It’s easy to get carried away when you’re planning a bathroom renovation. Here’s a quick guide to help you stay on budget during the renovation process.

Organising the bathroom materials and contractors yourself is a great way to save money. But, unless you understand the intricacies of hiring tilers, electricians and plumbers, you may get more – or less – than you bargained for.

For peace of mind, hire a bathroom builder for all the heavy-duty work, but save money by doing the preparations and finishing touches yourself. This could mean stripping out the bathroom interior before work begins, or doing the final painting and decorating once the structural work is done.

It pays to shop around for your bathroom fittings, as there are good second-hand vanities, baths, and even toilets on the market. Or, if you don’t like the idea of sitting on someone else’s loo, look out for ex-demonstration stock and discontinued specials.

Think your new toilet would look better where the shower is? Well, before you get out the sledgehammer, remember that repositioning your fixtures means moving your plumbing as well, which can potentially double your labour costs. A simple retrofit is always the cheaper option. Read more about a partial renovation here.

One bathroom fixture that lends itself to improvisation is the vanity. Instead of buying a traditional, all-in-one unit, you can save money and space by installing a wall-hung basin and simple wall shelves.

When choosing a builder or designer to carry out your renovation, word of mouth is your best friend. Ask relatives, friends or trusted suppliers to recommend quality renovators so you don’t end up with a dud.

Contact a bathroom designer in your area to find out how you can maximise your bathroom space.