The Brief
The clients purchased a 1992 Browns Bay home with two bathrooms that had never been touched. Original avocado-green tiles, pressed-metal vanity, and a bath that had seen better decades. Budget: $32,000 for both bathrooms combined.
The Process
Week one was demolition — always the most satisfying and most alarming stage. Once the tiles came off, they found the original waterproofing membrane had failed in multiple places. This added $4,200 to the budget for remediation work, a common discovery in pre-2000 NZ homes.
The main bathroom was reconfigured to remove the bath (the clients never used it) and expand the shower to 1200×900mm with a frameless screen. The second bathroom kept its bath for resale value.
What They Chose
Wall tiles: 300×600mm bone matte porcelain, stacked vertically. Floor: 200×200mm charcoal slate-look mosaic. Vanity: wall-hung 750mm oak-look cabinet with integrated basin. Tapware: matte black throughout for cohesion.
The Result
Total cost came to $34,800 — slightly over budget due to the waterproofing remediation. Completed in six weeks. The homeowners describe opening the bathroom door as the best part of waking up. Three neighbours have since asked for the tradesperson's number.