Reference photo: drain pipes and fittings beneath a sink
Bathroom renovations.
Check what's behind the tiles first.
Bathroom renovation follows the same approach as a kitchen. Ivan Bodnar looks at the existing condition, including what sits under the vanity and behind the tiles, and explains the practical options. A written quotation is prepared after an on-site assessment, never before.
On this sheet: Assessment · Layers · Trades · Back to the kitchen
Kitchen renovation in Murrumbeena is the main focus of this website. Bathroom renovation is a related capability for homeowners who need it.
Independent sole trader. You deal directly with Ivan from the first discussion onwards.
The bathroom is looked at before it is quoted
A bathroom can look tired on the surface while the real questions sit underneath. During the on-site assessment Ivan discusses how the room needs to work for you, checks the existing condition and notes what can stay and what needs replacing. You deal with him directly the whole way through.
The process mirrors the on-site kitchen assessment, and the result is a written quotation based on what was actually seen.
Can the existing layout stay?
Keeping fixtures where they are can limit changes to services. Whether that suits the room depends on how it is used and what the assessment shows.
What needs to come out?
Old tiles, linings or vanities may need removing to reach a sound surface. The extent becomes clearer once the condition has been checked.
Which materials are suitable?
Wet areas place different demands on boards, adhesives and finishes than dry rooms. Suitable materials are chosen for the conditions, not only for appearance.
Will plumbing or electrical changes need licensed trades?
Yes. Regulated work is carried out by appropriately authorised specialists. See the trades section below.
What new bathroom finishes sit on
Moisture
Signs of past leaks or damp in walls and floors are checked first, because new tiles over a wet problem only hide it for a while.
Substrate suitability
Linings and floors need to be sound, flat and suited to the finish going on them. Plasterboard and plastering work may form part of this.
Service access
Pipe and cable routes are noted early so the licensed trades can be planned in, not discovered halfway through.
Underlying damage
Cracked tiles, loose grout and soft areas can point to problems underneath. Replacing finishes before checking these can lead to avoidable rework.
The visible finish
Tiles, vanity and fittings come last. Details are covered on the bathroom tiling page.
What Ivan handles
The initial discussion, the on-site assessment, the written quotation and direct oversight of his part of the work, including surface preparation and suitable materials for the finishes he installs.
Ivan is an independent sole trader. He does not personally claim unverified trade licences or builder registration.
What authorised specialists handle
Licensed plumbing and electrical work, and waterproofing where requirements apply, are carried out by appropriately authorised specialists. Structural engineering and asbestos removal sit outside Ivan’s work.
Contract, insurance and approvals wording is checked for each project. Read more on licensed trades.
The same checks start every kitchen renovation
If your bathroom is part of a wider plan, the main focus here remains kitchen renovation in Murrumbeena. The guide on what new kitchen finishes sit on explains the thinking behind this sheet.