Bathroom and kitchen renovation FAQ

Why should I choose smarter BATHROOMS +?

+  Over 20 years of experience, an award-winning team of trusted experts, and a long list of happy clients. (We’re celebrating 20 years in 2024!)

+  Most referred bathroom & kitchen renovators, the majority of our new clients are referrals from current clients to their friends and family or clients returning. It’s the greatest compliment we receive as bathroom and kitchen renovators.

+  Melbourne’s bathroom and kitchen renovation leaders. Experts in renovations of multiple rooms, we specialise in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundries.

+  Melbourne’s leaders in renovating heritage homes & apartments. Years of experience in the renovation of bathrooms & kitchens of heritage-listed homes and inner-city apartments.

+  Showrooms in Port Melbourne & Burwood East. With two large extensively stocked bathroom and kitchen showrooms, we’re the perfect place to visit to be inspired, and then sit down with your personal project team to select those gorgeous fixtures & fittings for your renovation. Our Port Melbourne showroom is now open after an amazing renovation with new designs and trends for 2024 and beyond. Just a few finishing touches to go…

+  Multi-room projects. Many of our clients renovate their bathrooms, kitchen, laundry, and powder room at the same time. If you need some structural work included, we can also handle this as part of the overall project.

+  Project management of your renovation makes your life easier. You continue doing what you do best while your personal team of an Interior Designer, Detailer & Project Manager delivers on your renovation. Building Licence CDB-U 49851.

+  A wealth of design knowledge and advice at your disposal, you benefit from years of experience when you engage our design team. Our team works collaboratively so you benefit from the whole team’s involvement.

+  We give you a start and finish date for your project, so you can plan your life easily. We stick to it, or we pay you $100 a day for every day we are late.

+ Award-winning. We have won building and design awards every year over the last 20 years. We are judged by our peers to be leaders in the industry.

+  Prompt quotation. No more waiting for quotes for weeks. We will get back to you with a very detailed proposal within a week of your in-home consultation.

+  Guarantees. Rest easy because as a sole contractor, we guarantee the structural work and waterproofing for 10 years and minor issues for 2 years. All our projects are fully insured with DBI (Domestic Building Insurance). One phone call to our maintenance team sorts out any problems, and you don’t have one trade blaming the other to avoid dealing with your issue.

+  Warranties. We have dedicated after-renovation professionals who handle any warranty claims you may have. We expect like a car, in the next few years, you may have a few matters that need attending to. Our maintenance and service department will make resolving any issues painless for you.

Where do I start?

By getting inspired! Grab some images and links to ideas and designs you like, then get in touch with us to chat about your needs.

Download our comprehensive Bathroom and Kitchen insights and advice guides by clicking here.

Here is the process for your renovation, clearly mapped out.

Will someone guide me through the process?

Yes, a member of our experienced interior designer, detailing, and project management teams will be dedicated to your project. They will be with you to ensure you are fully informed and consulted throughout your renovation journey.

Our free in-home consultations or showroom consultations are where the true journey begins. It’s a great opportunity to discuss ideas, concepts, your vision, and the budget.

How long does a bathroom renovation take?

This depends on the extent of the renovation. Once we have scoped your project, our detailed estimate will give you a definite start and end date so you know exactly how long it will take.

We usually say a standard bathroom renovation takes 3-4 weeks before you can use the room, and then a couple more weeks while you wait for the shower screen to be installed. Building works such as the installation of doors and windows or the removal of walls add to this. Custom-made items such as stone tops, walk-through showers, and redesigning the layout also add time.

Kitchens take 4-5 weeks to get to the stage where you can use them too. This can be shortened a bit if you choose to have a laminate top or a temporary top while your stone (if you choose this) is supplied and installed. A small charge is applicable as the plumber and electrician have to visit more to make this happen for you.

How much does a bathroom renovation cost?

Request a visit from one of our designers to help you assess your space.

Budget Considerations for bathroom renovations Melbourne:

$35,000 – $39,000      A stylish makeover of your existing bathroom design

$40,000 – $49,000      A stylish makeover including design or layout change to your bathroom

$50,000 +                       Your dream bathroom

Budget Considerations for kitchen renovations Melbourne:

$33,000 – $39,000       A stylish makeover of your existing kitchen design

$40,000 – $49,000        A stylish makeover including design or layout change to your kitchen or more highly specified product

$50,000 +                       Your dream kitchen with some structural work involved.

Figures incorporate fixtures and fittings, permits, warranties, insurances, building works and GST. Kitchen prices are exclusive of appliances.

These prices are of course an estimation, and we recommend an in-home consultation with a member of our design team to confirm these figures.

Can I remain in my home during a renovation?

Your bathroom and kitchen will be out of action during the renovation process. For a single bathroom home this can make it a little tricky. We can make a temporary shower and toilet available for you, and many clients stay elsewhere for the beginning of the project at least to ease the inconvenience.

If you have more than one bathroom we can renovate one at a time, meaning you can save on offsite accommodation.

For large-scale renovations, we usually recommend you stay elsewhere during the renovation — it’s no fun living in a construction site.

Do you organise all tradespeople?

Absolutely. All the necessary trades required for your renovation are organised by us, in fact, most work for us exclusively. So you only have to deal with our friendly designers, detailers and project managers. No running around having to deal with individual trades, it’s all project managed by us.

Do you supply and install appliances?

Yes, everything within your plan, including ovens, cook tops, dishwashers and extraction systems, taps, basins, tiles and cabinetry is specified, sourced and safely installed by our experienced team.

What kind of finishes can I choose from?

We have a fully stocked selection centre in our Port Melbourne and Burwood East showrooms. No more driving all around Melbourne choosing fittings in your spare time. Should you be unable to find something you like in our extensive range, we can source whatever finishes and materials you like, so there are no limitations to creating your home exactly how you want it. Our interior designers & detailers are highly skilled at bringing your ideas to life.

Why should I renovate my bathroom and kitchen at the same time?

Quite simply, it’s quicker, more economical and less hassle to undertake all of your renovation work at the same time.

Having one company handle the whole process is easier, and doing everything at the same time means you have the same story throughout your newly renovated home.

It’s the true and real benefit of engaging a professional renovator.

What guarantees do you provide?

All of our work is securely backed by a full 10 year waterproofing guarantee, with 10 years structural and 2 year minor guarantees. All our contracted projects are fully insured with DBI (Domestic Building Insurance) where the certificate is provided to our clients.

We have an efficient after renovation and maintenance team who handle any of your queries quickly. We provide 10 year guarantees as our clients are very important to us. You can be assured that we’re one phone call or one email away to help and address any maintenance requirements you may have.

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