Laundry renovation: what to consider

In this article

1. Laundry renovation: what to consider

In brief

• Initial considerations
• Expert advice
• Can I do it myself?
• Common pitfalls

Initial considerations, experts to employ and common pitfalls to avoid when renovating your laundry.

Initial considerations

• If creating a new laundry, discuss your needs, usage patterns and budget with a designer, architect or licensed builder before drawing up plans.
• Does the redesign entail structurally altering the space: excavating, adding or resiting windows, doors, skylights or chutes; installing an underfloor tank or solar hot water system?
• Will you need to install or resite plumbing or wiring? Do you need to embed fixtures into walls, floor or ceiling?
• Are you incorporating laundry facilities into a bathroom? This may require additional power, plumbing, cabinetry or vents.
• Provide your builder with the design plans plus accurate measurements and exact positions of existing fixtures and fittings, along with any storage or appliances you're retaining. Take a copy of the floorplan when sourcing fittings.
• In consultation with your builder determine what subcontractors you'll need when (for structural alterations or complex plumbing, allow extra time and cost).

• Are existing walls, floor and ceiling made from concrete, wood, tiles or plasterboard? Different materials, rafter configurations and cavity space can affect structural work and placement of your ventilation, lighting, circuitry, plumbing and cabinetry.
• Will you need to change existing plumbing or wiring to accommodate the new design? To save plumbing costs and increase efficiency group the tub, washer/dryer and shower stall together.
• Is existing drainage adequate or will you need to install a new drain and sub-floor waterproof membrane? If installing grey water recycling, your plumber needs to add a pipe from the external laundry output to a holding tank or garden bed (NB: grey water can be stored for a maximum of 24 hours before reuse.)
• Will any existing fixtures, fittings or appliances be incorporated into the new design? Can you resurface or refit existing fittings to cut costs?

Expert advice

Depending on the scale and budget of your renovation, you may consult any of the following professionals:

• Architect or interior designer
• An integrated laundry renovation service or builder
• Plumber or waterproofing contractor
• Electrician
• Carpenter or cabinetmaker
• Tiler, renderer or flooring specialist
• Painter
  

Check all the contractors you hire are qualified, licensed and insured. Be clear on what you expect from each before finalising contracts, handing over cash or beginning work.

Can I do it myself?

• Laundry renovations can be more complex than is first apparent. Many tasks require skilled work.
• In particular don't DIY plumbing, electricals or complex building.
• You may consider doing some of the following tasks yourself: helping design the new floorplan, cabinetry or style; sourcing fittings, finishes or appliances; installing shelving, benches and cupboards; removing or installing simple fittings such as hooks, towelrails, shelves and taps; painting or lining cupboards.

Common pitfalls

Plan ahead and consult professionals to avoid these laundry design pitfalls.

• Scheduling contractors in incorrect order or too close together, leading to skipped stages and extra work or cost.
• Designing an impractical layout, such as not grouping appliances to make efficient use of existing plumbing.
• Selecting unsuitable fittings or finishes such as untreated wood, low-gloss paint or slippery flooring.
• Failing to allow adequate space for functional usage.
• Failing to add proper drainage and ventilation, hastening deterioration or damage.
• Underestimating the complexity, time and costs involved.