An inviting modern bathroom renovation in Wilton, Wellington

Not a great start

With a semi-completed bathroom renovation on their hands, Wilton homeowners Rachael and Jack found themselves in need of far more professional help than they initially anticipated. Their former bathroom had already been demolished and new plumbing fixtures installed. However, the couple had read conflicting reports regarding council consent and needed a team that could handle the many moving parts to get their project finished to a high standard. 

Despite the unconventional nature of their inquiry, Rachael and Jack reached out to local Wellington Renovation Consultant Lia Boersma for help taking their half-finished bathroom to the finish line. 

Stepping in to take over

Lia met with Rachael and Jack to get a better understanding of the issues at hand. In stark contrast to Refresh’s comprehensive 5-step process, Rachael and Jack’s previous team didn’t even have a design or plan in place and there was new work the Refresh team needed to rectify. Since Lia would be working with tradespeople inherited from the beginning of the project, she started from scratch with a detailed plan to ensure everyone’s expectations were aligned. 

Her talented in-house interior designer, Tina Daisley, worked closely with Rachael and Jack to determine exactly what they were after, while Lia managed the budget and timeline. Since this was Rachael and Jack’s only bathroom they wanted the work done as quickly as possible without sacrificing quality. 

Making adjustments on the fly

The appropriate (and essential) consents were obtained for waterproofing, the five-week timeline was laid out, and the new $30,000 budget was accepted by Rachael and Jack. Lia’s team of builders, electricians, plumbers, glaziers, painters, and tilers got to work bringing the design to life. However, mid-way through construction, the homeowners had some additional requests. 

Rachael and Jack wanted to make a few variations including the installation of underfloor heating, straightening some reframing walls, and dismantling and rebuilding the bath cradle to create a new layout. Lia directed her team, and they were able to make these accommodations, for an additional $7,000 and one extra week to the timeline. Both increases were, of course, approved by Rachael and Jack.

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A stunning design

After six weeks of dedicated work, Rachael and Jack’s new bathroom was finally finished. The overall design is modern and feels very warm and welcoming with a neutral palette of browns, whites, greys, and natural timber. Mounting the stack bond tiles vertically, paired with a glass shower partition, contributes to the illusion of height, making the bathroom feel more spacious and open. 

The fantastic end result is a stark contrast to the project’s part way start point, and a true testament to the power of good planning, design, and professional project management. 

Final thoughts

As the project wrapped, Lia noted the risks that come with starting a renovation without a design, scope of works, or thorough planning. Refresh’s 5-step process was designed to mitigate these challenges, so homeowners can enjoy their renovation instead of worrying about managing every detail. Taking the time to plan ensured Lia and her team could not only manage but exceed Rachael and Jack’s expectations and deliver the finished project on time and within budget. 

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