Modern Bathroom Renovation for a 1910 Home in Woodville

Project Overview

As part of the ongoing renovation of their 1910 home, which had seen numerous modifications over the years, the homeowners chose to focus on the main bathroom. Having already completed the demolition work, they were ready to move forward with a professionally managed rebuild.

Because both homeowners worked full-time, they knew they would not have the time to organise trades, suppliers, and schedules themselves. They wanted an experienced team to fully manage the project and keep everything moving smoothly.

From the beginning, they were focused on creating a high-quality bathroom with modern finishes while still respecting the character of the older home. The clients also understood that older homes can come with hidden surprises once construction begins.

Renovation Consultant Andrea Yeatman worked with the homeowners during the planning phase, helping shape the project and prepare it for construction. Once the build commenced, Project Manager Michael Zhang and his team coordinated the trades, managed the programme, and guided the renovation through to completion.

Design & Planning

Although the homeowners already had a clear vision for the bathroom, they needed support bringing everything together and managing the rebuild process. Their design choices were centred around a beautiful green concrete basin that they had purchased before the renovation began, which became a key feature and inspiration for the overall look of the space.

The design included a completely new bathroom layout with:

• A new shower
• New bath
• New flooring
• Updated vanity
• Modern fixtures and fittings
• Fresh paintwork and tiling throughout

The clients selected bold colours and carefully chosen tiles that helped give the bathroom a strong visual character. A Newtech vanity became one of the standout features of the finished space.

Colour selections were further refined with assistance from Resene colour consultant Connor, helping ensure all finishes worked together beautifully.

Because the home was built in 1910, the team planned carefully before construction, knowing there was a possibility hidden structural issues could appear once the space was opened further.

Project Execution

The renovation involved a full rebuild of the bathroom after demolition had already been completed.

Michael Zhang and his team coordinated all trades involved in the project, including builders, plumbers, electricians, tilers, painters, GIB stoppers, and shower glass installers.

The work included:

• Rebuilding the bathroom structure
• Installation of new flooring
• Plumbing upgrades
• Electrical work and variations
• New shower installation
• New vanity and fittings
• Full tiling works
• Painting and finishing work
• Installation of shower glass and hardware

The original construction timeline was planned for seven weeks. However, after work began, unexpected structural problems were uncovered beneath the bathroom floor.

Challenges Overcome

As suspected with an older home, hidden issues were discovered once construction started.

The team found that the bathroom lacked a proper foundation. Instead, the structure sat on old logs that needed to be completely replaced before the rebuild could proceed safely.

This added an extra two weeks to the project timeline and required additional building work.

Rather than rushing through the problem, Michael Zhang and his team kept the clients fully informed throughout the process. Clear communication helped the homeowners understand the issue and gave them confidence that the bathroom was being rebuilt properly for the long term.

The additional work ensured that the new bathroom would not only look great but also have a strong, stable foundation.

Client Experience

The homeowners appreciated having an experienced team manage every aspect of the renovation. With both clients working full-time, they knew coordinating trades, suppliers, materials, and schedules would be challenging, which is why they chose to work with Renovation Consultant Andrea Yeatman, Project Manager Michael Zhang, and their team.

After approaching several renovation companies, the homeowners later shared:

"Refresh Manawatu was the most responsive and most professional of the three."

Communication was a key part of the experience. The clients felt that the team took the time to understand their ideas, listen to what they wanted to achieve, and provide professional guidance throughout the project.

Hear From the Homeowners

Watch the homeowners share their experience working with Renovation Consultant Andrea Yeatman, Project Manager Michael Zhang, and their team throughout this bathroom renovation, including how they navigated unexpected challenges and delivered a high-quality result.

As expected with a home that had undergone numerous modifications over the years, unexpected issues were uncovered during construction. However, the homeowners appreciated having professionals manage the process and keep them informed every step of the way.

Reflecting on the experience, they said:

"Having Refresh Manawatu project manage our build took all the stress out of the whole renovation. They managed all the tradies, timings, materials, variations and unplanned issues. They were so fantastic."

The finished bathroom exceeded expectations. The homeowners were delighted with the quality of workmanship, the bold colour choices, and the final design. Describing the completed space, they shared:

"We now have a beautiful bathroom to enjoy. It has been built to such high quality, it feels like a 5-star hotel bathroom in our home – a bit surreal to be honest!!"

The clients were so pleased with the outcome that they indicated they would happily work with Andrea Yeatman, Michael Zhang, and their team again on future renovation projects.

Final Thoughts

This project successfully transformed an outdated bathroom in a 1910 home into a modern and highly functional space.

Despite discovering major foundation issues during construction, the project was carefully managed and completed to a high standard. The additional structural work also helped future-proof the bathroom for years to come.

Through strong communication, detailed project management, and quality workmanship, Project Manager Michael Zhang and his team delivered a bathroom renovation that combined modern comfort with the character of the original home.

Have a renovation idea? Discuss it with the Refresh Renovations Manawatu team today!