Dual Bathroom Renovation for a Tenanted Home in St Heliers

Project Overview

This project involved renovating two first-floor bathrooms in a free-standing home in St Heliers, Auckland. The property was tenanted at the time, which added an extra layer of complexity to the project. The landlord needed the renovation completed before travelling overseas, while still allowing the tenants to live in the home comfortably during construction.

The client approached Refresh Renovations with an explicit request: renovate both bathrooms quickly, efficiently, and with minimal disruption. The project required careful planning, strong scheduling, and clear communication to ensure the work could be completed on time without disrupting tenants’ daily routines.

Client Goals and Initial Enquiry

The client, the property's landlord, wanted to renovate the bathrooms as soon as possible. Timing was critical, as the client was due to leave the country within six weeks. At the same time, the client wanted to ensure the tenants could continue using the home during the renovation.

A key requirement was that one bathroom must remain functional at all times. The client specifically requested that the two bathrooms be renovated separately rather than simultaneously to avoid inconveniencing the tenants.

For the en-suite bathroom, the client wanted to:

• Remove the existing spa
• Install a new bathtub
• Increase the size of the shower without requiring council consent

For the main bathroom, the client wanted:

• A like-for-like renovation
• A modern, refreshed appearance

Budget Considerations

The renovation was planned as a like-for-like upgrade, which allowed the team to provide a fixed-cost quotation at the start of the project. It gave the client confidence and clarity around costs from the beginning. During the renovation, a small number of variations were required. These arose due to:

• Changes in product selections made by the client
• The discovery of rotten timber, which needed to be repaired to ensure the bathrooms were structurally sound

All variations were discussed and agreed upon before proceeding. The client was comfortable with these changes, as the overall scope and timeline remained under control.

Timeline and Project Scheduling

The project was scheduled to be completed within one month, and this timeline was achieved. Because the property was tenanted, careful scheduling was essential. The Refresh team planned the work so that:

• Only one bathroom was taken out of use at a time
• Tenants always had access to a functioning bathroom and toilet
• Trades were scheduled efficiently to avoid unnecessary downtime

This approach allowed the renovation to move forward smoothly while respecting the tenants’ needs.

Work Completed

The Refresh team coordinated and managed all required trades to deliver the project. The scope of work included the full renovation of both bathrooms, completed one after the other.

Trades involved in the project were:

• Licensed plumber
• Licensed electrician
• Painter
• Handyman

Each trade was carefully scheduled to ensure smooth handovers between stages and keep the project on track.

Design and Material Choices

The design approach focused on keeping the bathrooms modern while maintaining consistency with the rest of the home. One notable design choice was using the same flooring as in the kitchen in the bathrooms. It helped create a cohesive look throughout the house and maintained the property's overall style.

The en-suite renovation included replacing the old spa with a new bathtub and expanding the shower area, improving comfort and functionality without requiring council consent. The main bathroom renovation followed a like-for-like approach but with updated finishes to give it a fresh, modern appearance.

Challenges and How They Were Managed

The main challenge of this project was working around tenants while meeting a strict deadline. Renovating two bathrooms in an occupied home can be disruptive if not managed carefully.

This challenge was addressed by:

• Renovating one bathroom at a time
• Clearly communicating the schedule with the tenants
• Coordinating trades so that work progressed efficiently
• Keeping the site clean and organised

Thanks to this approach, the renovation was completed without significant disruption, and the client was able to leave overseas knowing the project was finished.

Final Outcome

The project delivered precisely what was promised. Both bathrooms were renovated within the agreed timeframe, the tenants were able to continue living comfortably in the home, and the client was satisfied with the final result.

The refreshed bathrooms now offer:

• Improved functionality
• A modern, clean appearance
• Consistency with the rest of the home’s design

The careful planning, precise scheduling, and fixed-cost approach ensured a smooth renovation from start to finish.

Client Experience

The client’s main concerns were the timeframe and coordination, especially with tenants living in the property. These concerns were successfully addressed through structured planning and staged execution.

By completing the renovation within one month and managing the bathrooms separately, the Refresh team delivered a solution that met both the client’s and tenants’ needs.