A bathroom is the most plumbing- and waterproofing-intensive room in the house, which is exactly why order of operations matters so much. Get the sequence right and the project flows; get it wrong and you're tearing out fresh tile to fix a pipe. Use this checklist to plan, buy, and schedule a full gut-and-replace.
1. Plan and design
- Decide whether the layout stays the same or fixtures move (moving plumbing adds cost and usually a permit).
- Choose your tile, vanity, toilet, fixtures, and lighting early — lead times can be weeks.
- Set a budget with a 10–20% contingency for the surprises hidden behind old walls.
- Check local permit requirements for any plumbing, electrical, or structural changes.
2. Demolition
- Shut off water and power to the room before you touch anything.
- Remove fixtures, vanity, flooring, and tile down to the studs and subfloor where needed.
- Inspect for water damage, rot, or mould and address it before rebuilding.
3. Rough-in (plumbing & electrical)
- Run or relocate supply lines and drains for the new layout.
- Add or move wiring for lighting, outlets (GFCI), heated floors, and the exhaust fan.
- This is the time for inspections if your permit requires them — before walls close up.
4. Walls, waterproofing & backer board
- Insulate exterior walls, then hang moisture-resistant drywall on non-wet areas. Estimate sheets and compound with the Drywall Calculator.
- Install cement backer board in wet areas (shower, tub surround).
- Apply a waterproofing membrane to the shower/tub area and let it cure fully — this is the single most important step for a lasting bathroom.
5. Tile
- Plan your layout lines from the centre so cut tiles land symmetrically at the edges.
- Set floor and wall tile in thinset, let it cure, then grout and seal.
- Get exact tile counts plus thinset, grout, spacers, and backer board from the Tile Calculator.
6. Paint
- Use a bathroom-rated (mildew-resistant) paint for humidity. See how to paint a room for technique.
- Calculate paint and primer with the Paint Calculator.
7. Fixtures & finishing
- Install the vanity, sink, faucet, toilet, and shower/tub hardware.
- Hang lighting, mirror, towel bars, and accessories.
- Caulk all wet joints, test for leaks, and run the exhaust fan to confirm airflow.
Keep it organized
A bathroom remodel has a lot of moving parts and dependencies. Track each phase as a card on the free kanban board — there's even a ready-made "Bathroom Renovation" template that pre-fills these tasks so you can move them from Planning to Done as the job progresses.