of contact from quote to completion. Questions? Call or WhatsApp +31 6 87 61 60 78.
Sources
- VAT rate for work on homes older than 2 years (Belastingdienst, Dutch)
- Asbestos inventory obligation (IPLO, Dutch)
Rules change. Always check your own address with the Permit Check (Vergunningcheck) in the Omgevingsloket or with your municipality.
